BYD's Yangwang Altior Debuts With Tank Turns and 621-Mile Range

The Altior made its debut this weekend in Abu Dhabi, with BYD's Yangwang brand slotting it directly against the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Mercedes-Maybach S-Class. Four electric motors — one at each corner — and a second-generation Blade battery deliver a reported 1,000-plus horsepower. Pre-sale pricing sits at 2.08 million yuan, or roughly $311,000, with deliveries scheduled to begin in the second quarter of 2027.

Because each wheel gets its own motor, the Altior can turn on a dime like a tank, a trick no German or British luxury sedan has pulled off. It also carries an emergency flotation function meant to help the driver escape if the car ends up in water. A suspension linked to a front-facing camera adjusts settings automatically for the best ride.

The grille channels Rolls-Royce's metal nose, with individually polished elements and 12 lighting elements that rotate and illuminate one after another as the owner approaches. It's finished with 137 gem-cut elements and a front emblem reportedly made of 24-karat gold. Front doors open up to 80 degrees while rear coach doors swing to 90, and custom umbrellas hide inside the doors just like on a Rolls.

Inside, a huge screen spans the dashboard, surrounded by plenty of metal switches. Rear passengers get massaging zero-gravity chairs that recline with raising leg rests, plus silk-thread embroidery, pure-wool floor mats, and natural wood trim. BYD says the cabin offers 13.9 inches of knee room and 47.6 inches of legroom. A single-button relaxation mode raises sun blinds, reclines the seats, softens ambient lighting, and lifts the leg rests.

A 21.4-inch overhead screen swivels down from the headliner, backed by a 39-speaker audio system. Two refrigerators keep drinks hot or cold, with the rear unit holding 1.5 gallons. BYD claims the Altior covers more than 621 miles on a full charge under China's lenient CLTC rating, and recharging from 10% to 70% takes just five minutes on megawatt-capable Flash Chargers.

Yangwang already sells vehicles in China and the United Arab Emirates. Europe is next, with the first UK stores expected to open next year. The brand previously turned heads with the U9 Xtreme hypercar.