BMW, Rolls Royce celebrate 100 years with Vision Next 100 concepts
BMW isn’t celebrating its centennial alone. The German automaker’s subsidiaries Mini and Rolls-Royce have Vision Next 100 concepts of their own.
Visitors look at a BMW concept car model on display at the BMW Vision Next 100 exhibition at 798 Art District in Beijing.
Andy Wong/AP/File
BMW turned 100 this year and as part of the celebrations unveiled a forward-looking concept aptly named the Vision Next 100.
But BMW isn’t celebrating alone as the German automaker’s subsidiaries Mini and Rolls-Royce have Vision Next 100 concepts of their own.
Code-named the 103EX, Rolls-Royce’s Vision Next 100 concept is a stately coupe that blends old with the—very—new. The vehicle is unlike any Rolls-Royce ever conceived yet instantly recognizable as one of the automaker’s creations.
It was designed under four main tenets Rolls-Royce sees as being inextricably linked with automotive luxury, tenets that are true now and will be so well into the future, according to the automaker. They are a personal experience, effortless travel, a relaxing sanctuary and a grand arrival.
This is all encompassed in the design which consists of a lightweight composite structure powered by an electric drivetrain and controlled with autonomous technology. There’s no steering wheel here, just a large screen to entertain occupants on their journey.
The structure is also highly flexible so that customers will be able to choose the design of their cars, just like the coachbuilding tradition that Rolls-Royce embodied in its early years. Other technologies include a virtual personal assistant that gets to knowthe vehicle owner so that it can make hotel or restaurant suggestions as well as organize a trip or schedule.
Inside is a lounge-like environment where the vehicle owner can be cocooned from the outside world. In addition to the large screen, which is described as a transparent OLED display, there are traditional materials such as Macassar wood and soft silk upholstery.
Finally, it’s time for the grand arrival, which is made possible by the car’s imposing proportions—it stretches more than 19 feet in length—and impressive door mechanism. The roof lifts away, while the door opens rearward just like on Rolls-Royce’s current models.
Now that you’ve learned all about the Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 concept, get a taste of what it’s like to ride inside thanks to a 360-degree video.