BYD’s Yangwang appears to be working on a new flagship electric luxury sedan. A prototype of the same has been spotted testing in China, and it resembles the Rolls-Royce Phantom.
The heavily camouflaged prototype has a long wheelbase and imposing proportions, while coach doors, or rear-hinged “suicide doors”, give it the kind of chauffeur-focused character expected from an ultra-luxury saloon. The door-handle placement makes the unusual opening arrangement fairly obvious.
The design also features large wheels inspired by recent Maybach models, a styling choice that has become increasingly common among China’s premium new-energy vehicles. An air canister visible beneath the rear bumper could point to BYD’s DiSus-A air suspension system.
Chinese reports suggest the sedan could use a pillar-less body, allowing passengers to enjoy a wide opening when both doors are opened. However, removing the B-pillars creates a major structural challenge.
Yangwang could address that with a load-bearing battery mounted low in the chassis, using the battery pack as part of the structure. Interestingly, the prototype also appears to have a conventional metal roof rather than a panoramic glass roof, potentially helping improve rigidity.
Source: Car News China / Image source: Yu Lei Kan Che
