Named after the world's largest diamond and it's just as large, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan stormed into the ultra-luxury SUV market in 2018, three years after Rolls-Royce announced that they'd be making an SUV, a message that wasn't well-received by purists. Rolls-Royce describes the Cullinan as an engineering masterpiece boasting excellent off-roading capabilities while retaining the world-famous Magic Carpet Ride of the British Automaker's vehicles. These were the guiding principles when designing the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, but when did you last see one on an off-beaten path? However, with 563 horsepower under the hood, it's more than capable of efficiently handling whatever is thrown at it, aligning with Rolls-Royce's goals. The Cullinan is a solid performer, too, even when compared to more performance-oriented luxury SUVs such as the Mercedes Benz G63 and Lamborghini Urus. It might not win against any of its competitors in a drag race or a lap around a race circuit, but its emphasis on luxury and comfort will ensure a smooth and posh ride for discerning drivers. Nevertheless, the luxury and exceptionally excellent ride come with a rather unfriendly price tag. A 2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan will set you back nearly $400,000 without Rolls-Royce's extensive options and dealer markups if you prefer a walk-in and buy purchasing experience rather than customizing one and waiting for delivery, which usually takes months. If you don't have specifics regarding exterior, interior, and spec preferences, used Rolls-Royce Cullinans average around $300,000. It's only occasionally that you'll find one listed for prices below $300,000. Does its capabilities and offerings justify Rolls-Royce Cullinan's high cost? Read on to find out.
The mid-2010s marked a transition era with world-renowned car manufacturers making SUVs, which might seem normal, but for most of these manufacturers, SUVs weren't what the motoring world related them to. There was Lamborghini with the Lamborghini Urus and Bentley's Bentley Bentayga. As a result, Rolls-Royce, owned by BMW AG, went to the drawing board and conceptualized the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which was announced at the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show. Tests began the following year, in 2016, with reported sightings of the Cullinan being tested across various locations, probably to gauge how well it handled different terrains. In May 2018, it was unveiled at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, a few months after Rolls-Royce confirmed the Cullinan name since there was never a specific name for the marque's SUV. Production began in the same year at Rolls-Royce's Goodwood Assembly plant in West Sussex, United Kingdom, where it's still ongoing today, after more than half a decade of the Cullinan's excellence and success.
Under its hood, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan has a 6.75 liter twin-turbocharged V12, making 563 horsepower and 627 lb.ft sent to all four wheels via an 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine is set on an aluminum space-frame chassis, a version of Rolls-Royce's modular Architecture of Luxury platform that debuted in the Phantom VIII. However, despite being made out of aluminum, the chassis doesn't aid much in weight saving as the Cullinan weighs nearly 6,000 pounds with a curb weight of 5,864 pounds. Still, clever suspension technology and the engine's power make it more agile and quick than its weight suggests. With a respectable acceleration of 4.9 seconds to reach 60 mph from a standstill, it accelerates in complete silence, avoiding disturbing any VIPs in the cabin, if present. The suspension also soaks up nose lift, common in high-performance SUVs, as seen with the Mercedes Benz G63. A critical aspect for most car buyers is to check a car's fuel economy since it influences the overall cost of ownership. But if you can straightforwardly afford a Rolls-Royce Cullinan, duel economy takes a backseat as the car's absolute extravagance and status become the primary considerations. Nonetheless, Rolls-Royce promises a combined 14 mph resulting from 12 mpg city driving and 19 mpg highway driving; figures too impressive for a 6,000-pound luxury tank, don't you think?
For 2024, Rolls-Royce continues with the Cullinan essentially unchanged despite rumors and spy shots suggesting a facelift and a revised engine with more power are imminent. These might be possible for 2025 since no significant updates have occurred since the Cullinan's debut in 2018. However, in addition to the Black Badge Cullinan, Rolls-Royce added a new special edition Cullinan, the 2024 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Blue Shadow Edition, which is limited to 62 examples, all featuring unique paint and a space-themed interior. Allocations have already been sold out, and included with each unit sold are a matching car cover, luggage set, and a 1:8 scale model replica of the Cullinan.
