BYD Unveils Luxury Electric Car That Can Float — and Rival Rolls-Royce

Chinese car company BYD has revealed a brand-new electric luxury car called the Yangwang Altior. It was unveiled in Abu Dhabi and is designed to compete with one of the most famous luxury cars in the world — the Rolls-Royce Phantom. The Altior is packed with high-tech features and fancy materials, and BYD says it can travel more than 621 miles on a single charge.

BYD is already known for making many types of electric vehicles. The company has gone up against Volkswagen with family cars, Porsche with sports cars, and even Ferrari with electric supercars. Now, BYD is taking its biggest swing yet by targeting the ultra-luxury market that Rolls-Royce has long dominated.

The Altior comes from Yangwang, which is BYD's top luxury brand. The car took three years to develop, which is considered a long time in China's fast-moving car industry. It measures 5,600mm long and 2,030mm wide, making it a very large vehicle — though it is still slightly shorter than a Rolls-Royce Phantom.

The car's design draws from ancient Chinese culture. The front of the car was inspired by the ding, a ceremonial bronze vessel used in ancient China. The name 'Altior' comes from the Latin word for 'higher,' while its Chinese name, Dingyao, blends the ideas of strength and radiance.

Inside, the Altior is built for comfort and luxury, especially for the two passengers in the back. The rear seats recline like airplane seats, come with leg rests, and have built-in massage systems. A special relaxation mode reclines the seats, closes the window blinds, adjusts the lighting, and even releases a chosen cabin fragrance — all with one touch.

The materials used throughout the car are very high-end. Yellow Hetian jade — a prized stone in Chinese culture — lines the air vents. The interior also features Chinese silk embroidery, full-grain leather, natural wood, real-metal switches, and pure-wool carpets.

The technology under the car is just as impressive. Four electric motors control each wheel separately, making tiny adjustments more than 100 times every second. The car also has an emergency flotation system and can perform a 'tank turn,' spinning in a full circle in one spot to help in tight spaces.

BYD has not yet announced the price, delivery dates, or whether the car will be sold outside of China. But with the Altior, BYD is making its goals very clear — it wants to reach the very top of the global luxury car market.