Revamped look for 600hp Cullinan Black Badge

Need any more convincing of the Rolls-Royce SUV's success? Look how similar the Series II is...

Rolls-Royce has taken the covers off the Series II Cullinan, an update for its SUV that ‘directly responds to changing codes of luxury and client use cases’. This means bigger wheels than ever before, because the Cullinan has helped reduce the average buyer age (23s are available for the first time), the inclusion of R-R’s ‘Whispers’ private members app into the car, and a focus on verticality in the styling update. Apparently the majority of these younger customers (the average age of a Rolls-Royce customer is now 43) live in megacities - ideal for 23-inch wheels - and so the design ‘echoes illuminated skyscrapers’. Really echoes, too, as the pantheon grille is now illuminated for the first time. Just in case the Cullinan didn’t announce its arrival overtly enough before.

Of most interest to PH is the latest Cullinan Black Badge, which is part of the range from the off this time around. So it was probably quite popular. Rolls-Royce says Black Badge ‘reached its apotheosis’ in the first gen of Cullinan, ‘where its assertive and uncompromising attitude appeals to clients who seek the boldest forms of self-expression.’ This is an evolution of that approach, so much will be familiar from before, including replacing all the brightwork - Spirit of Ecstasy included - with black, now even including the door handles. The Black Badge cars can also be identified by darkened lights, a new front intake that hints at ‘the car’s more urgent dynamic character’, and an ever so slightly different bumper.

Interestingly, not very much has changed under the redesigned body. The Cullinan Black Badge is still powered by a 600hp/664lb ft version of the 6.75-litre, twin-turbo V12, or 30hp more than standard. Higher capacity air springs are still employed to mitigate body roll. A Low Mode speeds up the shifts of the eight-speed ZF auto when swift progress is required and opens up the model-specific exhaust, but that’s much as it was the first time around. Perhaps the most notable change for Series II is a shorter brake pedal travel ‘to create a more immediate response to driver inputs.’

Those inputs will come from a revised driving environment: Technical Carbon was a popular finish last time around - it must work quite nicely with a Black Badge theme - and is retained this time around. It takes 21 days of curing, lacquering and polishing to get the naked weave carbon throughout the interior, so best be sure. New for Series II is the option of a Duality Twill textile for the seats, a rayon fabric made from bamboo that’s influenced by the nautical world. A complete Cullinan interior using Duality Twill features up to 2.2m stitches and 11 miles of thread. As you might expect, black is a theme through the Black Badge interior, including air vent surrounds (darkened using vapour deposition so it doesn’t tarnish), another Spirit of Ecstasy and clock cabinet, although a splash of colour is available for the dials: Vivid Grellow, Neon Lights, Cyan Fire and Synth Wave.

Chris Brownbridge, Rolls-Royce Chief Exec, said of the new Cullinan: “Black Badge strongly appeals to a distinct group of clients who seek a more visceral interpretation of the Rolls-Royce experience. In its engineering, technology, materials, and design, Black Badge Cullinan Series II satisfies these clients’ keen appetite for innovation and new modes of self-expression. Cullinan's darker alter ego has always asserted its own unique place in our product portfolio; I'm certain that this new incarnation will build on its predecessor's success.”

He’s not wrong - there are more than 20 600hp Cullinans on PH right now, ranging from £265,000 for a 30k-mile example to nearly £400,000 for brand new 2024 cars. For those who can make do without 23s or the private members app, they might be a smart buy - good luck trying to find any colour but black, though…