BMW marks a century with Rolls Royce VISION NEXT 100

Called Rolls Royce 103EX, this is a futuristic concept car.After revealing the BMW Vision Next 100 last month, BMW Group today revealed two more concepts under the same campaign – Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 and MINI VISION NEXT 100.

Speaking about the Rolls Royce Vision Next 100, it is a fully autonomous coachbuilt luxury car for from the future. Called 103EX, this new Rolls Royce concept is unlike any concept to come out from the Goodwood based luxury brand.

Originally a hand-built luxury coachmaker, the challenge behind developing 103EX is to develop a fully autonomous hand-made luxury coach which is loaded with today’s as well as future’s technology and gadgets.

Giles Taylor, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce says that, “The Rolls-Royce patron will continue to be a famous figure in the future. I envision that the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 will play a key role in these people’s lives, guiding and conveying them effortlessly through their life’s journey in an exquisite sanctuary where they can reflect in peace ahead of arriving in the grandest style.”

Some interesting facts to note about this futuristic concept – there is no steering wheel in the cabin, nor there is a driver or co-passenger seat. In fact, there is no conventional dashboard which we see in all of today’s cars. What you get is a giant OLED screen which is powered by a mini supercomputer.

You also get a virtual assistant called ‘Eleanor’ (something like how Apple has ‘Siri’). All you need to do is command ‘Eleanor’ and the job will be done. Drive to a location, tell ‘Eleanor’, want to listen to a particular song, tell ‘Eleanor’, want to search something online, tell ‘Eleanor’, and so on.

Apart from this, ‘Eleanor’ can “also advise her owners on itineraries, schedules and options before they leave their residence, reminding about appointments and tasks and making suggestions to ease any anticipated impediments.”

Powered by a full electric powertrain, the Rolls Royce 103EX runs on narrow 28 inch wheels. The door opens high enough to work like a make-shift canopy for passengers who can rest in the shade, while the red light is to give red carpet like feel.

This article has first appeared in Rushlane.com