Rolls-Royce has unveiled its first ever SUV – the Cullinan.
The super-luxury marque may be arriving late to the SUV party – it remains the hottest money-spinner in the car business – but they have made a typically impressive entrance. The kind where the music stops and people drop the glasses they’re holding.
It’s blocky, it’s bold and in its own way, it’s beautiful. Having seen it in the metal on its unveiling on Thursday, this is a car with more presence than Santa Claus. And to those who thought it wasn’t a natural move for RR to make, in reality it fits as if it’s always been around, blending the formality and tradition we expect with something altogether more modern and menacing.
It’s capable too. As an off-roader that can plough through rivers, and as an elegant limo that can ferry you around town in the manner to which you are accustomed - the central rear console comes with whisky and champagne glasses in easy reach.
There are countless touches that put this car into its very own strata from the coach, or otherwise called suicide doors, to the level of interior finish, to the revolving seats in the boot that allow passengers a relaxing view when out in the wild.
It’s a big old beast, pulled along nicely by a 6.75-liter, twin-turbocharged V12 engine producing 563 horsepower.
This lifestyle comes at a price of course, £250,000 no less. But if you’re going to arrive late, you may as well steal the show as well.
