# Rolls-Royce Cullinan

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is a full-sized luxury sport utility vehicle (SUV) manufactured by Rolls-Royce Motor Cars as the brand's first all-wheel drive vehicle. It is named after the Cullinan Diamond, the largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered.
The Cullinan is positioned above the Ghost and below the Phantom in Rolls-Royce's range, with a starting price in the United States of approximately US$325,000 (£255,000). It was unveiled in May 2018 at the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este in Italy, and launched globally at an Autumn press event later that year in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, US.
At the moment, the Cullinan is the second best-selling Rolls-Royce of all time, after the Silver Shadow.
Rolls-Royce announced production of the Cullinan Series II would begin in August 2024.

## Overview

In 2015 it was reported that a design was in the works and that the name would be Cullinan. This was due to its competitors such as Bentley and Lamborghini venturing into the SUV business with the Bentayga and the Urus respectively. At the 2015 Frankfurt Auto Show, Rolls-Royce's CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös said that the SUV will be revealed in 2018 and be on the market in 2019.
The name "Cullinan" was confirmed by Rolls-Royce on 13 February 2018. It is named after the Cullinan Diamond, the largest diamond ever found at 3100 carats.
As of 2019 the company claimed that despite expanding production and hiring more employees, there were insufficient vehicles to satisfy the demand by established buyers and new-found female, younger buyers.
In the US, it is not exempt from the Gas Guzzler Tax because it is classified as a station wagon rather than an SUV.

## Design and testing
### Design

Most of the Cullinan's exterior design has been adapted from the novel 8th generation Rolls-Royce Phantom such as the front grille and the headlights.
The interior features a new leather applied seats and wooden appliances. The car has new leather camping seats known as the "cocktail suite" which is deployed from the luggage compartment. This car is the only Rolls-Royce to have a glass partition between the luggage compartment and the passenger compartment.
The Cullinan features several driving modes and among them, the off-road mode uses a dynamic suspension system that raises its height by 40 mm in off-road mode.
* Cullinan with the rear suicide doors open
* Front Cockpit
* rear passenger compartment
* Camping seats in the boot

### Testing phase

The car was reported to have started its testing phase on 2 January 2016, and has since been seen testing on snow.
The final tests were conducted with the partnership of National Geographic in 2018 and it was tested in various terrains.

## Specifications and performance
### Platform

The Cullinan uses an aluminium spaceframe chassis; this is a version of Rolls-Royce's modular "Architecture of Luxury" platform. This platform made its debut in the Phantom VIII.

### Suspension

The Cullinan uses a double-wishbone front axle and a 5-link rear axle. It is fitted with self-levelling air suspension and electronically controlled dampers front and rear. It is also equipped with electrically actuated active anti-roll bars.
The Cullinan is also fitted with 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 100 km/h (62 mph). Michael Snell, Marketing Manager of the Americas for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA stated, "Even with the updated improvements to Cullinan's suspension and drive systems, the ride experience has not been compromised as the vehicle still retains our signature "Magic Carpet Ride" experience while you drive over any terrain."
Like the Phantom VIII, the Cullinan employs a four-wheel steering system to improve both maneuverability at low speeds and stability at higher speeds.

### Powertrain

The Cullinan is only equipped with a twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine. ZF's 8HP 8-speed automatic transmission is the Cullinan's sole gearbox option. The Cullinan uses a permanent all-wheel drive system.
Performance data :
| Model | Engine type | Displacement | Power | Torque | Top speed |
| Cullinan | Twin-turbocharged V12 | 6.75 L (412 cu in) | 571 PS; 563 hp (420 kW) @ 5,000 rpm | 850 N⋅m (627 lb⋅ft) @ 1,600 rpm | 250 km/h (155 mph) |
| Cullinan Black Badge | Twin-turbocharged V12 | 6.75 L (412 cu in) | 600 PS; 591 hp (441 kW) @ 5,000 rpm | 900 N⋅m (664 lb⋅ft) @ 1,600 rpm | 250 km/h (155 mph) |

## Variants
### Black Badge Cullinan

The Black Cullinan is a special edition of the Cullinan which is performance based. Its exterior features are painted black (including the Spirit of Ecstasy) and its Interior consists of carbon fibre applications. The leather used in the interior is black, with borders coloured according to the exterior.
The current production car with the Rolls-Royce Black Badge marque along with this car is the Rolls-Royce Ghost Black Badge.

## Series II

The Series II retains the V12 engine but will have new interior materials, broader customisation options, and an updated tech suite and larger 23-inch wheels.