Umbrella in the door, Spirit of Ecstasy on the hood, stars in the headliner—the list goes on. Almost all Rolls-Royce reviews focus on these elements first, which, yes, do make the cars from Goodwood feel special. But focusing on those features risks being a bit limiting. Well, this review is different.
I’m driving the Cullinan Series II, an updated version of the brand's first luxury SUV. Even better is the fact that this is the Black Badge model, which, for those who don't know, is the name given to the brand’s most daring vehicles. So if a standard Rolls-Royce is Dr. Jekyll, the Black Badge is his Mr. Hyde.
Of course, don’t expect too much cheekiness—we're still talking about a Rolls-Royce. Imagine this Cullinan is a gentleman who, at the end of the evening, loosens his tie or takes it off altogether as he’s ready for the night on the town.
Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge Series II: Monumental
In front of me is an SUV that is over 18 feet long, 6 feet wide, and as tall as a van. The Cullinan Series 2 commands respect, even amongst those who may not immediately recognize the brand. Although that might be difficult given the black Spirit of Ecstasy protruding from the hood. Nothing stops customers from ordering this SUV in crystal, gold, or any other ultra-expensive hue. And the black chrome extends everywhere.
The new, low-swept headlights are more modern, but I preferred the shape of the lower air intakes how they were previously. The exhaust tips are new, as are the 23-inch wheels. But with the Black Badge, it's not just about looks.
The 6.75-liter V-12 here produces 600 horsepower and 664 pound-feet of torque, and it takes 4.2 seconds for this SUV to reach 60 miles per hour. That’s surprising when considering that this SUV weighs over 2.7 tons.
On the Black Badge model, the pedal is more sensitive, and the V-12 is louder thanks to a repositioning of the sound-absorbing materials. Although there’s no Sport mode, the eight-speed gearbox has a “Low” mode that increases the responsiveness.
All-wheel drive and four-wheel steering ensure roadholding, yet with its light steering, shock absorbers soften the ride quality to perfection, electronically adjusting themselves with no hint of sportiness in the Cullinan Black Badge’s driving dynamics. But one thing’s clear: It’s not designed to “make time.” It’s built to resist it.
Perfection may be unattainable, but the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge gets close. All it takes to get there is half a million dollars.
Black Badge, Bespoke, Coachbuild: The Soul Of Rolls-Royce
Black Badge is for customers who want something less formal. Debuting in 2016, Black Badge is aimed at a younger audience who prefers driving their cars. But, as mentioned, it’s not enough to just paint everything black: The performance is enhanced and the materials are more modern.
With the Bespoke program, a further level of refinement is reached. In fact, it is the most advanced and detailed customization system in the entire automotive landscape, offering customers the opportunity to create some truly unique and even unrepeatable cars.
For example, one customer requested that the wooden inserts in the cabin be made from his favorite tree in his garden, while another commissioned a starry night interior that replicated the constellation visible on his wedding day. That kind of detail.
The personalization process begins at the Rolls-Royce Private Office in the UK, a dedicated space where clients collaborate with designers and craftsmen to bring their vision to life. Here, every element of the car is customizable: From the paintwork, with over 40,000 shades to choose from, to the interior, where you can choose from a wide range of leathers, fine woods, and handcrafted details. I got the chance to visit this magical place where these Rolls-Royce models come to life.
Of course, you can’t forget the Coachbuild program. That’s the exclusive service that allows customers to design completely new vehicles, such as the four cars in the Droptail family—one of which remains a secret.
