An all-Electric Rolls-Royce....the Phantom 102 EX
07-19-11, 08:21 PM
#1
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
An all-Electric Rolls-Royce....the Phantom 102 EX
This is not likely a car that will be shopped by the average CL member, but it is the first production (not mass-production) all-electric mega-luxury car. It carries what is probably the world's largest automotive lithium-ion battery-pack up front under the hood, and a pair of electric drive-motors (with no transmission) back on the rear-axle. Usable range is more-or-less the same as other state-of-the-ary all-electric cars, but, unfortunately, the full-battery-charge time of some 24-hours (with 100V current) will be unacceptably long for many people. A 240V outlet brings the charge time down to a more reasonable 8 hours. But can also be charged wirelessly (another first) by being parked over a special electronic-plate.....details below.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/dr...ls-royce-102ex
Goodwood, England—Having been invited to the Rolls-Royce factory on April 1st to drive the Rolls-Royce 102EX, an experimental Phantom EV, one would assume that it is part of an elaborate April Fools’ joke. While the idea of an all-electric ultra luxury car like this Rolls may seem far-fetched, it is real, but rather than a harbinger of a future model, it is intended as a discussion starter on a ’round-the-world tour to see if, in fact, the British automaker’s owner body would be receptive to the concept as an alternative to the current twin-turbo V-12 powerplant.
The wraps were taken off at the Geneva Motor Show and the concept itself was put together in less than a year using a left-hand-drive donor chassis. In addition to acting as a test bed for the electric powertrain, the 102EX is also being used to research paint and trim options that may be offered in the future, including its unique Atlantic chrome paint, more natural-looking Corinova leather on the interior and an opaque illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy ornament on the hood.
This project is a response not only to rising fuel costs, but more to answer environmental concerns. A white paper recently released in the European Union suggested that internal combustion-engine cars be banned from city centers by 2050. Rolls-Royce views the electrification of the automobile as a promising alternative and the 102EX is the first step in exploring this option. As part of this conversation, Rolls-Royce has set up a website www.electricluxury.com where it welcomes comments on the concept as its makes its world tour.
The 102EX has some notable firsts—it has the largest lithium-ion battery pack ever fitted to an automobile. The batteries are stacked in the engine bay in the space usually reserved for the V-12 engine. The downside of this large battery pack is the time it takes to recharge—with a three phase 220-240 volt plug-in the Phantom is topped off in about 8 hours. Single phase 110-120 volt takes 24 hours. Despite this massive battery pack, the EX102 weighs just 440 lb. more than the standard car and it has a 50/50 weight distribution thanks to the batteries mounted up front and electric motors in the rear. Atop the battery pack are three control modules that channel 400 volts to the two rear motors that provide 290 kW (389 HP) of power, which is slightly less than the 338 kW (453 HP) provided by the standard V-12 engine.
Where the EV surpasses the standard car is in torque. It produces 800 nm (590 ft-lbs.) compared to 720 nm (530 ft-lbs.) and enables the vehicle to hit 60 mph in 8.0 sec. Top speed is limited to 100 mph and Rolls-Royce estimates a range between charges of about 125 miles.
First Use of Wireless Inductive Recharging
While the 102EX features a plug for Level 3 240-volt recharging (the plug-in is visible in the right rear sail panel), it is also equipped with a wireless inductive charging plate beneath the floor. The can be parked over the charging pad in a garage and left to automatically and wirelessly replenish the battery.
Converting the car to electric operation has some other advantages. The rear passenger cabin floor is flat since there is no need for a propshaft to the rear axle, giving the back seat a much more spacious feel. And while the electric motors are rear mounted, the EX102 retains the same luggage compartment space as a standard Phantom.
Driving the EX102 is remarkably unremarkable. Because full torque comes on stream with the push of the accelerator, the car steps off more smartly than the standard Phantom. Rolls-Royce prides itself on the smoothness and quietness of its V-12-powered cars—typically the only sounds you might hear are the muffled noises from the tires or wind. The 102EX above 20 mph drives and sounds fairly similar to the Phantom, but because the electric motors have no transmission, the car is that much more smooth. And at low speeds, the concept Rolls is virtually silent while providing snappy acceleration.
