ROLLS-PLAYING GAMES; Chauffeured in the 9.0-liter V16 Rolls-Royce 100EX.(News)

Byline: MATT DAVIS

The one-off Rolls-Royce 100EX, a star at this year's Geneva show, cost the company roughly $4 million, so there was no way we would be allowed behind the wheel. The solution: several guided laps around the 2.4-mile Goodwood Circuit near R-R headquarters, with Rolls design chief Ian Cameron as chauffeur.

Built primarily out of carbon composites on the Phantom's tank-like aluminum chassis, the 100EX weighs nearly as much as the 5500-pound Phantom. In production by 2007, the 100EX-inspired Corniche will get composite front fenders, aluminum body and steel trunk lid, and will weigh about 500 pounds less than the Phantom.

With the smaller body dimensions-length 223 inches vs. the Phantom's nearly 230 inches, height 61.5 inches vs. 64.3 inches, and four-inch shorter wheelbase-our touring experience happens with less wind resistance. There was hardly any buffeting in the cab with the roof off on a blustery West Sussex afternoon.

Designer Cameron and exterior chief stylist Marek Djordjevic say Rolls-Royce design will inject more gentleman-racer performance qualities into all future Rollers. On 100EX, raciness comes in the rear-to-front shoulder line that descends rakishly, a more visible "waftability line'' etched into the length of both sides, and a smaller, inclined Pantheon grille.

All teak paneling is faux on this prototype. An artist painted ...