Rolls-Royce Cullinan 2020 Review
Black Badge treatment dials up the drama and dollars on British brand’s already expensive super-luxury SUVWhat is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge all about?
Throw some money at it was the call to action (we reckon). Whatever, the 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge is a modern, more driver-centric take on Rolls-Royce’s behemoth SUV which hit the world stage in October 2018 and went on sale in Australia from November 2019.
Black Badge models are effectively the British marque’s performance offering. As AMG is to Mercedes-Benz, so Black Badge is to Rolls – sort of…
The super-luxury Rolls-Royce Cullinan follows the Dawn, Wraith and Ghost in receiving the Black Badge performance makeover. Oh, and for the record, Black Badges don’t only come in black…
Cullinan was a Monty for the BB treatment. As the first SUV offering in the British uber-luxury manufacturer’s portfolio, the Cullinan has been a success for the RR’s growing footprint, accounting for 19 of the marque’s 55 Australian sales in 2019. Coupes and convertibles combined for 26 sales and Rolls-Royce sedans found just 10 Aussie homes last year.
The Black Badge is expected to account for up to 40 per cent of Cullinan sales.
How much does the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge cost?
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge is priced from $760,000 plus on-road costs, representing a premium of around $75,000 over the regular Cullinan.
There are myriad opulent options in which to indulge, prices for which vary depending on the level of individuality you desire.
Our test vehicle is the four-seat variant that includes must-have items such as a panoramic glass sunroof, immersive rear seats and cooler box.
It also boasts front and rear massage seats, rear privacy glass, rear seat theatre and picnic tables, television tuner, Rolls-Royce bespoke audio, driver assistance package (think adaptive cruise, etc), illuminated Black Badge treadplates, heated passenger surround and lambswool foot mats.
All that (and more) adds up to an ‘as tested’ price of $994,130 on the road.
Rolls-Royce is the master of individualisation – anything is possible, at a price. Diamond encrusted paint in a bespoke hue to match your favourite shoes? Why not?
Should I buy the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge?
If you’re answering yes, then you’re probably buying the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge to accompany your current collection of super-luxury vehicles. Or yachts.
The reasons people choose any particular vehicle are scalable and Rolls-Royce sits at the top of that chart. It’s the pointy-end lifestyle that few truly understand, but the Cullinan BB’s specs are compelling.
While the standard Cullinan offers ‘only’ 420kW of power and 850Nm of torque from its 6.75-litre twin-turbocharged petrol V12, the Black Badge ups that by 21kW/50Nm to 441kW/900Nm.
Trumpeting its higher outputs (and more urgent engine and transmission calibration) via a more vocal exhaust system, the Cullinan BB’s 2660kg of slab-sided superiority can hit 100km/h in a claimed 5.2 seconds and a top speed of 250km/h.
Maximum torque kicks in around 1600rpm and it’s a hedonistic joy to be the one with your foot on the polished metal pedal.
Mechanical changes extend beyond the extra mumbo, sharper gearbox, enhanced engine note and tweaked throttle response to upgraded brakes, a sportier suspension tune and 22-inch forged alloy wheels.
Cosmetic updates are headlined by blackened badges, red brake callipers and dark chrome accents outside, plus Black Badge treadplates and carbon-fibre interior details.
The Cullinan’s clever suspension and all-wheel drive moves this mass with infinite ease – unnervingly so. Crystal-clear 360-degree cameras offer extra assistance and peace of mind when manoeuvring the mass in tight spaces.
There’s no denying the size of the Cullinan is ever-present, but it has pace and precision that a vehicle of this size simply shouldn’t. It’s with this type of handling confidence that you will rest easy (-ish) at the helm of a near-million-dollar SUV that rolls on conspicuous, pristine rims.
It’s composure is beyond commendable.
The Cullinan is available in five (lounge) or four (individual) seat configuration. Our four-seat variant boasts the kind of space and comfort afforded to the super-luxury buyer only.
Yes, the leather is incredibly soft, the floor mats are made of lambswool and there’s literally a button for everything: to close your door, engage the theatre-style rear screen and tray table, open the chill-box, engage massage seats and so on.
Is it good value? Depends where you sit on the scale.
When is the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge available?
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge is on sale now and ready for your bespoke order and customisation as you will. No two Rolls-Royce vehicles are the same, the company claims.
Will there be more variants of the Cullinan, beyond the Black Badge. Who knows? Just over six months ago the luxury manufacturer’s Global Client Sales Manger, Ian Grant, told carsales there were absolutely no plans for a Cullinan Black Badge. So never say never seems like a more relatable outlook.
Who will the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge appeal to?
The wealthy, the very wealthy and the ridiculously wealthy. It is after all an obscene amount of money to drop on a car – super-luxurious over-sized SUV or otherwise.
Rolls-Royce says it was catering for a “subversive cohort” of the very, very well to do when it revealed the Black Badge concept back in 2016.
The Cullinan’s boot is generous 560-600 litres and features a glass partition to isolate passengers from the luggage. This is great for sound and temperature insulation but not dog friendly.
The lambswool floor mats are far more pet-friendly – unless you’re a lamb – but no pets shall be carried in the sealed boot of the Cullinan.
We know that SUVs rein supreme in Australia and now there’s another to add to the list at the very top of the market.
Where does the Rolls-Royce Cullinan fit?
As far as regular buyer segments are concerned, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is categorised with other upper-large SUVs priced over $100K (over $800K more – Ed!). This leaves quite a spread where price, packaging and pecking order are concerned.
Bundling the Cullinan ($760K plus ORCs) with the segment’s top-selling Mercedes-Benz GLS priced from under $150K, as well as the near-$400K Lamborghini Urus and Bentley Bentayga (from $335K) actually leaves the Rolls-Royce Cullinan in an SUV league of its own.
At least until Ferrari’s SUV arrives, eventually.
So, what do we think?
If you’re in the market for a Rolls-Royce, why not buy the largest, most expensive and most versatile one available?
Love it or loath it, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge covers all of the super-luxury SUV bases and then some.
How much does the 2020 Rolls-Royce Cullinan Black Badge cost?
Price: $760,000 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now
Engine: 6.75-litre V12 twin-turbo petrol
Output: 441kW/900Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 16.3-16.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 370-377g/km (ADR Combined)
Safety rating: TBC
- Smooth V12 power with stealth-like delivery
- Absurd in-cabin amenity you never knew you needed
- Unrivalled craftsmanship at every touchpoint
- The price, obviously
- Exterior styling leaves you wanting
- Second-row doors a little hard to open from inside
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