The Swiss venue is indeed the place where the Rolls-Royce stand debuts the 102EX, a one-off, fully electric powered Phantom that will serve as a test bed to gather a bank of owner research in 2011.
Powered by two electric motors and a single-speed transmission (combined to create 389 hp and 590 lb-ft / 800 Nm of torque), the 102EX does 0-60 mph in less than 8 seconds and has a top speed of 99 mph (159 km/h). Thanks to a Nickel Cobalt Manganese battery (one of the largest batteries to be ever installed in a car), the 102EX is able to run for 125 miles (201 km) on a full charge.
“With this vehicle, we begin an exploration into alternative drive-trains, seeking clarity on which alternative technologies may be suitable to drive Rolls-Royce motor cars of the future,” stated Rolls Royce CEO Torsten Muller-Otvos.
According to the British automaker, the 102EX will undertake a global test programme that takes in Europe, the Middle East, Asia and North America. Through test drives, owners will be given the opportunity to experience an alternative drive-train technology and to feed back their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly to Rolls-Royce.
“This will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drive-trains for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars,” the company says. “There are no plans to develop a production variant, but Geneva will start a dialogue with existing owners and stakeholders, posing as well as answering questions of its audience.”
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