The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the pinnacle of a full-sized luxury SUV. Even it’s name is derived from the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered.
Revealed in 2018, the front grille and the headlamps, which make up the majority of the Cullinan’s exterior design, took inspiration from the cutting-edge 8th-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom. New design leather-applied seats and wood features can be found inside. The vehicle also boasts brand-new leather “cocktail suit” camping seats that can be opened from the trunk, a first for its kind. And the Cullinan is the only Rolls-Royce that has a glass wall separating the passenger area from the cargo area.
Even the wealthiest people will enjoy a drive into the countryside where they can have a picnic and enjoy the fresh air and natural environment. For Rolls-Royce owners, until recent times, this would have meant using a vehicle other than their Rolls-Royce (perhaps a Range Rover) which could comfortably go off-road. With the addition of the Cullinan to the range in 2018, they no longer need to use another brand as they can now enjoy ‘Effortless, Everywhere’ motoring with the SUV.
In addition to conveying its occupants to their destination with the same comfort and serenity as, say a Ghost or Phantom, the Cullinan offers two unique Bespoke features to ensure that, on arrival, they are equipped with everything required for their outing.
Designed as an original feature
The first is the Recreation Module, a motorised drawer cassette designed to fit securely and invisibly into the luggage compartment floor of the Cullinan. The idea for such a feature was originally included in the development of the model, the first SUV in Rolls-Royce history. While the Recreation Module adds to the Cullinan’s versatility and individuality, it does so without compromising the car’s spacious 2245 mm loading length and boot capacity of up to 1930 litres.
At the touch of a button, the Recreation Module slides open to reveal equipment, accessories and other items which can be personally selected by the owner. Whatever shape and size, the Bespoke department will create an individually tailored container for the item. The Recreation Module can be trimmed to match or contrast with the car’s interior and exterior colourway according to the owner’s preference.
Modular approach for different purposes
The Recreation Module provides up to 48 litres of space and the entire assembly can be removed and stored separately. The modular approach means that the owner can have different modules for specific hobbies and applications. For example, one Recreation Modules could accommodate guns for shooting, while another could be filled with equipment to fly a drone. A third could be all the necessary gear for a weekend of fishing.
One example was a personalised Urban Photography Recreation Module for use by photographer Mark Riccioni who, in 2019, was commissioned by the company to create a series of innovative and subversive images featuring Black Badge Cullinan, under the cover of darkness, among the distinctive automotive subcultures of Greater Los Angeles.
To support the project, a module was developed incorporating specialist equipment including a DJI drone, 12.9-inch Apple iPad Pro and 16-inch Apple MacBook Pro for image capture and editing on location. The Bespoke Collective of Designers, Engineers and Craftspeople also found room for his noise-cancelling headphones, sunglasses and outerwear.
Hosting Service for picnics
The second feature is a permanent Bespoke feature for the Cullinan named the Hosting Service. This marries design, craftsmanship and engineering to offer a range of accessories to create the perfect beverage while enjoying beautiful vistas. Suited to hosting up to 8 adults, the Hosting Service comes complete with glassware and the utensils for creating a fresh cocktail or gin and tonic.
Elegant highball glasses are adorned with discreet Rolls-Royce monograms whilst wooden chopping boards are made of the highest quality American walnut. Additionally, space is provisioned for a light snack service.
A Viewing Suite
As well as the Recreation Module, the rear compartment can accommodate another Bespoke feature which is unique to the Cullinan. It offers seating looking rearwards which, in other SUVs, would be on the fold-down tailgate or boot floor. Rolls-Royce, however, provides a Viewing Suite with two seats. With the tailgate open, a touch of a button deploys the rear-facing seats sociably arranged on either side of a retractable cocktail table.
The price of a Cullinan, which has a 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 engine, starts from RM1.5 million (excluding taxes) but it is unlikely that anyone pays that amount. Virtually every owner would specify some degree of personalisation and items like the Recreation Module and Viewing Suite would add to the final price.
Sir Henry Royce once said: “Small things make perfection, but perfection is no small thing.” This has clearly applied to the motorcars of the brand for decades and even when scaled down, perfection is still a must.
As daily driving pleasures have been curtailed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some other of life’s little luxuries have come to the fore. An authentic 1:8 scale replica of a full-sized Cullinan, the first Rolls-Royce SUV, is now available. Reproduced with absolute perfection, each is more than a mere model. Every miniature Cullinan is individually and painstakingly crafted by hand, to the client’s specification, from over 1,000 individual components. This process can take up to 450 hours – over half of the time required to build a full-sized Cullinan.
