- DIY Rollers for the rich and famous
- Two years on and the 103EX is still around
- Batman and Robin have much to answer for
LONDON, England – Rolls-Royce, back in 2016, rewrote the rule book for the future of true luxury mobility by presenting the Rolls-Royce Vision Next100 – codenamed 103EX. It was a radical vision of effortless, autonomous, connected, spacious and beautiful luxury mobility.
And it was ”as personal as each expected customer”. But, us mere mortals, might ask: ”What WERE they smokin’?”
Anyway, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ CEO, recalled: “Rolls-Royce set the agenda for the future of luxury mobility when we revealed the 103EX. It’s now clear that other automakers have adopted most aspects, apart from the most visionary and radical, and acknowledged our vision.”
(The Corner thinks the other automakers were very smart.)
”Our vision in 2016 was, and remains, all-electric, completely autonomous, completely bespoke mobility, and ultimate luxury.”
Thanks to its unrivalled engineering capabilities, R-R says, a customer’s ‘personal vision’ will dictate how their Rolls-Royce will look.
”This is an uncompromised view of the future of luxury mobility that also embraces the luxury customer’s wish for the effortless Journey –autonomous travel in a completely connected, fully autonomous, vehicle.”
CUSTOM(ER) DESIGNED
The chassis of the future, created from the most advanced materials and powered by a zero emissions power train will, the automaker adds, ”underpin this vision”.
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 which would then assembled to the customer’s specification.
”Every Rolls-Royce will be a unique bespoke masterpiece.”
The 103EX was said to have presented a vision to the world that acknowledged that Rolls-Royces would continue to be the preferred brand of the world’s most discerning, wealthy and powerful because of their preference for the presence and personal statement that only a Rolls-Royce can offer.
”The Grand Arrival required by those people who make the world turn – whether royalty, heads of state, or global superstars – is guaranteed by the visionary design of the Rolls-Royce 103EX.
STANDING ROOM ALSO
”This truth was shown by the most dramatic aspect of the car – the clamshell canopy and coach door. These features allow the occupants to stand up from the best seat in the house and descend from the futuristic lounge atmosphere of a cabin that is clad in the finest silk, wool and wood.”
Giles Taylor, Rolls-Royce’ design director, says he rejected the notion of mass-produced, carbon-copy mobility with the launch of 103EX because of ”our intimate understanding of our customers’ thinking and their demands in the future”.
The Corner believes he may well have much to answer for…
Carman's Corner 