The Mega Car Review Podcast

Exploring the Rolls-Royce Cullinan: Luxury, Innovation, and Customisation Uncovered

Confounded Season 2 Episode 1

The Rolls-Royce Cullinan represents a transformative approach to luxury SUVs, combining opulence with everyday practicality. This episode discusses its unique features, target demographic, and the implications of ownership, closing with a consideration of how it stacks up against competitors.

• Introduction of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan as a luxury SUV 
• Analysis of Cullinan pricing in the used market 
• Discussion on Rolls-Royce's strategic shift to SUVs 
• Guest expert insights on luxury SUV trends 
• Overview of the Cullinan's key features and engine performance 
• Explanation of the "magic carpet ride" experience 
• Inside look at the luxurious interior and personalization options 
• Identification of the ideal Cullinan buyer and lifestyle 
• Guidance on the costs associated with ownership 
• Tips for purchasing a used Cullinan and common issues to watch for 
• Comparison of the Cullinan with rival luxury SUVs 
• Summary of the car’s market positioning and appeal 

With a captivating closing question, we invite listeners to share their thoughts on whether the Cullinan or another luxury SUV is their ultimate choice.

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Speaker 1:

Welcome to the Mega Car Review Podcast from Confounderit, your go-to show for everything cars, whether you're a gearhead or just shopping for your next set of wheels. Every week, your hosts, marv and Claudia, dive into the latest automotive trends, give hands-on reviews and share the insights you need to make the smart decisions in the world of cars. Your hosts, marv and Claudia, dive into the latest automotive trends, give hands-on reviews and share the insights you need to make the smart decisions in the world of cars, from the hottest models to market secrets. Marv and Claudia have you covered. Get ready for expert opinions, lively debates and all the details you won't hear anywhere else. Now let's join Marv and Claudia for another episode of the Mega Car Review Podcast.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so today we're going deep on something pretty wild. We're diving into the world of get this the Rolls-Royce Cullinan. Ah yes, I know right, when you hear Rolls-Royce you think what, like some super fancy limousine, right, yeah, but an SUV that's a whole different thing, but hey, that's what we're looking at today.

Speaker 2:

Right, that's a whole different thing, but hey, that's what we're looking at today. Yeah, and the research on this, it's a. Well, let's just say it's interesting. Did you know? Used Cullinans they can go for like what is it? Almost 100,000 pounds on the low end.

Speaker 1:

Wow.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, up to like 600,000 pounds for one. That's been modified 600,000.

Speaker 3:

By a company called Brabus. I think Brabus, yeah, they do some pretty crazy stuff.

Speaker 2:

So to help us really understand this, you know this crazy SUV world. We've got an expert in luxury vehicles with us today.

Speaker 3:

Glad to be here, happy to talk cars.

Speaker 2:

So I got to ask why would Rolls-Royce? You know they're all about these classic, elegant cars, right?

Speaker 3:

Right.

Speaker 2:

Why would they even think about making an SUV? It just it seems, so I don't know out of character for them.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, it was a big move for them, but it really shows how the whole luxury car world is changing.

Speaker 2:

How so.

Speaker 3:

Well, even you know, even the super rich, they want something they can use every day.

Speaker 2:

I guess that makes sense.

Speaker 3:

They want that Rolls-ce luxury, obviously, but they also want to be able to I don't know take it on a trip, go off road a bit, maybe even, you know, maybe just pop to the shops.

Speaker 2:

Right, they want it all.

Speaker 3:

Exactly. They want the performance, the luxury, and they don't want to have to choose. That's where the Cullinan fits in.

Speaker 2:

So it's like appealing to a whole new kind of luxury buyer then.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, absolutely People who, well, they want it all, no compromises, and that's what the Cullinan delivers.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so when did this whole? When did this SUV first appear on the scene? When did they actually launch it?

Speaker 3:

So the Cullinan. It was first shown off in 2018.

Speaker 2:

2018. Okay.

Speaker 3:

And it was a big deal, let me tell you, Everyone in the car world was watching to see. You know, could Rolls-Royce really pull this off? Could they make a luxury SUV that lived up to the name?

Speaker 2:

And did they?

Speaker 3:

Well, from the looks of things, yeah, they really did. It made a big splash.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so remember that Brambus modified Cullen we were talking about before, that crazy expensive one.

Speaker 3:

Oh, yeah, the 600,000 pound one.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, that one. What's the deal with all these like aftermarket modifications? Why do people even do that to a Rolls Royce?

Speaker 3:

Well, for some people, even owning a Rolls Royce isn't enough, right.

Speaker 2:

I guess not.

Speaker 3:

They want something truly unique, something that you know reflects their own style.

Speaker 2:

So they take an already amazing car and they just what go even further.

Speaker 3:

Exactly that's where companies like Bribus come in. They take the Cullinan and they take it to the next level Performance upgrades, custom interiors, all sorts of crazy stuff. They make it even more exclusive.

Speaker 2:

It's like taking a masterpiece and adding your own little touches, you know.

Speaker 3:

It's all about personalization, taking it to the extreme, these people. They want to stand out even among other luxury car owners.

Speaker 2:

Okay, okay, enough teasing, let's get into the details. What makes this Cullinan so special? What are the big features?

Speaker 3:

All right, well, let's start with the engine. We're talking a 6.75 liter V12.

Speaker 2:

Whoa hold on A V12 in an SUV. That's pretty rare isn't it?

Speaker 3:

Oh yeah, you don't see that every day.

Speaker 2:

So what does that mean for, like, the driving experience?

Speaker 3:

Well, in a word, power. This thing can go from zero to 60 in like five seconds and it does it. You know, with that classic Rolls Royce smoothness.

