Rolls-Royce Cullinan Keys to a New Generation of Luxury SUVs
Rolls-Royce has long produced luxury cars for the ultra-wealthy that want to drive off into the sunset and travel the world in complete comfort. Cullinan is the brand's newest SUV is designed to draw wealthy people away from their Range Rovers or Bentaygas.
Its innovative architecture, technology and design provide an iconic look, unbeatable space and usability, and unbeatable on-road and Off-road capability.
Effortless Everywhere
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan was designed for those who see travel as an art form, an art and a way to live. It must be as easy to drive on and off-road as it is on a paved roadway. The latest SUV from the brand, which is dubbed "the first all-terrain Rolls-Royce," brings this possibility to life. www.thekeylab.co.uk of the vehicle speak to the legacy of perfection and mastery.
Cullinan ignores imperfections and bumps. Its soft suspension makes it feel like the road is a silky rug.
We drove the Cullinan on mud, gravel and on paved roads that were filled with potholes and other imperfections. The car's all-wheel drive system and big tires made it possible to take on difficult terrain with ease. It comes with a low-riding suspension system that allows it to crawl over obstacles and rocks without damaging its underside.
The Cullinan is equipped with a variety of advanced technologies that make the owner's journeys easier. The SUV features forward-collision alerts with automatic emergency brakes, night-vision vision assist, a camera system to help you park or drive in tight spaces as well as adaptive cruise control and warnings about lane departure. It comes with a WiFi Hotspot, navigation system and an industry-leading Head-Up Display.
The Cullinan also comes with the kind of rock-solid build quality that a high-end 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 could just require a little spit to continue working. Its cabin is decked out in chrome, wood and leather with the Spirit of Ecstasy looking down on the driver and passengers from its perch above the dash.
While the Cullinan's cabin is equipped with cutting-edge technology, it's missing certain gadgets that younger drivers may desire. It's not equipped with the kind of driver aids that allow semi-autonomous highway driving and lane-keeping or the type of connected gadgets that are becoming standard in more cars.
The Clasp
Cullinan offers unrivaled off-road capabilities by pressing a button, dubbed Everywhere' by Rolls Royce engineers. This allows the driver to finesse the SUV's self-leveling air suspension to absorb every bump and rut, while the prop shaft and drive shaft ensure that all 850Nm of torque is sent to the rear and front wheels at exactly the right time.
Cullinan is the first model from Rolls-Royce with a tailgate, with the rear doors opening in a similar manner as pickup trucks. The design creates an SUV with an appearance that is three-box. It also opens up a large cargo area with 21 cubic feet when the rear seat raised. The floor is lower than the base the seatbacks, which helps prevent items from sliding.
The main cabin of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is more practical than any Rolls-Royce production car before. For example, the rear passengers are higher than those in front, meaning they will have a better view of the world from their vehicle. The layout can be altered to suit various needs, with the standard rear bench offering a 40/20/40 split and folding seatbacks to allow for greater flexibility.
The rear-view mirrors were reshaped to fit in with the utilitarian design. The Rolls-Royce badge was positioned on a smaller pedestal, separate from the housing for the numberplate, with a thin stripe of jewellery as decoration. The rear lights have the same utilitarian appearance, with two narrow upright units that house the lights and a single stripe of gold in their center.
Cullinan Beyond the obvious benefits of the more practical layout, is the most accommodating Rolls-Royce for families ever. The rear bench can be set to seat three people. The panoramic roof is standard and gives plenty of room to spread out. Drivers can also luxuriate in their surroundings by opting for the Immersive Seating configuration, which envelops them in a luxurious comfort and is encased in the finest leather. A whisky decanter and Champagne cooler can be put in the central console to add the feeling of luxury.
The Rear Passenger compartment
The Cullinan, one of the most unique Rolls-Royce unlike any other before it, is both like and different. It's huge and extravagant, but it makes the brand accessible to a new generation of potential buyers who'll drive it to places other luxury SUVs would avoid. This could include Jackson Hole, Wyoming where the SUV is constructed.
From the side the vertical lines that flow from the front doors down through the raised bonnet edge, and into the skid plate of metal give a strong sense of purpose for an SUV that's ready to conquer the world. The massive wheels and the slender silhouette of the roofline give it an imposing stance, which conveys a strong character.
Rolls-Royce engineers have designed a unique architecture for this car that combines an exquisite interior with unparalleled off-road capability and uncompromising comfort. They have created a vehicle which is both practical and also iconic.
The vast glazed area on the world's most popular panoramic glass roof lets passengers on the rear of the vehicle to enjoy a spectacular view of their surroundings. If they want to locate their current position in the world they can just zero in on themselves on the rear touchscreen map.
The backs of the rear seats are able to be folded down. This gives you an ample cargo space. One touch sees them effortlessly drop down without compromising the cushion. They can be divided into a 2/3 or 1/3 configuration to improve the efficiency of the vehicle.
When they arrive the passengers can take a step into and out of their Rolls-Royce in absolute comfort with legs shielded from dirt thanks to a layout that sees both front and rear doors of the coach swathe low beneath the sill. This not only allows the occupants to step aboard without getting their trousers dirty however it is also a guarantee that whatever they're carrying, for instance, a Mark Rothko canvas, for example - will be well secured.
After entering, the passengers will be able to toast their success by sipping a whisky from of the bottle holder that is hidden behind the seats in front. When they're ready to take a rest and want to relax, they can sit in the heated and massaged rear seats, and relax with the help of the available neck- and shoulder-rests as well as the leg- and leg-rests.
The Glass Partition
With a starting price of $325,000 The Cullinan is the most expensive vehicle that has come out of Rolls-Royce's Goodwood factory during its 114-year existence. It's not just that it has an all-wheel-drive system, but also a button marked "Off Road," and a ride height that can be adjusted. (Rolls-Royce is a company with a long-standing history of vehicles that travel overland that date back to T.E. Lawrence's 1914 armored vehicle). No, it's because this SUV is designed to be a family car that is intended to be driven by owners, not to a chauffeur.
It's also the first vehicle to have an enclosed rear compartment that can seat three people comfortably and still have space for luggage and other gear. It also has a variety of seating options that are incredibly comfortable, including massage chairs in the rear and the center console is able to be fitted with a whisky decanter, glasses, or a champagne cooler, as well as two Rolls-Royce champagne flutes.
The Spirit of Ecstasy is what makes this Rolls-Royce apart from Bentaygas and Range Rovers that have been competing for the attention of ultra-wealthy customers in recent years. This hood ornament serves as a constant reminder that the Cullinan isn't your typical SUV.
I was also impressed by Rolls-Royce's restraint in its cabin. While some companies are splattering their cabins with ever-deeper layers technology, the Cullinan is simple and clean display at the top of the central stack that is very similar to traditional gauges.
One of the most significant changes from past Rolls-Royce models is the use of leather that is box-grain. This type of leather can be created by pressing a framework made of metal into the hide and then by lacquering. The result is an inky black finish that is more durable than the smooth leather that is used in other luxury vehicles.
The Cullinan is an SUV that has all the features that make them so well-known. However, it has certain negatives. It's most importantly, it's a ludicrous amount of money to invest on an SUV, even one with the luxury of this. If you want to purchase a Cullinan you'll have to sell some art or get rid of summer in Nice.