BMW, Rolls Royce celebrate 100 years with Vision Next 100 concepts
BMW turned 100 this year and as聽part聽of the celebrations unveiled a forward-looking concept aptly named聽.
But BMW isn鈥檛 celebrating alone as the German聽automaker鈥檚 subsidiaries聽聽and Rolls-Royce have Vision Next 100 concepts of their own.
Code-named the 103EX, Rolls-Royce鈥檚 Vision Next 100 concept is a stately coupe that blends old with the鈥攙ery鈥攏ew. The聽vehicle聽is unlike any Rolls-Royce ever conceived yet instantly recognizable as one of the automaker鈥檚 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鈥檚 no steering wheel here, just a聽large聽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聽cars, just like the coachbuilding tradition that Rolls-Royce embodied in its early years. Other technologies include a virtual personal assistant that gets to聽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聽environment聽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鈥檚 time for the grand arrival, which is made possible by the聽car鈥檚 imposing proportions鈥攊t stretches more than 19 feet in length鈥攁nd impressive door mechanism. The roof lifts away, while the door opens rearward just like on Rolls-Royce鈥檚 current models.
Now that you鈥檝e learned all about the Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 concept, get a taste of what it鈥檚 like to ride inside thanks to a 360-degree video.