The biggest difference comes in both the steering feel and the effects of regenerative braking. The electric power steering feels much lighter than the stock Phantom and doesn’t weight up with an increase in vehicle speed. We expect Rolls can tune the steering to provide much better feedback than it has now. The other question is the feel of regenerative braking—there is a standard level of regen, which feels like engine braking or a downshift in a conventional car, or a more aggressive level of regeneration, which is selected by pushing a button marked Low on the steering wheel.
I preferred the more aggressive regen because it allowed you to drive the car primarily with the throttle and minimal use of the brake. It turns out that regen feel is a matter of taste. U.K. journalists who drove the car a week earlier complained that the standard regen setting was too aggressive for them. However, that kind of calibration is a matter of software rather than hardware and Rolls-Royce is looking to either giving the driver control over the level of regen or adjusting it to match local or regional tastes.
The Rolls-Royce EX102 Phantom is not only a conversation starter, but a thought provoker. A car of this size usually promises unlimited mobility; however, with its range, perhaps this is the town car of the future for the very wealthy and they have a second V-12-powered mount for journeys that take them into the country and beyond. However, the fact that even a car of this size and luxury can be turned into an EV is further evidence that the coming electrification of the automobile is no joke.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/dr...ls-royce-102ex
Goodwood, England—Having been invited to the Rolls-Royce factory on April 1st to drive the Rolls-Royce 102EX, an experimental Phantom EV, one would assume that it is part of an elaborate April Fools’ joke. While the idea of an all-electric ultra luxury car like this Rolls may seem far-fetched, it is real, but rather than a harbinger of a future model, it is intended as a discussion starter on a ’round-the-world tour to see if, in fact, the British automaker’s owner body would be receptive to the concept as an alternative to the current twin-turbo V-12 powerplant.
The wraps were taken off at the Geneva Motor Show and the concept itself was put together in less than a year using a left-hand-drive donor chassis. In addition to acting as a test bed for the electric powertrain, the 102EX is also being used to research paint and trim options that may be offered in the future, including its unique Atlantic chrome paint, more natural-looking Corinova leather on the interior and an opaque illuminated Spirit of Ecstasy ornament on the hood.
This project is a response not only to rising fuel costs, but more to answer environmental concerns. A white paper recently released in the European Union suggested that internal combustion-engine cars be banned from city centers by 2050. Rolls-Royce views the electrification of the automobile as a promising alternative and the 102EX is the first step in exploring this option. As part of this conversation, Rolls-Royce has set up a website www.electricluxury.com where it welcomes comments on the concept as its makes its world tour.
The 102EX has some notable firsts—it has the largest lithium-ion battery pack ever fitted to an automobile. The batteries are stacked in the engine bay in the space usually reserved for the V-12 engine. The downside of this large battery pack is the time it takes to recharge—with a three phase 220-240 volt plug-in the Phantom is topped off in about 8 hours. Single phase 110-120 volt takes 24 hours. Despite this massive battery pack, the EX102 weighs just 440 lb. more than the standard car and it has a 50/50 weight distribution thanks to the batteries mounted up front and electric motors in the rear. Atop the battery pack are three control modules that channel 400 volts to the two rear motors that provide 290 kW (389 HP) of power, which is slightly less than the 338 kW (453 HP) provided by the standard V-12 engine.
Where the EV surpasses the standard car is in torque. It produces 800 nm (590 ft-lbs.) compared to 720 nm (530 ft-lbs.) and enables the vehicle to hit 60 mph in 8.0 sec. Top speed is limited to 100 mph and Rolls-Royce estimates a range between charges of about 125 miles.
First Use of Wireless Inductive Recharging
While the 102EX features a plug for Level 3 240-volt recharging (the plug-in is visible in the right rear sail panel), it is also equipped with a wireless inductive charging plate beneath the floor. The can be parked over the charging pad in a garage and left to automatically and wirelessly replenish the battery.
