Rolls-Royce Brings Prestige to Geneva with Luxury Coupé

Motoring Channel Staff - 3/Mar/2006

Rolls-Royce 101EX Powered by a 6.7-litre V12, the 101EX has an estimated 0-100km/h time of 5.8 seconds

Called the 101EX, this next vehicle is the latest experimental model to come from Rolls-Royce, which was built to test customer reaction to a hand-built modern coupé from the prestigious marque.

If built, the 101EX concept would rival the likes of the Bentley Continental GT, which is doing good business for parent company Volkswagen.

Rolls-Royce, another British-based, German-owned company, says that following the same uncompromising approach employed for the Phantom - the current Rolls-Royce limousine - the new car is an engineering-led design wrapped in a sleek, rakish coupé body.

"101EX is a response to the interest expressed by current and potential Rolls-Royce clients in a coupé," mentioned Rolls-Royce chairman and CEO Ian Robertson. "It is an experimental car only, but one designed and engineered to a high standard. It radiates refinement, performance and presence."

It is the company's second experimental car in 24 months, following the 100EX, which was seen at Geneva in 2004 and marked the company's Centenary. "It shows that Rolls-Royce continues to operate from a position of strength, and that we are keen to explore new directions for the brand," added Robertson.

Rolls-Royce's first experimental car, 1EX, was built way back in 1919 and based on the Silver Ghost, and today the naming tradition of prototypes continues.

The 101EX shares its state-of-the-art, lightweight, aluminium space frame chassis technology with the other Rolls-Royce models, albeit in a body that is shorter overall. Power comes from the Phantom's advanced, direct-injection, 6.7-litre V12 engine, which delivers unstressed, effortless performance.

With variable valve lift and timing, the V12 combines power with outstanding combustion efficiency, giving the vehicle about twice the torque of a modern V6 - 720Nm of the stuff at 3500rpm. Interestingly, the engine is built in the same facility where the famed BMW 'M' Series engines are assembled - by hand, no less.

The handsome, low-slung body of 101EX has been created by the Rolls-Royce design team under the direction of chief designer Ian Cameron. While the space frame technology has been borrowed from the Phantom, 101EX is shorter and lower than that model: the wheelbase is 250mm shorter and overall length is down by 240mm. All body panels, therefore, are new.

"101EX is a very modern, 21st century interpretation of a classic Grand Touring coupé," said chief designer Ian Cameron.

The unique exterior design features a discreet, streamlined grille, complete with Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, that flows seamlessly back into the aluminium bonnet and windscreen surround. LED sidelight and direction indicators complement the round xenon driving lights.

Long, elegant coach doors, hinged at the rear to add intrigue, allows easier access to the 101EX interior than conventional front-hinged doors and add considerably to the handsome profile. Furthermore, each door closes at the touch of a button.

New seven-spoke, 21-inch, forged aluminium wheels are used on the car, making them as tough and as light as possible. The styling of 101EX is more driver-focused than that of the longer Phantom and according to Ian Cameron, "It is a less formal car, more streamlined, more about the individual."

While the regal exterior appearance is an important aspect of any Rolls-Royce, the car will ultimately be judged on its interior, and how its occupants are taken care of. Rolls-Royce says that the cosseting 101EX interior has been designed for elegance and maximum comfort for all of its occupants, featuring machined aluminium, the finest leather and exquisite rosewood and red oak veneers -- even the side and rear windows have wood surrounds.

"The interior uses traditional materials in a modern way," says Alan Sheppard who, together with Charles Coldham, was responsible for the car's interior design. Front slim-line, bucket-style seats offer outstanding comfort while rear seating is exceptionally spacious for a coupé, with privacy ensured by the sweeping C-pillars.

Currently there are no plans for 101EX to be put into production. It is an experimental car that explores future design directions, a showcase for the innovative design, but that's not to say that a coupé model based on the 101EX is out of the question.