Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV Shows Face; Begins Testing

The last we heard of Rolls-Royce working on an SUV was when it was testing its latest all-wheel–drive suspension system on a weird-looking Phantom mule. Now, almost eight months later, the Brit carmaker has showcased the first test mule of its upcoming SUV, codenamed Cullinan. The SUV looks very much like a big brother to the Phantom with the signature vertical slat grille flanked by rectangular headlamps, indicators and air dams. 

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV has begun testing on public roads. This ‘all-terrain, high-sided vehicle’ has the new all-wheel–drive suspension system and the all-new aluminium architecture which will underpin all Rolls-Royce models from 2018 onwards. The Cullinan will be tested at various locations across the globe to ensure that the SUV is, as RR calls it, 'Effortless … Everywhere’. Early next year, Project Cullinan will be sent to the Arctic Circle to undergo cold-weather durability and traction testing, after which, the big RR will travel to the Middle East to be tested in the high temperatures and challenging desert conditions.

Speaking about Project Cullinan, Torsten Müller-Ötvös, chief executive officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, said, “This is an incredibly exciting moment in the development of Project Cullinan both for Rolls-Royce and for the patrons of luxury that follow us around the world.” He added, “Bringing together the new four-wheel drive system and the new ‘architecture of luxury’ for the first time sets us on the road to creating a truly authentic Rolls-Royce which, like its forebears, will reset the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged.”

The Cullinan SUV could easily be the most luxurious production SUV on the planet, with its only true rival being the fellow English car, Bentley Bentayga, which was launched earlier this year in the Indian market. Since RR already has a benchmark to compete with, it's safe to assume that it will outperform the competition. Since the Cullinan has just begun testing and RR is in a mood to cover all possible aspects, we might see the first production ready model all the way into 2019.