Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Sedans/Saloons, Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce
EDAG realizes the uber-rich don't like to crouch
click above for a high-res gallery of the EDAG Rolls-Royce Phantom
Despite Mr. Nunez' thorough review of the Rolls-Royce Phantom, he might have missed one chink in the Roller's armor. According to EDAG, the firm that's created everything from the Solstice wagon to the LUV, Rolls-Royce's overtly wealthy clientele have a problem with ingress and egress when entering the luxurious confines of the back seats. Rolls' engineers purposely made the C-pillar extra-thick to give passengers more privacy and security, but that means passengers have to duck down (guffaw!) to get in. EDAG has come up with a solution that involves fitting an articulating carbon fiber roof that rises up at the push of a button so occupants can walk right in and sit down. EDAG will be displaying their modified Phantom in Geneva next month and we'll be sure to score some seat time in the back if the tuner allows.
EDAG's press release is available after the jump.
[Source: EDAG via World Car Fans]
Gallery: EDAG Rolls-Royce Phantom
PRESS RELEASE
EDAG to Show Articulated Roof for Rolls Royce Phantom at Geneva
The vision of comfort
Besides developments aimed at improving their ecological compatibility, the question of comfort will be a decisive factor in the marketing success of future vehicle types. Having said this, in the age of networked communication and infotainment systems, the term "comfort" is not limited purely to
physical comfort in the car. A car of tomorrow will have to provide the customer with the ability to access any data and information which he or she needs for either private or professional use. Merging the realms of vehicle, office, home and worldwide service and infotainment options defines the future meaning of the word comfort in the automotive branch.
As a global partner to the automotive industry, EDAG has defined "the vision of comfort" as its leading theme, and this will take centre stage at the company's presentation at the 2008 Geneva Show. With its presentation of the articulated roof for the Rolls Royce Phantom, EDAG is showcasing its first step towards its target of developing complex, innovative luxury solutions.
"Vision of Comfort" – Focus: Vehicle Body
Innovative vehicle body concepts in the exterior and interior will also contribute to an increase in com-fort within the car in the future. Ergonomically optimised package concepts, such as access aids, serve to improve convenience considerably. Controls, seating comfort, air conditioning and visibility all have to undergo constant refinement, as requirements are always changing. This will mean that vehicle derivatives, created by designers and engineers to have optimised functions and guarantee user convenience, will become an absolute must.
Using the example of one means of optimising access to a Rolls Royce Phantom, EDAG will be documenting its expertise in the development and close-to-production implementation of innovative luxury concepts within the field of vehicle bodies.
Optimised entry to a Rolls Royce Phantom
Not even a Rolls Royce Phantom will be able to satisfy its owner's every wish. One example is the seat behind the 'C' pillar in the rear of the car, which traditionally creates a feeling of security and privacy.
With the production model, however, this does have a price: namely the fact that it is impossible, even for someone of average height, to enter and leave the car in an upright position. The solution that EDAG developed is an articulated roof over the rear seat area, so that passengers can get into and out of the car in comfort.
It might sound trivial, but the job called for a great deal of technical finesse. First of all, EDAG's Product Development and Production departments worked out various concepts for raising the roof and the lateral roof frame together. It goes without saying that the exclusive interior design was to be borne in mind at all times, and that neither rigidity, comfort nor sealing capacity were to be compromised under any circumstances whatsoever.
There was no way to avoid severing the lateral roof frame of the aluminium spaceframe. A reinforcement cut from solid metal, which at one and the same time incorporates the kinematics, water channel, locking mechanisms, seals and finger protection, does, however, provide the essential rigidity of the body.
The aluminium structure for the roof was likewise cut from the solid. To save weight, the roof's outer skin panel is made of synthetic carbon-fibre material. The roof's interior trims were re-designed, and covered with original quality Rolls Royce materials. By simply pressing a button, the driver or passenger can activate the specially developed electronic controls, and raise the hydraulically powered roof segment with practically no sound whatsoever. Modification of the roof structure has had no effect on either the car's handling or its interior acoustics.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Talisman 12:16PM (2/13/2008)
lazy
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2004m3driver 1:29PM (2/13/2008)
Hey!!!! They worked hard to earn money for that car. I guess they think they deserve to be a bit lazy.
Luis 4:00PM (2/13/2008)
I thought it was kind of funny that my daughter has a Polly car that opens just like that...ideas come from anywhere I guess...
meshies 12:17PM (2/13/2008)
BOO F'ING HOO. This is absolutely ridiculous, and a waste of CF. Plus the drivers side passenger still has to crouch.
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k.w.a 1:11PM (2/13/2008)
what uber rich person will be entering from that side of the car? people who ride in phantoms stand on the sidewalk under their butler's umbrella and wait for their chauffuer to pick them up. the person one the driver's side now has the roof to open up so they dont have to crouch on the passenger side and slide down. The only thing RR would have to do is switch the opening for RHD phantoms
DKB_SATX 12:18PM (2/13/2008)
On that big lead beastie, it seems overkill to make the tilting roof panel from carbon fiber. Maybe it allows them to have a weaker mechanism raise and lower it? Or maybe they want to charge more for the bulletproof version?
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refugee7 12:18PM (2/13/2008)
I'll be honest, sounds like a good idea. Who likes to slide over?
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Mehul 12:23PM (2/13/2008)
This just ruins the car value, 60 years from now. (When all the other Rolls Royce's appreciate in price in some auction)
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Tom 3:03PM (2/13/2008)
I doubt it.
Quattrofan 12:23PM (2/13/2008)
Must be snipers dream, have a half a body sticking out like that.
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Brett- BMW Advo 12:38PM (2/13/2008)
so whats next? the rich dont like to walk? OH WAIT, they already solved that "problem"....
http://blogs.kansascity.com/photos/uncategorized/segway.jpg
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James 12:41PM (2/13/2008)
The stretch phantom is so much better:
http://www.sybarites.org/2008/01/24/rolls-royce-phantom-stretched/
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John P. 12:52PM (2/13/2008)
Now how are we gonna get all those panty and pantiless pics of the rich and famous getting in and out of these things?
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Colin Smith 12:55PM (2/13/2008)
Finally I can consider one of these things!
Thay did it soooo much better in 1910 though.
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Mr X 12:58PM (2/13/2008)
I'm at the edge of my seat...please tell me more.
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Den in IN 1:00PM (2/13/2008)
I'd like to be there the first time some old rich dud wacks his forhead on corner of the raised roof panel. Ow, that's gonna leave a mark.
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meshies 2:31PM (2/13/2008)
it doesn't matter what side you get in from your still crouching. Your actually doing more work if you enter from the passenger side with that roof thing.
studemax 1:16PM (2/13/2008)
Actually, it's not just the rich who have trouble getting the back seat (and some front seats).
Styling has been over-ruling simple ergonomic practicality.
Why do you think trucks and SUV's sell well? You don't have to do pretzel-like moves to get in and out of the seat.
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Dan 1:51PM (2/13/2008)
Easier to get into? Please. If 35 year old progressive yuppies with no children can squeeze into a trendy clowncar you can too.
Planet killing trucks and SUVs only sell because of ignorant rednecks who want to look good on the way to the tractor pull.
/Autoblog green mode off.
Joshua 2:03PM (2/13/2008)
finally, a solution for those unfortunate rich people that have the awful chore of bending over.
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