Rolls-Royce 102EX concept car (2011)

Click Thumbnails to Enlarge

• 
• 
• 

Rolls-Royce 102EX concept car (2011) first pictures

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

20 February 2011 09:37

Rolls-Royce has confirmed it will show its first electric car at the 2011 Geneva motor show. The 102EX is the latest in a line of concept cars – EX stands for experimental – which history suggests should go on to influence production cars.

The Rolls-Royce 102EX is known internally as the Phantom Experimental Electric and is being used to judge reaction to a battery-powered Roller among owners clubs and media.

Engineers are using the pilot project to test the real-world range of a heavy electric Rolls-Royce, to judge the refinement of an EV drivetrain appropriate to a Rolls-Royce and to monitor the batteries’ performance in cold weather.

Rolls-Royce 102EX: the electric Rolls

CAR broke the story about Rolls preparing electric cars back in 2008. As part of the BMW empire, Rolls-Royce is planning alternative powertrains just as much as Mini is.

The two extremes of the BMW range might seem like chalk and cheese, but this joint approach makes sense. Your typical Rolls-Royce owner might not be quite as fussed by fuel prices as a Cooper owner, but their environmental conscience may be just as wholesome. It makes a lot of sense for a CEO or aristo not to flaunt consumption in these straitened times.

Rolls-Royce CEO speaks

‘We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,’ said CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. ‘With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drivetrains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.’

This afternoon, parent firm BMW will make a further announcement on the future of its ‘Project i’ cars. The company is planning a sub-brand for its future electric vehicles, such as the Megacity Vehicle.