2018 Rolls-Royce 'Cullinan' SUV test mule spied

The length of the test mule changed drastically from donor phantom car that is based, as can be seen from the back door of the shorter, higher ground clearance and a revised front-end, with different air intakes for the Phantom.

The first SUV model of Rolls-Royce also lurk on public roads in 2015, due to a testing schedule.

The car was confirmed by a Rolls-Royce earlier this year when some pictures of donkeys were released but this is the first time that has been seen in public. the car has been described by Rolls-Royce as a "high-side all-terrain vehicle".

The company says only the length of a donkey giving any hint hint for the final production car; it declared engineering mock-up.

It 'donkey' is based on a shortened Phantom II and will be used to develop new all-wheel drive transmission and suspension systems.

According to the company, donkeys "will help Rolls-Royce engineers in developing the final suspension system that will provide ... characterize the brand 'magic carpet' ride not only on the road, but off-road, too.

"The first series of tests will focus on projects that Cullinan's behavior in the way of suspension throw high stability bodied, using the first iteration of a new suspension system is designed result will be." Easy ... everywhere "- a strong hint to the line marketing for new vehicles.

Cullinan name makes reference to the largest gem quality diamond ever found, but the car is not expected to be called when it reaches production in 2017. The Cullinan diamond discovered in South Africa in 1905 and is now mounted on the scepter of Queen as part of the Crown Jewels.

Rolls-Royce boss made the announcement confirming 4x4 in one page open letter to all the stakeholders in the project - potential customers, employees, suppliers and the media - was signed by CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös and chief Peter Schwarzenbauer.

The pair say they take special hospital for initial communication with the owner of Rolls-Royce, "because many of our discerning customers have urged us to develop this car." The decision, made at Goodwood but the green light at the highest echelons, is a personal triumph for Müller-Ötvös, who liked the idea from the beginning and has been instrumental in making the business case for it.

Blog: Why an SUV can be a real Rolls-Royce

"I am proud to confirm that we are developing an all-new, high-bodied Rolls-Royce," he told Autocar, avoiding the term 'SUV'. "I'm sure it will fulfill our brand promise of the highest luxury while business everywhere."

Müller-Ötvös believe 'businesses everywhere' describes the mission of Rolls-Royce is very good 4x4 and said he intended to use words during pregnancy models.

Rolls-Royce 4x4 is likely to become a global flagship for the segment whose sales of vehicles in all classes has tripled in a decade. This should add a volume of 1,500 cars with Rolls-Royce, which last year exceeded 4000 units, although the Rolls-Royce dismiss talk volume as "not the point". customers they care much more about exclusivity.

Although Bentley recently announced that it will launch its own luxury SUV, which Bentayga, the end of this year, the new Rolls-Royce is likely to destroy the size and price of the existing ceiling for 4x4s. Giles Taylor says design boss 4x4 will be carefully positioned so that the Phantom limo stays true flagship Rolls-Royce, but also said the company "will not shrink from the opportunity to build great cars".

4x4 will "almost all" as a ghost and must be "very proud, very modern" front-end styling.

the Rolls-Royce would not be drawn on the price, but the sheer size of the car and the price of other models show that will probably start around £ 250,000 to £ 280,000 in today's money, rising as high as £ 500,000 if the owner decided to splash out on equipment bespoke and decorations , as they did with saloons.

4x4 will be the basis of an all-new aluminum architecture, believed to be the Phantom spaceframe-like that will serve as a basis for all models of Rolls-Royce in the future. The Company recognizes the significant engineering challenge with 4x4, promising the usual standards of luxury business in "vehicles that can cross every region".

The flexibility of the chassis phantom 11 years, which has been extended into longer-wheelbase version, Rolls-Royce has taught people to value flexibility spaceframe chassis for low-volume production.

They also see the use of a bespoke chassis as an important advantage over less expensive luxury cars like Bentley range and the new Mercedes-Benz Maybach sub-brand, which monocoques steel and related to volume models. There is no future Rolls-Royce will take the structure of a monocoque steel production car.

Principal engine for the new 4x4 may be a developed version of the 6.8-liter V12 Phantom. Research has shown that Rolls-Royce customer care relatively little about their car engines, as long as they are strong, smooth and silent.

