New York City, NY—You might be fooled into thinking the fine people at Rolls-Royce have in their possession a freakishly perceptive crystal ball. Or, rather, a freakishly perceptive crystal ball made of diamond. How else do you explain a forthcoming model from the esteemed automaker that will ring in at about $100,000 (US) less than any of its other offerings?
This was the question many of us were left pondering as we witnessed the first U.S. public showing of the Rolls-Royce 200EX, an “experimental vehicle” that is slated for production—and a new “less experimental” moniker—sometime in 2010.
Here’s the upshot of how the presentation at the Frank Gehry-designed IAC/InterActiveCorp headquarters in Chelsea went: People spoke, a video played, a curtain was drawn back to reveal the 200EX, other people reflected on the car’s design and dimensions, and still others inquired as to its price—which is anticipated to be in the $250-$280K (US) range—whereupon everyone nodded their heads in tacit approval.
Now, that’s still a large amount of cold hard cash. But when you consider that the “cheapest” Rolls currently on the market—the regular ol’ Phantom sedan—tips the scales at $350K (US), the 200EX seems a Kmart Blue Light Special by comparison. (Side note: The Phantom Coupe featured on the cover of the December 2008 issue of DRIVEN rolls in at some $400K (US).)
In describing how the new car will fit in with the current fleet, Rolls-Royce Chief Designer Ian Cameron said the following: “If the Phantom is a tuxedo, the 200EX is a business suit—but there are suits and then there are suits.”
Meaning, despite the fact that the 200EX is a relative bargain, it’s still a damn fine suit—fitted with a 500+ horsepower V12 engine, no less. This is precisely why it will be the perfect ride for those consumers largely unaffected by the current financial meltdown who, nevertheless, don’t want to be seen as flaunting their solvency. It’s optics, man.
On the topic of optics—phrase patent pending—the newest Rolls definitely looks the part. Based somewhat on the underpinnings of the 2009 BMW 7 Series (see again DRIVEN, circa December 2008), the 200EX has been stretched and pulled to reflect the signature Rolls-Royce design ethic. The elongated hood, short front overhang, large wheels and steeply raked windscreen all contribute to giving the sedan what the manufacturer calls “a special sense of occasion.”
Unique features found on this pre-production model include an experimental satin paint finish on the hood that looks just like stainless steel, a handbag holder for back-seat passengers and forward-facing coach doors that open up 83 degrees, thereby providing the inspiration for the title for this piece.
Is our new, leaner and meaner world ready for the Rolls-Royce 200EX? Tom Purves, CEO of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, is banking on it: “The aspiration to succeed and the rewards of success do not wane and did not wane during other economic slowdowns.” In other words, meltdown schmeltdown—let’s go for a drive.
