In a feature for NOBLE&STYLE Magazine, we journeyed to the picturesque Spanish island to experience the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II first-hand. Our adventure involved putting this luxury SUV through its paces and witnessing how it elevates to new levels. Ibiza, known for its lifestyle, exclusive parties, lavish estates and celebrity sightings, embodies luxury and sophistication. It was no surprise, that Rolls-Royce selected this Balearic island as the backdrop for unveiling their Cullinan Series II a refined iteration of its predecessor, still boasting the same mighty engine. The highlight of our trip was exploring the part of the island with its winding roads and rugged paths that perfectly complemented the essence of Series II.
“Effortless everywhere” stood as Rolls-Royce's guiding principle when they ventured into the SUV market in 2018 with the launch of the Cullinan model, which quickly became a sought-after gem in their collection. The original Cullinan was engineered to deliver performance both on and off-road, offering luxury and robustness. This fusion of strength and grace ensured a journey across any terrain while maintaining the brand's hallmark magic carpet ride experience. Most Cullinan owners, interestingly, prefer to drive themselves rather than rely on their chauffeurs. These owners, who own luxury cars, derive satisfaction from personally steering this distinguished vehicle.
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II showcases a progression in design while maintaining the 6.75-litre V12 engine. This consistency ensures that the vehicle's smooth and luxurious ride remains unparalleled. Let's now delve into its design features.
Elegant Exterior Design
The exterior design of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II is a display of elegance at its finest. Drawing inspiration from the skylines of cities worldwide, its vertical lines and sharp edges highlight its impressive proportions. The revamped headlights and illuminated Pantheon grille create a profile, while new air vents and a sleek ‘horizon line' enhance its iconic appearance. From the side view, a subtle feature line runs from the tail light to the floating ‘RR' centre caps on the wheel, evoking a sense of movement. The updated valance surfaces and the bold 23-inch milled wheels further emphasize the overall dynamic impression. The Emperador Truffle paint finish adds to this transformation, which exudes a shimmer reminiscent of fresh snow glistening in the morning light.
Traditional but Modern Interiors
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II interior has been redesigned, combining digital features with traditional craftsmanship. A notable update is the glass panel fascia that spans from pillar to pillar on the dashboard. This sophisticated design element accommodates the designed gauge cluster panel in front of the driver. Houses the Central Information Display, which showcases the innovative SPIRIT operating system first introduced in the all-electric Spectre model.
Customers now have the option to personalize the colour of dials and utilize the Whispers app to send destinations to their Cullinan, monitor its location remotely, and control locking functions. The audio quality is exceptional courtesy of the 18-speaker Bespoke Audio system paired with a 1400-watt amplifier, creating a captivating experience throughout the vehicle.
On the passenger side, attention is drawn to the Illuminated Fascia panel adorned with a Cullinan wordmark and cityscape graphic of 7,000 elements. Clients also have an opportunity to collaborate with bespoke designers to craft their designs. The Spirit of Ecstasy Clock Cabinet features an analogue timepiece alongside a Spirit of Ecstasy figurine, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern technology in a visually stunning display.
The interior design reflects a botanical-inspired aesthetic that exudes sophistication and elegance. Introducing the Grey Stained Ash, a textured wood with a shimmer meticulously crafted by the Rolls-Royce Bespoke team over four years. Each piece is carefully crafted. The veneer leaves are hand-stained and adorned with particles to create a distinctive shimmering effect.
Rolls-Royce delves into the world of fabrics with Duality Twill, a material made from bamboo fibres. Drawing inspiration from the bamboo groves in the Jardin Botanique du Rayol on the Côte d'Azur, this fabric harmoniously blends nature and elegance. The Duality Twill textile is intricately embroidered with a Duality design, an interpretation of the brand's iconic interlinked ‘R' initials.
A complete interior featuring Duality Twill can involve up to 2.2 million stitches, 11 miles (17.7 km) of thread, and 20 hours of craftsmanship. Each element is meticulously precision cut using laser technology. This intricate fabric comes in three colours—Lilac, Chocolate, and Black—and offers a choice of 51 thread colours.
The Cullinan Series II introduces a design element called Placed Perforation, which transforms seats into canvases adorned with perforations inspired by the ever-changing clouds above Rolls-Royce's home in Goodwood. This pattern consists of 408,284 perforations.
Unique and Sophisticated
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II maintains its status as the leader in the realm of luxury SUVs. Its design evolution, characterized by aesthetic and unique details, ensures that the Cullinan retains its reputation for sophistication and performance. With each detail and innovative feature, Rolls-Royce solidifies its position as the pinnacle of luxury in the world. As Henry Royce would proudly say, “Take what's already great and enhance it. When something great doesn't exist yet, create it.”
Last Updated on September 2, 2024 by Editorial Team
