Rolls-Royce 101EX Concept

Press Release

Design

“The Phantom is an awesome driver’s car, a vehicle that has amazing performance and handling with exceptional refinement, whilst the styling accentuates the spacious cabin – it is a luxury saloon, after all. 101EX is dominated by its long bonnet and the inherent power of the V12 lurking beneath. The cabin, although still spacious, is more intimate and the exterior styling reflects this,” explains Cameron.

“It is a very modern car, a 21st century design that respectfully nods to the past but focuses indisputably on the future.”

The roofline is lower than the Phantom’s and the glass area shallower. The streamlined styling extends to the famous grille, which is discreet and slightly reclined. “The whole shape is dynamic. It sits low to the ground and has tight proportions,” says Cameron.

In contrast to production Rolls-Royce cars, 101EX’s body is made of carbon-fibre composite, albeit over the same lightweight aluminium construction seen in the Phantom. The bonnet and windscreen surround are finished in brushed aluminium, while the door handles and large, oval exhaust tail pipes are hewn from solid aluminium.

The elegant, rear-hinged coach doors are unique to Rolls-Royce. The driver and passengers step in rather than fall in backwards, as demanded in a conventional two-door coupé. The doors close automatically at the touch of a button. Grab handles are ideally placed in the rear to assist exit.

101EX is finished in dark tungsten, with matching carpets. Smoke grey leather with navy blue accents finishes the interior.

For a contemporary look, straight-grained rosewood and red oak veneers are used. This handsome polished wood is also used to frame the windows in a modern interpretation of a coach-built tradition.

The waistline of the car is high, accentuating the cocoon-like nature of the cabin and the car’s strength and safety, yet the frameless doors and pillarless body give excellent visibility. The four seats are elegant and simple. Front bucket seats are leather-upholstered, richly padded but slim. They are noticeably contoured to offer superb support. In the rear is a cosier interpretation of the Phantom’s lounge seat, a curved sofa that Sheppard describes as “intimate for two yet superbly comfortable on long journeys”.

Phantom-derived ‘boulevard lighting’ provides a hospitable glow at night. In addition, the extraordinary ‘Starlight headliner’ uses fibre optics embedded in the leather headlining to give the impression of a star-filled night sky. Controlled by a dimmer, it can exude a soft glow or be raised to reading-light levels.

Interior storage space includes a parcel shelf cabinet and wood-faced rear seat stowage areas. Front door pockets tilt outwards to aid access. The luggage compartment is large and trimmed in leather to match the cabin. RR monogrammed umbrellas are stowed beneath the boot lid.

“The car is a technological tour de force, reflecting the extraordinary engineering offered in the production Phantom,” says Ian Cameron. “Yet, as with the Phantom, there is a real sense of the human involvement – the hand-crafted nature of every Rolls-Royce which gives each one a personality of its own.”

Technology

Like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, 101EX uses state-of-the-art technology. It is a no-compromise, engineering-led vehicle, developed to a much higher level than a typical concept car.

“Our starting point was not what ‘could’ be done, but what ‘should’ be done”

“Only the finest systems, materials and engineering ideas can go into a Rolls-Royce car,” says Helmut Riedl, Rolls-Royce director of engineering. “This is the philosophy behind all of our products.”

Accordingly, 101EX abounds in examples of engineering excellence. The space frame chassis offers an unmatched combination of high strength and minimum weight. The Rolls-Royce coach-door philosophy facilitates graceful entry and exit. In addition, the space between 101EX’s double floors allows for the wiring harness and other components to be routed away from the cabin, improving insulation and refinement.

The V12 engine is made from aluminium. It uses four valves per cylinder and twin camshafts per cylinder bank, and features fully variable valve-lift control and variable valve timing. This most advanced of V12 engines also employs direct fuel injection, to improve performance and fuel efficiency. At 1000 rpm, the engine is already producing just over 75 per cent of its peak torque figure.

The electronically-controlled, six-speed automatic transmission features ‘shift by wire’ technology, so there is no mechanical linkage to the gear selector.

The front suspension uses double wishbones; at the rear there is a multi-link system. Air springs offer unmatched comfort and automatically adjust according to the vehicle’s load.

“Exactly the same engineering attitude that was behind the innovative Phantom has been used for 101EX,” says Ian Robertson. “It is a no-compromise approach using what is ideal, not what is convenient. In 101EX you will find a marvellous blend of high technology and craftsmanship – of engineering and personality. A blend that has put Rolls-Royce Motor Cars back at the pinnacle of motoring.”

Technical Specifications