Photos by Kyle Edward
There can be no greater crowning glory to your life of affluence and success than the 2021 Rolls-Royce Cullinan. For all those who for so many years were skeptical about the idea of a luxury prestige brand such as Rolls-Royce ever getting into the SUV game, the Cullinan represents a rather large slice of humble pie. This machine isn’t just another luxury, high-specification SUV, it practically redefines the limits of the entire category.
A Status Symbol Like No Other
Any Rolls-Royce car is a status symbol, in reality, but the Cullinan stands out even more with its massive proportions, imposing presence and resplendent luxury features inside and out. What’s more, the powerhouse 6.7L V12 twin-turbo engine — a signature of Rolls-Royce automotive engines — is still there outputting 563-hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. This behemoth SUV loaded with powerful hardware and luxury trimmings is still able to achieve 0-60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.
The Cullinan stands unique atop 22-inch seven-spoke wheels with a huge selection of colour options. Some even offer stunning and decadent exterior looks like a gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy ornament on the hood (or carbon fiber if you prefer), an electronic tow hitch, stainless steel exterior features, silver satin on the hood, and more. You can craft the Cullinan to reflect your exact specification and taste. If you’ve got the cash, they’ll make it for you.
A New League of SUV
Think of the most luxurious SUV you might have seen at a dealership or online. If you were to augment that by several times, you’d still likely fall short of what you get in the Cullinan. First of all, as we touched on above, there’s virtually no limit to how you can customize this car to suit your own tastes, and not just in colors, but also almost every part of the interior trim right down to the hand-cut real-wood veneers and their patterns.
Interiors are styled in sumptuous hand-stitched leather of the highest order of quality, and customization continues with your choice of two “Sanctuary Seats” in the rear with a center console, or a bench seat. Front seats have optional massage function, and both seating rows can be ventilated. Keep adding flourishes with privacy glass, rear compartment side curtains, rear theater mode, a TV tuner, floor mats made of lambswool, illuminated footplates…the list goes on and on.
You can even have a choice as to what kind of trunk you want. Will you go for the recreation module with its concealed additional storage and extra space? Or do you plan to drive your Cullinan to the local horse racing grounds where you can deploy the “Viewing Suite” complete with two high-back chairs, foot stool and center table on which to put your picnic or champagne glasses.
For Those Who Have Everything
There are some who see the Rolls-Royce marque and the hood adorned with that timeless and unforgettable Spirit of Ecstasy ornament and they automatically imagine the Cullinan rolling down 5th Avenue in New York or Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Where else would anyone take this enormous and divine pile of luxury and superlative quality, right?
Rolls-Royce has always been keen to remind us that the Cullinan is more than just a luxury cruiser. It’s a capable off-road machine, too. Yes, that’s right. When you’ve seen the Cullinan traversing the desert sands around Dubai and Abu Dhabi you might think you’re seeing some kind of green-screen fantasy, but this is not the case. The Cullinan’s size, power, wheels and other hardware is ready to rock on virtually any terrain you’d care to take it on.
We’re not saying the owners of this stunning SUV would take it up some rock-crawl face like some cheap Jeep Wrangler, but then again it does incredibly well on many surfaces. Its state-of-the-art “Magic Carpet” air suspension system uses live road-scanning data and satellite navigation information to determine the surface up ahead and automatically alter the vehicle’s suspension settings.
In the end, it’s the perfect hyper-luxurious carriage ride for those who already have everything and feel like buying into the SUV craze in the most extreme and fantastical way possible.
