The new Yangwang Altior provides a Chinese take on top-end luxury, combined with a fully electric powertrain
Named after the Latin word meaning ‘higher’, the design of the luxury saloon is said to be inspired by the ‘ding’ – an ancient Chinese ceremonial bronze vessel.
Despite the Altior’s traditional influences, what lies beneath its 5.6-metre-long body is ultra-modern, including BYD’s second-generation Blade batteries.
The Altior broadens the model range for the Yangwang brand, an upmarket division of the globally successful BYD Auto company.
Yangwang recently toppled its own Guinness World Record for the fastest production car, with the electric U9 Xtreme reaching an incredible 312mph.
Yangwang Altior can float on water
The Yangwang Altior should offer a rather more refined driving experience than the U9 Xtreme, although it too comes with four independently controlled electric motors.
These can adjust their torque output more than 100 times per second, and can even help control the car in the event of a high-speed tyre blowout.
The Altior also features ’emergency flotation capability’, should you (by accident, presumably) find yourself in a lake or canal.
Being able to ‘tank turn’ – i.e. rotate around its own axis – is likely to be of greater use for those navigating the luxury saloon through city streets, however.
The exact technical specification of the Altior is currently under wraps, but Yangwang says it is capable of more than 621 miles on the Chinese CLTC combined test cycle.
Inside the Yangwang Altior
On the inside, a 3.5-metre wheelbase is designed to maximise space for four occupants in a very luxurious environment.
Hand-polished yellow Hetian jade is used for the air vents, with metal used for the switches and traditional Suzhou embroidery on the seats.
Passengers can enjoy ‘zero-gravity’ seats with a massage function, plus the ability to watch a 21.4-inch overhead screen for entertainment or business conferences.
A 39-speaker Dynaudio Platinum Evidence sound system is fitted, along with refrigerated storage compartments for both the front and rear seats.
BYD executive vice president Stella Li said: “Altior brings together the depth of Chinese culture and our ambition to create something extraordinary for the people who will experience it.
“Our engineers, designers and craftspeople have worked together to give that heritage a contemporary expression through design, craftsmanship and technology. The result is a vehicle with luxury in every fibre and power in its soul. Altior represents our vision for the future of Chinese luxury.”
BYD has not yet confirmed whether the Yangwang Altior will be sold in the UK. However, it certainly represents a powerful statement of intent from the ascendant Chinese marque.
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