Rolls-Royce Vision Next 100 unveiled

Rolls-Royce has unveiled its Vision Next concept to celebrate parent company BMW’s centenary year. The super-luxurious, futuristic concept was unveiled alongside the Mini Vision Next 100 concept, a compact four-seater.

The concept is fully-autonomous and is based on an advanced lightweight platform using composite materials. Rolls-Royce says that everything from the wheelbase to the body design of the concept can be tailored to suit the needs of customers. It is powered by a high-performance electric drivetrain.

The coupé-styled concept measures in at 5,900mm in length and sports free-standing wheel arches on either side of the radiator grille. The bonnet ornament called 'Spirit of Ecstasy' is made from hand-cut lead crystal and illuminated from inside. A mechanism opening a hatch in the side of the car, allows luggage to be stored in the front of the concept. To get in and out of the vehicle, the roof and coach door open. Passengers stand up in the car and step out, while light projections create what the company calls a 'red-carpet' effect.

Inside, the concept does not have a driver’s seat, steering wheel or instrument. According to Rolls-Royce, this creates a “completely new sense of space”. The only instrument remaining is a central analogue clock below the panorama window. Materials inside the concept include Macassar wood and a hand-twisted silk on the floor and soft silk on the upholstery.

The concept comes with a so-called virtual personal assistant that appears on the full-width transparent OLED display. Passengers can upon the assistant that controls the vehicle, to tailor their journey as well. It learns more about the passengers’ interests and habits, such as favourite restaurants and routes, the more time it spends with them.

Earlier this year, BMW had revealed its own Vision Next 100 concept, designed to show how the car will evolve over the next 100 years of the company’s existence.