Rolls-Royce excels itself with the launch of the ultimate SUV, Cullinan

No carmaker will ever be able to use the term ‘Rolls-Royce of’ in respect of its finest, or pinnacle, motorcar, writes Iain Robertson, now that the German-owned but Sussex-assembled super-luxury brand has unveiled its first go-anywhere machine.

There are almost no words sufficient to describe the ‘Wow!’ moment as Rolls-Royce removed the camouflage appliques that have clad its first-ever production SUV, during its development programme. As one of the most anticipated new cars for the past three years, since Rolls-Royce announced originally, back in 2015, that it would be joining the SUV throng, what has emerged is a sublimely luxurious, effortlessly grand, all-surface tourer that promises, regardless of terrain, to provide the customary brand qualities of magic carpet ride and unerring prestige.


It receives its name from the substantial Cullinan diamond that now resides within the British Crown Jewels. The company’s aim, from the outset, was to produce an authentic Rolls-Royce experience for its exclusive customers. The company is careful to refer to it as a ‘high-bodied, all-terrain’ vehicle, while retaining both a contemporary and functional design premise. Yet, with an iconic status to preserve, it results in an estate car that stands head and shoulders above any of its potential rivals.

Of course, it will carry a price tag that will limit its potential to a select tranche of world buyers but, as the BMW-owned luxury carmaker has already proven beyond doubt, increasing its sales is not going to be an issue, even though its relative rarity will provide double-take moments for millions more observers. Were you to possess the funds to indulge in this ultimate automotive fantasy, the word ‘bespokable’ has entered the marketing-speak of Rolls-Royce, which translates readily into a whatever-you-want-you-can-specify in a personal version of the Cullinan. It is likely to be the ultimate money-no-object production car presently on sale.


Power comes from the largest petrol engine in BMW’s line-up, a 6.75-litres bi-turbo V12 and, tipping the scales at an almighty 2.6-tonnes, it will need every equine of its 563bhp, accompanied by 627lbs ft of torque, delivered across one of the flattest torque curves of them all. Part of the weight of the 5.341m length, 2.164m width and 1.835m height super-luxury estate, despite its alloy sub-structure, comes from an all-wheel-drive system that also features all-wheel-steer, for enhanced agility. Cullinan is a veritable giant but it avoids handling like a land-yacht due its finely tuned suspension system. Yet, it features an electronically restricted 155mph top speed and can despatch the 0-60mph sprint in around 5.0s, all the while sipping fuel at 18.8mpg (Official Combined), although lesser mortals will whistle through their teeth at the 341g/km CO2 emissions figure.


In a complete diversion away from the conventions of estate cars and SUVs, a glazed partition cocoons cabin occupants from the contents of the 562-litres boot space. It is a means to retain a long-held Rolls-Royce belief that the only audible sound within the car should come from the ticking of a dashboard timepiece, while it might be difficult to isolate passengers from a rock-strewn track in a Highlands of Scotland shooting ground, or from the shifting sands of the Dubai desert, or even the cracking ice and snow of an Alpine pass, the Cullinan rides on air and does its level best to keep things quietly refined.


However, the rear seats can be folded completely flat, should estate car space be required, despite the inclusion of a Champagne chiller and flute-holder. More interestingly, located beneath the boot floor and retrieved electrically is a pair of leather-clad jump-seats that unfurl gracefully to provide a cosy twin-observation viewing facility from the lower section of the split-fold, electrically-opened rear doors (from the key-fob), complete with a small table that emerges from the lowered section trim. Watching the gee-gees, or the grand prix, is unlikely to be the same again.


A long-standing Rolls-Royce remit was originated by Sir Henry Royce, when he stated: “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it.”. Rolls-Royce knew that its increasingly younger customer base was seeking something that could not be secured elsewhere in the SUV market. Many of them fall into the classification of ‘new pioneers’ and they will not accept the limitations, or compromises, that life often dictates.

FCD Summary

While Forces Cars Direct will be able to supply a brand new Rolls-Royce Cullinan, possibly even with an appropriate trade discount, it is unlikely to be a ‘best-seller’, however prestigious such an opportunity might be!

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