Rolls Royce unveils SUV prototype christened Project Cullinan

Rolls Royce’s announcement that they will make an SUV was met with both excitement and apprehension. Athough this isn’t the first time Rolls-Royce has built a car that can conquer a host of terrain, this is the first time one will be made for civilian use. The new SUV, christened Project Cullinan will soon start testing in forms of various engineering mules. And in an unprecedented and never seen before move, Rolls Royce has officially showcased this first test mule.

This early engineering mule, based on a shortened Phantom Series II body, has been created to begin the development of an all-wheel drive suspension system that will deliver a ride that Rolls Royce calls ‘Effortless … Everywhere’. The body may hint at the size of the new car, but it features no design aspects of the eventual high-sided, all-terrain SUV announced by the British marque in February this year. Rolls Royce says that this first mule will officially be seen on public roads later this week onwards.

The first series of tests will focus on Project Cullinan’s on-road behaviour from suspension throw to high-bodied stability, and will test the new suspension across all types of international road surface specification at test facilities, as well as on public roads. Test surfaces will include Belgian Pavé, cobblestones, corrugated concrete, noise development and measurement surfaces, resonance road, and acceleration bumps – a standard developmental proves for most passenger cars in today’s day and age. Post these test, the Project Cullinan test mule will spend its time doing extensive off-road testing to ensure the highest levels of comfort and ride quality on loose and challenging surfaces.