After its world premiere in early May, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II has begun a world tour. After its presentation at The Quail in Monterey, the ultra-elegant SUV in facelift guise is now stopping off in the Czech Republic for its local debut. A photo shoot was organized in Karlovy Vary, a spa town in the northwest of the country. In addition to the regular version, BMW’s luxury brand also had the hotter Black Badge on display.
The world’s most luxurious SUV has undergone a surprisingly striking mid-cycle makeover, with a redesigned front end that few expected. We’re slowly getting used to the updated face, while the rest of the Cullinan has remained essentially the same. The Series II marks the first time the luxury car is available with stately 23-inch wheels and an illuminated grille. RR calls the updated model a “bold evolution,” which seems fitting given the polarizing design of the front bumper and drooping daytime running lights.
The first high-profile RR has more competition than ever since Ferrari’s Purosangue. Sure, the two are aimed at different audiences, but both are extremely expensive SUVs with V12 engines.
The Goodwood-based brand is unlikely to launch a second-generation Cullinan with an internal combustion engine. Rolls-Royce has promised to go all-electric by the end of the decade. If the current vehicle has served its purpose, there will be no time for another V12 model. The same goes for the Ghost and flagship Phantom. The all-electric Spectre coupe is the spearhead of the company’s electric car ambitions.
In the meantime, there’s still time to get the Cullinan with the venerable 6.75-liter biturbo engine. In Black Badge form, the twelve-cylinder powerhouse produces almost 600 hp and 900 Nm of torque. With the M760i no longer available, Rolls-Royce is the only BMW Group brand still selling V12 cars. Time is running out for the N74B68 unit, however.
Source: Rolls-Royce
