Rolls-Royce Cullinan Keys to a New Generation of Luxury SUVs
Rolls-Royce has been producing luxurious cars for those who want to cruise off into the sunset and travel the world in total comfort. Cullinan is the brand's newest SUV, is designed to lure rich people away from their Range Rovers or Bentaygas.
Its brand new architecture and technology deliver iconic design, unparalleled space and usability, and unparalleled off-road and on-road capability.
All Over Effortless
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is designed for people who consider travel to be an art form, a way of life. This means that it has to be just as effortless off-road as it is on a highway. The brand's new SUV, billed as the "first all-terrain Rolls-Royce," makes that possibility a reality. The innovative features of the vehicle reflect a legacy that is rooted in perfection and mastery.
Cullinan does not care about bumps and imperfections. Its supple suspension makes it feel like the road is a soft rug.
We drove the Cullinan on mud, gravel and on paved roads that had potholes and other flaws. The car's all-wheel drive and huge wheels let it take on difficult terrain with confidence. It has a low-riding, suspension system that allows it to crawl over obstacles and rocks without causing damage to its bottom.
The Cullinan is equipped with a wide range of cutting-edge technologies that make the driver's journeys more comfortable. The SUV has forward-collision warnings that include automatic emergency brakes, night vision, and vision assist and a surround-view camera system which is useful when driving or parking in tight spaces caused by the Cullinan's size, adaptive cruise control, and lane departure warnings. TheKeyLab has a WiFi Hotspot, navigation system and an industry-leading Head-Up Display.
The Cullinan also boasts the type of solid construction quality that a shrewd buyer would expect. Every knob, switch and touchpoint feels as though it's been designed to last for a thousand years -- at which point it might require a bit of spit to keep functioning. The interior is adorned with leather, wood, and chrome. The Spirit of Ecstasy sits high above the dashboard, and is looking at the passengers and the driver.
The Cullinan's cabin may be equipped with cutting-edge technology, it lacks certain gadgets that younger drivers might crave. It's not equipped with the kind of driver aids that allow lane-keeping and semi-autonomous highway driving or the kinds of connected gadgets that are becoming more common in cars.
The Clasp
Cullinan has unmatched off-road capabilities at the touch of an button, and is dubbed Everywhere by Rolls Royce engineers. The driver is able to fine-tune the SUV's air suspension to absorb any bumps and bumps along the way. In addition the propel and drive shafts ensure that all 850Nm is delivered to the front wheels and rear wheels exactly at the right time.
Cullinan is the first Rolls-Royce model to have a tailgate, with the rear doors opening in a similar manner to those of pickup trucks. It's a design detail that creates a more three-box design and enhances the SUV's imposing presence. It also allows access to an enormous cargo area of 21 cubic feet when the rear seat elevated. The floor is lower than the seatbacks, which helps to keep items from sliding.
The main cabin of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is more practical than any Rolls-Royce production car before. The rear passengers, for example are seated higher than the front passengers, allowing them to take in a wider view of the world beyond their car. The rear bench can be arranged in a variety of ways to meet your requirements.
The rear-view mirrors were reshaped to match the more utilitarian design. The Rolls-Royce badge was placed on a smaller plinth, distinct from the numberplate housing, with a thin piece of jewellery to add decoration. The rear lights sport an identical utilitarian design and are comprised of two tall upright units that house the lights and a single piece of jewellery in their centre.
Beyond the obvious benefits of a more efficient layout, Cullinan is the most family-friendly model from Rolls-Royce to date. Its rear bench can be arranged to accommodate three passengers and the standard panoramic roof design means that there's plenty of room to stretch out. The Immersive Seating configuration allows drivers to enjoy their surroundings in comfort, wrapped in the finest leather. To further enhance the feeling of indulgence, a Champagne cooler and whisky decanter could be housed within the central console to allow for easy access on long drives.
The Rear Passenger Compartment
The Cullinan is a Rolls-Royce that's both like and unlike any before it. It's huge, luxurious and opens the brand to a whole new generation of customers who will happily take it to places that other luxury SUVs might be reluctant to go. Jackson Hole in Wyoming, where the SUV is built, might be one of them.
From the side, the vertical lines that run from the front doors, down through the raised bonnet edge, and into the skid plate made of metal give a strong sense of purpose for an SUV that's ready to take on the world. Additionally, the massive wheels and slender roofline silhouette give it an impressively tall stance that conveys a remarkably robust character.
Rolls-Royce engineers have developed an original design for this vehicle that blends an elegant interior with unbeatable off-road capability and uncompromising comfort. In the process they have created a vehicle that is both practical and truly iconic.
The large glazed area on the industry's leading panoramic glass roof lets passengers in the rear to enjoy a panoramic view of their surroundings. If they want to know their current location in the world, the rear touchscreen map lets them concentrate on it.
A major feature is that both rear seat backs can fold down, giving ample cargo space. One press of the button sees them effortlessly drop down without compromising the cushion. They can also be divided into a 2/3 or 1/3 configuration, increasing the practicality of the vehicle.
The design of the Rolls-Royce coach doors enables occupants to enter and exit in comfort, while keeping their legs being shielded from dirt. This not only allows passengers to get aboard without smudging their pants, but will also ensure that whatever they're carrying, such as a Mark Rothko canvas, for example - will be well secured.
Once inside, passengers can toast their accomplishments by sipping a whisky from the bottle holder that stows behind the front seats. When they're ready for a rest, they can settle down in the heated and massaged rear seats, and relax with the help of the adjustable neck- and shoulder-rests as well as the leg- and leg-rests.
The Glass Partition
With a base price of $325,000, the Cullinan is unlike any vehicle that has come out of Rolls-Royce's Goodwood factory over its 114-year history. It's not just that it has an all-wheel-drive system, a button labeled "Off Road," and a ride height that can be adjusted. (Rolls-Royce is an organization with a long history of vehicles for overland travel that date back to T.E. Lawrence's 1914 armoured vehicle). This is because the SUV was built to be a family car that's intended to be driven by the owners, not in the hands of the chauffeur.
It's also the first SUV to have an interior passenger compartment in the rear that is large enough to seat three people comfortably, yet still leaving plenty of space for luggage. It provides a range of immersive seating options such as rear-seat massaging seats. The centre console is also equipped with champagne coolers as well as two Rolls-Royce champagne flutes, or whisky decanters.
But it's the Spirit of Ecstasy that really puts this Rolls-Royce in a class of its own in comparison to the Range Rovers and Bentaygas that have been competing for ultra-rich buyers' attention recently. The hood ornament is an ongoing reminder that the Cullinan isn't your typical SUV.
I'm also impressed with the level of restraint Rolls-Royce has demonstrated in its cabin. While some manufacturers are saturating their cabins with layers of technology, Cullinan's center stack has a simple and clean display that resembles traditional gauges.
One of the biggest changes over previous Rolls-Royce models is the use of box-grain leather. This kind of leather is made by pressing a metal frame into the hide, then followed by lacquering. The result is a dark black finish that's more durable than smooth leather used in other luxurious automobiles.
The Cullinan is a sublime vehicle that marries all the characteristics that make SUVs so coveted. However, it has some flaws. Most significantly it's an absurd amount of money you can spend on an SUV, even one with the luxury of this. If you want to buy a Cullinan you'll probably need to sell some pieces of art or cancel your summer vacation in Nice.