Rolls-Royce Reveals the Cullinan: A $325,000, 563 Horsepower Ultra-Luxury SUV [Video]

This is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the first SUV from one of the world’s most famously prestigious brands.

We’ve seen the spy shots, we saw the teaser photos, and now we get to see the real thing. Rolls-Royce officially took the wraps off their first SUV today, and now we’re getting our first look at the new Cullinan. In the grand Rolls-Royce tradition, the company is promising this will be the most luxurious “high-bodied car” ever. It will also be the most technologically advanced Rolls-Royce to date.

The Cullinan, named after the largest diamond ever discovered, is the second car to use Rolls-Royce’s aluminum spaceframe architecture, after the latest Rolls-Royce Phantom. It’s powered by a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine, making 563 horsepower and 627 lb-ft of torque through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a new all-wheel drive system. Rolls-Royce previously released photos of the new Cullinan being tested off-road to demonstrate its ability to go anywhere, while still maintaining a comfortable ride, or what they call the brand’s “Magic Carpet Ride.” Rolls-Royce extensively tested the Cullinan to make it an off-road capable car.

Of course, almost no one will ever think about taking their Rolls-Royce Cullinan off-road. And that’s where luxury comes in. Rolls-Royce needs to bring its A-game to compete with other luxury SUVs – especially the Bentley Bentayga. To do that, they’ve done more than just lift up a phantom and throw on bigger wheels. On the outside, Rolls-Royce exaggerated the Cullinan’s lines, so it has a larger, boxier presence over the Phantom. With its stainless steel grille, Spirit of Ecstacy, and suicide doors however, this is still unmistakably a Rolls Royce.

The most luxurious interior?

The interior is opulent, as you’d expect in a Rolls-Royce. This is more a car you’re chauffeured in than one you actually drive, so the best part of the new Cullinan is in the back seats. Rolls-Royce offers two configurations – Lounge Seats or Individual Seats. Lounge Seats are a more traditional option, offering room for three passengers in the back, with seats that fold down electronically. This is an SUV, after all. The Individual Seats option takes away the middle seat and separates the two outer seats with a fixed rear console. Inside that console is a cabinet with Rolls-Royce whisky glasses, champagne flutes and a refrigerator. The rear of the Cullinan also offers two “jump seats” on the tailgate.

At 210.3 inches long and weighing nearly three tons, the Cullinan is living large. However, since its an SUV, it offers 68.2 cubic feet of cargo space with the seats folded. That makes it the most practical Rolls-Royce ever made.

Apart from its size, the other large part of the new Cullinan is the price. On sale later this year, Rolls-Royce’s first SUV will cost at least $325,000. With all the bespoke options, however, it’s not difficult to imagine this car will set its owners back $400,000 or more.