Rolls-Royce concept debuts
Rare coupé rolls out at Geneva this week
Rolls-Royce 101EX concept
"It is a very modern car, a 21st century design that respectfully nods to the past but focuses indisputably on the future," said RR's chief designer Ian Cameron.
101EX uses the same lightweight aluminium construction that was developed for the Phantom, although the body is shorter by 240mm. The four-seat coupé features twin 'suicide' doors, a lower roofline than the Phantom’s, and a shallower glass area. The famous grille is tilted back, while the brushed aluminium bonnet and windscreen surround join the rest of the bodywork, which is finished in dark tungsten. New 21-inch forged aluminium wheels complete the exterior look.
Inside, it's all Rolls Royce styling cues. The interior is designed to appear elegant while cosseting the occupants. You get machined aluminium, leather and rosewood and red oak veneers throughout. At the front is a pair of slimline bucket seats while the spacious rear seat delivers intimate comfort for two. Privacy is assured by the sweeping C-pillars.
The design team has experimented with interior lighting on 101EX, and the car features a ‘starlight headliner’ made up of hundreds of fibre optic cables to give the impression of a star filled night sky.
RR's boss Ian Robertson said: "101EX employs the same engineering philosophy as the Phantom, balancing high technology with hand craftsmanship. It illustrates the position of strength from which we operate and points the way for potential new models."
Currently there are no plans to develop a production version of 101EX.
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Very tastefull. Sounds a bit like they should have painted it white, given it a stretch, put a small disco on board and hired it out to stag / hen parties. Bet Lincon will be worried.
paulie-mafia said:
I wish they'd do something a bit more adventurous!
Agreed. Is it just me or have they just whacked a hard top on the 100EX? Remember the Simpsons when Marge made lots of dresses out of the cheap pink Chanel one? Whats next, a flat bed? A combi-cross-over-under? A Rolls coupé should be something towards the Maybach coupé, if a bit more restrained and elegant. Ordinary it should not be.
>> Edited by andy.shent on Tuesday 28th February 14:21
Al 450 said:
Am I missing the point here, surely no-one who buys a Rolls drives it themselves so therefore why would they want to inconvenience themselves by removing the rear doors?
I would have thought the opposite. A Rolls coupé is something to relish and cherish and to enjoy the occasion of travel in, which would include propelling one with ones self at the controls. A fantastically extravagent mode of transport for two.
I do have one of those heavy personal biases towards Rolls-Royce that makes me back anything they put out but, I think this is very nice in its own - as was the 100ex. Im sure this will be a production car - like the 100ex...
>> Edited by 604 on Tuesday 28th February 16:52
up-the-dubs said:
Am I missing the point here, surely no-one who buys a Rolls drives it themselves so therefore why would they want to inconvenience themselves by removing the rear doors?
I would have thought the opposite. A Rolls coupé is something to relish and cherish and to enjoy the occasion of travel in, which would include propelling one with ones self at the controls. A fantastically extravagent mode of transport for two.
I fear that you may have misunderstood the irony in my original statement.
Clearly there will now be a rash of orders from California along with much head nodding, 'dubs' and general 'bling.' Expect it to star in the next Fiddy cent video.
I throw down the gauntlet, who will be brave enough to fit hydraulics to the Rolls?
Still, its a roller, and will undoubtedly look awesome in the metal.
Ali.
"For year's people have been asking Rolls-Royce to make a coupe, now they've been bought by BMW they can"
He obviously has never heard of the Camargue or Corniche, how on earth did he get a job presenting a motoring show. Apparently he's an ex-car dealer.
What a complete joke... Rolls Royce is now German which alone is enough to put me off the machine.. Secondly it looks to much like that god damn Phantom.. The grill is too wide and squatted and those headlights are plain wrong!
On this concept car, I hate the stylised grill... Ok it isn't as bad as that silver serph thing, which had all its edges rounded and made it look more like a Bently.... but its simply not the done thing!
Who designs these things and who decides to make them?... Yes the suicide doors are a nice touch but, I have lost complete interest in the whole thing.. I shall not be buying any future Rolls Royce or Bentley cars. If I buy one, it'll be a Chrome bumpered Shadow or earlier....
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