Being a Rolls-Royce, expecting anything short of a luxuriously appointed cabin in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan would be ludicrous. Inside, you are immersed in a selection of well-articulated materials ranging from simple milled aluminum accents to rare materials such as lambs-wool carpeting, wood trims, and box-grain leather. Thanks to the Cullinan's dimensions, the cabin is incredibly spacious and airy, creating a sense of openness and freedom even with all seats occupied. It gets even better when the star lights on the headliner are on, especially at night, but Rolls-Royce will charge a premium for that. If that's too bougie for you, you can opt for the panoramic sunroof, which floods the cabin with natural light during the day and gives a clear view outside the car at night, adding to the feeling of spaciousness. The seats are more comfortable in the rear as Rolls-Royce, like most of their cars, focused the Cullinan to be a chauffeured vehicle. Each seat in the rear is made to accommodate one passenger, offering individual adjustability, heating, cooling, and massaging functions. These functions are also on the front seats, but they don't provide the opulent ambiance and feeling that the rear seats do. However, the lounge-style rear seats come at an additional cost since the Rolls-Royce is designed to accommodate five passengers as standard. Yet, the extra cost is worth paying, considering you get a mini fridge and a wine glass compartment, picnic tables, and a 12-inch display for each passenger behind the front seats concealed by the picnic tables.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan's exterior design follows the interior's elegance but adds a touch of boldness and presence, especially at the front end with the Grand Pantheon Grille, a masterpiece that is the dominating feature instantly signifying Rolls-Royce heritage for those who know. Complementing the grille at the top is the retractable Spirit of Ecstasy, standing gracefully and elegantly leaning towards the wind in response to the car's frontal movement. Like the grille, the Spirit of Ecstasy symbolizes Rolls-Royce's heritage, as it has been the automaker's emblem since 1911. On the side profile, the Cullinan has an imposing presence due to its large dimensions, tall stance, and long wheelbase. Its body lines create a sense of elegance, and when opened, the coach-style doors add a luxurious, classic touch to the car's appeal. Additionally, they also make ingress and egress effortless, and like all newer Rolls-Royce models, you don't have to touch the doors to close them; you can do so by the press of a button. At the rear end, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan's clean and refined aesthetic continues with a minimalistic design with high-positioned taillights that echo the design of the headlights. The chrome bits on the rear bumper, inside the taillights, and on the exhaust tops, even though not a favorite of a particular demography, are a powerful statement of luxury.
According to Rolls-Royce, the Cullinan hosts cutting-edge technology, making it the most technologically advanced car of its type in the world, which is undoubtedly true. From simple features like the infotainment display to advanced technologies like the adjustable air suspension and night vision, these technological marvels seamlessly converge to offer a driving experience beyond the Cullinan's luxury. A 360-degree camera is available as a standard feature, providing a full view of the car's surroundings when necessary, coming in handy during bumper-to-bumper traffic and when driving or cornering in tight sports, given the Cullinan's bulky dimensions. Driver assists and safety features in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan include but are not limited to active cruise control, traction control, stability control, daytime and night-time wildlife and passenger warning, collision warning, cross traffic warning, lane departure, and lane change warning. In addition to the optional 12-inch displays for the rear passengers, in-cabin entertainment in the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is provided by a 12.3-inch main infotainment display powering a 16-speaker premium sound system with a subwoofer that can be upgraded for a more premium sound system immersing the cabin in a captivating auditory experience.
There's no doubt that the Rolls-Royce is expensive, with the 2024 models starting at a recommended MSRP of $391,750 for a base-spec model without options. With Rolls-Royce's extensive customization options, you might end up spending nearly $500,000 on a Cullinan, which is justifiable given that none of its competitors, including the Bentley Bentayga, can match its offerings. Buying one is a declaration that you don't settle for less, and the best is what the Cullinan offers. If you're afraid of the final price while customizing yours, remember that a uniquely specced car is a statement of individuality. Finally decided on buying a Rolls-Royce Cullinan? We got your back here at Exotic Car Trader. Check out our Rolls-Royce Cullinan listings, and if one Rolls-Royce is not enough, you can always browse our Rolls-Royce listings, after which we guarantee that you'll find the perfect garage addition next to your Cullinan.
Rolls-Royce's commitment to luxury is evident through every element of Rolls-Royce Cullinan, which, despite not having significant changes done to it since initial production, continues to remain a benchmark in the luxury SUV segment. It's a symbol of refinement, pushing boundaries and redefining expectations in a league of its own. Exotic Car Trader creates an exclusive and safe way of buying and selling cars, eliminating the daunting experiences of private selling for buyers and sellers. Every vehicle listed on Exotic Car Trader goes through a private seller verification process, ensuring legitimacy for our buyers. Also, Exotic Car Trader's car buying process is well outlined, with all fees and packages providing our buyers with a seamless and inclusive experience. We can handle the escrow of funds at no additional cost to the buyer and seller, and we also provide trade-in and financing options for buyers. For transaction safety, our Transactions Team is world-class and equipped with industry fraud detection tools to ensure a safe and secure transaction. These are just some of the benefits you enjoy when buying or selling on Exotic Car Trader. Contact us for listing services or to buy a car on Exotic Car Trader today! The Cullinan is the best fit for those who value the extraordinary, who seek to escape the ordinary and redefine themselves through their possessions. But it's not just about performance or luxury. It's about standing out, which the Rolls-Royce Cullinan boldly does.
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