Speaker 2:

Five seconds. That's moving for a car that big.

Speaker 3:

Oh yeah, it's no slouch.

Speaker 2:

And what about the ride? I've heard they call it the magic carpet ride. Is that like a real thing or is it just marketing hype?

Speaker 3:

Oh no, it's a real thing. They have this special air suspension system that well, it basically reads the road ahead and adjusts itself to give you the smoothest ride possible. You barely even feel the bumps.

Speaker 2:

So it really does just glide along. Yeah Okay, color me impressed. And the inside, what's that? Like I'm guessing, it's pretty luxurious.

Speaker 3:

Oh, just a little. Think like hand-stitched leather seats, the softest carpets, you can imagine a huge sunroof so you can see everything. And then there's the starlight headliner.

Speaker 2:

Starlight headliner what's that?

Speaker 3:

It's this. Well, it's an optional thing, but it's basically like having a starry night sky on your ceiling. They use fiber optic lights to create this twinkling effect.

Speaker 2:

Wow, that's next level.

Speaker 3:

It's all about creating an experience making you feel special. That's Rolls-Royce for you.

Speaker 2:

Okay, so this all sounds amazing, but let's be real. Who is this car actually for? Who's the ideal Cullinan buyer?

Speaker 3:

Okay, so we're talking people who appreciate the finer things in life, People who, you know they have the money and they want the best of the best. They want something unique, something that makes a statement.

Speaker 2:

So it's about more than just the car itself. It's like a whole lifestyle thing.

Speaker 3:

It's a status symbol, a way of showing you've made it.

Speaker 2:

Right, right. Okay, let's say someone's listening to this and they're thinking yeah, I need a Cullinan.

Speaker 3:

What does the used car market look like for these things? All right, so, based on what we've seen, there are about 95 Cullinans for sale in the UK right now. The average price is about £239,000.

Speaker 2:

Okay. So yeah, it's still a lot of money. But like, are there any you know cheaper options?

Speaker 3:

Well, the cheapest one we found is a 2022 Black Badge model. It's got 15,000 miles on it and it's going for 99,000 pounds.

Speaker 2:

That's still, you know, a big chunk of change.

Speaker 3:

Well, yeah, definitely. And then, on the other end, you've got that 2024 Brabus modified one, with only 60 miles on it, going for, well you know, $600,000.

Speaker 2:

So yeah, the price is all over the place. It depends on the year, the mileage and, of course, all the extras.

Speaker 3:

Exactly.

Speaker 2:

But you know, let's be honest here the buying price, that's just the start.

Speaker 3:

Oh yeah, for sure.

Speaker 2:

What about all the other costs?

Speaker 3:

Insurance, fuel maintenance, all that stuff. That's the thing with a car like this it's a constant investment. You're looking at high insurance premiums because, well, it's a Rolls Royce.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, Nixon.

Speaker 3:

Fuel costs are going to be high. Obviously it's a big engine. And then there's maintenance. You can't just take this to any mechanic. You need specialists and that costs money.

Speaker 2:

And I bet the road tax isn't cheap either.

Speaker 3:

No, it's definitely not. It's in the highest tax band because of the engine size.

Speaker 2:

Yeah.

Speaker 3:

So yeah, owning a Cullinan, it's a lifestyle choice.

Speaker 2:

Okay. So let's say you are thinking about buying a used Cullinan.

Speaker 3:

What should you watch out for? Any common problems with these things? The biggest thing is to get a really thorough inspection and make sure you get a full service history. These cars are complex so you want to know it's been looked after properly.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, you don't want to need surprises.

Speaker 3:

Exactly. Look for signs of wear and tear, especially inside. Repairs can be very expensive. It's always worth getting an expert to check it over before you buy.

Speaker 2:

So do your homework, basically Okay. Last question how does the Cullinan stack up against the competition? What are the other?

Speaker 3:

like super luxury SUVs out there. Well, you've got the Bentley Bentayga, that's a big one, very classic British style. Then there's the Lamborghini Urus, that's more, you know, sporty, performance focused. And then you have the Mercedes-Maybach GLS that's more about comfort and luxury.

Speaker 2:

So it's like a battle of the giants.

Speaker 3:

Pretty much. They all have their own strengths and they all appeal to different types of buyers.

Speaker 2:

Yeah, it's all about finding the one that fits you right.

Speaker 3:

Exactly your style, your needs, what kind of statement you want to make?

Speaker 2:

Well, I think we've covered a lot of ground today, from that powerful V12 engine to that crazy Starlight headliner and, of course, the price tag.

Speaker 3:

It's a special car, that's for sure.

Speaker 2:

It really is. It's amazing how Rolls-Royce took this classic luxury image and made it work in an SUV.

Speaker 3:

They definitely pushed the boundaries.

Speaker 2:

So I got to ask you if you could have any ultra luxury SUV. Would it be the Cullinan, or is there something else out there that speaks to you more?

Speaker 3:

That's a tough one, I think. For me, it's really impressive how Rolls-Royce managed to take all that luxury and combine it with the practicality of an SUV. You can use it every day, but it still feels special.

Speaker 2:

That's a good point. It's not just a showpiece.

Speaker 3:

Exactly.

Speaker 2:

Well, that's something for everyone to think about. Is the Cullinan the ultimate SUV, or is there something else out there that's even better? Let us know what you think.

Speaker 3:

Yeah, let us know.

Speaker 2:

And if you want to see more about the Cullinan you know pictures, details, all that check out the episode website. We've got links to everything we talked about there. Awesome, well, it's been great having you on the show.

Speaker 3:

Thanks for having me.

Speaker 2:

Until next time, folks.

Speaker 3:

See ya, you.

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