There have been reports about Rolls-Royce developing an all-electric version of its Phantom luxury sedan for several years now, the latest with newly appointed CEO Torsten Mueller-Oetvoes admitting such a car would be good idea.

Old-world charm, resolute styling and blue-blooded buyers may not be the first things one mentally associates with electric-powered cars, however, the combination makes perfect sense. Instantaneous torque, quiet operation and urban propriety all work in favor of an electric Rolls.

Now, just a day out from the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, Rolls-Royce has revealed more images of the electric Phantom prototype that will make a debut at the Swiss event.

Classified under Rolls-Royce’s ‘Experimental’ heading of concepts and prototypes, the new electric Phantom will go by the name 102EX and is destined for real-world testing (it will also be known as the Phantom Experimental Electric or EE).

The car will test on public roads during the year, serving as a test bed to gather a bank of research data that will be crucial in informing future decisions on alternative drivetrains for Rolls-Royce. Some test markets will include Europe, the Middle-East, Asia and North America.

There will even be public test drives, where potential customers in the luxury segment will be given the opportunity to experience alternative drivetrain technology and to provide feedback on their experiences, thoughts and concerns directly to Rolls-Royce.

Some aspects Rolls-Royce will be focusing on include acceptable range between re-charges and operation in extreme weather conditions. But also to benchmark reliability and quality against customer expectations of one of the world’s--if not the--most luxurious automotive brands.

From this week the automaker will launch a dedicated website (www.electricluxury.com) to keep fans and potential customers alike on the project’s status.

Expect more details following the 102EX's debut upon the official opening of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, which kicks off tomorrow, March 1. In the meantime, follow our complete coverage of the event by clicking here.

Rolls Royce Phantom Experimental Electric 102EX

Rolls Royce Phantom Experimental Electric 102EX