Officially Official: Rolls-Royce 200EX

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Following today's embargo debacle, Rolls-Royce has finally released the official details and images of its baby Roller, the 200EX. The name draws its inspiration from the "experimental" prototypes that Rolls created during the pre-war era, but this version is more modern and has its sights set on the Bentley Continental Flying Spur.

While Rolls-Royce has deemed the Geneva-bound 200EX a concept, expect almost every exterior and interior detail to carry over to the production model when it arrives in 2010. However, the alphanumeric moniker will be replaced with something more traditional (think some variation of the words Spirit, Shadow or Cloud).

The styling is quintessential Rolls, pulling all the best cues from the Phantom and Drophead Coupe and fitting them into a decidedly smaller package. Based off the latest BMW 7 series platform, the 200EX spans 212.6 inches long, 83 inches wide and 61 inches tall, with a wheelbase of 129.7 inches. A new air suspension system hides behind the seven-spoke, 20-inch wheels, with the front hoops wrapped in 255/45 tires and the rears coated in 285/40 rubber. Rolls remains mum on engine details, only saying that the 200EX is powered by a new V12.

Inside you'll find all the top-rate, high-dollar trinkets that makes Rolls-Royce the standard of the luxury motoring world, including frosted lamps, chrome door handles, violin key switchgear and an ergonomic roller-ball controller to manipulate the car's systems.

PRESS RELEASE

ROLLS-ROYCE TO UNVEIL 200EX AT GENEVA MOTOR SHOW

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars will unveil its latest experimental car, called 200EX, at the Geneva Motor Show on 3 March 2009.

200EX is a design study for a contemporary four-door saloon and shows the direction for RR4, a new model series from Rolls-Royce due for production in 2010.

PHILOSOPHY

Experimental models have always played a significant role in the history of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, from the first - 1EX, built in 1919 - to the most recent - 101EX, built in 2006. Unlike a concept car, the experimental models developed by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars have always been fully functioning vehicles, residing in a tangible world of wood, leather and metals rather than clay and foam. EX cars offer designers and engineers the opportunity for real-world innovation and have been used to showcase new components and engineering techniques as well as exterior and interior designs. "Modern automotive engineering is a balance of creativity, innovation and application. 200EX is an opportunity to assess these new ideas", explains Helmut Riedl, Director of Engineering.

100EX was the first experimental car unveiled after Rolls-Royce Motor Cars was relaunched under BMW Group ownership in 2003. Revealed at the Geneva motor show in 2004, the two-door, four-seat convertible was built to mark 100 years of Rolls-Royce motor car design and engineering. Just two years later, 101EX was presented, which explored modern coup? design. Both of these cars inspired production models that not only closely resemble their EX progenitors but have also redefined luxury motoring in the modern age.

Following on from this success, the same group of designers and engineers has created 200EX, itself pointing the way to RR4, a new Rolls-Royce model scheduled for production in 2010. The brief for 200EX? To create a modern, lithe and dynamic Rolls-Royce that bears all the hallmarks of the great cars that have gone before it: effortless performance, unparalleled refinement, exquisite quality and confident design.

DESIGN
"Alluring, inviting, approachable - this car captivates with each encounter" - Chief Designer, Ian Cameron

200EX has a dynamic edge to its styling and is noticeably less formal than previous models. Its size, style and expression broaden the appeal of the car, making it more appropriate for a wider range of circumstances. "200EX is a touring saloon with more than a little panache and perhaps more bravado than one might have expected from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars," says Cameron. "What you see is a modern car that is immediately recognisable as a true Rolls-Royce, even from angles that obscure the grille and Spirit of Ecstasy. Design elements such as the elevated prow, long bonnet, short front overhang, sharply raked A-pillar and elegant tail give 200EX an air of informal presence - powerful but unobtrusive."

The exterior design is dominated by large, uninterrupted surfaces, while finely sculptured horizontal lines add definition and geometric precision. In combination, the upward-sweeping sill line and low-cut roof create a powerful profile. The tapered rear is enhanced by powerful shoulders and flanks that draw in sharply, narrowing as they flow from the rear wings to the tail-lights.

The rear-hinged coach doors give the car a natural presence and sense of theatre. Revived in 2003 on the Phantom, this signature feature lends added functionality and style to the design. Opening through a generous 83 degrees, the coach doors offer the widest rear access in the car industry as well as providing the warmest of welcomes to those about to step inside.

At the front, a pair of LED headlamps flank the latest evolution of the world's most famous grille. "We wanted this to be less reminiscent of the traditional 'Parthenon' style and more like a jet intake," says Ian Cameron. The sides of the intake have been curved inwards and the vanes set back into the opening. It's a more dynamic form that moves on from the design first seen on the Phantom Drophead Coup?.

The exterior of 200EX is finished in Darkest Tungsten, which contrasts with the silver satin finish applied to the bonnet and A-pillar. Seven-spoke, 20-inch wheels complete the visual impact of the exterior.

