Rolls-Royce Vision 100 concept revealed

Rolls-Royce has created what it reckons the rich will be driving in the future. Or more specifically, what they won’t be driving.

Revealing its Vision NEXT 100 concept last week in London in celebration of BMW’s centenary birthday, the firm showcased a fully autonomous all-electric living room on wheels.

The Vision NEXT 100, or ‘103EX’ as it is codenamed, is big as any living space too. It stretches 5.9m, reaches 1.6m high – mirroring the current Phantom Extended Wheelbase’s size – and rolls on towering 28-inch wheels.

With 103EX’s dual 250kW-motor drivetrain completely controlled by Eleanor – the name given to its Skynet-like artificial intelligence system – it disposes of chauffeurs and treats the cabin as an exclusive two-person retreat.

Yet few luxury retreats would equal the Vision 100's inside. Its main event is a silk-covered sofa, surrounded by Macassar wood panelling and the brand’s ‘finest’ deep-pile wool carpet. Meanwhile, Eleanor’s presence is represented on a flush-fitted OLED screen which serves as the car’s infotainment.

Rolls-Royce has rethought the 103EX’s exit strategy, too, as passengers are assisted by its huge lifting canopy on exit and entry.

While it’s hard to imagine this thing anywhere but the future, some of the 103EX is already eyed for production if words from Rolls-Royce are anything to go by. Torsten Müller-Ötvös, company CEO, says its electric drivetrain will ‘probably’ be the first to reach its road cars.

For now, however, you can see more of the 103EX below in this video shot with rather cool 360-degree tech.