Is the Rolls-Royce’s 103EX vision of the future too outlandish for words?
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Is the Rolls-Royce’s 103EX vision of the future too outlandish for words?

By DanGoAuto - 26 July 2016

What do you do if you are one of the world’s most renowned ultra-luxury car builders with one foot in the past and a heritage steeped in tradition, but want to demonstrate you have what it takes to see 100 years into the future of personal transport?

Well if Rolls-Royce’s radical 103EX concept is anything to go by, you do both.

Rolls-Royce says its newest concept has the feel of a catamaran thanks to its highly unusual outboard wheels, housed in hull-like enclosures.

The illustrious marque has been designing and building no-compromise luxury vehicles since 1906 and rapidly built itself a reputation for offering the very best in comfort and customisation, but that was 110 years ago and the world has moved on.

With the help of BMW ownership, Rolls has managed to keep up with the times technologically and continues to launch cars that have both monstrously powerful engines, elegantly crafted bodies and the latest gadgets, but as part of BMW’s 100th year celebrations the company has conceived an eccentric concept.

Even before you pop the unorthodox clam-shell full-width opening door/roof and slip inside the 103EX’s extraordinary cabin, you could probably tell that the latest Roller show car is far from the norm and unlike any other vehicle, whether it be for the road or a concept.

The 103EX has an almost dog-like stance from the rear and a ground clearance many SUVs would be proud of.

As one of four Vision Next 100 concepts from the German car-maker, the Rolls-Royce casts a distant gaze 100 years into the future and explores what driving will look like in another century, so far in fact, that the company says it doesn’t completely know how the 103EX works.

But while its designers are probably still yet to be born and many critical technologies not yet developed to make a car like the concept work, Rolls-Royce says the show car represents hope for the motor car, and an antidote to “anonymous, utilitarian and bland” vehicles that the advent of autonomous technology will trigger.

While the car-maker says many other brands will offer cars that become anodyne and lack excitement, its models will combine driverless technology with a return to the old days and an even greater level of customisation and true coach building.

On arrival, both the door and roof articulate widely allowing a dignified entrance via a pool of red light.

While the current range of luxury road cars has an almost infinite combination of personalisation options including materials, colours and equipment, the design of each model is the same as the next, but Rolls says in the future, customers will be more involved in the look of their vehicle.

“Advanced manufacturing technologies will enable customers to involve themselves even more in the design of the shape, size and silhouette of their personal Rolls-Royce vision,” it said. “In the spirit of the great coach-built cars of the past”.

In the case of the 103EX concept, its form was steered by Rolls-Royce director of design Giles Taylor who said the company's vehicles would continue to be recognised for their unparalleled levels of luxury.

Once aboard, passengers find seating more akin to an executive jet than a four-wheeled conveyance.

“I envision that the Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 will play a key role in these people’s lives, guiding and conveying them effortlessly through their life’s journey in an exquisite sanctuary, where they can reflect in peace ahead of arriving in the grandest style,” he said.

With full autonomy, the car is called to the location of its owners where they board via virtual red carpet that is projected from the underside of a folding step, and the unorthodox hinged roof panel allows easy access, because having to crouch just isn’t dignified is it?

Climbing into the 103EX and seeing the cabin for the first time surely embodies the fable that less is more, because there is not much to see on first inspection. Yes the interior is a typical lavish demonstration of classic Rolls craftsmanship and quality but to describe it as simple is probably an understatement.

With no front seats to clutter the cabin, occupants have generous leg room and a huge organic LED screen to either plan their day or relax with some light entertainment.

‘Seating’ would be far too vulgar for the Rolls of the future and, instead two occupants are accommodated on the silk-upholstered ‘sofa’ and can wriggle their toes in the finest deep-pile wool carpet that was specially woven in London.

Other than a minimalist touchpad subtly incorporated into the arm rest, there are no other controls to be seen and giving the 103EX instructions is as simple as having a conversation with a person.

That person is 'Eleanor' (Thornton) – the woman who is said to have inspired Rolls-Royce's Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament. In transit, Eleanor can assist the passengers with appointments or background information about their destination as a PA would.

Rolls-Royce’s design is certainly polarising, but the company says that customers of the future will have a far greater influence on how their car is styled.

Without conventional seating or a steering wheel cluttering the interior, passengers have generous legroom and an unobscured view of the vast organic LED screen which spans the entire width of the cabin and is flanked by extensive Macassar wood veneer.

Rolls-Royce hasn’t quite worked out what powers the catamaran-like luxury model but it does say guzzling V12s have no place in the future and that the 103EX is an emissions-free vehicle. With no thirsty donk up front, the concept has room in its long snout for one’s custom luggage, which is loaded on an automated sliding bed.

The concept's styling is a significant departure from anything Rolls-Royce has previously produced, but classic details are pure Rolls such as the illuminated glass bonnet ornament, Pantheon grille and a liberal dusting of RR badges about the car.

That Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament is crystal and illuminated from underneath, but almost all vehicle instruction are issued by chatting to ‘the voice of Elanor’ – the person said to have inspired Rolls-Royce’s icon.

Proportionally, the concept is also similar to its production forebears, measuring a hefty 5900mm long and 1600mm tall, but despite its size, Rolls says the car is light and strong thanks to state-of-the-art materials, which appears to be carbon-fibre in some applications.

Its narrow but large 28-inch wheels are hand-crafted from 65 pieces of aluminium and carry the 103EX around on a “magic carpet” ride and in complete silence for occupants.

Does this all sound a little too far fetched for you or are we perhaps getting a glimpse of how well-heeled humans will get around a century from now?

Daniel Gardner GoAuto.com.au

Protect your Rolls-Royce. Call Shannons Insurance on 13 46 46 to get a quote today.