Q.Rolls Royce Vision Next 100: The Future of Opulence

There is nothing like Rolls Royce when it comes to being the best in terms of engineering, exclusivity and extravagance. True to their philosophy, Rolls Royce has unveiled their latest concept of how luxury on four wheels might look like. Behold the '103 EX'. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12854[/ATTACH] First off, the length of this 'Limo of the Future' is an impressive 19.5 feet long! With a long hood and the spirit of ecstasy adorning the top, the silhouette is definitely reminiscent of the Rolls-Royce ethos. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12855[/ATTACH] Rolls Royce has four visions in this concept: The Personal Vision, The Effortless Journey, The Grand Sanctuary and The Grand Arrival. The Personal Vision is all about the prospect of tailoring the car to the owner's needs; creating a personal connect with the car. The chassis is of course, hand-built from the most advanced and exotic materials and is powered by a zero emissions powertrain. The technical details haven't been revealed but expect electric power or even hydrogen fuel cell. Although, Rolls Royce hints at the probability of the powertrain being as powerful as a V12 engine. Advanced manufacturing technologies will enable customers to involve themselves even more in the design of the shape, size and silhouette of their personal Rolls-Royce vision. The future customer will commission his or her own concept. Rolls Royce will design and manufacture this personal vision of each customer and make every Rolls-Royce a unique Bespoke masterpiece. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12856[/ATTACH] The Effortless Journey, well, it speaks for itself. The hood ornament called The Spirit of Ecstasy, is actually based on the English Actress Eleanor Thornton. She is immortalized in the form of artificial intelligence, Digitally connected to every aspect of her owners’ lives and her surrounding environment, ‘Eleanor’ becomes their virtual assistant and chauffeur, freeing them of all effort and encumbrance. Talk about spoiling yourself! Imbued with her own artificial intelligence, she works intuitively to 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. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12857[/ATTACH] She can also ‘bring’ the car around when her passengers are ready to travel and, whilst conveying her charges to their next destination, helpfully but discreetly makes suggestions and recommendations, briefing them ahead of their arrival so they are ready to ‘perform’. The 'Eleanor' can not only be a butler, but also a guardian angel to the passengers while travelling, thanks to her continuous monitoring and prediction of the surroundings. This Effortless Journey is enhanced by the hallmark Rolls-Royce ‘magic carpet ride’ delivered through an advanced suspension system that sees the vehicle almost skim across the road surface. 'The Grand Sanctuary' in a Rolls Royce is always an experience, seeping with absolute indulgence. Cocooned in Cocooned in the futuristic but handcrafted lounge atmosphere, the coach door and clamshell canopy glide closed to envelop them in uninterrupted silence and luxury. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12858[/ATTACH] True to this spirit, the cabin is encircled by the most modern handcrafted fine-line Macassar wood panelling, sweeping across the interior from the coach door, continuing around behind the OLED screen (Yes, it has a giant OLED screen which dominates the front wall of the cabin) and up beside the second passenger to the side of the sofa. This ensures a continuous, beautifully clean and sculptural surface when the screen is extinguished. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12859[/ATTACH] The centrepiece of the cabin is the sofa. You read that right. A [I]sofa. [/I]Clothed in the most opulent fabrics, it gives the impression of floating within the cocoon of the cabin thanks to the artful use of lighting and modern materials. The 'sofa' is wrapped in silk and the carpet is ivory wool woven in London. I don't know what an ivory wool is, but sure sounds extravagant enough. This sense of space is accentuated as the passengers’ view from their seats is uninterrupted as there is no cockpit or steering wheel. Everything will be taken care by 'Eleanor'. The Grand Arrival, as Rolls Royce puts it, “Certain truths are constant over time. One of these truths is how the powerful have always understood the symbols through which they express their standing. From the lavish chariots of the Roman Emperors to the individually hand built state carriages and cars of Monarchy – such as the coachbuilt Rolls-Royce Phantom IV used during Queen Elizabeth II’s coronation – such fine vehicles have been designed to project the importance of the individual inside to those waiting outside. Waiting with bated breath for a grand arrival, the crowds were never anything but impressed by the stately arrival of their idol. With the Vision Next 100, Rolls-Royce believes that its powerful patrons will wish to continue projecting their power and status in such a manner.” [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12860[/ATTACH] Oh, and by the way, there's a provision at the front (thanks to the lack of a V12 engine) for carrying a couple of bespoke luggage. It slides open and your butler can take them out. Pretty neat, right? [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12861[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12862[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n12863[/ATTACH]