The Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s 2018 debut marked a big turning level for the British carmaker. For the primary time in its 118-year historical past, almost everybody who parted with the over $325,000 the Cullinan initially price used it each day. Past protecting extra miles on common than any Rolls earlier than it, most homeowners opted to drive, with fewer than 10 % counting on a chauffeur. It didn’t simply shift buyer habits; the Cullinan morphed the client base itself, efficiently attracting new and, crucially, youthful patrons to the model. A lot in order that from 2010 to 2024, the typical age of a Rolls-Royce proprietor dipped from 56 to 43.
Six years after its unveiling, the Cullinan continues to be by far the model’s best-seller. Whereas booming demand for taller, extra sensible automobiles is partly accountable for the Cullinan’s success, it’s additionally a results of how carefully Rolls-Royce tracks buyer suggestions. It’s continually involved with patrons, noting what’s necessary to them and implementing targeted updates every time it refreshes or introduces any new mannequin. Contemplating not simply how this SUV has impacted the model but additionally how the carmaker strikes to maintain its current report gross sales streak going, it’s essential to know the refreshed 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Collection II and its Black Badge counterpart.
On the floor, it’s simpler to debate what isn’t new than what’s. The dual-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 that powers it’s untouched, as is its eight-speed automated and all-wheel drive system. Moreover a minor recalibration to account for bigger 23-inch wheels, its industry-besting air suspension carries over, too. As an alternative, the Collection II addresses the aforementioned buyer suggestions, implementing a modernized aesthetic, new inside supplies, broader customization alternatives, and a completely up to date tech suite. It’s additionally pricier, beginning round $450,000 or roughly $500,000 if you’d like the Black Badge.
The Collection II’s visible updates are plentiful and targeted, though it might not appear so initially. The central theme right here is verticality, drawing inspiration from conventional yachts and skyscraper designs. It’s seen within the up to date entrance’s prolonged daytime working lights, which slope downwards and flank a now frameless and illuminated Pantheon grille. Just like the Spectre, a outstanding horizontal line sits atop its angled slats, connecting this vibrant centerpiece with these aforementioned LEDs. Enlarged decrease air intakes with angled veins sharpen the decrease sections of its entrance fascia.
Consequently, the Cullinan Collection II has a significantly sportier aesthetic than its predecessor. Whereas these angled veins and bigger openings work in live performance with the Black Badge’s darkened trim (now supplied with black door handles for the primary time) and carbon touches, they seem considerably anachronistic in the usual mannequin, which extra carefully aligns itself with a standard Rolls-Royce vibe.
Beneath its tail lights, virtually all the pieces is new, together with its bumper, bigger exhaust tip surrounds, and intensive contrasting decrease trim. Nevertheless, you gained’t discover many sharp strains to enhance these upfront, making its two ends seem considerably disconnected. Finishing the listing of updates is a brand new 23-inch seven-spoke wheel design with a totally polished or two-tone end.
The 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Collection II advantages from the vastly up to date tech suite we first noticed within the Spectre. A digital instrument cluster and an up to date central infotainment show sit behind a large pillar-to-pillar glass panel for the primary time. An up to date analog clock and a Spirit of Ecstacy determine sit beside the brand new screens, as does an illuminated passenger panel comprising over 7,000 laser-cut dots.
Past the screens, all of the wiring that powers them and their SPIRIT software program is new, permitting for larger connectivity and broader customization choices. Prospects can now choose distinctive coloration combos for the cabin trimmings and digital parts.
Essentially the most vital replace to the Collection II’s cabin is the addition of a brand new Duality Twill cloth, changing the leather-only the marque has relied on in current a long time. Constructed from bamboo fibers and incorporating an interlinked “RR” sample, every cabin constructed with this new materials will use greater than 2.2 million stitches and 11 miles of thread, every taking round 20 hours to finish. Whereas the carmaker plans to supply its base coloration in Lilac, Chocolate, or Black, patrons can decide from 51 out there thread colours.
Ought to leather-based be extra your velocity, the 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Collection II introduces a brand new Positioned Perforation choice. As its identify suggests, it makes use of round 107,000 0.8 to 1.2 mm-sized holes to create distinctive patterns that patrons can customise by means of the model’s Bespoke program. A single individual inspects these tiny perforations to make sure they’re accurately finished. The Black Badge takes issues additional by providing its distinctive Technical Carbon trim alongside an accompanying infinity emblem, which will be embroidered into its headrests.
Setting off within the Collection II by means of the superbly paved winding mountain roads that make up the Island of Ibiza, piloting the refreshed Cullinan appears like a strikingly acquainted affair. As famous earlier, most of its oily bits carry over from its predecessor. In commonplace kind, its twin-turbocharged 6.75-liter V12 produces 563 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque, whereas that output rises to 600 hp and 664 lb-ft for the Black Badge. This permits for a 4.9-second dash to 60 mph and an electronically restricted 155-mph high velocity.
Beginning with the “commonplace” Cullinan, it’s nonetheless placing years on how properly its large V12 feels just about non-existent from behind the wheel. Whilst you’re employed deeper into the fuel pedal, its cabin noise stays virtually unchanged because it shortly however silently picks up velocity. As with each automotive Rolls makes, its steering is effortlessly mild and properly remoted from undesirable vibrations. The identical goes for its air suspension, which, regardless of the addition of bigger 23-inch wheels and slimmer sidewalls, nonetheless manages to isolate even vital street imperfections completely.
Leaping within the Black Badge mannequin instantly after is maybe the one manner you’ll be capable of inform them aside. The additional 57 horses it develops are barely felt in the actual world except you choose its “Low” mode, which sharpens its throttle response, lastly bringing them into play. Regardless of the BB’s sportier aesthetic and sharpened powertrain tuning, its air suspension is simply as smooth as the usual automotive’s, that means you’ll pay no consolation penalties for the added efficiency. Solely its barely extra aggressive exhaust mapping will stand out to the surface world, as contained in the automotive, the distinction is barely noticeable given its intensive sound deadening.
Though pricing for the U.S. has but to be introduced, we all know the 2025 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Collection II will go into manufacturing someday in August. The usual mannequin will price round $450,000, and the Black Badge will price round $500,000. With deliveries anticipated to start towards the tip of the yr, the carmaker’s order books are at present open.
With the Cullinan Collection II, it’s clear that Rolls-Royce shouldn’t be solely trying to work primarily based on the suggestions of its present buyer base but additionally continues widening this SUV’s attraction. By modernizing its exterior, introducing new supplies, and vastly updating its tech suite, it isn’t simply occupied with retaining its spot on the high of the SUV meals chain and incorporating most of the techniques and options its youthful buyer base expects.
Whereas aesthetically, not all the Collection II’s exterior updates are equally profitable, the identical can’t be mentioned of its inside. From the addition of the brand new duality twill cloth and the positioned perforations, the marque is specializing in providing extra of the customization flexibility its prospects yearn for with out messing with the powertrain parts they’re already glad with. Whereas choices will doubtless push its out-the-door value properly previous the $500,000 mark, six years on, there’s nothing to drive or experience in fairly just like the Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
