2019 Rolls-Royce Cullinan shines in the PH luxury SUV market

As resplendent as its namesake, the Cullinan is Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Manila’s first foray into the highly-competitive luxury SUV market.

Autohub Group booked the Manila Polo Club to set the stage for the launch of the Cullinan. The brand provided guests with the facilities to witness the unveiling of the newest Rolls-Royce. 

Just like the largest diamond ever discovered, the Cullinan diamond, the Rolls-Royce easily outsizes many SUVs on the road. With a wheelbase of 3,295mm, it is simply monstrous. Mix in a length of 5,341mm and a width of 2,000mm, it is not surprising that the vehicle weighs 2,660kg considering the platform it sits on and all the luxurious amenities populating the cabin. 

The Cullinan has four doors and five seats to welcome those lucky enough to step inside its luxurious cabin. Opt for the ‘individual seat configuration’ at the rear to experience supreme luxury, while a three-seat ‘bench’ configuration is also available. In typical Rolls-Royce fashion, the interior is crafted to the highest of standards. Leather everywhere, buttery smooth carpets, and supremely machined metal trim make the interior of the Cullinan a joy to be in. 

Oh, and the umbrella still pops out of the passenger doors for when you need it on a rainy day. 

The Cullinan shares many of its bespoke design cues with its brethren. A front ‘pantheon’ grille dominates the front face of the vehicle. The carefully shaped body of the luxury SUV is strong and angular, but appears to melt and flow seamlessly. Every curve is gentle up close, yet robust and tough from afar. The Cullinan is a beast, its presence is bold to onlookers who may encounter it on the roads of the Metro. 

Although elegant, the Cullinan boasts surprising ruggedness. With wading depth of 544mm, the Cullinan can – if you dare – wade through floods. The all-wheel-drive system is partnered with four-wheel steering ensuring that this behemoth of a car stays agile and maintains traction in all conditions. Also with a hot V12 engine under the hood, it is out of the question to wonder how good the cooling system is. Rolls-Royce proudly stated that it has tested the Cullinan in the harshest climates. From frigid temperatures that would stop an engine dead in its tracks, to arid climates like in Dubai that would overheat lesser cars. Even if you find yourself in uncharted territories however, the Cullinan will keep going through all kinds of terrain. 

Pulling all that weight is a BMW twin-turbo V12 motor that produces 563 hp and 850 Nm of torque. To put the figures into perspective, the torque alone is enough to pull dying hair follicles back from the grave or pull your a couple of jet-skis or a yacht to the harbor. The power courses through an 8-speed automatic transmission, to bring the car to 100km/h in 5.2 seconds. Though it would be foolish to try and hoon a Cullinan, as the car utilizes its huge power output to ensure its occupants a smooth and effortless glide over the road. 

It is Rolls-Royce’s most in demand model to date. With Willy Tee-Ten, the president of Auto Hub group, announcing that the two existing units have already been sold, the next order will be set to arrive in Q4 of this year. Of course, later orders will be fulfilled by 2020 due to the high demand for the SUV worldwide. 

P50- to P53-million pesos. Need we say more?