BYD, the Chinese electric vehicle giant, unveiled the "Yangwang Altior," a luxurious electric sedan modeled after Rolls-Royce, packed with premium materials, reclining massage seats, a 39-speaker audio system, and four independent motors enabling the car to spin on its axis. It also features an emergency flotation system if the car falls into water. The special edition is available for pre-order in China starting at about 2.08 million yuan, or roughly 10.43 million baht.
BYD, a leading Chinese electric car manufacturer, introduced its new luxury electric vehicle, the Yangwang Altior, under its flagship Yangwang brand, at a launch event in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The company aims to compete in the luxury car market at the same level as the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The Yangwang Altior took three years to develop and design, featuring a body length of 5,600 millimeters and a width of 2,030 millimeters. Although shorter than the Rolls-Royce Phantom, it boasts a large, elegant form inspired by ancient Chinese culture, particularly the bronze vessel called "Ding," used in traditional Chinese ceremonies, reflected in its large grille and upright, distinctive front design.
or "more elevated," while the Chinese name "Dingyao" conveys strength and brilliance.
The exterior stands out with a large grille designed to resemble fine jewelry, featuring 12 decorative lights that rotate and illuminate sequentially as the owner approaches. Additionally, the front emblem is crafted from 24-karat gold.
The car uses Coach Doors, with rear doors opening outward 90 degrees from the rear and front doors opening 80 degrees. It includes specially designed umbrellas hidden within the doors, following a design approach similar to Rolls-Royce.
Inside, the cabin seats four, prioritizing rear passengers. The rear seats resemble airplane seats and can recline with leg rests and mechanical massage functions, while the front passenger seat can fold and slide forward to increase rear legroom, which measures up to 1,209 millimeters.
The car offers a relaxation mode that simultaneously reclines the seats, closes window curtains, adjusts interior lighting, and controls the car's fragrance.
Entertainment features include a Dynaudio Platinum Evidence audio system with 39 speakers; the tweeters rise and rotate when the car starts. There is also a 21.4-inch overhead display for movies or video conferencing and refrigerators in both front and rear compartments.
Premium interior materials include polished yellow Hetian jade around the air vents, traditional Suzhou silk embroidery, genuine metal switches, premium-grade leather, natural wood, and real animal fur carpets. Engineers tested the metal switches' sound and feel by tapping them with small hammers to ensure quality.
A key highlight of the Yangwang Altior is its e4 platform drivetrain, using four electric motors independently controlling each wheel. The system adjusts the torque of each side more than 100 times per second to improve stability and driving performance.
This system enables the car to rotate around its axis like a tank—a maneuver called Tank Turn—making it easier to control and turn around in tight spaces.
Additionally, it features an active suspension that continuously adjusts to road conditions to maintain passenger comfort and a stability control system designed to keep the car steady even if a tire blows out at high speed.
Another notable technology is the emergency flotation system, designed to enhance safety by allowing the car to float if it accidentally falls into water.
Regarding power, the Yangwang Altior uses BYD's second-generation Blade Battery, which the company claims can travel over 621 miles (about 1,000 kilometers) on a single charge, according to China's CLTC testing standard.
The car supports BYD’s latest Flash Charging technology for fast charging. However, the company has not officially disclosed the battery capacity, charging rates, or other technical performance details.
BYD plans to sell the Yangwang Altior in Executive and Bespoke models, with the latter allowing customized details per customer preferences. There is also a limited Shanhe Dingyun Bespoke Edition featuring a brown and gold exterior and an interior inspired by Chinese jade.
The special edition is available for pre-order in China at 2.08 million yuan, equivalent to about 311,500 U.S. dollars or approximately 10.5 million baht. Prices for other models have not yet been officially announced.
Stella Lee, BYD’s executive vice president, said the Yangwang Altior blends Chinese cultural heritage with a commitment to outstanding automotive craftsmanship. Engineers, designers, and artisans worked together to convey cultural identity through design, craftsmanship, and modern technology.
She stated that this model reflects BYD’s vision for the future of Chinese luxury cars, combining exquisite decoration with high performance and advanced technology.
The launch of the Yangwang Altior marks another step for BYD in expanding from consumer electric vehicles into the high-end luxury car market, a segment long dominated by European brands like Rolls-Royce. BYD is leveraging battery technology, electric drivetrains, and designs infused with Chinese culture to establish a foothold for Chinese luxury cars globally.