Converting the car to electric operation has some other advantages. The rear passenger cabin floor is flat since there is no need for a propshaft to the rear axle, giving the back seat a much more spacious feel. And while the electric motors are rear mounted, the EX102 retains the same luggage compartment space as a standard Phantom.
Driving the EX102 is remarkably unremarkable. Because full torque comes on stream with the push of the accelerator, the car steps off more smartly than the standard Phantom. Rolls-Royce prides itself on the smoothness and quietness of its V-12-powered cars—typically the only sounds you might hear are the muffled noises from the tires or wind. The 102EX above 20 mph drives and sounds fairly similar to the Phantom, but because the electric motors have no transmission, the car is that much more smooth. And at low speeds, the concept Rolls is virtually silent while providing snappy acceleration.
The biggest difference comes in both the steering feel and the effects of regenerative braking. The electric power steering feels much lighter than the stock Phantom and doesn’t weight up with an increase in vehicle speed. We expect Rolls can tune the steering to provide much better feedback than it has now. The other question is the feel of regenerative braking—there is a standard level of regen, which feels like engine braking or a downshift in a conventional car, or a more aggressive level of regeneration, which is selected by pushing a button marked Low on the steering wheel.
I preferred the more aggressive regen because it allowed you to drive the car primarily with the throttle and minimal use of the brake. It turns out that regen feel is a matter of taste. U.K. journalists who drove the car a week earlier complained that the standard regen setting was too aggressive for them. However, that kind of calibration is a matter of software rather than hardware and Rolls-Royce is looking to either giving the driver control over the level of regen or adjusting it to match local or regional tastes.
The Rolls-Royce EX102 Phantom is not only a conversation starter, but a thought provoker. A car of this size usually promises unlimited mobility; however, with its range, perhaps this is the town car of the future for the very wealthy and they have a second V-12-powered mount for journeys that take them into the country and beyond. However, the fact that even a car of this size and luxury can be turned into an EV is further evidence that the coming electrification of the automobile is no joke.
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-19-11 at 08:28 PM.
07-19-11, 08:30 PM
#2
Lexus Champion
I don't see the purpose of this car. I think RR only produced this car just because they can. What person that's on the market for super executive car will want a 3 million dollar EV that has a range of 125 miles?
07-19-11, 08:53 PM
#3
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
One likely reason was stated in the article.....the increasing regulation (and banning) of conventional gas-powered cars in European cities. Electric cars will (likely) be a way around those new rules.
07-20-11, 06:33 AM
#4
I didn't see where they gave a charge time for the inductive charging system.
This is very cool technology, but has some drawbacks.
I have a Palm Pre, which has the ability to be inductively charged. However, the charging rate is noticably slower than plugging it directly into a 5-volt, 1 Amp charger.
It's convenient, but not fast.
This is very cool technology, but has some drawbacks.
I have a Palm Pre, which has the ability to be inductively charged. However, the charging rate is noticably slower than plugging it directly into a 5-volt, 1 Amp charger.
It's convenient, but not fast.
07-20-11, 08:41 AM
#5
Lexus Fanatic
Thread Starter
They didn't. It's 24 hours for a 100V outlet-cord (which is probably too long for many people), and 8 hours for a 240V cord. That's (probably) because of the sheer size of the lithium-ion battery-pack....arguably the largest ever used in a production car.
07-20-11, 12:52 PM
#6
The "park over it and forget it" inductive charging system would be great...but only if the charging time down down in the 8-hour range. Anything more than that, and it's just not practical.
But I also get that this is a RR experiment. There's nothing in the article talking about them planning to put this into heavy production.
But I also get that this is a RR experiment. There's nothing in the article talking about them planning to put this into heavy production.
07-20-11, 02:02 PM
#7
with a three phase 220-240 volt plug-in the Phantom is topped off in about 8 hours. Single phase 110-120 volt takes 24 hours.
Trending Topics
07-21-11, 02:02 AM
#8
Lexus Champion
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Stuttgart
Posts: 1,651
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
It makes sense for those who're using it in a city environment. The range in that case is more than sufficient.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
