July-Aug 2022 Issue #5 SW | Page 23

2022 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Starting at $ 351,250

As one would expect of an ultra-expensive SUV , the 2022 Rolls-Royce Cullinan rides with supreme serenity and indulges everyone aboard . A strong and silky V-12 effortlessly motivates this quarter-million-dollar people mover . Though its exterior design borders on awkward , its unmistakable hood ornament and prodigious proportions ensure that onlookers know it ’ s a Rolls-Royce — and that its occupants are extremely wealthy . We only wish the interior wasn ’ t marred by modern trends such as digital gauges , and we ’ d prefer that the standard back seat was more adjustable . Still , the quietness and build quality of the Cullinan ’ s cabin is unrivaled , as is the ability to personalize the space to the owner ’ s desire .
What ’ s New for 2022 ? Rolls-Royce doesn ’ t make any changes to the Cullinan for the 2022 model year . It continues to be powered by a twin-turbo V-12 making 563 horsepower ( 592 in the Black Badge version ). An eight-speed automatic transmission still handles gearchanges and routes power to the standard all-wheel-drive system .
Pricing and Which One to Buy Cullinan $ 351,250
In the make-believe scenario that we could afford a Cullinan , we ’ d choose the Crystal paint scheme , the 22-inch seven-spoke wheels , the gold-plated Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament , and the electronic tow hitch . We ’ d spec the Immersive Seating with Center Console option , which gives the rear seats massage functionality and replaces the center seat with a console that doubles as a cooling bin with two champagne flutes and a whiskey decanter . And we wouldn ’ t pass up the opportunity to have the fabric above our heads display a fiber-optic starry night sky via the Shooting Star Headliner . Finally , we ’ d add the rear privacy glass and side curtains to make the back row into a tranquil hideout .
Engine , Transmission , and Performance The Cullinan ’ s twin-turbo 6.7-liter V-12 provides 563 horsepower ( 592 in the Black Badge model ) and is whisper quiet , lest it disturb the VIPs in the cabin . The one we tested recorded a 60-mph time of just 4.5 seconds — impressive for a vehicle that weighs about three tons . All-wheel drive is standard , although we suspect buyers will never venture off the tarmac and risk damaging the paint . The Cullinan rides on an air suspension that receives information from a road-scanning camera and automatically adjusts the vehicle ’ s height to compensate for imperfections in the pavement . Ride comfort is beyond the standards of regular luxury vehicles , as the Cullinan wafts down the road and transmits nothing unpleasant to the people inside .
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