Rolls Royce 103 EX Vision Next 100: Rolls Royce boldly goes where no one has gone before

Say what you will about Rolls Royce. If you’re like me, growing up in Orange County, Los Angeles, California, you either had the opportunity to ride in a Rolls Royce, or knew someone that owned one, at one time or another. There’s something everlasting and chic cool! about this 100-year-old auto brand.

Rolls Royce has outlived all the “serious” grand benchmark cars of an auto segment generally reserved for the upcoming, wealthy, diplomat, superstar, and at times, the discerning few of us that when fortune smiles, drops into the leather and real wood confines of a generally low mileage ‘Roller,’ nabbed for the one-off experience that’s driving or riding in the pinnacle of personal driving statement personified.

The 103 EX Vision Next 100 preview RR’s design directive for the not too distant future

No, you won’t see a 103 EX Vision 100 concept rolling through your neighborhood anytime soon. RR’s Grand Phaeton concept car captures RR’s commitment to an Autonomous drive and ride experience rich in the accouterments of the Rolls Royce Phaeton’s of the past, with body-line reminiscent of the “Great Gatsby” era.

So much for a car phone, let’s arrive in automated opulence and unrivaled style.

According to Rolls Royce

"Today, Rolls-Royce, the world's leading luxury brand, has defined the future of luxury mobility. The Grand Arrival of the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 boldly points to a bright future for our marque where our patrons' individual demands for complete and authentic personalization will be met through an exquisite fusion of technology, design and hallmark Rolls-Royce craftsmanship."

Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

"With the Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100 we were mindful not to dwell on the past. We wanted to be as innovative as possible and at the same time transcend the design history of the marque."

Giles Taylor, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars

The Rolls-Royce VISION NEXT 100, code named 103EX, today made its North American debut at the historic Barker Hangar in Santa Monica, California. 103EX is the marque's first ever pure 'Vision Vehicle' and defines the future of luxury mobility. It presents an intriguing and aesthetically dynamic vision of the future of luxury mobility – a completely personal, effortless and autonomous Rolls-Royce experience, wrapped in a design that ensures a 'Grand Sanctuary' for its occupants and a 'Grand Arrival'.

103EX is one of four visionary creations announced by the BMW Group in Munich on 7 March 2016, as it launched its centenary celebrations.

Photo and remark attributions: BMW Group 2016