Gojirra99

By GREG KABLE

AutoWeek | Published 02/28/06, 8:45 am et


Rolls-Royce calls the 101EX a concept car, but the Geneva show stopper is more than that. The plush four-seater is a thinly disguised look at a production coupe due in 2008.

Sister car to Rolls-Royce’s upcoming Corniche convertible unveiled in concept car guise at the 2003 Geneva motor show, the 101EX shares its open-top sibling’s styling and two tone bodywork, while adding a fixed roof structure for added rigidity and refinement.

Chief designer Ian Cameron led the team responsible for the new coupe’s dramatic appearance, although much of it was penned by former resident designer, Marek Djordjevic, who now heads up his own design house in California after parting company with Rolls-Royce late last year.

Less formal than the range-topping Phantom, the 101EX’s appearance is centered around a smooth new interpretation of the classic Rolls-Royce grille and incorporates a high-tech face with thin LED indicators and projector headlamps as well as a striking brushed aluminum windshield surround with triangular quarter windows—features that will be seen on the production version of the Corniche convertible due later this year.

The 101EX also mirrors the dimensions of the new open top and rides on the same wheelbase.

Under the long aluminum hood is the same 48-valve 6.75-liter 450-hp V12 engine used in the Phantom. With and 531-lb-ft of torque—398-lb-ft of which if available at just 1000 rpm—the engine provides “tremendous, effortless power,” Rolls-Royce officials say.

101EX is based around a modified version of the Phantom’s aluminum space frame and rides on its MacPherson strut (front) and multi-link (rear) suspension, with air springs providing self leveling to maintain a constant ride height when loaded. No performance figures are available, but with the new coupe weighing considerably less than the Phantom and boasting slightly more efficient aerodynamics, expect a 0-60-mph time in the mid-5.0 second bracket and a top speed around 155 mph.

The little-changed production version of the 101EX is expected to be assembled alongside the Phantom and Corniche at the Rolls-Royce factory in Goodwood, England. Given its concept car billing, no launch date has been announced. However, sources at parent company BMW hint the new coupe should be ready to head into customer hands within the next three years.

source : autoweek

Gojirra99

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I think that nose is ugly Otherwise it's quite nice .

Faraaz23

Not feeling it... pass.

PhilipMSPT

iTrader: (5)

Did Rolls Royce just get Ghetto Fabuluous before our very eyes?!?

GFerg

I think they introduced this awhile ago. I remember seeing actual spyshots of it being tested. Oh, and I'm glad to see that the door hinge is staying in its current unconventional state.

GFerg

GFerg

Initial B

iTrader: (2)

A 2-door in a car of that magnitude is retarded. I like the 4-dr much better.

AJ

When can i buy looks very nice to me

TheRupp

I think this car's the reason BMW sold their stake in RR.

Richie

Let me get my order in allready

drink300

G H E T T O!

Nuff' said

drink300

GFerg

Sigh...Leno gets to drive all the cool cars. Bastard.

This is the 100EX. Basically the same as this 101EX without a fixed roof....

GFerg

Richie

Damn, Leno is such a cool dude!!!!