Rolls-Royce is a brand that’s steeped in history, actual royalty and of course, many affluent customers. So when BMW took over the reins of this exquisite British marque in the late 1990s, some worried that the rich legacy of Rolls-Royce would be lost. Fast-forward a couple of decades, and the luxury brand is doing even better than ever before. And with buyers engorging themselves on a diet of posh SUVs, it was clear where RR needed to go next. Thus, make way for the grand-new 2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan – christened after the world’s largest diamond of the same name. It finds itself in between the Ghost and the flagship Phantom within the family hierarchy. The Cullinan also represents the carmaker’s first attempt at a full-blown luxury SUV, bar none. The Bentley Bentayga and Lamborghini’s Urus are some of the Roller’s arch rivals in the United Arab Emirates.
Exterior
Stretching over 5.3 meters in length, 2.1 meters in width, and 1.8 meters in height, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is the size of most studio apartments in Dubai. Despite its massive proportions, the Cullinan doesn’t bother itself with plebian notions such as road presence or wishful intimidation. Instead, it just straight up commands it. The front houses Rolls-Royce’s hallmark grille, flanked by rectangular-shaped full-LED headlights and a couple of air-intake slits. The blunt front bumper triple air intake channels, some shiny chrome bits, and well-integrated skid plate.
Built on top of the aptly named “Architecture of Luxury”, the Cullinan’s silhouette and many of the styling details primarily comprises of straight lines, gentle but blunt edges, and rectangle-esque elements. Viewed in profile, the 2.6-ton SUV’s titanic dimensions are rather hard to miss, including its vast 3.295-meter wheelbase and immense yet bespoke 22-inch wheels. These are complemented by the appropriately-sized doors, windows, and an almost flat roofline. The rear of the Cullinan looks butch, with its huge rear liftgate, prominent roof spoiler, and a meaty bumper with a chrome scuff plate along with a neatly incorporated skid plate and dual exhausts. The relatively compact LED taillights look spectacular, especially in the dark.
Interior
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s interior can best be described as sumptuous, elegant, and above all, a cut above the rest. If you demand (which most RR customers do) the best of the best, in terms of utmost quality, materials, craftsmanship, space, high seating position, and tranquility, the Cullinan is likely it. Getting in might be cumbersome if you’re short, but once inside, the power-closing doors means there’s no further manual labor. Meanwhile, the 600-liter boot capacity is more than generous as well. The Cullinan’s elaborate equipment list features a heads-up display, computed-controlled adaptive air suspension, radar cruise control, cabin mood lighting, heated, ventilated and massaging seats, four-zone climate control, panoramic sunroof, rear drinks cabinet, and a touch-sensitive multimedia/infotainment display among others.
Rolls-Royce has also fitted the Cullinan with 8 airbags, active headrests, collision detection, attention assist, cornering assist, rollover mitigation, hill-descent control, 360-degree camera system, electronic stability and traction programs, and a host of other safety nannies, too.
Engine and performance
The Cullinan derives its power from a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that pushes out 563 hp and 850 Nm of unrelenting torque. The motor channels its juice via a silky-smooth 8-speed automatic and spins all four corners. Despite its heft and less-than-ideal aerodynamics, this Roller can still hit 100 km/h in 6.7 seconds, whilst top speed is limited to 250 km/h. If you put all of the above together, the Cullinan’s 15.0 L/100 km fuel consumption wouldn’t make you flinch.
Verdict
If you want the ultimate luxury SUV in the market right now, the 1.89-million dirham Rolls-Royce Cullinan should more than suffice your wants. Meanwhile, financing options for the Cullinan begin at just over 29,000 dirhams.
