BYD’s luxury brand Yangwang has unveiled the Altior, a 5.6-metre electric limousine designed to challenge established ultra-luxury marques such as Rolls-Royce and Mercedes-Maybach.
The four-seat flagship made its global debut in Abu Dhabi on Nov 7, combining advanced electric technology, traditional Chinese craftsmanship and limousine-style accommodation.
Measuring 5,600 mm long, 2,030 mm wide and 1,590 mm tall, the Altior has a 3,500 mm wheelbase.
Its rivals include the Rolls-Royce Ghost, Mercedes-Maybach S-Class, Bentley Flying Spur and China’s Maextro S800.
Yangwang has also copied a familiar Rolls-Royce signature: umbrellas concealed within the doors. The Altior’s rear-hinged coach doors open to 90 degrees, while the front doors open to 80 degrees.
Underneath is BYD’s e4 platform, featuring four independently controlled electric motors. The system varies torque distribution more than 100 times per second to maintain stability, including during a high-speed tyre blowout.
The arrangement also enables tank turns, allowing the limousine to rotate on the spot. Another unusual feature is emergency flotation capability, designed to keep the vehicle afloat temporarily if it accidentally enters water.
A next-generation DiSus fully active suspension system monitors the road ahead and adjusts body control in real time.
Power comes from BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery, delivering a claimed range exceeding 1,000 km under China’s CLTC test cycle. A rough TienCars estimate puts this at around 800 km WLTP-equivalent.
The Altior also supports BYD’s Flash Charging technology, although its battery capacity, charging output and motor performance figures remain undisclosed.
For assisted driving, the limousine introduces BYD’s internally developed 4 nm Xuanji A3 processor, supporting the God’s Eye A system with urban and highway navigation assistance and automated parking functions.
Inside, two individual rear seats provide reclining, leg-rest and massage functions. Rear passengers also receive a powered 21.4-inch overhead display, while a 39-speaker Dynaudio sound system handles entertainment.
Traditional Chinese materials feature throughout, including Hetian jade detailing, Suzhou embroidery, semi-aniline leather and natural wood.
The Altior will be offered in Executive and Bespoke editions. The first special version, Shanhe Dingyun, features a brown-and-gold exterior and jade-inspired interior. Pre-order price in China starts from 2,080,000 yuan (RM1.26 million).
