Yangwang Altior: BYD Teases a 5.5-Metre Saloon to Rival Rolls-Royce
BYD's flagship brand Yangwang has teased a large luxury saloon called the Altior, aimed directly at the Rolls-Royce Ghost. BYD released the first teaser images and video on 27 October, CarNewsChina reported that day, and Auto Express has also covered the car. The full reveal is planned for Dubai on 5 November.
Key takeaways
- Flagship saloon called Altior abroad and Dingyao in China; Altior is Latin for "higher".
- About 5.5 metres long with a 3,350 mm wheelbase, around 100 mm longer than a standard Ghost.
- Rear-hinged rear doors, large chrome wheels and a roof-mounted LiDAR sensor.
- Powertrain not confirmed; world debut in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
Design
The Altior follows the design language first used on the Yangwang U8 SUV. The front end is inspired by the ding, an ancient Chinese bronze vessel. The long bonnet, the long distance between the front axle and the windscreen and the upright proportions recall Rolls-Royce, as do the rear-hinged rear doors and wheels similar to those of the Ghost and Phantom. The one clear difference is the LiDAR housing above the windscreen, which Auto Express compares to a taxi sign.
The name sits above the U8 SUV and the U9 supercar in the line-up. Yangwang sales general manager Hu Xiaoqing announced the overseas name, and the car was previously known by the codename "HU".
Powertrain and price
Yangwang has not confirmed what drives the Altior. Auto Express says it could be fully electric or a plug-in hybrid with a four-cylinder engine, but it will not use a V12. It may share hardware with the U8, which combines a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 49 kWh battery for 880 kW (1,180 bhp), 1,280 Nm and more than 160 km (100 miles) of electric range. CarNewsChina reports that four electric motors and hydraulic suspension are likely.
CarNewsChina gives an expected price of about 2 million yuan in China, roughly 250,000 euros at 2026 exchange rates. Auto Express expects the car to undercut the Rolls-Royce Ghost and Bentley Flying Spur in Europe while still being one of the most expensive Chinese cars sold there.
What it means for you
The Dubai debut points to the Middle East as the first export market, and no European launch has been confirmed. For European buyers the Altior shows how far Chinese brands are moving into the luxury class. Until prices, warranty terms and a dealer network are announced, it remains a car to watch rather than to order.
Read about the Rolls-Royce Phantom, BYD's other premium brand in our Denza history, or browse the BYD catalogue.
Sources
- CarNewsChina: BYD teases Yangwang Altior high-end sedan to rival Rolls-Royce (27 Oct 2026) (accessed 1 Nov 2026)
- Auto Express: Yangwang Altior is BYD's challenge to Rolls-Royce (Oct 2026) (accessed 1 Nov 2026)
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