THE MODERN CLASSIC
Written By: Nathan Irvine
In Ibiza, Sorbet takes the lates Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for a spin
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars is streets ahead of the competition in the luxury car sector. Fact. It is a byword that transcends the automotive industry and is applied to anything that describes the highest quality, precision and performance. Cristiano Ronaldo is a Rolls- Royce of a footballer, for example. When you’re at the top, complacency is your only real opponent, as the world’s gaze is fixed on your next move. However, the British Marque continues to innovate and evolve to maintain its position as road royalty. Since 1906, Rolls-Royce has dared to be different while keeping a laser-guided focus on premium luxury and engineering. In its latest motor cars – the Cullinan Series II and Black Badge Cullinan Series II – the legendary brand puts a little more distance between itself and the also-rans.
It’s worth noting that Rolls-Royce unapologetically makes high-end vehicles for high-end individuals. Since 2018, its Cullinan series has proved to be the most desirable and best-selling vehicle to date. It’s more than a super-luxury SUV; it’s a status symbol that fits a particular lifestyle and societal pedigree. More interestingly, the Cullinan contributes to a fall in the average Rolls’ client age from 56 to 43. Plus, more owners are now getting behind the wheel of their Rolls-Royce to feel the power and zen-balanced driving style. The brand confirms that thanks to this marque, “self-driving is up from 70 per cent to more than 90 per cent” as clients ditch the chauffeur to embrace the drive. Sorry, Parker.
With these two new motor cars, Rolls- Royce surpasses the demands of clients in unexpected ways and redefines what is possible in the luxury car sector. Let’s take a closer look at these modern classics…
CULLINAN SERIES II
The Cullinan Series II retains its daring looks. With unmistakable lines and a meaty chassis that provides a powerful silhouette, the most prominent change is the ‘V’ underneath the distinctive – and illuminated for the Series II – pantheon grille. It’s modeled on the bowlines of modern sports yachts. Paired with the new outward-angled air intakes, the Cullinan Series II has a more aggressive look.
At the back, the tailpipes have new, gleaming silver surrounds that are complemented by a glossy black bash plate. The eagle-eyed among you will note the new rims, which are available in part- or full-polished finishes. Inside, the changes to the Cullinan Series II are instantly recognizable. There’s the super-wide glass panel fascia that stretches from one side to the other. Not only does it contain Rolls-Royce’s meticulously built physical components, but it also has a hi-tech digital display that seamlessly fuses modernity and classic craftsmanship.
One of the biggest complaints with traditional car manufacturers is the lack of digital connectivity, but Rolls-Royce has no such problems. It debuts the SPIRIT operating system that powers the digital interface for the first time in a V12 Rolls-Royce and can connect to the private-members app Whispers. This means you can lock the car, view the location remotely and send upcoming destinations directly to the Cullinan Series II.
Rolls-Royce has introduced a non-leather interior option to offer clients more bespoke choices. It now has an eco-friendly and incredibly comfortable bamboo fabric that can be used throughout. Other flourishes include a new clock cabinet vitrine that uses a Spirit of Ecstasy figurine and a new perforated seat pattern inspired by clouds, which contains a mind-boggling 107,000 perforations.
Inside and out, the Cullinan Series II is a stellar piece of design that will dominate the roads for the foreseeable futu.
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BLACK BADGE CULLINAN SERIES II
Rolls-Royce always shows its fangs with the Black Badge sub- brand, and the Cullinan Series II is no different. While it contains every nuance from the regular version, it revels in the more performance-based category to put the aforementioned average age of the clients into freefall. It’s more expensive, but if you’re shopping for a Rolls-Royce in the first place, the price probably isn’t a concern for you.
The Black Badge Cullinan Series II is more powerful than the standard version. It comes with the same twin-turbo 6.75 litre V12 engine as before but with a louder, more expressive exhaust.
As the name suggests, there are more black design embellishments throughout. Everything from door handles to the bonnet’s Spirit of Ecstasy statue are presented in blacks and dark grays. You get slightly bigger rims on this version, too. The 10-spoke design here is 23” compared to the 22”, making the car appear and sit higher than its stable mate.
The fully customizable interior is adorned with an incredible amount of race-ready carbon fiber, all hand-polished for an unbelievable gleam. It also has the wonderfully extra picnic seats option for impromptu al fresco dining.
Whichever Cullinan Series II you choose, you can customize it to your heart’s content with Rolls-Royce’s Bespoke department. Whatever version you prefer, you can be safe in the knowledge that, well, you’ve bought the Rolls-Royce of luxury cars.
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