Grandeur & opulence
As rare and valuable as the Cullinan diamond, Rolls-Royce Cullinan
Performance
Rolls-Royce applies its expertise to an SUV after decades of building some of the world’s most luxurious automobiles. Cullinan offers all of the grandeur and opulence that are associated with the double-R car genre while also incorporating sports utility features that give it an added sense of authority and presence. It was introduced for the 2019 model year and is widely considered to be the most luxurious SUV currently on the market. A massive diamond was discovered in a South African mine in 1905, and Thomas Cullinan was the mine’s chairman at the time. This rock weighed more than 3,100 carats, making it the largest diamond ever discovered at the time of its discovery. In later years, the Cullinan diamond, as it came to be known, was cut into several gems, some of which were used to adorn regalia worn by British royalty. Cullinan was chosen by Rolls-Royce as the name for its first SUV because it is nearly as rare and valuable as the Cullinan diamond itself.
Models
Customization options for Rolls-Royce are endless. The 2017 Wraith-based Sweptail reportedly sold for $13 million, and we suspect a similarly wealthy off-road enthusiast will pour a similar sum into a Cullinan-based one-off. Even so, there are some things Rolls-Royce won’t do for a fortune.
Luxury
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan, like the diamond after which it is named, is an expensive automobile—a very expensive automobile. Prices begin at $335,000 and go up from there. Before adding options, make sure to account for the $2,600 gas guzzler tax and $2,750 delivery fee, which are both mandatory. There are a plethora of options to choose from. Take, for example, the Cullinan Black Badge that we tested, which had a sticker price of more than half a million dollars on it. Even the smallest Cullinan, which is small enough to fit on a coffee table, costs more than a good used car.
Rivalry
The technology and driver assistance features in other luxury SUVs may be more dependable, more well-developed, and more advanced than those in the one you’re thinking about buying. For their part, the Cullinan’s few quirks add little to the overall experience, which is a good thing. It’s an extravagant SUV with panache like no other, and it’s deserving of the Spirit of Ecstasy, which flies above the vehicle’s hood. Rivalry among the most luxurious vehicles on the market are the Bentley Bentayga, Mercedes Maybach GLS-Class, and Cadillac Escalade.
Feature
the experience is with us
2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan
The Cullinan’s spacious and opulent cabin makes it an excellent choice for chauffeuring. Despite this, the car is a lovely driver’s car, despite the fact that it is tuned more for comfort than for sportiness due to the imperious V-12 power. More than that, the Cullinan is capable of legitimate off-roading; just try to drive your Phantom across a river or down a rough road in the desert. The Cullinan represents a significant departure from the Rolls-Royce tradition in some ways. A first for the company, its SUV form factor is unlike anything else it has built before. In other ways, however, it is every bit as much a Rolls as any other. The level of luxury it provides is completely consistent with the brand.
Systems
The Cullinan is powered by a V-12 engine, just like all other Rolls-Royce models. In this case, it’s a 6.7-liter engine with twin turbochargers that produces 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque as standard. Black Badge models, on the other hand, have their horsepower and torque increased to 600 hp and 664 lb-ft. Power is transferred to the first all-wheel-drive system developed by Rolls-Royce through an eight-speed automatic transmission. MotorTrend tested a Cullinan Black Badge, which went from zero to sixty miles per hour (mph) in 4.7 seconds. Although fuel economy may seem inconsequential to Cullinan drivers, the vehicle’s EPA rating of 12/20 mpg city/highway is impressive.
Substitute
A sharper edge can be found in the Black Badge vehicles made by Rolls-Royce. The V-12 is audibly audible thanks to a louder exhaust system on the Cullinan Black Badge’s increased power and torque. In addition, the suspension has been fine-tuned for precise handling, the transmission has been sped up, and the brakes have been beefed up.
Despite the fact that Rolls-Royce customers can customize their Cullinans to their heart’s content, the Black Badge models have a sportier look. The chrome exterior brightwork has been blacked out, and carbon-fiber interior trim has replaced traditional wood. Red brake calipers are covered by black badge-specific wheels. The Cullinan Black Badge is more luxurious than sporty, but drivers who are looking for more power and responsiveness may find something to like about it.
