Even today in this mad modern world, the name Rolls Royce is synonymous with the very best in prestige automotive excellence. Back in 2018, this legendary British brand introduced, among all the sleek, superior saloons, a premium sport utility vehicle (SUV); a car that was designed to top all other cars in the same sector.
The designers had a unique and exacting brief, it seems. They had to build a car that from a performance and engineering standpoint, had to have genuine off-road capabilities equal to the most demanding environments whilst at the same time, delivering the marque’s peerless comfort and signature ‘magic carpet ride’, regardless of the terrain. In short, it had to be nothing less than the definitive super-luxury SUV; it certainly worked as today the high and mighty Cullinan is the most requested Rolls-Royce in the company’s portfolio. Now, in response to changing codes of luxury and evolving ‘lifestyle’ usage patterns Rolls Royce have now topped that original car with an even better Series II.
The Coach-Built Exterior
With an increasingly urban focus and a decisive shift towards self-driving instead of employing a dedicated chauffeur, the modern world has informed the car’s design and detail. These days the Cullinan is like an automotive skyscraper, the high and mighty styling is reinforced by new tall daytime running lamps ensure the Cullinan Series II is easily identified, day and night, at home as much in the city as in the country.
The front end is composed of simple feature lines and crisp edges, with an emphasis on clean, monolithic surfaces that amplify the SUV’s proportions and presence. The bumper lines form a shallow ‘V’ from the lowest point of the daytime running lights to the car’s centre point. Underneath, new air intakes angle outwards, visually lowering the car when viewed head on.
The centrepiece is the premium illuminated ‘pantheon’ grille, added to this car for the first time. It also incorporates a new polished horizontal ‘horizon line’ between the daytime running lights, providing a clear visual link to other cars in the luxury portfolio. In profile, the latest Cullinan reveals further changes to the ‘surfaces’, a word chosen to distinguish them from mere ‘bodywork’. While the front wings retain the sheer, vertical lines of the original, the designers added a restrained yet precise feature line leading from the tail-light forwards to the centre of the floating ‘RR’ centre caps on the rear wheel. This creates a subtle taper and impression of movement, further amplified by an updated lower valance surface, which lifts at the rear.
Viewed from behind, the exhaust treatment of the Rolls Royce Cullinan Series II is a bold statement of power – each surround is presented in mirror-finish stainless steel, cleanly integrated and visually flush to the body. Changes at the rear conclude with a brushed stainless-steel protective plate running between the exhausts, which flows underneath the motor car. Another addition is the use of upsized 23-inch wheels to reflect the popular trend for larger alloys. You might care to note that each wheel is milled from a billet of aluminium, and the three-dimensional and faceted seven-spoke design is available in a part or fully polished finish. In terms of paint, accessories, materials or other personal preferences, the sky is the limit. This is a Rolls Royce after all.
Enormous Power
The power unit remains unchanged from the original car. A 6.75 litre, 563bhp twin turbo V12 pushing out 663lb ft of torque and delivering that very special Rolls Royce SUV experience, not unlike being in a luxury hotel room set upon a magic carpet. Nobody but your chosen technician need go anywhere near the working parts. All this colossal power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission. The car also features four-wheel steering, principally to help with tighter corners, and an Off-Road mode that adjusts the transmission and increases the ride height by 40mm on the air suspension. If even more power is needed then there’s a Black Badge version too.
The Exquisite Interior
Reflecting the social desire for bolder forms of self-expression, innovative decoration and detail have been added throughout the interior. The most substantive change is the pillar-to-pillar glass-panel fascia in the upper portion of the dashboard; an elegant and versatile design element that stages both digital and physical craftsmanship.
The gauge cluster panel in front of the driver and new, permanently visible ‘Central Information Display’ in the centre of the fascia are redesigned to form a stage for the advanced in-house ‘Spirit’ operating system. This digital interface was first introduced on the all-electric Spectre model. Now, owners can tailor the colour of the instrument dials to complement the car’s interior colour palette or exterior finish. Another lovely touch is the addition of ‘Whispers’, allowing owners to send destinations directly to their vehicle, view the car’s location remotely and manage vehicle locking through the dedicated app.
Connectivity has been refined throughout, especially for those in the luxurious back seats. Users are able to connect up to two streaming devices to the rear screens, which now incorporate a bespoke interface for streaming car management and seating functions such as massage, heating and cooling.
The installation of internet connectivity allows clients to enjoy a Wi-Fi hot spot connection and independent streaming for each screen. For the first time in this model, Bluetooth headphones of any type can be paired with the rear seat infotainment system, or passengers can enjoy the exceptional 18-speaker ‘Bespoke Audio’ system, which benefits from the latest generation 18-channel 1400-watt amplifier.
Alongside the Central Information Display on the passenger side of the fascia is the new ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ Clock Cabinet. This unique inset vitrine displays both an analogue timepiece and an up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy figurine. The figurine is constructed from solid stainless steel and placed on her own stage with a matte black back panel and high gloss side panels to create a reflection effect.
Rolls Royce & MHH International
Long gone are the days when ancient millionaires and their jewel-laden spouses where driven around by liveried chauffeurs. The average age of Rolls Royce owners has dropped and these days they like to drive themselves and truly experience the pleasure of the finest cars in the world.
MHH International are proud to offer a fine selection of the latest VAT-qualifying Rolls Royce motor cars (see the current availability here) for export from the UK to global destinations (here) worldwide. To find out about our service please contact a member of the team via our website.