The replica is then hand-painted using Rolls-Royce colour-matched paint, hand-polished to the marque’s exacting specification; the coachline is even applied using a fine brush, just as it is on the original.
Customers may choose from a palette of around 40,000 ‘standard’ colours, or replicate their own personal Bespoke finish. The fully-functioning exterior lights are operated by a Cullinan-branded remote control, while under the bonnet is a perfect likeness of the iconic 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine.
On opening the coach doors, illuminated treadplates are revealed, leading to an interior designed and executed with the materials, skill and attention to detail lavished on Cullinan itself. From the headrest embroidery and wood finishes to seat piping and stitching, these Bespoke creations allow owners to recreate their full-size vehicle with astonishing accuracy, or even envision future Cullinans to add to their collection.
Presented in a display case at almost a metre in length, the replica is set on a gloss-black base mounted on a plinth allowing it to be appreciated from all angles. The Perspex window can be removed enabling the minutiae of the doors, luggage compartment and engine bay to be viewed in detail.
“This scale replica brings a new dimension to Cullinan’s Effortless, Everywhere philosophy. Our super-luxury SUV is now as perfectly at ease in the serene surroundings of its owner’s residence as it is in the most challenging and hostile terrain on Earth.” Said Torsten Muller-Otvos, Chief Executive, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
“It demonstrates, and reminds us as a company, that Inspiring Greatness applies at every scale. It is not just about the big things: we seek and achieve greatness in everything we do, down to the smallest item and minutest detail,” he added.
The full-sized Cullinan is priced from RM1.8 million (before including tax).
There are already scale models of the Cullinan being sold online but none would come anywhere close to the quality of this one made by Rolls-Royce. And certainly nowhere near the price which is believed to be around £14,500 (about RM74,500)!
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur has introduced what’s likely the most luxurious SUV ever made, the Cullinan. Equally at home on the streets of Kuala Lumpur or on the country roads of East Malaysia, Cullinan will take a new segment of adventurous customers to the ends of the country in ultimate luxury.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. David Kim, Asia Pacific Regional Sales Manager for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars commented, “Cullinan has been Rolls-Royce’s most anticipated new model, not least here in Malaysia, in a country where the mix of wide open roads and off-road terrain suit our new motor car. In addition, we know that Cullinan will complement the varied lifestyles of our highly successful customers here.”
Rolls-Royce customers are now able to purchase in Malaysia a super-luxury SUV that can go effortlessly, everywhere in ultimate luxury and style. Cullinan is underpinned by a bespoke platform called the ‘Architecture of Luxury’, unique to the brand, which accords the car a level of performance, comfort and refinement never before seen in the SUV segment.”
Mr. Anas Zawawi Khalid, Director for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Kuala Lumpur, said, “We are very excited about the arrival of Cullinan. Many of our customers have been waiting to add this pinnacle SUV to their stable of cars because of the promise of its versatility, unmatched levels of super-luxury and comfort, as well as on- and off-road performance. This remarkable motor car is creating tremendous amounts of interest amongst younger, affluent customers who are new to Rolls-Royce but who value adventure and freedom of travel without compromise.”
Each Rolls-Royce Cullinan is Bespoke, pricing is dependent on customer specification Estimate pricing: from RM 1.8 million (before tax)
The highly anticipated new Cullinan from Rolls-Royce Motor Cars made its South East Asian regional debut today in Singapore, at a glittering reception held atop the covered swimming pool of the Ritz Carlton Millenia.
Speaking at the event, Paul Harris, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Regional Director for Asia Pacific, said, “Today we present all-new Cullinan – the Rolls-Royce of SUVs. This is a seminal moment in the history of the brand as we take our place at the very top of a highly competitive sector, but we are confident that Cullinan will set a new benchmark and take its occupants wherever they dare venture in effortless luxury.”
Adding on to Mr. Harris’ positive remarks at the reception, Renee Chua, Managing Director, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore said, “Cullinan is highly-anticipated in Singapore, an all-new model that also completes a prolific range of offerings from the marque. Singapore’s importance as a luxury hub in South East Asia is once again confirmed with this premiere, and we are very happy to bring new customers to the brand with Cullinan’s broader appeal.”
