Rolls-Royce’s 100EX, an experimental car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, will be launched in 2007, the Goodwood-based manufacturer announced on Thursday.
Rolls-Royce’s 100EX, an experimental car unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March this year, will be launched in 2007, the Goodwood-based manufacturer announced on Thursday.
Closely aligned to the Phantom, the car (codenamed RR02) is based on the same platform and uses similar aluminium space-frame chassis technology. The two-door, four-seater will be slightly shorter than the show car and production models should be unveiled in 2007.
Power will come from a 6,75-litre V12 engine, shared with the Phantom.
“The success of the Phantom has given us a solid foundation for the future from which we can now take this next important step,” Rolls-Royce sales and marketing director, Howard Mosher, said. “Convertible motor cars have always played a central part in the 100-year history of Rolls-Royce and I am delighted that we can take this tradition forward with a cutting edge, twenty-first century design.”
Initially created to celebrate 100 years of Rolls-Royce, the most striking aspect of the 100 EX is its front. The traditional upright Rolls-Royce grille is reclined slightly and merges seamlessly with the polished aluminium surface of the grille-surround and bonnet. Dramatic forward opening doors open into an interior that features materials inspired by luxury yachts.
The production version of the convertible will be the second vehicle hand-built at the company’s Goodwood manufacturing plant in England.