An Eco-Roller? Not two words you would normally associate but this fully functional prototype, dubbed the 102 EX or 'Phantom EE', is exactly that - an electric Phantom.
The 6.8-litre BMW V12 has been left on the shelf (er, can we borrow it then?), and in its place are a lithium Ion battery pack and two electric motors mounted on the rear subframe. The combined output of the pair is 394hp and 590lb ft, compared with 460hp and 531lb ft for the petrol-fuelled version. With a peak current of 850A delivered at 338V (DC) from the largest battery pack ever to be fitted to a car, the porky Rolls (it's 95kg heavier than the 'regular' Phantom at an incredible 2,720kg) gets from 0-60mph in a sedate 8-seconds, with a top speed limited to around 100mph.
Shiny, isn't it. That's because the 'Atlantic Chrome' paint consists of 16 coats of highly reflective paint, with nano particles 1,000 times smaller than metallic paint particles. The Spirit of Ecstasy lady is now made out of Makrolon (a posh name for plastic) and lit by blue LEDs (watch out China - here we come!). The leather interior uses an experimental vegetable tanning treatment and Tara powder from the crushed fruit of the South American Tara bush. (Honest, we haven't spent the morning in the pub making that lot up.)
As ever, the potential stumbling block is range, or lack of it: the 102 EX should manage up to 125 miles before the lead snaps taut and the plug pulls out the wall. Is that faintly ridiculous considering the theoretical price and aura of such a car, or, seeing as many sit outside posh hotels ready for urban chauffeuring duty does it kind of make sense?
Questions, questions - something Rolls Royce hope the car will help answer during a year-long world tour. In fact, in a move that would surely make the facial hair of the notoriously exacting Sir Henry Royce twitch, the firm are going one step further than merely courting feedback from clients. They want you - yes you - to join in a 'debate' through facebook and twitter to tell them whether you think it's a good idea. Visit www.electricluxury.com to do so, and if you're going to be rude don't say PH sent you...