The Rolls-Royce SUV is named after the largest diamond ever discovered, which seems appropriate. The Cullinan fills an important role for the top-tier automaker.
The Cullinan is the first SUV from this automaker, and it could be the most important model to ever don the Spirit of Ecstasy. When it comes to high-end luxury SUVs, this vehicle tops them all. The Cullinan is like having the most extravagant experience possible on the road. It truly is a masterpiece in motion; let’s learn a little more about this Rolls-Royce SUV and see what it offers.
A brand-exclusive platform
The Cullinan rides on a brand-exclusive platform, which differentiates it from the BMW large SUV models. This platform is scalable and adaptable to work well for different models and powertrains. The large and impressive Cullinan shows what Rolls-Royce can offer. This platform was also used for other new models that had been using some form of the BMW 7 Series platform but now utilize this brand-exclusive build. This means you’ve got a truly luxurious package that gives you the ride and quality desired when you see this incredible name.
Power to all four wheels is a real thing for Rolls-Royce
Rolls-Royce has been around for a long time, and you might think that some of the early cars would have been equipped with 4WD or AWD, considering their size, beefy frames, and impressive ground clearance. Strangely, none of the earlier Rolls-Royce vehicles came with power on all four wheels. The Cullinan has AWD, which sends 90% of the torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions but spreads it out in this Rolls-Royce SUV when driving on rough terrain.
An expected engine setup
The Cullinan carries on in true Rolls-Royce fashion and tradition with a massive 6.75-liter twin-turbocharge V12 engine. This engine is shared with the Phantom, producing 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque. That’s not the end of the fun for this impressive engine. Maximum torque is achieved at 1,600 rpm and the power reaches the wheels via the ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. The Cullinan has a Low button to hold the transmission in second gear when off-roading, making it much easier to have the right power and speed on the trails.
A dramatic entry in true Rolls fashion
We expect the Rolls-Royce SUV to have some drama to its personality, and the Cullinan rings true with a set of doors that give it an extra wide opening. The rear doors are rear-hinged, making them suicide doors, which ensures easy entry into the cabin area of this big SUV. Additionally, the Cullinan is nearly eight inches longer than the Bentley Bentayga, making it a much larger luxury SUV. Step into elegance and luxury when the massive doors open and welcome you inside.
The Cullinan isn’t the flagship
You might think the largest vehicle from a brand would be the flagship model, but that’s not the case. The Rolls-Royce Phantom has been a long-standing flagship model for this brand, and Rolls wanted to protect that feeling. When the Cullinan was created, it didn’t receive the glassed-in dashboard Gallery, which gives owners a chance to add custom works of art. Instead, the Cullinan is a little more mundane but in no way boring. It might not be the flagship, but it is still a Rolls-Royce, which is pretty impressive.
This is a family SUV
When you want the most luxurious SUV in the market, this Rolls-Royce SUV is the one to buy. When you have five people who want to travel together, your rear-seat passengers will find an impressive area filled with comfort. The rear seats are positioned higher than the front, offering a clear view out of the windshield. This rear bench is also split in a 40/20/40 fashion for versatility. These rear seats fold flat to allow for easy cargo and passenger configurations.
The cargo area expands for more use
Building on the versatility of the folding and comfortable rear seats, the cargo area is also useful and configurable. This area measures 21 cubic feet behind the rear seats, and the floor sits lower than the base of the seats to keep items from sliding around. If you need to utilize the seatbacks and the cargo floor together, the cargo floor raises to meet the seatbacks, creating a flat load space that works great and makes carrying cargo much easier.
The Rolls-Royce SUV is impressive, useful, powerful, and luxurious, making it everything you expect from the brand name and a vehicle that wears the name Cullinan.
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