Geneva 2009: Rolls-Royce 200EX proves that downsizing is relative
by Noah Joseph on Mar 3rd 2009 at 4:45AM 
Click above for a high-res gallery of the Rolls-Royce 200EX
In this economic climate, nobody is immune. But everything is relative. Rolls-Royce may continue to set sales records, but even they're downsizing... sorta. Rolls' answer to a shrinking economy is a smaller model, but at 212.6 inches long, it's the 200EX is still bigger than most luxury sedans roaming the roads. And it still looks every bit as deserving of the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament adorning its streamlined, brushed aluminum nose as the larger Phantom range. When the 200EX enters production, it'll lose the traditional Rolls showcar nameplate in favor of something like Silver Cloud, and it'll still command a prime spot in the valet lot at the yacht club, but don't take our word for it: check out the live shots for yourself in the gallery below, and the factory images below that, and the full details in the press release after the jump.
Gallery: Rolls-Royce 200EX concept
Photos Copyright ©2009 Noah Joseph / Weblogs, Inc.
PRESS RELEASE
ROLLS-ROYCE TO UNVEIL 200EX AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its latest experimental car, called 200EX, at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009.
200EX is a design study for a contemporary four-door saloon and shows the direction for RR4, a new model series from Rolls-Royce due for production in 2010.
PHILOSOPHY
Experimental models have always played a significant role in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, from the first - 1EX, built in 1919 - to the most recent - 101EX, built in 2006. Unlike a concept car, the experimental models developed by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have always been fully functioning vehicles, residing in a tangible world of wood, leather and metals rather than clay and foam. EX cars offer designers and engineers the opportunity for real-world innovation and have been used to showcase new components and engineering techniques as well as exterior and interior designs. "Modern automotive engineering is a balance of creativity, innovation and application. 200EX is an opportunity to assess these new ideas", explains Helmut Riedl, Director of Engineering.
100EX was the first experimental car unveiled after Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was relaunched under BMW Group ownership in 2003. Revealed at the Geneva motor show in 2004, the two-door, four-seat convertible was built to mark 100 years of Rolls-Royce motor car design and engineering. Just two years later, 101EX was presented, which explored modern coupé design. Both of these cars inspired production models that not only closely resemble their EX progenitors but have also redefined luxury motoring in the modern age.
Following on from this success, the same group of designers and engineers has created 200EX, itself pointing the way to RR4, a new Rolls-Royce model scheduled for production in 2010. The brief for 200EX? To create a modern, lithe and dynamic Rolls-Royce that bears all the hallmarks of the great cars that have gone before it: effortless performance, unparalleled refinement, exquisite quality and confident design.
DESIGN
"Alluring, inviting, approachable - this car captivates with each encounter" - Chief Designer, Ian Cameron
200EX has a dynamic edge to its styling and is noticeably less formal than previous models. Its size, style and expression broaden the appeal of the car, making it more appropriate for a wider range of circumstances. "200EX is a touring saloon with more than a little panache and perhaps more bravado than one might have expected from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars," says Cameron. "What you see is a modern car that is immediately recognisable as a true Rolls-Royce, even from angles that obscure the grille and Spirit of Ecstasy. Design elements such as the elevated prow, long bonnet, short front overhang, sharply raked A-pillar and elegant tail give 200EX an air of informal presence - powerful but unobtrusive."
The exterior design is dominated by large, uninterrupted surfaces, while finely sculptured horizontal lines add definition and geometric precision. In combination, the upward-sweeping sill line and low-cut roof create a powerful profile. The tapered rear is enhanced by powerful shoulders and flanks that draw in sharply, narrowing as they flow from the rear wings to the tail-lights.
The rear-hinged coach doors give the car a natural presence and sense of theatre. Revived in 2003 on the Phantom, this signature feature lends added functionality and style to the design. Opening through a generous 83 degrees, the coach doors offer the widest rear access in the car industry as well as providing the warmest of welcomes to those about to step inside.
At the front, a pair of LED headlamps flank the latest evolution of the world's most famous grille. "We wanted this to be less reminiscent of the traditional 'Parthenon' style and more like a jet intake," says Ian Cameron. The sides of the intake have been curved inwards and the vanes set back into the opening. It's a more dynamic form that moves on from the design first seen on the Phantom Drophead Coupé.
The exterior of 200EX is finished in Darkest Tungsten, which contrasts with the silver satin finish applied to the bonnet and A-pillar. Seven-spoke, 20-inch wheels complete the visual impact of the exterior.
Within 200EX, Interior Designer Alan Sheppard has accomplished a contemporary atmosphere, incorporating the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars principles of fine materials and peerless comfort. The space is filled with natural light, which brings in a real sense of the outside world. However, substantial doors and a high shoulder line ensure that occupants feel cosseted and protected. In the rear, the intimate ambience of the lounge seat is emphasised by its position behind the C-pillar, heightening the sense of privacy.
Naturally, the finest materials have been used. Elegant, frosted lamps and chrome door handles feature, while details include traditional violin key switches, eyeball air vents, opaque dials and refined instrumentation.
"As with any Rolls-Royce, detail is crucial," says Alan Sheppard. "We want the lasting impression for owners to be that their car was made just for them by someone skilled and caring."
