Just days after its U9 Xtreme clocked a record-breaking 503.17 km/h (312.65 mph) in Abu Dhabi, YANGWANG returned to the UAE capital for a black-tie unveiling of something entirely different. This time, BYD's luxury brand introduced the ALTIOR, an all-electric limousine entering the ultra-luxury market. Its name comes from the Latin word for "higher," while its Chinese name, Dingyao, references the ancient ding, a ceremonial bronze vessel associated with authority and prestige.
For some perspective, YANGWANG sits atop BYD's automotive portfolio, above premium brand DENZA and its mainstream offerings. Established in 2022, the marque has already introduced the U7 executive sedan, U8 luxury off-roader with its distinctive tank-turn capability, and U9 electric supercar. Developed over three years, the ALTIOR now enters a segment occupied by established marques like Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Mercedes-Maybach, and Cadillac, alongside Chinese rivals including Hongqi's Guoya limousine and the Huawei-backed Maextro S800.

At 220.5 inches long, the ALTIOR exceeds a standard Rolls-Royce Ghost but remains shorter than the Phantom. Its ding-inspired exterior combines a jewellery-inspired grille, an oracle-bone-script emblem, and 12 lighting elements that rotate and illuminate sequentially during the welcome sequence. Polished 21-inch disc-style wheels, two-tone paintwork, and a roof-mounted sensor housing complete the imposing appearance.
Rear-hinged coach doors open 90 degrees, revealing a four-seat cabin built around a 137.8-inch wheelbase. YANGWANG emphasizes traditional craftsmanship alongside modern technology. Hand-polished yellow Hetian jade adorns the air vents, while artisans split silk threads to embroider cloud motifs into the upholstery. Full-grain semi-aniline leather, pure-wool floor mats, natural wood, and real-metal switches complete the materials palette.
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Rear passengers enjoy reclining zero-gravity seats with four-head mechanical massage, 1,209 mm of legroom, and a console controlling the cabin's amenities. A button folds the front passenger seat to improve the rear occupant's forward view. There's also a 39-speaker Dynaudio Platinum Evidence system with rising, rotating tweeters, a powered 21.4-inch overhead screen, and front and rear refrigerators. The 5.5-liter rear compartment can cool or warm its contents, while relaxation mode coordinates the seats, lighting, fragrance, and blinds. Bespoke door-mounted umbrellas take inspiration from Beijing's Temple of Heaven.
Of course, electric propulsion makes sense in a limousine designed around rear-seat comfort, offering smooth acceleration and minimal vibration. YANGWANG's four-motor e⁴ platform adjusts torque at individual wheels more than 100 times per second, working with DiSus active suspension that manages body movement across six degrees of freedom. BYD also claims tank-turn capability, emergency flotation, and stability assistance during a high-speed tire blowout. The ALTIOR debuts BYD's 4 nm Xuanji A3 chip for its God’s Eye A assisted-driving system.
Its second-generation Blade Battery promises more than 621 miles under China's CLTC testing cycle, with FLASH Charging specifications still to come. Reservations have opened in China for the limited Shanhe Dingyun Bespoke Edition, with an anticipated price of ¥2.08 million (approximately $292,000). Final pricing, deliveries, and international availability remain unconfirmed.
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Images: Yangwang, BYD