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Rolls-Royce Cullinan (Not) SUV Revealed in All Its Absurdity

We have the first official pictures of Rolls-Royce’s newest creation, the Cullinan, a “high-bodied all-terrain car.” As we’ve discussed before, it’s an SUV with a host of ridiculous features. The Cullinan gets its name from the Cullinan diamond, the largest diamond ever discovered and part of the British Crown Jewels.

Related: Tailgate Like Royalty With the Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s ‘Viewing Suite’

Rolls-Royce calls the Cullinan “the most anticipated car of 2018,” a statement fans of the Toyota Supra and Chevrolet Camaro might wish to debate. The Cullinan is another sign of the direction of the entire automotive industry toward SUVs, however, even for ultra-luxury and exotic brands.

Aside from the trick pull-out seating, the Cullinan features a completely separate passenger cabin and cargo area, created using a glass partition. Why? It increases the quietness of the passenger area, and it prevents temperature changes from affecting the cabin while the cargo area is open. Just be sure to have everything you need for a long trip out of your luggage before you get going, or you’ll have to stop and — gasp! — go outside.

That’s actually not that wild compared to the “recreation modules” owners can commission from Rolls-Royce. Each module can be loaded into the Cullinan’s cargo area and contains “everything” needed for activities like fly fishing and photography, or even more common activities like parascending, BASE jumping and volcano boarding — only two of which I needed to look up.

Powering the Cullinan is a twin-turbo 6.75-liter V-12 making a claimed 563 horsepower and 627 pounds-feet of torque. That will certainly get the Cullinan up to speed quickly, but just how quickly remains unknown.

Take a look at the photos of the Cullinan above and stay tuned for more information should we ever get a chance to drive it — and perhaps even go parascending in it.

Cars.com’s Editorial department is your source for automotive news and reviews. In line with Cars.com’s long-standing ethics policy, editors and reviewers don’t accept gifts or free trips from automakers. The Editorial department is independent of Cars.com’s advertising, sales and sponsored content departments.

Road Test Editor
Brian Normile

Road Test Editor Brian Normile joined the automotive industry and Cars.com in 2013, and he became part of the Editorial staff in 2014. Brian spent his childhood devouring every car magazine he got his hands on — not literally, eventually — and now reviews and tests vehicles to help consumers make informed choices. Someday, Brian hopes to learn what to do with his hands when he’s reviewing a car on camera. He would daily-drive an Alfa Romeo 4C if he could.

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