Half the pleasure of enjoying a privilege is in telling it. So I was rather pleased when an invitation from Abu Dhabi Motors saw me gazing at the Cullinan, once again; this time not in the spot-lit privacy of a private theatre but in open daylight, on the showroom floor, surrounded by its siblings, eager motoring journalists and positively avaricious prospects, who seemed to have got wind of ‘the landing’ even before we could tell them!
As I summed up my earlier visit: “Our eyes had their fill, hands were teased and bodies were pleased, as we sank into the luxury that will wrap many billionaire bottoms.” So we did it again, this time with a camera in one hand and an umbrella in the other (for a short while in between). Do take a closer look at the Cullinan (without further ado) in this video or get closer to the high-bodied car from Rolls-Royce by reading my earlier post that offers a detailed narrative.
Anyway, here is the long and short of what is touted as the most luxurious four-wheeled carriage on earth.
The Cullinan can truly claim the ‘nothing-else-like-it’ platform. It is built on a version of the all-aluminium spaceframe they call ‘the architecture of luxury’ that was first used in the new Phantom. Which makes the Rolls-Royce Cullinan capable and luxurious in equal measure. Amidst the largeness that obviously wouldn’t escape the eye, one can’t help notice the hint of a ‘rear overhang’ – the vestige of a tail – the semblance that is unmistakable in the emblem of the Cullinan. Another signature styling cue is the generous presence of the Spirit of Ecstasy on the curated leather and dashboard that is simply delectable-to-the-touch.
The interiors smell and feel like the finest leather and gleams in the subtlest way chrome can. The gear console had a circular knob around which the cabin menu (like navigation and media) was arranged on selectable buttons. Towards its left was ride adjustment buttons and to the right, the hill descent control button and another marked ‘off road’. A single press of that button calls forth the range of capabilities that prepare this car for an assault on any terrain.
It is not only the off-road transformation that happens at one touch in a Cullinan. All it takes to close the door, bring up a pair of small seats from beneath the boot platform, or release the umbrella from within the rear doorframe is one touch.
Once I settled down in the back seat with my legs stretched (not that my stature claims a lot of space!), it was clear why there was no immediate prospect of a longer wheelbase version. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan makes space for Mark Zuckerberg and Larry Ellison, though the social media baron might prefer to crouch between quicker wheels, though the Cullinan can do 250 kmph!
The lighter architecture has helped additions that allow the 2660 kg carriage to accessorize its character. For instance, the silence within is further deepened (or deadened if you prefer) by the addition of a separator glass between the passenger area and the luggage space behind. As one can imagine, it isn’t customary for Rolls-Royce riders to listen to the squeaks and creaks of luggage that accompany them on their journey.
The Cullinan is built to go places – ‘everywhere’ as the product promise says. The ease of life money should buy beyond the realm of need and desire is encapsulated by the prefix ‘effortless’. A word that defines the car at once with qualities embedded in it – like ‘natural’, ‘talented’, ‘thoughtful’, ‘elegant’ or ‘streamlined’ – all of which the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is.
Producing 653 horsepower and 850 Nm of torque, the 6.75 L V12 engine is the same as that one sees in the current Phantom. It whinnies up a few horses more in the new Phantom but in the Cullinan, the enormous torque is designed to be available from as low as 1600 rpm considering it is an off-roader.
The Cullinan is the first ever Rolls-Royce to have power distributed between the front and rear axles – not surprising as it is the first SUV too – in perfect balance of 50:50. Just like the Phantom VIII, the Cullinan has four-wheel steering. The rear wheels are vested with the ability to turn this way or that at bends, to assist slow turns or to stabilise quick ones. The air suspensions are also flexible, with 4 cm travel both upwards and downwards. On road, above 60km, the elevated ride height would be automatically brought down. Off road, in a clever display of engineering, the air suspensions push down a wheel if it leaves the ground, so that traction is always maintained. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan doesn’t let go of the fabled magic carpet ride on any terrain. After all, rolling in money should be a smooth maneuver.
For an idea of how much does the Cullinan cost, half a million is an easy figure to remember – in dollars. Which is well over 180,000 dirhams but the actual price could be much more depending on the options loaded. For greater technical detail and a sketch of capabilities, read this post. For a quick look at the majestic stillness of the Cullinan at the Abu Dhabi Motors showroom, watch my video. For a review of how it drives, you will have to wait – impatiently – just like me.
