12:14 am, February 21, 2011
ROLLS-Royce has confirmed it is developing a one-off, full electric powered Phantom to debut at the Geneva Motor Show.
Plans are already in place to tour the 102EX – also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric – to gather research data which will help the marque in forming future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce cars.
‘We have engineered the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment,’ said CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös. ‘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.’
The 102EX will tour 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.
While there are no plans to develop a production version, Rolls-Royce says the car ‘will serve to begin a dialogue with existing owners and stakeholders, posing as well as answering questions of its audience.’
‘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.’
