A nod to the past, but with a bold look towards the future is the theme behind Rolls Royce's latest concept, the 101-EX. So says Ian Cameron, the marque's chief designer who helped unveil what may be an advanced peek at the company's future coupe. As reported before, the big Roller's based on a shortened Phantom platform and crafted from aluminum and tungsten. Sitting atop tasteful 21" 7-spoke alloys with comfortable seating four passengers, it looks to be just the thing for stately motoring. Inside, aluminum, leather and rosewood/red oak trim provide a deliciously rich atmosphere, and a special fiber optic lighting system in the headliner hints at a starlit sky.
(Lots more pictures courtesy Autoblog Spanish's Alberto after the jump!)
Paris Preview: Officially Official, Honda's new hybrid is the Insight!
Mazda Kiyora city car concept, MX-5 facelift head to Paris
Leaked: Official updated Mazda MX-5 image
Reader Spy: Chevy Volt caught on set of Transformers 2
Spy Shot: Production interior of Chevy Volt (maybe)
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Jaguar XF Supercharged
By the Numbers - August 2008: New Digs Edition
In the Autoblog Garage: KITT Shelby GT500 KR
First Drive: 2009 Cadillac CTS-V
In the Autoblog Garage: 2009 Nissan Murano
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Gunnar Heinrich @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:17AM
A tremendous car. I do not think it will have the same potential of selling here in the States as it would in the rainier climate that is the UK.
After all, we do like our convertibles here.
A terrific grand tourer.
http://automobilesdeluxe.blogspot.com/2006/03/more-information-on-rolls-royce-101-ex.html
Corey W @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:22AM
Hey look, it's the new Chrysler Imperial in the background.
S1500 @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:29AM
Gee, sure looks a lot like the Chrysler Imperial several entries down. :)
JS @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:36AM
Simply fantastic and stately ride. Exudes "elegance, sporty and sophistication" in one glance. This is the definition of a classic British Coupe.
Two styling notes though. Holy C-Pillars Batman! I hope the rear passengers dont get car sick easily as they cant see anything! And secondly I would move the fog lights slightly lower to the lower portion of the bumper straddeling the name plate up front. I think it would give it a cleaner look. Other than that the rear looks fantastic and great lines overall. I say Build It!
p.s. If your reading this RR, ill be glad to test the market for you in the US by driving it around and going to fancy parties to get the uber wealthy interested in it ;-)
Puff Chippy @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:50AM
Hey, it's the Rolls Royce Imperial! Actually the DCX Imperial is a better looking car than this but they're very similar.
Dave @ Mar 2nd 2006 10:55AM
I think it's gorgeous... and I'm sure it has presence.
My only complaint are the headlamps... I'm sure they could have thought of something better...
taipeileviathan @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:07AM
what kind of retard looks at a rolls and thinks it looks like the chrysler imperial?? it's like someone looking at kurt cobain and saying that he looks like jesus christ! what the hell is that?? RR has been doing their thing for ages, and now that dcx is shamelessly plagiarizing their look, someone (two actually!) has the audacity to say compare the two in comments disparaging towards RR. you poor fools have been shopping the economy sectors of the automobile segments for way too long... life is not full of jap imports and american econoboxes: it's time to get your heads out your asses and take a good gander at cars worth more than your houses and recognize!
RossL @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:18AM
#6, I think it's the other way around. Jesus Christ looks like Kurt Cobain.
Yes indeed - a shameless ripoff of the Chrysler Imperial concept. Plus they've slapped on a grill that comes straight from the Lincoln Town Car, late '80s. I mean, have a look at this:
http://www.inthehollow.com/Photographs/88.jpg
Talk about derivative!
hehe
taipeileviathan @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:22AM
i stand corrected, rossl.
but i do agree with many who've noted that the headlights could be done better. with the current phantom the round lights look (as they should) like foglamps that compliment the rectangular ones... on this tho, the foglamps look like the main lights, and the rectangular ones look like bushy eyebrows...
Rick M @ Mar 2nd 2006 11:42AM
Hey, you ever seen that movie 'Robots'? that's what the face of this thing reminds me of - a dorky robot. Sorry, but that alone is enough to ruin this thing for me. It *is* elegant in profile, far better than the Phantom - but, jeebus, a 21-ft-long coupe?
Corey W @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:03PM
#7
Are you not getting the sarcasm?? Do you really think anyone here believes RR is copying from DCX??
Maybe it time for you to buy a clue, one worth more than your house...
Edsel @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:22PM
WHAT! No high-heeled Rolls Royce trophy mistress posing with the 101?
Well, I can assure you the well heeled definitely favor Ms. Alfa's high-heeled "style" over the missing Ms. Rolls.
C'mon Erin, post more Geneva "hostess" pics, please!
Aaron @ Mar 2nd 2006 12:51PM
That thing is a hideous, over the top, look at me I'm rich, no class automobile.
verdegrrl @ Mar 2nd 2006 1:11PM
Looks like a lumpy spangled blob on wheels. Like the Phantom, it will no doubt look absolutely out of scale and more like a barn on wheels when seen in the real world along side other cars. The headlights are much too tiny and peer myopically out from either side of that massive baleen whale krill strainer known as a grille. The rear quarters are the least offensive, but somehow looks like it's derived form the latest Bentley.
That's a pity. Old Royces (Roller is often considered a slightly vulgar term used by the nouveau riche) where large and imposing, but they often had a dignity that is completely lacking in the newest versions.
Bone @ Mar 2nd 2006 2:17PM
I'm sure it has a lot of presence, but to me, this is a styling disaster. The foglights became the focal point of the front. On a Rolls! What should always be the focal point on a Rolls, the grill, is buried in that misguided heritage-inspited aluminum hood. And the aluminum windsheild framing? please tell me that is just a concept car indulgence. It only emphasises the unattractive thinkness of the pillars.
The profile shows all the pieces desparately trying to stretch the coupe porportions across the oversized dimensions.
Not that My opinion matters much in this scheme of things but I don't see any way this model will have the combination of grace and power of the Continental GT.
SK90077 @ Mar 2nd 2006 6:46PM
I have a Phantom, I have a deposit on the 100EX. I wan this one as well. its awsome! As long as it wont be a cheap one like the Bentley im all in
mick @ Mar 2nd 2006 7:54PM
The turkey who incorporated that brightwork into the design must be related to the guy who came up with "colorizing" black and white movies. This is the kind of car only former ENRON execs (er, make that ENRON ex-cons) would drive. Money can buy a lot of things, but taste ain't one of them.
the chad @ Mar 3rd 2006 12:58AM
Rolls Royce should post a warning sign instructing parents not to let small children see this car or they might have nightmares! Ack that thing is hideous. VW did so much better with the Azure--which is pretty obvious int this car in the back, but dear heavens what did they do to the front? Back looks Azure/ContiGT like, front is the most hideous looking face [and I thought the Phantom was bad].
taipeileviathan: I disagree. This is not the heritage RR look, it is the "I-just-acquired-a-brand-I-don't-know-what-to-with" styling cues." I think comparing it to the equally ugly Imperial is appropriate. And I agree with Edsel, I could use a trophy model or two...or 3 or 4...
Phred @ Mar 3rd 2006 1:41AM
#1:
The States is currently the biggest market for Rolls, despite the Phantom having a fixed roof.
The largest market by far in the US? Sunny Beverly Hills.
SK90077 @ Mar 3rd 2006 2:33PM
You will see on average 9 Phantoms a Day in Beverly Hills