Blast-off In Rolls Cabrio King

It could almost be January. Northerly winds and torrential rain see us wrapped in thick coats for most of the morning; hardly the weather for Rolls-Royce's sensational new 100EX cabriolet to hit the road.

Auto Express Car Reviews

By Matt Davis

30th June 2004

By midday the skies are clear, but the luxury car maker is taking no chances when it comes to the safety of its British-built newcomer. Although the exclusive opportunity of getting behind the wheel of the priceless Geneva Motor Show star is ours, we have been told that under no circumstances will it be released from its covered garage on to the Goodwood circuit in Sussex until every last patch of moisture has dried. You can understand why. This one-off prototype cost ΂£2million to build, and effortlessly combines traditional British craftsmanship with the latest, most hi-tech construction techniques available.

Based on the Phantom's extruded aluminium chassis, the 100EX blends carbon composite and aluminium panels to add strength to its body. At 2,495kg, it weighs almost as much as the Phantom (despite having no roof), and has some radical design ideas too.

Chief stylist Marek Djordjevic says the new look aims to inject greater drama. "Future Rolls-Royces will target the gentleman-racer," he says. And although no one will admit to it, it's clear ex-sister firm Bentley is in the silver lady's sights, too. The sporty ex-terior is enhanced by the car's powerful shoulder line, and the smaller and in-clined Pantheon grille. The result is a mixture of robustness and exclusivity.

Once we get close, Rolls admits that the teak wood panelling is actually false on this prototype: an artist with a brush painted over the composites and alloys to achieve the effect. It looks so perfect that we find this hard to believe.

Starting the 9.0-litre, 64-valve all-aluminium V16 is the most stunning part of the experience. Mainly the sound is that of a brilliantly machined naturally aspirated engine, only here with 16 silky-smooth cylinders doing the talking. But under hard acceleration, it resembles a stiff wind off the sea rushing through the trees, not a roaring US muscle car as we expected. The power figures are still secret, but 600bhp seems conservative. The 100EX feels as if it could reach 60mph in less than five seconds.

Buffeting in the cab with the roof off on a blustery afternoon is almost non-existent, and on our smooth test route there's next to no shake and vibration through the chassis. Suspension and steering are pulled right from the Phan-tom and are every bit as capable and comfortable, although the fact the wheels are 21-inch with run-flat Goodyears as opposed to the Phantom's 22-inchers and rock-hard Michelin PAX tyres helps.

The quality of finish is also remarkable - a tribute to Rolls-Royce's coach- building skills. It's not hard to imagine how good it will be when the production car goes on sale, probably by 2007.