Rolls-Royce Previews New Cullinan SUV With Teaser Images

Bentley has done it. Jaguar has gotten into the act. It was only a matter of time before Rolls-Royce joins the party. They may officially give the fancy title ‘all-terrain high-sided vehicle’, but be in no doubt that the first SUV by Rolls-Royce will soon be upon us.

Called Project Cullinan at this stage, Rolls-Royce has just officially published teaser photographs of camouflaged prototypes ready to hit public roads for advanced developmental testing.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment in the development of Project Cullinan both for Rolls-Royce and for the patrons of luxury that follow us around the world,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.

Beneath the camouflage stickers of this first test mule is an entirely new aluminium architecture that will go on to underpin the next-generation of Rolls-Royce models launched from 2018 onwards. The vehicle is also confirmed to have all-wheel drive.

A punishing test schedule awaits the pictured prototype. Cold weather durability and traction testing is set to commence in the Arctic Circle just after Christmas. After that, the high temperatures of the deserts lie await in the Middle East.

“Bringing together the new four-wheel drive system and the new ‘architecture of luxury’ for the first time sets us on the road to creating a truly authentic Rolls-Royce which, like its forebears, will reset the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged,” said Müller-Ötvös.