Rolls Royce 100EX Media Pack

Introduction The 100EX is the first Experimental Car to be produced by
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars since BMW Group became the custodians of the
marque in 1998 and launched the all-new Phantom at the company's new
home in Goodwood in January 2003. Based on a lightweight aluminium
space-frame, this open-top, four-seat, two-door drophead has been
designed and produced to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of
Rolls-Royce, which falls in May 2004. There is no plan to produce it as
a series model. Experimental models have long been a feature of
Rolls-Royce, particularly between 1919 and 1957 when a number of motor
cars were given the 'EX' name. Unlike a concept car, an experimental
car functions more fully and was originally used by Rolls-Royce to test
and evaluate new systems, components and features. While the design
of the 100EX and the choice of its special construction materials
resonate strongly with Rolls-Royce tradition, both its aesthetic
qualities and its technological content place it squarely in the 21st
century. A strong nautical theme runs throughout, with bleached teak
decking featuring both inside and outside the car. Polished aluminium
also features heavily, particularly on the bonnet and windscreen
surround, while the composite body is finished in Dark Curzon.
Design approach The design team that shaped the new Experimental Car
was based in Southern California, at BMW Group's studio, Designworks -
an entirely natural setting for a luxurious convertible. Here research
was conducted into the Rolls-Royce design language specific to open-top
motoring. "The historical models proved to be truly inspiring,
" said Ian Cameron, Chief Designer for Rolls-Royce. However, our
search was for a design route which combined the brand's wonderful
heritage with a cutting-edge 21st century character." A number of
designs were proposed with the ultimate choices progressing to the clay
stage. After final selection, the build process began, this time at
BMW's specialist design and build facilities in Munich. Shorter than
the Phantom by 165 mm (6.5 in) and 71 mm (3 in) lower, the 100EX has a
graceful side profile with a characteristic dynamic rise in the
waistline over the rear wheels and lines that sweep upwards towards the
front of the motor car. "We intended the silhouette to express
the performance potential, yet reflect the effortless composure typical
of Rolls-Royce design rather than the aggressive, forward-wedged stance
of most modern performance cars," explained Exterior Designer,
Marek Djordjevic. "Visually we wanted to build on the Rolls-Royce
tradition of 'waftability' - the sense that 100EX has the power to
whisk its passengers swiftly to maximum speed in a truly relaxed
manner." To emphasise the bodylines, a polished aluminium waist
rail surrounds the passenger compartment. Hand crafted, bleached teak
decking has been chosen to feature both inside and outside the car,
forming part of a strong maritime theme that runs throughout. On the
exterior it forms a tonneau cover for the folded hood and features as
an inlay in the polished aluminium door cappings. "The overall
impression is intended to be of an elegant motor yacht at speed",
adds Djordjevic. At the front, a solid silver Spirit of Ecstasy sits on
a progressively rakish version of the traditional Rolls-Royce grille,
blending into the dramatic bonnet which has been milled from a single
aluminium block and brushed to a high sheen. The windscreen surround
and A-pillar, triangulated for exceptional strength, is also machined
from solid aluminium. The two coach doors of 100EX demonstrate the
marriage of form and function throughout the car. They are large enough
to allow exceptional access for rear-seat passengers, hinged at the
rear in the style of many exceptional pre-war touring cars and like the
rear doors of the new Phantom. The tailored soft top is made from an
advanced material that incorporates woven wire strands offering
strength and all weather protection. The inside of the hood is lined
with a wool/cashmere blend fabric. Painstaking design of the folding
mechanism means the hood can be concealed in an extremely small storage
area, keeping intrusion into the luggage space to a minimum. The rear
of the motor car tapers in a boat-tail style and the 'countryman' boot
lid is split to give a drop-down lower tailgate. Teak decking extends
across the boot floor, providing a table-like surface. The 100EX is
finished in unique Dark Curzon with 21-inch wheels finished in Meteor
Silver. Interior design Interior Designer Charles Coldham explains,
"We drew from the design of contemporary and classic yachts. The
result is a thoroughly modern interior with an unmistakable nautical
influence". The chosen interior wood veneer is figured mahogany.
