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2022 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Review | Three things I learned driving a $429,400 SUV

TROY, Mich. — Rolls-Royce is the epitome of the vehicle as a luxury good. It has features that are expensive and luxurious rather than functional, and they create an image that separates a Rolls-Royce from almost everything else, save perhaps Bentley. I recently spent a few days in the 2022 Rolls-Royce Cullinan, the brandÂ’s first and only SUV. ItÂ’s a legit people-hauler. Good luck getting your retriever and her food in the Ferrari Purosangue, but the Cullinan borders on a #vanlife operation. HereÂ’s three things I learned after driving in the opulent $429,400 Cullinan.  Fear not, itÂ’s easy to drive The intimidation factor is not what I expected. The Cullinan is about as long as a Chevy Tahoe and four inches wider. It does not drive that way. The steering is light but direct and communicative. Factor in four-wheel steering, and itÂ’s like driving a much smaller car. The driverÂ’s seating position is excellent and provided a clear view of my surroundings. With the Spirit of Ecstasy hood ornament leading the way, it felt majestic. ThatÂ’s what Rolls is going for, but the setting also gave me confidence with both corners clearly visible. It doesnÂ’t matter how much a car costs if you feel like you know what youÂ’re doing. RollsÂ’ famous Magic Carpet Ride makes for perhaps the smoothest experience IÂ’ve had in any car or SUV. The suspension is always adjusting, and almost no bumps or potholes could bother me or my passengers. It really is next-level comfort. Given that the chassis is working with 22-inch wheels, itÂ’s all the more impressive. The V12 engine puts out 563 hp and 627 lb-ft of torque. Get on the throttle and it will move, but with decorum. Yes, thereÂ’s an aura IÂ’ve driven plenty of luxury cars that donÂ’t live up to the hype. The Cullinan is not one of them. My Rolls had the Shooting Star headliner, a $7,975 option that turns your vehicle into a rolling planetarium. ItÂ’s one of those features that sounds contrived until you experience it. The celestial sky is mesmerizing, and when your passengers see the shooting-star feature, get ready for the oohs and ahhs. Rolls first launched the headliner in 2006 as a custom option, but now itÂ’s on most of its vehicles. The stars are illuminated by fiber-optic cables and six powerful light cannons, according to Rolls-Royce, and thereÂ’s up to 1,600 hand-cut holes in the headliner. You can personalize the constellations.

Rolls-Royce Phantom to soldier on through 2020?

The more a car costs, the less frequently it's replaced - usually. Take, for example, the Bugatti Veyron. It's one of the most expensive cars on the market, and it's been there for eight years now. Eleven years passed in between the launch of the Ferrari Enzo and that of its successor LaFerrari. Now comes word that the Rolls-Royce Phantom could stick around essentially unchanged until the year 2020.
The report comes from LeftLaneNews, which cites Rolls-Royce communications chief Richard Carter in stating that the Phantom isn't going anywhere fast - despite its massive 6.75-liter V12 engine. The Phantom is the car that essentially relaunched the brand under BMW ownership way back in 2003. It has since spawned long-wheelbase, coupe and convertible models, and underwent a few minor upgrades in 2009. It may yet get another series of enhancements before it's replaced entirely, but don't expect anything drastic within the next half-dozen years or so.
For what it's worth, Rolls-Royce has other things to focus on, and we don't just mean an endless parade of special editions and one-offs for emerging luxury markets in Asia. After launching the Ghost, the company followed up with the Wraith coupe and is said to have a convertible version in the works. An SUV is reportedly under consideration, as is a sixteen-cylinder roadster. But that's not even why the Goodwood-based automaker is stretching out the Phantom's lifecycle like it did its wheelbase: the average Phantom buyer pays a good half million for their new ride, and they wouldn't be too happy to see it replaced quite so soon.

Rolls-Royce just unveiled the Rolls-Royce of picnic baskets

While automakers such as Cadillac and Koenigsegg have prepared debuts for full-size automobiles at Pebble Beach this week, Rolls-Royce has decided this will be the perfect occasion to unveil a picnic basket. That being said, this picnic basket is fully up to Rolls-Royce standards. And that's important because when you take your Rolls out for an al fresco lunch, a plain old blanket and an Igloo cooler simply won't do. There will only be 50 of these baskets made and they will accompany the final 50 Phantom Coupes and Drophead Coupes. Each is crafted from American walnut wood and leather that is coordinated with its accompanying car's exterior color. The basket also has milled aluminum hinges with the debut locations of the cars' concept predecessors. Because of course it does. View 11 Photos The basket is equipped with only the finest dining wares including a walnut cutting board, Rolls-Royce embroidered napkins, and stainless steel cutlery. Then there's the genuine lead crystal wine glasses and dishes with details in black paint and platinum. Obviously silver or gold wouldn't cut it. The basket will be shown at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance this weekend. So if you're there and are wondering why a picnic basket is being so prominently displayed, now you'll know. Related Video: