First Details Of Rolls Royce 200EX Emerge

Looking for that certain something to help show up your neighbours? Is an S class or 7 series just too common? Friends, Rolls Royce has just the thing for you.

Revealed two weeks ahead of its Geneva Motor Show debut, the 200EX concept is to become the company’s entry-level model. Don’t think that means it'll be cheap, though, because the 200EX is expected to set buyers back a good AUD$350,000 to AUD$500,000.

The 200EX showcases a bold new design for Rolls Royce, with a much faster and less upright look than the larger Phantom. The usual crisp corners are missing from the ‘Parthenon’ grille, which has even been laid back a few degrees to further emphasise the 200EX's sleek styling. The rear pillar also receives a few degrees of incline.

Rear-hinged ‘coach doors’ remain, and so too the ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ figure atop the grille. Inside lays an opulent interior loaded with deep pile carpets, high grade leather and real wood highlights. For once, picking an entry level model will still leave you a long way from anything even close to a poverty pack.

The 200EX is based on the underpinnings of the new 7 series however shares only 20 percent of its parts in common with the 7. Unlike the six- and eight-cylinder BMW 7 Series, the 200EX runs an all-new V12 engine, believed to be come in at around 6.0 litres. Power and Torque figures are still under wraps, but that’s not the kind of thing Rolls is prone to brag about anyway. Output however will be more than adequate, good sir.

Whilst smaller than the Phantom, the 200EX grows considerably over the 7 series, being 327 mm longer, 46 mm wider and 81 mm taller.

Despite the large amount of unique parts found in the 200EX, some of its BMW origins are still clearly visible, particularly in the shark-fin antenna in the rear of the roof and the iDrive controller located in the centre console. If you can look past those things though you’ll find yourself in a vehicle that will really give the Joneses something to keep up with.