When it comes to proper luxury cars, that badge on a hood usually does half the work before you even open the door. When you are buying a Rolls-Royce or a Mercedes-Maybach, you are paying for a century of social agreement that says this object is special. The global car industry used to operate for decades on a simple (unspoken) rule – Western Europe builds the ultra-luxury flagships for heads of state and billionaires, and Asian manufacturers stick to high-volume commuters or sensible SUVs. That old industry comfort blanket is looking increasingly thin and worn out now, because BYD pulled the covers off a (€265,900) ultra-luxury flagship that does not care a slightest bit about European heritage.
Known internationally as the Yangwang Altior – with Chinese name Dingyao – this new four-door executive saloon is a definition of a corporate ambition.
