Rolls-Royce Cullinan Revealed

I'm not convinced that air suspension is always the right choice. From memory Harry Metcalfe said the new Phantom was "the best riding car with 22" wheels and air suspension". A very qualified endorsement.

I've got a reasonable amount of experience with air suspension now, and the problem I have with it is that the small ridges and road repairs which catch out all air suspension systems are extremely common. Therefore every few metres an imperfection is dealt with in a way that isn't exactly jarring but doesn't feel like the system handled it properly.

There is that slight sensation of standing on empty bottle full of air with the top on, and all the cars have a small sensation of rock / roll from time to time. After you have been driving one a while and have become acclimatised, and you then drive a really well set up luxury car with conventional springs it has a feeling of fluidity, as if it will lean progressively to a point you know to back off, and in many ways it feels much nicer.

I drive a long 80mph S shaped corner(s) with a change of camber regularly, and on the air suspension I can feel, almost imperceptibly the air bags raising and repeatedly adjusting the loaded side of the car, so that car goes through almost level. You could drive it 30mph faster and it would still go through almost as level. It feels very clever, but you do feel detached, that you are trusting a system, and its not a fluid flow, it feels impressive though not completely comfortable. On a well set up springs car, the car feels fluid, you choose a speed and attack that feels well within the capability of the system and the car will transmit the loaded feeling from side to side in a smooth progressive way that feels comfortable, natural and luxurious.

I know that air suspension is easy to electronically control and make infinite adjustments, and there are many benefits, but I also think it has become the default choice and not always for the right reasons.

 

Back in 1968 the new Jaguar XJ was widely considered to have an even better ride quality (best in world) than the hydraulic levelling hydropneumatic suspension system of the Silver Shadow, which also suffers the slight crashing feeling over small ridges, at least from my experience in a later Brooklands, with the soft set up compared to the Turbo R.

 

I thought that the air suspension systems in my successive Range Rovers gave an incredible “magic carpet ride.” That is, until I bought a Rolls-Royce. The ride in my Corniche is unbelievable. The mineral oil/nitrogen setup can’t be beat. Yes, it handles like a battleship, but it glides like you’re on a cloud.

 

Therein the perennial problem of ride versus handling, and the reason Harvey-Bailey did such good business selling handling kits for R-R Shadows and Clouds. After slapping a turbo onto the Bentley Mulsanne in the early '80s with somewhat alarming results (and giving a welcome boost to H-B's business in the process), R-R stiffened up the suspension with the introduction of the Turbo R to make it go round corners, but of course the ride suffered. Later models (mine included) have dampers which automatically stiffen up when required, to preserve some of that magic carpet ride, while avoiding excessive roll in the corners, but the ride is not like my old Shadow, or your Corniche.

Jaguar seemed to be able to manage it with the XJ6, which not only handled better than contemporary R-Rs, but rode better, too.

 

Here's a review, a pan.
http://**********.com/2018/05/design-review-new-rolls-royce-suv.html

 

I think its really ugly. Maybe its better in person but all the pictures I've seen are awful. The proportions are bad and there really isn't anything noteworthy about it other than the rear opera doors. Really bad design, I'd take a Range Rover over it in a heartbeat.

 

I love it, but would feel like a tool driving around in it.

 

If you thought the Cullinan was homely, wait until you see the mid-cycle refresh.

It got hit with the BMW ugly hammer.

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(Artist’s rendering based on spy photos.)

 

Cullinan Series II revealed:





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https://www.topgear.com/car-news/first-look/new-rolls-royce-cullinan-series-ii

 

I have a 2023 and will not be upgrading, the new car looks like a terrible body kit/japanese car headlights. I do like the interior.

 

This image reminds me of the miniature schnauzer, and it seems to be judgemental as well. Never thought I would say this but the Bentley offering looks better, but it’s a 3 am closing time in the nightclub and the lights are turned on type competition…
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I saw the new one at a dealer Friday and it looks “OK” on the exterior but as you might expect the interior was really quite special .

RR needs to buck the trend and go back to big fat tires .
Be the trendsetter .