Rolls-Royce Cullinan 2018

Unveiled on 10 May 2018, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan became the British marque’s first SUV. This launch specification, delivered from late 2018, combined a five-door body with all-wheel drive and a 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 adapted to Rolls-Royce’s luxury brief. Rather than pursuing the sharpest responses of performance-focused SUVs, the Cullinan was designed to bring limousine-like silence, ride comfort and extensive personalisation to a vehicle able to travel beyond paved roads. Air suspension, four-wheel steering and Bespoke features such as the Viewing Suite supported that dual purpose. The model therefore opened a new chapter for Rolls-Royce, offering a high-riding alternative for urban use while retaining the brand’s emphasis on effortless long-distance travel and carefully tailored craftsmanship.

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History

The Cullinan project answered demand from customers who wanted a Rolls-Royce suited to a wider range of environments. The company announced the programme roughly three years before the final reveal and later documented its development through The Final Challenge. Camouflaged prototypes travelled through Scotland, the United Arab Emirates and the United States to demonstrate their ability across varied terrain. The production model was revealed digitally on 10 May 2018, followed by a dynamic press event in October. BMW Group’s 2018 annual report states that market launch took place in November of that year. Its underlying architecture was engineered to accommodate all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering, both firsts for a series-production Rolls-Royce. The 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 produced 563 bhp and 850 Nm, with peak torque available from 1,600 rpm. Inside, buyers could specify either a conventional five-seat layout or a more formal four-seat arrangement with individual rear chairs.

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Technical data

1 powertrain recorded for the Cullinan. Some figures apply to the version as a whole rather than to each engine.

This powertrain

Power: 420 kW
Torque: 850 Nm
Transmission: Automatique, 8 rapports
Fuel: Essence

Recorded across the whole version

0-100 km/h: 5.2 s
Top speed: 249 km/h
Displacement: 6751 cm3
Consumption: 15 L/100 km
Dimensions: 5342 x 2164 x 1834 mm
Weight: 2753 kg

Source: cardatawiki

Anecdotes

The Cullinan takes its name from the Cullinan diamond, discovered in South Africa in 1905 and regarded at the time as the largest rough diamond ever found. The SUV’s launch was also supported by an expedition-style film project featuring photographer Cory Richards. One of its most unusual options is the Viewing Suite: two rear-facing seats rise from the luggage area when the tailgate is opened, creating a compact observation space behind the vehicle.

Production

Rolls-Royce launched the Cullinan in November 2018, following its global reveal in May and the press event held in October. The company builds largely to order and offers extensive Bespoke personalisation, so individual vehicles can differ substantially in equipment, seating configuration and finish. The public sources consulted confirm the launch timing and the technical specification of the initial model, but do not provide a verifiable worldwide production total for the 2018 Cullinan. A precise first-year figure should therefore not be assigned. Rolls-Royce production announcements have generally focused on the marque’s overall output rather than publishing a detailed model-by-model breakdown for the Cullinan.

Press reception

Early road tests published in 2018 emphasised the contrast between the Cullinan’s weight, price and size on one hand, and its quietness, comfort and broad usability on the other. Evo praised its build quality, surprising pace and off-road ability, while describing its styling as divisive and its price as exceptionally high. Autocar highlighted the smooth transmission, the effortless strength of the V12 and the significance of Rolls-Royce’s first all-wheel-drive production car. BMW Group’s 2018 annual report stated that the model was very well received by customers and international media representatives. That positive response did not remove the recurring reservations about its imposing dimensions, substantial mass and ultra-luxury price positioning.

Evolution

The 2018 Cullinan represents the starting point of the first generation. The range expanded in 2019 with the Cullinan Black Badge, identified by darker exterior detailing, dedicated chassis tuning and a V12 uprated to 600 PS and 900 Nm. That version offered a more assertive and dynamic interpretation of the SUV while retaining Rolls-Royce’s emphasis on supple ride quality. During the model’s career, the company also developed Bespoke equipment aimed at leisure activities, including the Recreation Module and the Viewing Suite. In 2024, Rolls-Royce introduced the Cullinan Series II and Black Badge Cullinan Series II, bringing revised styling, updated digital interfaces and further personalisation possibilities. Those later derivatives are distinct from the standard Cullinan specification introduced in 2018.

2024Cullinan Base

Same variantPhotos: 7

Variants

In 2018, the Cullinan was introduced in its standard specification, later described in Rolls-Royce communications as the silver-badge version. It used the 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged V12 with 563 bhp and 850 Nm, an eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive and four-wheel steering. Personalisation remained central to the ownership proposition: exterior finish, upholstery, materials, seating layout and luggage-area equipment could all be tailored to an individual order. The Cullinan Black Badge was not part of the original 2018 launch range; it was revealed in November 2019 with 600 PS, 900 Nm, darkened exterior details and more performance-oriented settings. The Series II designations introduced in 2024 refer to a later update and should not be applied to the original 2018 Cullinan.

References

Effortless Everywhere: The Rolls-Royce CullinanRolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub
Supports the 2018 launch context, 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12, 563 bhp, 850 Nm, all-wheel drive, all-wheel steering, air suspension and Bespoke features.
First Facets of Cullinan Revealed as the Final Challenge ConcludesBMW Group PressClub
Supports the 10 May 2018 reveal and the Final Challenge routes through Scotland, the United Arab Emirates and the United States.
Milestones in Future Mobility: Annual Report 2018BMW Group
Supports the November 2018 launch, May world premiere, October press event and reported reception from customers and international media.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan reviewAutocar
Supports the standard mechanical specification, eight-speed automatic transmission, all-wheel drive, cabin layouts, dimensions and driving impressions.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan review: 2.6 tonnes and £250k of ultra-opulent SUVevo
Supports the 2018 road-test reception, 6.75-litre V12 output, eight-speed ZF automatic transmission, off-road systems and launch-era positioning.
Rolls-Royce Completes Black Badge Family with CullinanRolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub
Supports the November 2019 Black Badge introduction, 600 PS, 900 Nm, styling changes and chassis revisions.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Cullinan Recreation ModuleRolls-Royce Motor Cars PressClub
Supports the Recreation Module, Viewing Suite and their role as optional Bespoke equipment.
https://www.automobile-catalog.com/car/2018/2994605/rolls-royce_cullinan.htmlautomobile-catalog.com
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