BYD launches luxury electric sedan Yangwang Altior to challenge Rolls-Royce

BYD's luxury brand 'Yangwang', from the leading Chinese electric vehicle manufacturer, has officially unveiled its new flagship all-electric sedan, the 'BYD Yangwang Altior'. According to reports by Sandesh (Business) and Aaj Tak, the car made its global debut during a global event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. This luxury sedan has been specifically designed to directly compete with the world's most prestigious and ultra-luxury cars, such as the Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The car's name 'Altior' is derived from a Latin word meaning 'higher', while in the Chinese market, it will be known as 'Dingyao'. The car's design is inspired by the 'Ding', a traditional bronze vessel of ancient China, which is considered a symbol of power, honour, and heritage in Chinese culture. The company has introduced this model in 'Executive' and limited-run 'Bespoke' variants.

The exterior of the Yangwang Altior has been crafted in an extremely grand and royal style. It measures 5600 mm in length, 2030 mm in width, and 1590 mm in height, with a wheelbase of 3500 mm. The car features a two-tone colour scheme, with the bonnet and roof in a dark shade, giving it a distinct presence on the road. The front has a short overhang and a jewellery-like shimmering grille with an 'Oracle-bone-script' emblem. According to Aaj Tak, this grille is inspired by high-jewellery design, featuring numerous small shimmering elements polished in different ways.

The car's lighting system is also highly modern. The headlamp setup consists of 12 elements that rotate and illuminate in a special manner as one approaches the car. The side profile features two specially designed lines, 4.8 metres long, extending from the front fender to the rear taillights. The rear has slim LED taillights connected by a chrome strip. The car runs on attractive 21-inch alloy wheels, available in three different designs, fitted with 275/45 size tyres.

The most significant feature of this sedan is its powered coach doors, reminiscent of Rolls-Royce. The front doors open up to 80 degrees, while the rear doors open in the opposite direction up to 90 degrees, providing passengers ample space to enter or exit the car. Notably, both doors are equipped with facilities to hold premium umbrellas.

The interior atmosphere is as luxurious as a 7-star hotel. The interior features a dual-tone theme of beige and tan. A massive display panel spans a large part of the dashboard. The cabin construction utilises Z-stone detailing, Suzhou silk embroidery, and full-grain semi-aniline leather. Additionally, pure wool has been used for the floor mats and natural wood for the trim. The air vents feature a yellow finish.

The switches used in the car are made of genuine metal. According to BYD, during development, these switches were tested with small hammers to verify their strength. The car has a four-seat layout. The front passenger seat can be folded to provide more space for passengers seated in the rear.

Both rear seats have been designed with a special 'Zero Gravity' configuration. These seats feature a mechanical massage system with four ball-shaped massage heads and a one-touch relaxation mode. Regarding technical capabilities, this electric car claims a range of over 1,000 kilometres, making it highly capable for long-distance travel.

Through this model, BYD is prepared to challenge the dominance of established brands like Rolls-Royce and Bentley in the luxury electric vehicle market. The car is presented as a confluence of magnificent design, high-tech features, and stunning power.