Effortless, Everywhere
Named after the largest diamond ever to be discovered, which now resides proudly atop the British Crown Jewels, Cullinan is Rolls-Royce’s first-ever SUV. The all-wheel drive high-bodied car is only the second Rolls-Royce to be underpinned by the marque’s proprietary Architecture of Luxury, and promises to redefine luxury travel as Effortless, Everywhere, without sacrificing the brand’s legendary “Magic Carpet Ride”.
Cullinan uses this new architecture in a wholly different manner to enable limitless adventure where the road ends and the trail begins, with uncompromised comfort, space, usability and cutting edge technology. Cullinan is the answer for super-luxury SUV patrons that accept no compromise; When Sir Henry Royce said, “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it”, he could have had Cullinan in mind.
Further, Cullinan offers a suite of Bespoke features developed specifically for the increased variance of its intended patrons’ lifestyles, for example the Viewing Suite and the Recreation Module. The Rolls-Royce Bespoke Collective seeks challenges from Rolls-Royce patrons as they dream up new and creative uses for these spaces.
Designing Supreme Luxury
Strength and power underline Cullinan’s design for supreme luxury. Headlights and air intakes are deep set into the front face, with a prominent brow accentuated by daytime-running LEDs. A newly-designed chamfered Pantheon grille protrudes forward to denote strength, combining with defined vertical and horizontal lines create a powerful visage.
At the heart of Cullinan sits a 6.74-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, developed from the ground up to provide effortless torque at extremely low revs. Peak motivation at 850Nm is available from just 1,600rpm, coupled to an all-wheel drive system via an 8-speed transmission, enabling Cullinan to rise from the get-go with grace and pace.
Cullinan in Singapore
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan presented in Singapore is finished in Magma Red, with a Tan and Black interior. Prices for Cullinan in Singapore start at SGD 1,268,888. Further information can be accessed via the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Singapore website.
Three years after the beginning of a gruelling testing programme that has seen it conquer every corner of the globe from freezing snowfields to searing deserts, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan will undertake The Final Challenge to prove itself Effortless Everywhere in the public eye. In an unprecedented partnership, Rolls-Royce and National Geographic will work together to publish daily film and photograph updates as Cullinan undertakes trials in Northern Europe, the Middle East and the United States for a final time ahead of its world debut later this year.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan will embody all the values and capabilities that drove Rolls-Royce’s two founding fathers, the Honourable Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce, to secure the marque’s reputation early last century, as they took top honours in rigorous public adventures such as the Scottish Reliability Trials, the London to Edinburgh event and the Alpine Trials.
The Final Challenge will begin in the Highlands of Scotland on Wednesday 4 April and will be broadcast on social media by National Geographic and Rolls-Royce as it continues its adventure through the Alpine snowfields of Austria, the arid deserts of the Middle East and finally across the toughest terrain in the United States. These will include multiple off-road challenges and miles of rough terrain.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan and crew will be accompanied on The Final Challenge by acclaimed explorer and photographer Cory Richards, (above) National Geographic’s Adventurer of the Year in 2012. The National Geographic team will document the journey with daily updates broadcast from the spectacular, far-flung locations he and the crew encounter.
“I promised the public three years ago that I would involve them in the development and testing of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, and I continue to keep that promise by making The Final Challenge, a public trial,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce. “Today’s public and customers will see Rolls-Royce in a wholly new light as Cullinan demonstrates just how capable a Rolls-Royce can be. And in a few short months, our customers will be able to experience this capability for themselves as they get behind the wheel of this truly compelling Rolls-Royce that isEffortless, Everywhere.”
An explorer and visual storyteller, Cory Richards was named National Geographic Adventurer of the Year in 2012.
From a high school drop-out at 14 to summiting Everest without oxygen, his life has followed an irregular arc. His camera has taken him from the controlled and complex studio to the wild and remote corners of the world – from the unclimbed peaks of Antarctica and the Himalayas of Nepal to the forgotten war zones of Angola, Uganda, and Pakistan—all in an attempt to capture not only the soul of exploration but also the paradoxes and surprising similarities inherent in our human family.
Richards is a passionate climber as well as social documentarian and has carved a niche as one of the world’s leading photographers, pursuing the genres from adventure, to geo-political and social impact, to portraiture.
His images have appeared in National Geographic magazine, Outside, and the New York Times, and his film work has won awards at nearly every major adventure film festival, including the grand prize at the Banff Mountain Film Festival.
As a social influencer, his social platforms have garnered billions of impressions world-wide and in August 2017, an abridged biography of his life story was published as the cover story in Outside Magazine.
