The currently most expensive and largest SUV in the world has also been available in Germany since the beginning of the year. The Rolls Royce Cullinan is not available for less than 315.000 euros, has all-wheel drive, a 12-cylinder engine and the largest trunk of any SUV.
This car drives in its own world. In a kind of sheltered reserve, where its owners share their time on soft armchairs in front of roaring log fires in their upscale club, drawing on their 100 Euro cigar. In this cliché picture from the realm of the powerful, crowned and super-rich, everything that happens out there in real life does not occur. Issues such as climate change, switch to electromobility, exhaust fumes or even driving bans pass this tiny little group on the part of the Rolls Royce Cullinan on whose designers are really proud, the rear with its two chrome-framed tailpipes.
Of course, running over 300.000 Euro expensive vehicle like the first SUV of the most British of all premium brands, alone by its presence and size always in danger of being caught in such stereotypes. After all, this car with its 12-Zyinder engine, its 571-PS potency, its pageantry in the interior and its 2,66 tons of weight for a very small part of humanity is even reachable. So sober contemplation always strikes with fascination, reason with allure. The Cullinan wants to be different now. "It is unique and defines luxurious travel completely new," says Torsten Müller-Ötvös, the boss of the noble BMW subsidiary and reports of the desire of his customers, with their Rolls paved roads also sometimes leave. The English-German management even expects that the SUV could become the best-selling Rolls Royce.
The base-giving basement shares the 5,34-meter giant with the luxury sedan Phantom. The aluminum frame was adapted to the challenges of an all-wheel drive for rough terrain. The castle on wheels was higher, but a bit shorter than their sister sedan. The Englishmen celebrated several premieres. For the first time there is a Rolls with all-wheel drive, according to the first time drive on the front axle. No model before had a tailgate, no folding rear seats and no such a large space for luggage or other.
Nevertheless, there are not only similarities with the phantom under the hood. The side doors open in opposite directions in the manner of a wardrobe, unlike in conventional SUVs, the luggage compartment is separated from the passenger's living space by a glass wall. It stays cozy and chubby even when Butler James stows the luggage in frost and the open tailgate. A special extra: at the push of a button, two narrow camping chairs and a table move out of a compartment in the trunk and come to rest on the top of the lower part of the tailgate. The Cullinan serves as a private box at open-air events such as a polo tournament.
The Cullinan also offers a seemingly endless list of subtleties that further sweeten the inmates' lives. Be it a button that moves the wide-open door close to close, heated armrests, HD-quality monitors for the rear passengers or first-class massage seats. All around the finest materials that the owner can put together himself. Wood, leather, special metals are on offer. No problem, in the Cullinan again invest the equivalent of a Mercedes E-class. Then the 400.000 Euro threshold is exceeded.
Despite its exorbitant external dimensions and the ample weight, the Rolls is surprisingly pious and uncomplicated when driving. Thanks to all-wheel steering, it even circles tight bends, even if it takes a bit of getting used to before turning properly. Still, testing on narrow roads in the south of France, a Cullinan driver discovers his defensive side facing oncoming locals. Restraint and holding back when things threaten to get tight between the two sheets. After all, who wants to jeopardize the purity of the lacquer on their piece of jewellery? The owner of a Renault van from the XNUMXs can risk being touched, while a Rolls Royce faces a long stay in the specialist workshop.
Stepping on the right pedal shows how sovereignty is spelled out. The twelve cylinders do not know a moment of shock, the noble trumm draws from what feels like limitless pulling power. Now then the otherwise whisper-quiet motor also announces itself, not intrusive or decidedly sporty. After upshifting the eight-speed automatic, the desired silence returns as soon as the speed drops when the double turbo is no longer required. The result is maximum comfort even at motorway speeds, which is also possible up to 250 km/h if required. No one asks how much concentrated feed the 6,75 liter displacement then wants to be supplied with. But the gas station attendant is happy.
In this test run, turning off the beaten track was not planned. Even if such a Cullinan is well prepared for it. No luxury SUV can wade through over half a meter of deep water, no one can dig through the desert sand or crawl over muddy hills. Electronically controlled all-wheel drive, height adjustment thanks to air suspension or various uphill and downhill aids are on board. An all-round camera system keeps the adventurer always well informed about the surrounding outside.
The wealth of assistance systems that the English relative shares with its gene donors from BMW are also state-of-the-art. Distance radar, night vision, lane departure warning or parking assistance have married the tradition of the classic. This also includes a WiFi hotspot for fellow travelers. The operation of all the useful helpers is housed in the usual classic dashboard. As a result, the monitor for the navigation was slimmer than usual. Networking with the digital environment is not yet at the level that buyers of such expensive cars could wish for. The on-board network still works with 24 volts and the Cullinan is still a long way from being electrified.
A Rolls Royce would be ideal for this. Silent, confident gliding is one of its core competencies, space for a strong battery would be easy to find and the aforementioned butler takes care of charging. As is well known, money does not play a significant role in these circles. The brand, which is one of the most expensive car brands, has not yet jumped over its shadow. The desire of customers for 12 cylinders is still unbroken.