Yes, Rolls Royce is going electric and it’s officially confirmed! They just announced the 102EX, an electric powered version of the Phantom, which is a test bed for RR’s future electric drivetrain.
Rolls Royce 102EX or the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE) will embark on a global tour that takes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Through test drives, owners will be given the opportunity to experience an alternative drive-train technology and to feedback their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly to Rolls-Royce.
Rolls Royce denies that this experimental vehicle will spawn a production version eventually, but it certainly serves a purpose. They say it will serve to begin a dialogue with existing owners and stakeholders, posing as well as answering questions of its audience.
“We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,” said CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös, speaking from the company’s headquarters in Goodwood. “With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future.”
“I must be convinced that any alternative drive-train we choose for the future delivers an authentic Rolls-Royce experience,” added Müller-Ötvös. “It must be a technology that is right for our customers, our brand and which sets us on a sound footing for a sustainable future.”
In preparation for the Geneva debut, Rolls-Royce will launch the website www.electricluxury.com this week, a portal to fuel a wider global debate seeking views on the question of electric luxury from media, VIPs and stakeholders. The site will also deliver regular updates of the car’s progress while on tour.
Images and details of the RR 102EX will be released at the Geneva Motor Show on March 1.
