This is the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II
Rolls-Royce lives in its own world, operates to its own time-line, and does things its own way. Great empires could rise and fall and Rolls-Royce would sail serenely on. And so to the Cullinan Series II, a mid-life refresh for what Rolls amusingly refers to as “its most requested model” (ie: its best seller). Note also that mid-life here is about the same as a mere motoring mortal’s entire lifespan. Can it really be six years since the Rolls SUV arrived?
Apparently this is the most extensive Series II update Rolls has ever undertaken, prompted in response to changes in the world of luxury and the Cullinan’s use case. A quick fact here: the average age of a Rolls owner was 56 back in 2010, now it’s 43. In China, it’s way less even than that; there’s an owner there who’s just 18. Meanwhile, most Cullinan owners drive their cars themselves, fewer than 10 per cent of them retaining the services of a chauffeur. Almost none of them, we’d venture, ever go off road.
The biggest changes concern the Cullinan’s exterior, with some new tricks employed to enhance its stance and soften its proportions. The new daytime running lights draw the eye out to make the car seem wider, and new air intakes reduce the Cullinan’s loftiness. Lines on the bumper create a ‘V’ that alludes to a super-yacht’s prow. The Pantheon grille is illuminated for the first time on the Cullinan, and the sills are fitted with gloss black elements. A line runs from the tail-lights forwards through the centre of the floating RR centre caps. And the exhaust surround has a mirror-finish stainless steel, with a protective plate connecting them. Finally, the Cullinan now rides on 23in part or fully polished alloys, with a new seven-spoke design.
www.carmag.co.za