Within 200EX, Interior Designer Alan Sheppard has accomplished a contemporary atmosphere, incorporating the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars principles of fine materials and peerless comfort. The space is filled with natural light, which brings in a real sense of the outside world. However, substantial doors and a high shoulder line ensure that occupants feel cosseted and protected. In the rear, the intimate ambience of the lounge seat is emphasised by its position behind the C-pillar, heightening the sense of privacy.

Naturally, the finest materials have been used. Elegant, frosted lamps and chrome door handles feature, while details include traditional violin key switches, eyeball air vents, opaque dials and refined instrumentation.

"As with any Rolls-Royce, detail is crucial," says Alan Sheppard. "We want the lasting impression for owners to be that their car was made just for them by someone skilled and caring."

The dashboard has been kept deliberately clear; it is spacious in its design and has an intuitive layout. The controls are neatly sculptured, with more important functions emphasised by accents of chrome. The soft light of the instrument panel glows through the familiar black-rimmed steering wheel, which itself incorporates a number of violin keys as well as an ergonomic roller-ball control.

The interior of 200EX is finished in supple, natural grain Cr?me Light leather, with Cornsilk carpets and cashmere blend headliner. The featured wood veneer is Santos Palissander, chosen for its contemporary look and striking grain.

"200EX is a modern execution of timeless Rolls-Royce elegance, breaking with some areas of tradition but retaining the core values that make our marque unique," says Chief Executive Officer Tom Purves. "We expect the more informal, agile design to broaden the appeal of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, attracting people who appreciate its fusion of refinement, new technology and contemporary style."

200EX TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION

* No. of doors/seats: 4/5
* Vehicle length: 5399mm
* Vehicle width 1948mm
* Vehicle height: 1550mm
* Wheelbase: 3295mm
* Engine: new V12
* Wheel and tyre size: 20 inch, 255/45 R 20 front and 285/40 R 20 rear


http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/19/officially-official-rolls-royce-200ex/

A beautiful vehicle. I'll take mine in British Racing Green with flat black wheels. Perhaps a supercharger or some turbos......
 
How lovely, a discount Roller for our discount times :lol: They should continue with a Silver Something name; Silver Sabre perhaps?
 
What about Silver Loyalty Card: You're Not Quite There Yet.
 
As nice as it may be, and I fear neg reps...
This will just dilute the brand, like the Vantage diluted Aston and the California is gonna dilute Ferrari.
 
Vantage diluted Aston

I'm sorry, what? The Vantage is a FINE car and it's the Aston I'd have.

This 200EX is all well and good until you discover the estimated price: $250,000/175,000 pounds.
 
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Do want. Thank God they kept the V12 in it.

Call it the Silver Dawn - they've used that name before on entry level models.

Aston: I suggest you take a look at the RR lineup circa 1975. In order from biggest/best to smallest model:

Corniche
Phantom
Camargue
Silver Wraith
Silver Shadow

At most other times in their history, RR has had both an entry level car and a top level car. The top level car now is the Phantom variants, this would be the Silver Whatever entry level. Not exactly a dilution here, especially since the price alone will still keep it exclusive.

The good news is that in 15 years, given Brit car depreciation, they'll be affordable for everyone. :D
 
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How lovely, a discount Roller for our discount times :lol: They should continue with a Silver Something name; Silver Sabre perhaps?

Then how about Silver Light Special?
(think K-mart)
 
It's cool, but I've always said that RR has such an amazing/imposing face and such an uninspiring/boring rear end.
 
Pretty boring, it's just a downsized Phantom which itself isn't very good looking. I like the interior though.
 
I'll take a Brooklands thank you very much.
 
Yeah, I'd take the Brooklands over this... but this isn't embarrassing for Rolls at all.

This isn't the Rolls X-Type. Thank God.
 
Yeah, I'd take the Brooklands over this... but this isn't embarrassing for Rolls at all.

This isn't the Rolls X-Type. Thank God.

I'd take the Brooklands over damn near anything to be honest, so its no insult for the Roller, in fact the interior is really something to behold. The Brooklands is just a masterpiece.
 
No, thanks.
 
That's the best looking Rolls-Royce made to date in my opinion. Though 213 inches is still quite large.
 
That's the best looking Rolls-Royce made to date in my opinion. Though 213 inches is still quite large.

I challenge that statement with the Phantom I Jonckheere Aerodynamic Coupe

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^It's even got a round door.
 
I challenge that statement with the Phantom I Jonckheere Aerodynamic Coupe

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^It's even got a round door.

Art Deco FTW.... again. :D
 
Magnificient machine. I don't see it devaluing the brand since it's still a great hulking thing, and carries the right stance.
 
How to know when you brand is too exclusive: when people complain that a $250,000 'entry level' model is going to dilute the brand.

Onto the car though, I like it. It's a bit less blocky and more curvaceous than the Phantom. Just looks like a nice, flowing design that is still unmistakeably a Roller.
 
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