2023 Rolls Royce Cullinan

Key Points: VAT Qualifying, Rear Theatre Configuration, Starlight Headliner

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is a renowned luxury SUV, which marks the first vehicle from the British manufacturer to feature an all-wheel drive powertrain. It is named after the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered, and sits above the Ghost and below the Phantom in the Rolls-Royce line. 

Unveiled in May 2018 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, the Cullinan uses an aluminium spaceframe chassis, which is a version of the modular ‘Architecture of Luxury’ platform which made its debut in the Phantom VIII. 

The Cullinan's exterior design has been adapted from the 8th-generation Rolls-Royce Phantom, such as the front grille and the headlights. The interior features new leather-trimmed seats and wooden appliances, as well as a luggage compartment-mounted cocktail table with leather camping seats, which is known as the ‘viewing suite’. The Cullinan is the only Rolls-Royce to have a glass partition between the luggage and passenger compartments.

The Cullinan uses a double-wishbone front axle and a five-link rear axle, as well as self-levelling air suspension, electronically controlled dampers front and rear, and electrically actuated active anti-roll bars. It features various driving modes, including an off-road setting, which lowers the dynamic suspension by 40mm. Like the Phantom VIII, the Cullinan employs a four-wheel steering system to improve both manoeuvrability at low speeds and stability at higher speeds. There is a stereo camera integrated into the front windscreen that scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension proactively, so as to improve ride quality. This system, dubbed "The Flagbearer" by Rolls-Royce, operates at speeds of up to 62 mph.

The Black Badge variant is a special performance-based edition of the Cullinan, with black-painted exterior trim and carbon fibre interior inlays. Its power comes from a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine, producing 591hp and 664lb ft of torque, coupled to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. The result is a top speed of 155mph.