BYD has already demonstrated that Chinese manufacturers can compete in the heart of the mainstream car market. Its latest creation shows that its ambitions extend much further.
The Yangwang Altior is a vast electric limousine designed to compete at the very top of the luxury-car market. It was unveiled in Abu Dhabi by Yangwang, BYD’s flagship brand, following three years of development.
At 5.6 metres long and more than two metres wide, the Altior has the proportions of a proper luxury flagship. Its upright front, long body and four-seat cabin inevitably invite comparisons with the Rolls-Royce Phantom, although Yangwang says its design takes inspiration from the ancient Chinese ding ceremonial vessel.
The interior is every bit as extravagant as the bodywork. Rear passengers receive reclining seats with leg rests and massage functions, while the cabin includes a 39-speaker Dynaudio sound system, a large overhead display and refrigerators for front and rear occupants.
The materials are deliberately theatrical too. Yangwang says the Altior uses full-grain leather, natural wood, traditional Chinese silk embroidery and yellow Hetian jade.
Underneath the luxury is some seriously interesting engineering.
Four electric motors control the wheels independently, allowing the system to adjust the power being sent to each wheel. Yangwang says this can help the car remain stable even if a tyre suddenly loses pressure at high speed.
The car can also rotate on the spot using a manoeuvre sometimes described as a tank turn. It is an eye-catching feature, but it could also help such a long car turn in a restricted space.
It is the Altior’s ability to float that has attracted the most attention, although the claim needs some context.
This is not an electric car designed to be driven like a boat. The emergency flotation system is intended to provide additional protection if the vehicle accidentally enters water. It should therefore be viewed as an emergency safety feature rather than a new form of everyday motoring.
BYD has demonstrated similar technology through other Yangwang models, using sealed body construction and controlled wheel movement to help a vehicle remain afloat temporarily. Drivers should never deliberately enter floodwater or rely on a vehicle’s technology to make doing so safe.
Yangwang claims the Altior can travel more than 1,000 kilometres on China’s CLTC test cycle, which is equivalent to more than 621 miles.
This should not be interpreted as a confirmed 621-mile UK range. The CLTC test is used in China and generally produces different results from the WLTP system used for UK vehicle comparisons. No official WLTP range has been announced.
Battery capacity, charging power and detailed performance figures have also yet to be confirmed. Yangwang says the car uses BYD’s second-generation Blade Battery and Flash Charging technology, but the company will release further technical details separately.
There is also no confirmation that the Altior will be sold in the UK. No UK launch date, price or ordering information has been announced, so it cannot currently be treated as a model that will be available here.
Even if it never reaches British roads, the Altior is still significant. Chinese manufacturers are no longer concentrating solely on practical electric cars aimed at the mainstream market. Brands such as Yangwang are using advanced battery technology, ambitious engineering and distinctive design to challenge established names at the very top of the industry.
BYD is already strengthening its presence in Britain with a growing range of electric and plug-in hybrid models. The Altior offers a glimpse of the technology and expertise available across the wider group, even if this particular car remains beyond the reach of most drivers.
Its rotating manoeuvre and emergency flotation system are the attention-grabbing features, but the engineering behind them may have wider importance. Developments in battery construction, individual wheel control, charging and vehicle stability often appear first in expensive flagship cars before influencing more widely available models.
Whether the Altior can persuade luxury buyers to move away from familiar and long-established badges remains to be seen. Heritage, craftsmanship and reputation continue to carry considerable weight in this part of the market.
For now, the Altior should be seen less as a likely sight on British roads and more as a statement of intent. It shows just how far BYD’s ambitions now extend and provides an intriguing look at where the next generation of electric-car technology could be heading. To see which BYD models are currently available in the UK, explore the latest BYD lease deals from Leasing Options.
