Rolls-Royce concept debuts

Rare coupé rolls out at Geneva this week

By PH Staff / Tuesday, 28 February 2006 / Loading comments

Rolls-Royce 101EX concept

Rolls Royce has produced an unusual concept coupé, due to roll out at the Geneva show this week. The experimental 101EX has been hand built to explore a potential design direction for a future coupé model, said the BMW-owned company.

"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.