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Text: Andreas Bergman
A younger target group
Historically speaking, Rolls-Royce is associated with British upper-class men with one foot in the grave, while the clientele today largely consists of young successful types scattered all over the world. In fact, the brand has the lowest average age of its customers in the entire group, which includes BMW and Mini.
It is not only the average age and place of residence of the clientele that has changed significantly, but also the behavior of the customers. Few brands are associated as much with drivers as Rolls-Royce, but the fact is that as many as nine out of ten Rolls customers drive the car themselves. Drive yourself, where is the world going?
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Updated Cullinan has received a gentle facelift. (Photo: Rolls-Roye) A sporty variant of the Cullinan
The Cullinan Series 2 is offered in the so-called Black Badge version, which instead of abundant exterior chrome is endowed with black details.
You also get around 30 extra horsepower and a slightly differently tuned suspension. The Black Badge is probably the closest thing to an M or AMG version of a Rolls-Royce we’ll ever get, but don’t think it’s particularly sporty for that.
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The Cullinan is about as far from a sports car as you can get. (Photo: Rolls-Royce) Imagination sets limits
Rolls-Royce’s mantra is that their customer’s wish is their law, as long as it falls within the law. Almost anything is possible in terms of personalization. Updated Rolls-Royce Cullinan has put even more effort into being able to order your car with an interior craftsmanship.
It offers perforated leather in beautiful cloud-inspired patterns, the traditional starry sky headliner and a myriad of interior panels.
As you’ve come to expect in a Rolls, everything is what it appears to be, whether it’s leather, wood or metal. This is evidenced, for example, by the condensation on the air exhaust in solid metal on a hot summer day.
It is now also possible to get a textile interior, which is a hugely cool concept. It’s just a shame that it’s embroidered in a pattern reminiscent of what you often see on a flashy designer bag worn by a nouveau riche figure. Having said that, the only limit is the imagination, so you can order your car either as tasteful or ugly as you wish.
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Two chairs can be folded forward from the luggage compartment. (Photo: Rolls-Royce) As a customer, the only limit is the imagination. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)King on the road
The difference between last and the updated Cullinan is nothing you really notice. The model remains the most comfortable SUV on the market, and thus one of the most comfortable in the world. As soon as one settles down behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce, an enormous calmness appears. Behind the wheel of a Rolls-Royce you can overcome anything.
The reason is that the Cullinan – like all other Rolls-Royces – is a car that completely isolates its occupants from the outside world. It is only at full throttle that you notice that the car is not electrically powered. Instead, you find a 6.75 liter V12 under the hood.
The engine has so much power and torque that you feel incredibly confident behind the wheel. This isn’t a car where the gearbox needs to work particularly hard as you’re always surfing a wonderful wave of torque.
But if you want, you can drive the Cullinan for king and country. The car is surprisingly snappy, but you have to be prepared for a lot of lean in the curves. The Cullinan is fun to drive, not least because it can be driven hard even if it’s not made for it. In addition, one knows that the environment does not expect it.
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The Cullinan is as comfortable as a cloud. (Photo: Rolls-Royce) The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is among the most luxurious available
Has Rolls-Royce succeeded in making an almost flawless car even better? The answer is undoubtedly yes, not least as a result of updated technology and even more possibilities for individualisation.
But at the same time, it’s difficult for Rolls-Royce owners to get away with driving one in Sweden with all the jantelag and Swedish jealousy. This is a shame because there really aren’t any better cars if money isn’t a factor. However, I believe it is only a matter of time before this changes and I am very much looking forward to that day!
The crux of the Rolls-Royce is that it is impossible to get away with coveting one in Sweden with all that Swedish jealousy is called. This is a shame because if money is not a factor, there are no better cars.
In Sweden, there are a total of 11 Rolls-Royce Cullinans, something that may have to do with a price tag that starts at just over five million kroner. In terms of comfort and harmony, the Cullinan is completely unsurpassed and the master of the suv block.
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The interior combines digitization with a traditional mindset. (Photo: Rolls-Royce)First impressions of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan: 5/5
Motorcycler: 6.75-liter V12, gasoline, 570 horsepower, 900 newton meters
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission, four-wheel drive
Acceleration 0–100 km/h: 5.2 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h
Weight: 2,700 kg
Dimensions (length/width/height): 5341/2164/1835 mm
Award: From SEK 5,000,000