These bold experiments shaped the Rolls-Royce of today.
Over 20 years ago, Rolls-Royce opened a new chapter in its rich, century-long history by establishing a new home in the historic location of Goodwood, England, which itself is hallowed in the automotive world. Since then, its lineup has defined automotive ultra-luxury, with incredible design that defines both modern excellence and classic charm, and as Rolls-Royce celebrates its 120th anniversary, the celebrated manufacturer looks back on the past 20 years, and specifically at the experimental concepts that inspired the modern Rolls-Royce vehicles.
The use of the “EX” suffix for experimental Rolls-Royce models in began over 105 years ago in 1919, with the 1EX. It also designated the 45EX in 1958. However, the use of the suffix was revived in the Goodwood era of Rolls-Royce in 2004 with the creation of the 100EX. Made just after the start of production for the Phantom that kicked off the Goodwood era, the 100EX featured a V16 engine as a two-door convertible. Yacht-inspired styling set the experimental model apart as a machine made for ultra-luxe driving pleasure, and it eventually became a production model as the Phantom Drophead Coupé in the late 2000s.
In 2006, Rolls-Royce unveiled the 101EX, another experimental model that featured a two-door body like the 100EX, except with a fixed roof. That model became the Phantom Coupé, and was succeeded by the Wraith, and now the Spectre, Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric model. The Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupé also served as the basis for the Sweptail, a stunning one-off coachbuilt commission that remains an incredible masterpiece today.
The 200EX was revealed in 2009 as an entirely new vision for Rolls-Royce, introducing a more modern, driver-friendly, smaller, and informal model, made for a younger demographic. That model would, of course, be introduced as a production model as well: the Rolls-Royce Ghost. 102EX, revealed in 2011, also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric, was a one-off Phantom that sported an all-electric powertrain, envisioning a future of electric mobility for Rolls-Royce’s ultra-luxury vehicles. The innovations it presented and the data it was able to gather was instrumental in the development of the eventual electric production model from Rolls-Royce: the Spectre.
103EX was unveiled in 2016 as one of the most ambitious and unique experimental vehicles from Rolls-Royce. Its hyper-futuristic design includes a passenger cabin called “The Grand Sanctuary,” with a sofa instead of traditional seats thanks to autonomous driving and a digital assistant within the car called “Eleanor.” Despite its roots in the past and its classic principles for craftsmanship, design, luxury, and opulence, Rolls-Royce boldly aims towards the future within the automotive industry, especially with its rich heritage of experimental “EX” models.
Image Source: Rolls-Royce