“Take the best that exists and make it better”, a poignant motto and one from Rolls-Royce Cars founder Sir Henry Royce; little could he have envisaged what was to ensue in the following century of automotive brilliance. Since the brand’s inception, they have rose – and stayed – at the pinnacle of expectation with cars that all but trademarked the concept of “luxury”.
As years have gone by the Phantom has established itself as the symbolic figurehead of the Rolls-Royce Automotive family, and while that is unlikely to change anytime soon, they are on the cusp of unveiling a real challenger. It was three years ago that Rolls-Royce announced to the world its plans to create an all-new, “high-sided car” that would redefine luxury travel, and that day is almost upon us. Its name? The Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
“Quite simply, the name Cullinan is perfect and brilliant.” ~ Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO, Rolls-Royce
The Cullinan Diamond is the largest flawless diamond ever found, and along with the recent convertible the Rolls-Royce Dawn represents a break in tradition of naming the Rolls-Royce cars after spirits; the Ghost, Phantom and Wraith were named so after the almost ghostly quiet elegance of the motors. The name Cullinan suggests something different entirely; precise, gleaming, immutable – even ostentatious if you will. The Cullinan Diamond was extracted from a mine deep in South Africa’s Magaliesberg Mountains in 1905, and at 3,106 carats, remains the largest diamond ever discovered.
“The name Cullinan has been hiding in plain sight since we revealed it as the project name some years ago,” explains Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer of Rolls-Royce. “It is the most fitting name for our extraordinary new product. Cullinan is a motor car of such clarity of purpose, such flawless quality and preciousness, and such presence that it recalibrates the scale and possibility of true luxury.”
Including a host of new Rolls-Royce features, such as Rolls-Royce Viewing Suite, the Culinan is set to redefine the remit of automotive luxury. At the touch of a button, two rear-facing, beautifully contemporary, finest leather chairs and a cocktail table gracefully emerge from within the rear compartment of Cullinan, to give access to incredible views at comfort.
Torsten references the unavoidably timely process in creating the Cullinan diamond as a reflection of the journey taken to create this new Rolls-Royce SUV if you will, with the designers, engineers, craftspeople and artisans of the House of Rolls-Royce traversing the globe to perfect this new, unique motor. The Cullinan is also the second Rolls-Royce to sit atop the company’s recently announced all-new proprietary aluminium spaceframe, along with the Rolls-Royce Phantom 8.
To conclude, a fitting word from the Rolls-Royce CEO on the Cullinan, “It speaks of absolute luxury, wherever you venture in the world” – given their proven and extensive track record, it’d take a brave man to argue against the Cullinan being just that.
ROLLS-ROYCEMOTORCARS.com