However, the company is already well advanced with plug-in hybrid powertrain, some of which have been informed by the mechanical design of the experimental experience, the battery is only a prototype 102EX, built and tested extensively in 2011.

prototype Diesel understood to have been built but dismissed as production prospects are not so much for reasons of repair (the cars were said to be very quiet) but because Rolls-Royce did not feel the diesel fuel is in short supply in the luxury market as important as the Middle East, China and the United States ,

Rolls-Royce boss said they have not decided the name of the new 4x4, but is likely to be words, not numbers. Having so far launched Phantom Ghost and Wraith in the modern era, the executive team still has Dawn, Cloud, Shadow, Spirit, Corniche and Camargue they have before they need to look outside - although by 4x4 departure from Rolls-Royce familiar format, they can, like Bentley, go for something new.

The new model is being developed under the code name of PR31.

Before taking a decision to make this car, Rolls-Royce do research exaggeration in the history of the company confirmed that the performance of faithful in difficult conditions - such as a landslide victory by Silver Ghost James Radley in the 1913 Alpine Trial, tests landmark resilience of the vehicle at the time (see sidebar) - is one can extend the brand value forward to 4x4.

Rolls-Royce in said 4x4 likely to include the same quality of Charles Rolls, an adventurous and pioneering aviator, is not subject to the people of Henry Royce, master engineer, as is more usual. Mind you, the quality Royce will also be key in this project violates the mold. It was he, after all, who said: "Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it." In the back room of Rolls-Royce, that's what's happening now.

David Cameron to visit Rolls-Royce in Goodwood its HQ to mark the announcement of the original Cullinan, became the first Prime Minister to do so. He said: "By developing an SUV Rolls-Royce to support jobs and investment in the region - and we in the government will do everything we an to support you.

"What Rolls-Royce have done here is something our country needs to do more than -. Manufacturing, designing, investment, the era of exploration and development, job training, creating infrastructure These are all things Rolls-Royce did not, and we should support it."

Q & A with CEO Torsten Müller-Ötvös

What made you decide on the 'open letter' announcement?

"We felt the whole family Rolls-Royce needed to hear the news as soon as possible. Our customers need to know we are responding to their enthusiasm for the idea and our employees need to know we are building and maintaining our business and their jobs. And obviously we have to tell the media." how big is the decision for you?

"It's great, but once the decision to build the architecture of new aluminum. It will affect what we do for many years to come. And the news as great. It also shows that our car is not just going to be a different style [BMW] X7. It will be a genuine Rolls-Royce from the bottom up, so will every other new car that we show in the future. "

Is there a lot of opposition to this project in a BMW?

"I would not call it opposition. Others such as careful. People are aware of the extreme values ​​of heritage Rolls-Royce and they need to make sure that what we proposed is feasible for business and right for the brand. I leave it as hard as I could and have great support from our chairman, Peter Schwarzenbauer "How much extra volume 4x4 will bring the total to Rolls-Royce businesses -. 30%?

"It could be something like that but, as you've heard me say many times, the volume is not a preoccupation of our and our customers do not like to hear us talk about it. Rolls-Royce is a very rare and exclusive, and they always will."

4x4 will attract a new generation of customers?

"We believe so. The owner will be a mix of people who already know the Rolls-Royce and new to the brand. We are getting used to this, though. The Wraith have attracted 80% of new customers. And before that, between 60% and 70 Ghost% of our new customers as well. "

It would be a serious challenge for engineers you, is not it?

"It would be, if we are to achieve the standards that we have set yourself, which is to create a car high-bodied are on fancy highest yet is an attempt to encourage, everywhere. But we are confident we can design, develop and build quality required by our discerning customers throughout the world. "

Rolls-Royce - the next four years?

Between now and 2018, Rolls-Royce line-up will be completely fresh - with new Ghost, the new phantom (and spin-offs) and 4x4 - as the company continues its expansion plans.

Here's how the schedule looks renewal.

Ghost facelift - 2014 Published at the Geneva motor show in February and is scheduled to arrive in showrooms by the end of this year, Spirit facelifted have a more modern appearance conscious. There is even a selection of Dynamic Driving Package, hinting at a more sporting mien to the model.

The new Phantom - 2017 Preliminary work under way on a replacement for the 11-year super-luxury sedan and coupé and cabriolet spin-off, with the sketch was performed at the company's design studio Goodwood. A new BMW i-style carbonfibre and aluminum architecture is a strong possibility.

New SUV - 2017 As described above.

The new Ghost - 2018 BMW advanced carbonfibre structure parts, seen in last month's Beijing motor show, allegedly gave great directions for the architecture that will support the generation of the family ghost. It will replace the current steel monocoque, which is loosely based on that used by the current 7 Series.

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