We get behind the wheel of one of the crucial opulent SUVs on the planet, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. What a method to journey!
The primary SUV from England’s more-than-century-old luxurious model is called after the most important “gem-quality, tough lower” diamond ever discovered. The Rolls Royce Cullinan arrived in 2018 as a 2019 mannequin yr car and has solely seen minor adjustments since.
Additionally it is the primary Spirit of Ecstasy clad car with all-wheel-drive put in and Rolls Royce added all-wheel-steering for good measure.
Simply so we’re clear, the actual Rolls Royce Cullinan I examined value $82,550 — only for the non-obligatory extras. Ridiculous, I do know. That a lot only for “bespoke interior-module modifying” and “prolonged veneer heart line” and a number of other different related extravagantly named doodads.
For a similar cash, you might purchase, and equip, a Toyota 4Runner and have cash left over for a mega overlanding trek. Hell, the $19,700 “darkish exterior package deal” alone would most likely get you an already personalized used Ute to go mess around in.
And I agree that the — oh, please sit down — $346,850 base worth (contains vacation spot and fuel guzzler tax) and sticker worth on our evaluation car of $429,400 nothing in need of ludicrous. Virtually talking, you merely can’t justify such a worth. Don’t have a look at it virtually.
The aim of the Cullinan is to not win a price contest and fulfill the mind, however to stir the feelings of the soul and satiate your cravings for opulence. Or, in different phrases, to inform you plainly what it’s wish to have extra — of the whole lot.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the improv group of autos as a result of it all the time says, “Sure, and …”
2022 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Assessment
However, simply what’s a Rolls Royce Cullinan?
It’s a Chevrolet Tahoe-sized, BMW-engineered SUV. One with high-priced supplies utilized each exterior and in. Outdoors, you get a stainless-steel entrance grille and motorized polished-metal hood decoration, for instance.
And inside: effective, thick, and wealthy leathers pair up with uncommon woods and polished metals for a full immersion within the wow issue. As in wow, that have to be costly. And it’s.
Regardless of its giant footprint, the Cullinan solely seats 4 or 5 folks, relying on which configuration you select. In fact, I might argue that these 4 to 5 folks sit extra comfortably than within the Chevy. And Rolls Royce is adamant that the Cullinan can deal with actual off-roading. Extra on that in a minute.
6.75L V12
We first want to speak in regards to the engine.
It actually fulfills the improv’s “sure, and” mantra. Behind the Spirit of Ecstasy decoration lies a 6.75L V-12 that pumps out 563 horsepower. Sure. And 627 pound-feet of torque. Wow!
Two turbochargers assist alongside all that displacement to churn out these supreme figures. But, when your proper foot stays gentle, it’s close to library quiet. Have been it to register a few fewer decibels inside, you might most likely persuade many it’s an EV.
However maintain life thrilling and your proper foot heavy. For those who do, the V-12 delivers buttery {smooth}, but plentiful, thrust. Full throttle acceleration is akin to jetliner takeoff versus a automobile leaving a stoplight. The fixed, heavy drive pushes your again into the seat.
A part of the credit score belongs to the smooth-shifting eight-speed automated, which appears to keep up a relentless provide of torque to the wheels even when shifting gears.
With the accelerator pressed exhausting in opposition to the firewall, Rolls Royce claims the Cullinan wants however 5.1 seconds to succeed in 60 mph from relaxation. And, should you maintain it there, the Cullinan gained’t faucet out till your attain 155 mph. Heady numbers for such a tall, 3-ton machine. Having full-time all-wheel-drive to distribute all that torque actually helps.
A Rolls-Royce Off Highway
Sure, regardless of the opulence and the grandiosity of all of it, Rolls Royce claims this to be a succesful off-roader. And the declare has benefit.
Along with AWD, you do get an air suspension with three journey top choices. You additionally get adjustable shock absorbers and myriad sensors to control settings and modify to no matter terrain you end up on, be it gravel, moist grass, mud, snow, or sand.
To provide mentioned system a heads up, you press the “Off Highway” button on the decrease heart console, which, I suppose, is all of the Rolls Royce computer systems must know. In truth, the posh model from England calls it the “In every single place” button.
If in every single place contains wading by water, Rolls Royce claims the Cullinan can deal with a depth as much as 21.25 inches. Any greater than that and I’d fear about your “prolonged veneer heart line” in addition to your V-12.
Beautiful inside finishes excluded; this Curler has the uncooked supplies for correct off-pavement excursions. The platform is all-aluminum, as are the sub-frames holding up the double-wishbone entrance and five-link multilink rear suspension.
Regardless of rolling on huge, 22-inch wheels, you do get a little bit of sidewall to work with. And, in fact, the air suspension retains the whole lot degree.
Now, I wouldn’t take this on the Moab, however making a shortcut up wet-grass-covered rolling hills to succeed in a picturesque vista fits the Cullinan effective. Moreover, you wouldn’t need your caviar and toast factors to spoil whereas taking the lengthy route. One assumes the champagne is already effectively secured and chilled, in a diamond-encrusted cooler or no matter.
Driving the Cullinan
Whereas the concept of off-roading in a Rolls sounds pretty, in actuality, the overwhelming majority of Cullinans will spend the overwhelming majority of their time on pavement.
Properly, the aforementioned fancy suspension handles all of that simply effective too. With out feeling floaty, the Cullinan absorbs potholes, growth joints, undulations, and heaves within the street with grace and absolute consolation.
A part of that’s because of the inside. Extra than simply costly and fancy sounding, Rolls Royce crammed spectacular quantities of sound deadening and used mighty thick glass across the greenhouse. Even at freeway speeds, you are feeling remoted from the chaos round you. Very like listening to the faint whisper of the town streets from a penthouse condominium balcony.
Furthermore, the leathers really feel gentle to the contact and soothing to the pores and skin. It actually doesn’t damage that the entrance seats are heated, ventilated, and massaging.
Your eyes, too, get snug as Rolls Royce carried out artwork gallery curator ranges of element to the match and end of all of the supplies. Even the sliding seat rails and kick plate are constructed from polished steel. And all of the carpeting surrounding it on the ground is thick and posh.
No automobile absolutely escapes the fashionable world, and as such, the Rolls Royce does embody trendy driving aids, corresponding to adaptive cruise management, lane departure warning, and the remainder.
Cullinan Screens
Moreover, the instrument cluster is absolutely digital. However, once more, one other element, Rolls Royce hooked up three steel rings on the display to behave as bevels for the three gauges when the Cullinan is working and the gauges are displayed.
Essentially the most BMW-esque a part of the automobile is the ten.25-inch heart console contact display, replete with a Spirit of Ecstasy logoed dial that appears awfully near BMW’s iDrive system. It’s much less of a knock and extra of an remark. Properly, I suppose it’s a little bit of a knock. I imply, the Cullinan prices not less than $350,000, so that you shouldn’t be capable of relate it to something, not to mention one thing a mere upper-middle-class particular person can afford.
2022 Cullinan: Parting Ideas
Simply so we’re clear, the Rolls Royce Cullinan is ridiculous. An costly indulgence to show your standing of fabric success. It’s, in the end, nothing greater than a plaything for the highest 1% of the highest 1%. And but, it’s also remarkably snug, tranquil, and serene.
All the things in regards to the expertise feels opulent, indulgent, and one degree up from the remainder. Can you’ve got it? Sure! And … way more. Greater than something, it makes me need to be part of an improv group.
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