The dashboard has been kept deliberately clear; it is spacious in its design and has an intuitive layout. The controls are neatly sculptured, with more important functions emphasised by accents of chrome. The soft light of the instrument panel glows through the familiar black-rimmed steering wheel, which itself incorporates a number of violin keys as well as an ergonomic roller-ball control.
The interior of 200EX is finished in supple, natural grain Crème Light leather, with Cornsilk carpets and cashmere blend headliner. The featured wood veneer is Santos Palissander, chosen for its contemporary look and striking grain.
"200EX is a modern execution of timeless Rolls-Royce elegance, breaking with some areas of tradition but retaining the core values that make our marque unique," says Chief Executive Officer Tom Purves. "We expect the more informal, agile design to broaden the appeal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, attracting people who appreciate its fusion of refinement, new technology and contemporary style."
200EX TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
- No. of doors/seats: 4/5
- Vehicle length: 5399mm
- Vehicle width 1948mm
- Vehicle height: 1550mm
- Wheelbase: 3295mm
- Engine: new V12
- Wheel and tyre size: 20 inch, 255/45 R 20 front and 285/40 R 20 rear
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Berto 5:30AM (3/03/2009)
"We expect the more informal, agile design to broaden the appeal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars..."
Interesting...
Anyone have any idea what the price range for a production version of this would be?
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Quattroporte 6:43AM (3/03/2009)
Did they lock the doors, Autoblog? I wanted to see some pictures of the interior.
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Mobius_1 7:00AM (3/03/2009)
A little more curvy than the Phantom, which resembles some sort of dictatorial palace. Nice design, Rolls.
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Kitko 7:36AM (3/03/2009)
The rear looks way too much like the BMW designed Rover 75
http://www.superfabandgroovy.com/Super/Photos/Rover75E1209051.jpg
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Jim in Tampa 9:07AM (3/03/2009)
200EX sounds like a late 90's Nissan to me. They should have come up with a more regal name.
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Quattroporte 9:20AM (3/03/2009)
200EX is the concept car's "designation". The production car will not be named 200EX.
Jim in Tampa 9:31AM (3/03/2009)
Thanks for the info, Q. I didn't know this and it's been bugging the heck outa me.
Mobius_1 6:24AM (3/04/2009)
"When the 200EX enters production, it'll lose the traditional Rolls showcar nameplate in favor of something like Silver Cloud"
Worry no longer, it will have a name that makes grown men swoon.
Ligor 9:31AM (3/03/2009)
flying spur has lost the battle
this one definitely has all the ques of a clasic RR adn it's an astounishing car
i love it
it looks wealthy just sitting there
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Vlad 11:20PM (3/03/2009)
I think they made some good choices in making some edges curvier... i like it a lot better than the Phantom.
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Jei 1:20PM (3/03/2009)
The 200EX is the true "baby" Rolls-Royce that many affluent consumers have been waiting for. While the Phantom isn't necessarily for the "driver" as much as it is for the rear passengers, the 200EX seems to be an excellent choice for the serious luxury driver.
It's huge, but luxury yacht huge....not commercial barge big like an old Lincoln or Caddy. The small-scale design is nice granted that the larger model is considered a design success also. I'm glad that BMW didn't try to make the baby Rolls look decidedly different from the Phantom in terms of brand design scheme.
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Jei 1:28PM (3/03/2009)
When the Chrysler 300C debuted, it was dubbed, "baby Rolls" on the street. As so, we saw many people proceeded to install Rolls-Royce front facias on their 300s. But it was also very cheesy.
The 200EX wheelbase is something like 129in.; almost 10 in longer than the big Chrysler's wheelbase. And the 300 is long for it not to be a true luxury/ultra-luxury vehicle. I guess that gives me a good size comparison for the newest Rolls. It's going to be a few inches longer and sit taller than the 300.
donteadoss 1:32PM (3/03/2009)
The price is supposed to range from $250k to $300k...I read that Silver Ghost was a possible name, also. I'm excited to see this one. I really don't want them to make it into a coupe of convertible like the Phantom though. The sedan (saloon) seems to be the best choice & look for this particular model.
I hate that Rolls, Bentley, & the like never let people see or sit in the interior at auto shows...wth is an auto show for?
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RZ 2:57PM (3/03/2009)
The car is not for the riff raff to sit in, you have to be a member of the financial elite...
P.V. 6:26PM (3/03/2009)
The Phantom looks too blingy and tacky. This thing looks so much more classy, luxurious, and cohesive inside and out. I like it!
Also, isn't downsizing always relative? In the 1960s and early 1970s, American car companies were making landyachts for subcompact cars, but even their later downsized models weren't exactly compact either.
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P.V. 6:27PM (3/03/2009)
Where'd my comment go?
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P.V. 6:27PM (3/03/2009)
Found it!
big L 9:58AM (3/04/2009)
this will help the Maybach, no? It will give another playah in the same market.
I like it.. Looks great. Way better than the camoflaged ones we were provided.
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VladdyTrout 2:52PM (3/04/2009)
I want it! This is a Rolls Royce. I love it's rounder, softer exterior. The car still has a comanding presence. Love that interior. Okay, the grille is controversial but that's a good thing. That'll make people talk and argue and debate over this car for a long time to come.
The Bentley Conti Flying Spur comes across as boring and anonymous but 200EX is all Rolls Royce.
Bentley better hurry up and get that next gen Arnage in production.
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