BYD's Yangwang sub-brand has had a busy week. After setting a world record for the fastest production car at 312 mph, the Chinese luxury marque is back in the headlines with something entirely different. Meet the Altior (Latin for “higher”), an electric flagship sedan that swaps outright speed for extravagant luxury, with four motors, two refrigerators, 39 speakers, and enough jade and silk inside to make a Rolls-Royce blush.

Unveiled in Abu Dhabi, the Altior is BYD's attempt to take Chinese luxury to a new level. Developed over three years, the imposing sedan takes inspiration from the ancient Chinese ding, a ceremonial bronze vessel associated with strength and dignity. Whether you see the resemblance is another matter, but there's no denying this is a seriously large vehicle.

It measures 220.5 inches (5,600 millimeters) long, 79.9 inches (2,030 mm) wide, and 62.6 inches (1,590 mm) tall. The wheelbase stretches 137.8 inches (3,500 mm), giving the Altior the sort of proportions you'd expect from an ultra-luxury limousine. It's actually a bit longer than the standard-wheelbase Phantom and has a Rolls-Royce-esque coachline running 189 inches (4.8 meters) along the body.

The imposing front grille features individually polished elements arranged to catch the light from different angles. Twelve lighting elements rotate and illuminate one after another as the owner approaches. The doors are equally theatrical, opening up to 80 degrees at the front and 90 degrees at the rear. The rear coach doors also make getting in and out easier.

BYD has even tucked bespoke umbrellas into the doors, taking the Rolls-Royce inspiration a step further.

Source link