BYD’s Yangwang U9 Extreme has just set a new high-speed record for a production car, so it’s a perfect time for the brand’s Altior electric limousine to turn up. After all, everyone’s already looking in Yangwang’s direction. The company debuted its luxury EV in the UAE over the weekend, and it’s a pricey one. Which makes sense, since BYD will only make 399 of them.
If you’re wealthy enough to afford a permanent driver, you can probably afford to lay down a deposit. The BYD Yangwang Altior demands a R741,000 (¥300,000) down payment, with an expected total of R5.13 million needed to complete the transaction. That’s right up there with any Western-made luxury vehicle. Does the Chinese brand justify the cost?
Altior ego
The 5.6-metre Altior will arrive with a range of 1,000km (CLTC), BYD’s Blade 2 battery tech, and… very little drivetrain information besides that. There’s no indication whether the limousine will be fully electric or if it’s set to be a hybrid just yet. Given how the Yangwang U9 Extreme just performed, we wouldn’t be surprised to see BYD at least offer a full EV option.
Far more has been said of the vehicle’s interior, most of which is dedicated to passengers. The first version will include two full-sized seats with leg rests, champagne holders, a central console, and trim options that include Hetian jade, gold, and aramid fibre. The company also plans a five-seat version of the vehicle at a later stage. Odds are, that one won’t be quite as internally spacious… for the passengers. The driver will have to contend with privacy shades and not spilling the champagne, either way.
As for who this is for, BYD’s choice to unveil it while in Abu Dhabi might be a clue. Very few can afford the Altior’s price tag. Richer Chinese capitalists and some UAE residents are likely to want both a chauffeur and something to stick them in. The driver doesn’t come standard with the car, of course. That would be weird. And very illegal.
BYD hasn’t said when the first Yangwang Altio models will become available. Presumably, if you give them money, they’ll let you know what time delivery is likely. The rest of us poor folk can wait.