Upholstery and trim are in rich Dark Curzon leather, while the flooring
features the same bleached teak decking as the tonneau cover for the
folded hood. Specially-designed front seats are included, which are
ultra-supportive but slender, allowing good legroom for rear
passengers. The rear seat itself, while more intimate than that in the
Phantom, is extremely accommodating for two people, with generous space
devoted to passenger comfort, helped by the neat and space-efficient
folding roof mechanism. The team wanted to create a motor car that gave
a 'shared experience', not something that was solely driver focused.
"The cabin of the 100EX is as much a social environment as the new
Rolls-Royce Phantom, but rather than shutting out the elements, they
are embraced", explains Coldham. Engineering As an experimental
car, the 100EX is developed to a far higher level of engineering than a
typical concept car. The body structure is a development of the new
Phantom's aluminium space-frame, adapted to the different proportions
of the 100EX, which is similar in width to the Phantom, but 165 mm (6.5
in) shorter and 71 mm (3 in) lower. The wheelbase is 100 mm (4 in)
shorter. The structure gives the 100EX immense strength and rigidity -
something which is clearly vital for an open-top motor car. It also
allows for coach doors to be selected, which are integral to the design
of the motor car and offer the practical benefit of easing entry and
exit. The polished aluminium windscreen surround, with its triangulated
A-pillar, is effectively an exposed part of the space-frame structure,
which provides excellent roll-over protection. Suspension and steering
geometry are shared with the new Phantom: double wishbone front and
multi-link rear axles, with air springs, and rack and pinion steering.
Wheels are finished in Meteor Silver, with a 21-inch diameter, and shod
with 255/50 tyres at the front and 285/45 at the rear. 100EX is
powered by a 9-litre V16, 64-valve engine. Natural aspiration was
chosen over turbo or supercharging to give the instant, yet perfectly
smooth style of pick-up which has so impressed in the Phantom. Drive is
delivered through a six-speed automatic gearbox. EX cars
Experimental manufacture of motor cars and engines has long been a
Rolls-Royce tradition. In 1919 the 1EX was produced, based on a Silver
Ghost chassis. It was the first in a long line of EX cars that spanned
almost 40 years, ending with the 45EX in 1958. It was the larger
cars, like the Silver Ghost and the Phantom, which were given the 'EX'
denomination while the smaller experimental models were given the
letter 'G', standing for Goshawk. Many notable EX motor cars were
made. These include 15, 16 and 17EX, which were based on the Phantom
chassis and, in 1927, given to coachbuilders Hooper, Barker and Jarvis,
respectively, in a competitive quest to produce a lightweight Phantom
sports model. In 1930 Henry Royce began a project to develop more
powerful engines with even greater refinement. He contemplated building
a 16 cylinder engine, but settled on V12 configuration, as being half
way between a six and 16 cylinder engine - which he, at the time,
considered the two ends of the possible spectrum for Rolls-Royce motor
car application. Up to this point the Phantom I and II were powered by
straight six cylinder engines. It is with these important cars in mind
that Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has created a new 'EX' to represent the
pinnacle of engineering and coach-building beauty for the 21st century.
It is possible that in the future, as was the case the original EX
motor cars, elements of the technology featured on the 100EX could be
developed for new Rolls-Royce Motor Cars projects. Throughout 2004
there is a full calendar of events in place to mark the centenary of
Rolls-Royce, and the 100EX will appear at many of these as part of the
year long celebrations. Technical specification No. of doors/seats:
2/4 Vehicle length: 5669 mm Vehicle width: 1990 mm Vehicle height,
unladen: 1561 mm Wheelbase: 3470 mm Fuel tank capacity: 80 ltr
Engine: 9 ltr naturally aspirated V16, 64-valve Transmission type: 6
speed automatic Steering type: Rack and pinion, speed-sensitive,
Variable-rate power assistance Tyre size: Front 255/50/R21ins rear
285/45/R21ins Wheel size: Front 8 1/2J R21 ins rear 9 1/2J R21 ins