rolls-royce cullinan series II first drive
Effortless everywhere – that was the mission statement as Rolls-Royce embarked on its first venture to conquer the ever-popular SUV market. Launched in 2018, the Cullinan delivered the British marque’s magic carpet ride on any terrain, quickly becoming the most requested model in their portfolio. Like the party-goers’ pilgrimage to Ibiza, designboom traveled to the Spanish island to drive the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II, testing the coming-of-age of the super-luxury SUV and seeing how it reaches new heights.
first drive of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II
all images courtesy of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II is an evolution of design rather than performance; the car’s powerhouse 6.75-liter V12 engine remains unchanged, maintaining the magic carpet ride that is nearly identical to before. Our design drive instead focuses on the subtle yet impactful changes in its appearance that truly embrace its verticality.
‘Every design decision contributes to this piece of art,’ begins Juliane Blais, Head of Exterior Design at Rolls-Royce, as she describes the design evolution to designboom in Ibiza.
the second edition reveals a design evolution focused on verticality
exterior design of cullinan
The second edition’s facelift owns the SUV’s verticality in a dynamic way. Most notably, the treatment of its daytime running lights accentuates its tall stance, flowing horizontally as a clear line before cascading downwards. Bumper lines then form a shallow V, reminiscent of yacht styling. New air intakes angle outwards assertively to visually lower the car. The illuminated Pantheon grille has been refreshed with a lower leading edge and no side frame, enhancing its stately presence.
daytime running lights accentuate the car’s tall stance, flowing horizontally before cascading downwards
The side profile features a precise line that extends from the taillight forward to the center of the floating ‘RR’ center caps on the rear wheels. This line, coupled with the lower valance surfaces in high-gloss black, subtly lifts the rear, complemented by mirror-finish stainless steel exhausts that sit flush with the body. These ‘three pen stroke’ lines and crisp edges amplify the clean, monolithic surfaces of the car.
‘Sheer, monolithic beauty,’ describes Juliane. ‘The design continues the three pen stroke to be highly recognizeable, but the result is more modern – with sheer surfaces – to give verticality in a dynamic way.’
‘three pen stroke’ lines amplify the clean, monolithic surfaces of the car
The upsized 23-inch wheels are the most significant change to driving performance. Otherwise, the upscaling adds to the vehicle’s commanding presence – a design choice the Head of Exterior Design supports: ‘Bigger wheels are always better for cars.’
the interior design evokes experiences with all senses
bespoke interior of cullinan
The interior of the Cullinan Series II is a testament to Rolls-Royce’s commitment to bespoke luxury, with bolder forms of self-expression and cutting-edge technology. Christine Franck, Head of Color, Materials & Trim Design at Rolls-Royce, explains the curated approach: ‘We have curated divisions in the interior. The details then enrich the space to be enjoyed with all senses.’
new materials debut in the Series II
The new pillar-to-pillar glass fascia stages both digital and physical craftsmanship on the dashboard. The redesigned cluster panel in front of the driver and the permanently visible Central Information Display in the fascia’s center host the advanced SPIRIT operating system, first introduced on the all-electric Spectre. An Illuminated Fascia panel, now available in the Cullinan, features a captivating cityscape graphic inspired by skyscrapers at night, made of 7,000 laser-etched dots to give a perception of depth. This feature can be customized for clients, further enhancing the bespoke nature of the car. Last but not least, the new Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet houses an up-lit figurine made of solid stainless steel on the dash. It took four years of development to move the statuette inside the car.
the Illuminated Fascia panel features 7,000 laser-etched dots in a cityscape graphic
New materials debut in the Series II. Grey Stained Ash is joined with new rayon fabric made from bamboo, named Duality Twill. The textile, embroidered with an artistic, abstract interpretation of the interlinked RR initials, takes 20 hours to craft with up to 2.2 million stitches. Available in lilac, chocolate, and black, with 51 different thread colors, it adds a modern reinterpretation to the interior.
‘Duality Twill returns tweed-like textiles to Rolls-Royce. Historically, leather was only used for the driver’s seat. Other upholstery was then used for passengers’ seats and other surfaces,’ explains the Head of Color and Materials.
named Duality Twill, the new rayon fabric – made from bamboo – is available in lilac, chocolate, and black bases
Placed Perforation turns the interior into an art gallery through tiny decorative perforations in the leather. The brand’s craftspeople perforate up to 107,000 0.8- and 1.2-mm holes to realize a signature pattern that shifts depending on viewing angle. Christine highlights: ‘Placed Perforations create a poetic play on leather for the seats, doors, and rear.’
the textile, embroidered with an abstract interpretation of the interlinked RR initials, uses up to 2.2 million stitches
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II continues to set the benchmark for super-luxury SUVs. Its design evolution, marked by dynamic verticality and bespoke details, ensures the Cullinan remains the epitome of elegance and performance in the modern age.
