Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan

After an exhilarating test drive around Bahrain in the Rolls-Royce Black Badge Cullinan, it was clear to Durrah why the marque named its frst allterrain SUV after the world’s largest diamond. This sleek, sophisticated, and incredibly capable luxury vehicle shines on every level.

Despite some exterior design changes that separate this model from its saloon counterparts, the Black Badge Cullinan maintains Rolls-Royce’s unmistakable styling. The bold front grille and iconic Spirit of Ecstasy bonnet ornament provide a sense of tradition and timeless continuity that enthusiasts and owners expect from this brand.

The interior is the height of luxury with swathes of leather and wood creating a classy and soothing ambiance. The Immersive Seating option makes it the only SUV with a glass partition between the luggage compartment and rear passengers, which adds to the sense of refnement while ensuring sound installation and uninterrupted comfort.

Regardless of which seating arrangement you choose, there is no shortage of space for passengers in this SUV and there is plenty of scope for adjustability. There is also lots of room in the boot, giving this model an added advantage for those driving long distances with ample equipment for their next adventure.

This model is very much a driver’s car thanks to its thicker, smaller steering wheel, which makes maneuvering feel almost effortless. From their commanding position at the helm, all equipment and technology controls are easy to see and reach, making it simple for the driver to maintain a watchful eye on the road ahead.

The centre stack is framed by hand-fnished metal pillars that bridge the upper fascia and middle console, giving it a sense of robustness, whilst also suspending the horizontal elements of the fascia to give a more commanding feel.

The model is ftted with some impressive features, including a stereo camera integrated into the front windscreen that scans the road ahead and adjusts the suspension to improve ride quality. This system, dubbed “The Flagbearer” operates at speeds of up to 100 km/h.

Unsurprisingly, this SUV delivers the same effortlessly smooth ride as other Rolls-Royce models we have test driven. Making millions of calculations every second, the self-levelling air suspension cushions against the toughest surfaces, all proactively adjusting to acceleration, steering cues, and camera intelligence. While the double-wishbone front axle and fve-link rear axle deliver agility and stability.

Under the bonnet is a tuned version of the standard Cullinan’s twin-turbocharged 6.75-litre V12 engine which, thanks to a mild ECU refash and a fresh exhaust system, produces an extra 28bhp and 50Nm of torque – bringing the total fgures to 592bhp and 900Nm of torque. Like the standard SUV, power is sent to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

One of our favourite features was the OffRoad button, which unleashes the stunning SUV’s full capability. All-wheel drive actively engages, providing uninterrupted torque for precise, reliable performance on dry and wet surfaces. Suspension raises 40 mm to offer additional ground clearance. Brake and acceleration responses adapt for greater control and responsiveness on uneven terrains. Once engaged, the off-road setting can be tailored for optimum performance on any terrain, gradient, or surface quality.

During our test drive, we didn’t have the opportunity to navigate any mountains or cruise over sand dunes. However, this model’s performance over uneven roads and the rocky beaten paths near the Tree of Life were ftting tests for the Black Badge Cullinan’s capabilities. Put simply, what makes this SUV great on-road makes it even better off-road. Rolls-royce.com