Rolls-Royce has shown a revised Cullinan SUV, which continues with its turbocharged V12 engine but which now has revised exterior styling and an updated interior.
The changes are subtle for the most part. While Rolls-Royce describes this as a ‘bold evolution’ it’s very much that - an evolution - with the existing 570hp 6.75-litre V12 engine, eight-speed automatic gearbox and four-wheel drive carried over from before.
Skyscraper styling
What Rolls-Royce has admitted to, at the introduction of this ‘Cullinan II’, is that this is a car most likely to be used in town, or at least more likely so than it is to be taken into the wilds of the outback. Rather than try to hide that fact away, Rolls has leant in, giving the Cullinan updated styling that’s meant to make it look even taller, mimicking the lofty skyscrapers that fill the American, Asian and Middle-Easten cities where the car is so popular.
“Since the launch of the first Goodwood-built Rolls-Royce, designers have taken great care to give every model its own distinctive aesthetic universe. Each is based on detailed insights gathered directly from our clients before the motor car is conceived, and throughout its life. Cullinan Series II is born of this approach: more energetic, focussed and expressive, in line with the priorities of today’s super-luxury consumers. In its new guise, Cullinan Series II remains effortless, everywhere - faithful to the principles and retaining the qualities that have made this motor car so successful. At the same time, it represents genuine progress and development, based on an evolved appreciation of luxury that adds statement and flourish to Cullinan’s original form,” said Anders Warming, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
New lights and bumpers
At the front, the slim headlights now meld into LED daytime running signatures that drape towards the edges of the front bumper. That bumper has been reshaped, and now lifts up at the edges, to give the Cullinan the appearance of a large yacht rearing up out of the water. The mighty Rolls-Royce grille has been changed too, with horizontal bars at the top and bottom giving it a more plinth-like appearance and in keeping with modern trends it now lights up at night too.
At the rear, the bumper has been altered too, and now gets a stainless-steel protection plate running between the exhaust outlets. There are also new paint finishes, and massive 23-inch alloy wheels, each one milled from a single billet of aluminium.
New software
Inside, the dashboard has been updated with a full-width glass panel, behind which sit the main central infotainment screen and the driver’s digital instrumentation. In front of the passenger there’s an illuminated panel which features a cityscape using a specially-developed technique whereby 7,000 dots are laser-etched onto the rear of the darkened and toughened security glass, each at minutely differing angles and dimensions to create the perception of depth.
The two big screens now use Rolls-Royce’s latest ‘SPIRIT’ software, being deployed for the first time. This allows the driver more control of the layout and style of the displays, as well as incorporating the new smartphone app, ‘Whispers’, which allows owners to control some of the car’s functions from their phone.
Analogue clock cabinet
Next to the main infotainment screen is a new ‘Clock Cabinet’ which features a handmade analogue clock paired with a miniature ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ silver lady figurine, made from solid aluminium, bringing the famous mascot of the brand into a Rolls-Royce interior for the first time.
Rolls is also upgrading the Cullinan’s cabin trim, including a new synthetic fabric derived from bamboo. But not just any bamboo - this ‘Duality Twill’ fabric is inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées on the Côte d'Azur, which neighbours Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home, Villa Mimosa. As Rolls puts it: “Members of the design team visited the gardens during a research excursion where they were inspired to develop a material made with the plant, which has grown in the grounds of the jardin for more than a century and would have been observed by Sir Henry Royce himself.”
If a Cullinan customer chooses a full Duality Twill interior, it compromises 2.2 million stitches, 11 miles of thread and is the product of 20 hours of construction. There’s even artwork in the leather seats - ‘Placed Perforation’ is the practice of creating artworks through tiny perforations in the leather.
“Available for the first time on a series model, for Cullinan Series II, designers have created a pattern inspired by the constantly changing shapes and shadows of the clouds over the Home of Rolls-Royce at Goodwood. It comprises up to 107,000 0.8- and 1.2-millimetre perforations. A single craftsperson checks each individual perforation to ensure absolute uniformity,” says Rolls-Royce.
Sportier Black Badge model
If all of that isn’t enough for you, then there’s the option of the Cullinan Black Badge model. As before, the Black Badge version is designed to be sportier, so it gets a more powerful (600hp) version of the V12 engine, and sportier tuning for the suspension and steering.
Befitting the name, the Black Badge gets a blacked-out grille, ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot, door handles and more. The black 23-inch alloy wheels also get a unique design with ten interwoven spokes.
Inside, there’s the option of lacquered carbon-fibre trim, and the little Spirt of Ecstasy in the Clock Cabinet has been finished in black, too.
“In 2018, Cullinan reframed super-luxury motoring, enabling Rolls-Royce clients to experience the brand’s hallmark magic carpet ride regardless of the terrain and in every corner of the world. In the six years since, Cullinan has attracted entirely new groups of clients to Rolls-Royce and profoundly altered perceptions of what a Rolls-Royce motor car is, and what it can mean to its owner. Cullinan Series II has been created to build on that success. By integrating new technologies, new materials, meticulously considered design updates and innovative opportunities for self-expression through Bespoke, we retain everything our clients love about this motor car, ensuring its continued allure,” said Chris Brownridge, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.