Rolls-Royce users “ambivalent” about green car
26/07/2011
Also known as the Phantom Experimental Electric (EE), the 102EX is a fully working experimental model, which the company is using to test new technologies and applications. The most prominent innovation is that the car is the world’s first battery electric vehicle for the ultra-luxury segment. Rolls-Royce is giving owners of its other models, media, and enthusiasts a chance throughout 2011 to try the car out and give feedback.
Another aspect is that its leather interior is made from an experimental vegetable-tanned leather from Seton called Corinova.
“Corinova distinguishes itself by being entirely chrome free,” Rolls-Royce has explained. “It starts with a preparation of glutardialehyde to prepare for tanning. Chestnut extract, sustainably sourced from southern Europe and tara powder from crushed fruit of the tara bush in South America are used for drum-spun colouring. Fruits are harvested without damage to the plant and the product is finished with a combination of natural binders and high-tech polymers.”
The process lends itself only to certain earthy colours—in the case of Phantom EE a chestnut colour for seat covers and quebracho brown for other areas such as the floor and trunk lining, both of which are made of durable saddle leather.
As well as aesthetic differences, Corinova leather presents “a number of practical benefits”, according to the automotive brand. It explained: “It uses less paint finish than in standard chrome-tanned leather and creates less waste. It negates the use of petrol-refined products and with further development, it may be possible to use recycled Corinova leather in agriculture to aerate soil.”
In a recent interview with an interior design magazine, Mr Müller-Ötvös said that customers have reported missing the sound and power of the traditional Rolls-Royce 12-cylinder engine and that the 120 kilometres the car can travel on one charge is too short, while the eight hours it takes to recharge the battery is too long. He reported no complaints about the Corinova leather.
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