Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a second experimental car, 101EX, at the Geneva show today. It has been hand built to explore a potential design direction for a future coupe model. “It is a very modern car, a 21st century design that respectfully nods to the past but focuses indisputably on the future,” said Ian Cameron, Chief Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. 101EX uses the same lightweight aluminium construction that was developed for the Phantom, although the body is shorter by 240mm. A full four-seat coupé, twin coach doors add to the car’s rakish good looks and streamlined coupe profile.
The roofline is lower than the Phantom’s, with a shallower glass area. Streamlined styling starts at the front with the famous grille, discreetly reclined, and extends back across a brushed aluminium bonnet and windscreen surround. The rest of the sleek bodywork is finished in dark tungsten. New 21-inch forged aluminium wheels complete the exterior look.
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Inside, the cosseting interior has been designed for elegance and maximum comfort for all four occupants. Machined aluminium, fine leather and rosewood and red oak veneers are used throughout. Slimline bucket seats offer outstanding comfort for front passengers while the exceptionally spacious rear seat delivers intimate comfort for two. Privacy is assured by the sweeping C-pillars.
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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.
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Ian Robertson, Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, 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.”
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Currently there are no official plans to develop a production version of 101EX.
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02/27, 4:15 PM
posted by:
KissMyX
The hood is big enough, now they only have to put in the Veyron engine… then it should be cewl
02/27, 5:02 PM
posted by:
mark
Personally i think its ugly – its a chopped phantom with what seems to be an ill-fitting hardtop bolted on, reminds me of the Porsche aftermarket hardtops u put on in winter 2 look after the driver!
02/27, 5:52 PM
posted by:
Jim
cue al hirt – i see the black beauty coming.
actually, i kind of like the WW2-vintage ****pit frame windshield treatment. it’s out there enough to be substantially different from most other concepts.
that said, this is the closest i’ll ever get to one of them, financially and otherwise.
02/27, 6:43 PM
posted by:
king
frankly a ferrari f430 looks more bling and has more presence than this big old thing
02/27, 6:53 PM
posted by:
emilio
It looks good, but it´s no match for the Continental GT that it might be aiming for..
02/27, 7:58 PM
posted by:
John
What? A Ferrari F430? What does that have to do with this car?
02/27, 9:56 PM
posted by:
manny
huh… looks like a 100EX with a fixed top… which is better for this area… but still no good for my wallet.
02/28, 1:36 AM
posted by:
Salman
Heres somthing i’d really would want to have, Somthing thats got elegance with power. . . but then again,’like “manny” said, not really good for the wallet !!
02/28, 2:07 AM
posted by:
Peter
Yup, it’s kind of ugly…in the most fascinating way. It’s big and powerfull, yet elegant with an attitude. The retro-feel is very appealing, especially underlined by the WW2 Spitfire ****pit-like windshield.
03/02, 2:13 PM
posted by:
Emjay
Build it and they will come! Classic yet modern at the same time.
04/14, 6:48 AM
posted by:
barry
its bluddy bootiful
05/02, 9:54 AM
posted by:
MrMet
This is a very fine car. But I’d rather have S65 AMG with its have price and better look.
05/18, 4:02 AM
posted by:
The Stig
Inevitable.
08/14, 3:18 PM
posted by:
shan
i really love this car its really neat looking