Can Rolls-Royce convert even the wealthiest aristocrats to the joy of wind-in-the-hair motoring? We believe it can, and we have several photos of the ultimate luxury soft-top Rolls that's coming, more than a year ahead of its official unveiling.



Closely resembling the 2004 Geneva Motor Show 100EX concept, the virtually showroom-ready version is being tested. Models rolling off the firm's production line in Goodwood are expected to have headlights similar to the Phantom. All that's missing from these photos is the Spirit of Ecstasy mascot, which will sit on top of the enormous chrome grille.



Incredibly, the show car's reverse-opening front doors have been carried over. While many models - including the Phantom - feature similar doors at the rear, the convertible will be the only production car to have them at the front.



Based on the same platform as the Phantom, and built using similar aluminum spaceframe chassis technology, the newcomer isn't as long as the sedan. The beautifully crafted cabin has room for four. Much of the switchgear will be carried over from the Phantom, but the convertible will need an extra button to trigger the electric folding fabric roof.



There's been no official announcement about what the production version of the Roller - currently codenamed the RR02 - will be called. The favorite badge among the decision-makers is thought to be Corniche, but the final judgment will be made next year. All drop-top models will be powered by the same 6.75-liter V-12 as the Phantom.



As with its stablemate, the droptop will be offered with the manufacturer's Bespoke Program, which lets customers tailor virtually any aspect of the finish to their own taste - for a price.

Rolls-Royce unveils second experimental car at Geneva show
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a second experimental car, 101EX, at the Geneva show today. It has been hand built to explore a potential design direction for a future coupé model.

"It is a very modern car, a 21st century design that respectfully nods to the past but focuses indisputably on the future," said Ian Cameron, Chief Designer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

101EX uses the same lightweight aluminium construction that was developed for the Phantom, although the body is shorter by 240mm. A full four-seat coupé, twin coach doors add to the car’s rakish good looks and streamlined coupé profile.

The roofline is lower than the Phantom’s, with a shallower glass area. Streamlined styling starts at the front with the famous grille, discreetly reclined, and extends back across a brushed aluminium bonnet and windscreen surround. The rest of the sleek bodywork is finished in dark tungsten. New 21-inch forged aluminium wheels complete the exterior look.

Inside, the cosseting interior has been designed for elegance and maximum comfort for all four occupants. Machined aluminium, fine leather and rosewood and red oak veneers are used throughout. Slimline bucket seats offer outstanding comfort for front passengers while the exceptionally spacious rear seat delivers intimate comfort for two. Privacy is assured by the sweeping C-pillars.

The design team has experimented with interior lighting on 101EX, and the car features a ‘starlight headliner’ made up of hundreds of fibre optic cables to give the impression of a star filled night sky.

Ian Robertson, Rolls-Royce Chairman and Chief Executive, said, "101EX employs the same engineering philosophy as the Phantom, balancing high technology with hand craftsmanship. It illustrates the position of strength from which we operate and points the way for potential new models."

Currently there are no plans to develop a production version of 101EX

Official pics of the new Rolls-Royce drophead (that's convertible, yank) hit the webs last night, bringing full circle the narrative thread started with the 100EX concept in 2004. The newest of swank ragtops, which shares its mechanicals with the Phantom, will enjoy its deb ball at the Detroit show next month, ahead of its appearance in 4,200 hip-hop videos by 2009, followed by unflattering shots of its underpinnings hitting a gossip blog late in 2010