Rolls Royce Presents Electric and Autonomous “Vision Vehicle”

Photo: Rolls Royce Vision Next 100
Rolls Royce Vision Next 100 (Courtesy Rolls Royce Motor Cars, (C) BMW AG)
Rolls Royce Vision Next 100 (Courtesy Rolls Royce Motor Cars, (C) BMW AG)

Rolls Royce’s newly-unveiled “VISION NEXT 100” is one of four “vision vehicle” concepts announced by BMW Group. This fully-electric and autonomous vehicle concept is Rolls Royce’s contribution to the company’s 100th anniversary campaign, which is titled “THE NEXT 100 YEARS.”

In developing the VISION NEXT 100, code-named “103EX,” Rolls Royce’s design team first asked themselves “How can we recast luxury for the next 100 years?” This question led to two further questions, which were “What will a Rolls-Royce owner expect of his or her Rolls-Royce in the coming decades?” and “How do we at Rolls-Royce today envision how we meet those expectations?” In answering these questions, the team identified four key tenets:

  • The Personal Vision: In the spirit of the great coachbuilt cars of the past, Rolls-Royce will create the chassis of the future, hand-built from the most advanced materials and powered by a zero emissions powertrain.
  • The Effortless Journey: Rolls Royce anticipates artificial intelligence personified as the “Voice of Eleanor” (named after Eleanor Thornton, the model for the Spirit of Ecstacy figurine on the hood of every Rolls Royce). Eleanor is envisioned to be the vehicle owner’s digital assistant (similar in concept to Apple’s Siri), but capable of driving the vehicle as a virtual chauffeur and informing passengers about relevant information ahead of their arrival.
  • The Grand Sanctuary: Without the need for a cockpit or steering wheel, passengers will enjoy an uninterrupted view in a futuristic but handcrafted lounge atmosphere.

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  • The Grand Arrival: Hinged on the left of the vehicle, the glass canopy lifts to allow the occupant to stand while providing shelter from above and behind. Then, the single coach door sweeps open and a step emerges from below the running board. As a final flourish, a red light is projected, carpet-like, from the underside of the step as a welcome.

Rolls Royce Vision Next 100 Open DoorConsistent with other members of the BMW Group, Rolls Royce is aggressively embracing new technology such as electric drivetrains to provide zero-emission transportation and artificial intelligence to deliver autonomous driving that is tightly integrated with other aspects of drivers’ lives.

Learn more about Rolls Royce’s vision below.

https://youtu.be/dGSm082ELXY

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