SINGAPORE: The Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the company's first SUV, made its South-East Asian debut here on Tuesday.
The car is now on sale here with prices starting at S$1,27mil (RM3.8mil).The car shown here is painted in Magma Red, with a tan-and-black interior.
The Cullinan was revealed to the world at its Goodwood home ground in May.
The car is fitted with a 6.74-litre twin-turbocharged V12 engine, developed from the ground up to provide high torque at low revs. Peak torque of 850Nm is available from just 1,600rpm, coupled to an all-wheel drive system via an 8-speed transmission, enabling Cullinan to rise from the get-go with grace and pace.
Air suspension
Complementing the powertrain is a four-corner air suspension system. The car can be lowered by 40mm to make entry easier through coach doors, or raised 40mm to traverse any terrain. The new air struts are built tougher with more compressed air contained inside, and provide longer travel so that the contact patch on any tyre is maintained, no matter what the terrain.
A four-wheel steering system aids urban drivability, lending nimbleness when getting around tight turning circles in the city.
A choice of drive modes can be activated from a button on the centre console. Once engaged, Cullinan’s driver can choose from multiple off-road settings to glide over rough track, gravel, wet grass, mud, snow or sand whilst in permanent 50:50 front-rear torque split mode. Cullinan can also negotiate deep snow, sand or streams, with one of the deepest wading depths of any super-luxury SUV at 540mm.
Outside
The SUV is named after the largest diamond discovered, which is now installed atop the British Crown Jewels.
Headlights and air intakes are deep set into the front face, with a prominent brow accentuated by daytime-running LEDs.
Cullinan’s rear features a profile that sports a two-part, ‘D-Back’ format unique to the segment, with a ‘bustle’ back inspired by classic 1930s Rolls-Royce tourers that required luggage to be mounted at the exterior of the motor car. The tailgate opens and closes its two sections automatically at the touch of the key fob button.
Inside
The interior has a fully-digitised LCD TFT display. For the first time in a Rolls-Royce, touch-screen entertainment systems at the front and rear integrate with the Spirit of Ecstasy rotary controller to enable access to advanced features in the driver-focused cockpit.
The Cullinan features laser headlights (600m range); Night Vision (300m), Vision Assist (1000m - oncoming vehicles), daytime and night-time Pedestrian warning; Alertness Assistant; a 4-Camera system with Panoramic View, all-round visibility and helicopter view; Active Cruise Control; Collision Warning; Cross-Traffic Warning, Lane Departure and Lane Change Warning; an industry leading 7x3 High-Resolution Head-Up Display, Wi-Fi hotspot, and the latest Navigation and Entertainment Systems.
Those in the rear sit higher than those in the front of the car on Rolls-Royce’s Pavilion Seating, enjoying grandstand views of their surroundings thanks to the large glazed area of Cullinan’s side windows and industry-leading panoramic glass roof.
A choice of seat formats
Cullinan’s cabin can be ordered in two formats – Lounge Seats or Individual Seats. The former caters to families – creating space for three passengers in the rear, and featuring fold-down seats for the first time in a Rolls-Royce.
In this format, the rear compartment or boot area offers a standard 560 litres of space, growing to 600 litres with the parcel shelf removed. Once the rear seats are folded flat, an impressive loading length of 2245mm and load capacity of 1930 litres can be accessed, making Cullinan one of the most cavernous offerings in the super luxury SUV segment.
The Individual Seat configuration implies supreme luxury with two individual rear seats separated by a Fixed Rear Centre Console. This incorporates a drinks cabinet with Rolls-Royce whisky glasses and a decanter, as well as champagne flutes and refrigerator. The seats also move in a number of planes to offer ultimate comfort whilst travelling in the rear.
Rear passengers sit higher
Rolls-Royce’s Pavilion Seating means in either format, rear passengers sit higher than their counterparts at the front. Grandstand views are assured by the high body, large glazed side windows and panoramic glass roof.
Unique to the super luxury SUV sector, Cullinan (in Individual Seat format) incorporates a glass partition that isolates the passenger cabin from the luggage compartment, creating a silent sanctuary for Cullinan’s occupants. Perfect for Singapore’s tropical climate, the sealed cabin also means Rolls-Royce clients can remain at the optimum temperature even when the luggage compartment is open.
The cabin is equipped with five USB-C ports, whilst phones can be wirelessly charged in the front of the cabin.
Customised luxury
As is standard in the luxury segment, Rolls-Royce is quick to promote its bespokes service, another moneyspinner.
Its Recreation Module comprises a motorised drawer housing specialised equipment specific to each Cullinan owner’s pursuits, whether it be fly fishing, photography, rock climbing, or simply sitting and taking in the view.
Alternatively, patrons can also choose to have the ultimate space from which to take in a sunset on East Coast beach with a loved one – electronically-deployable seats and a folding table that combine to form the Viewing Suite.
