Even though the SUV body shape hasn’t been purists’ favorite, the Rolls-Royce Cullinan is akin to a statement piece, much like the Saint Laurent Wyatt Boots–initially controversial but soon coveted by trendsetters. Both defied traditional expectations, embodying bold statements of style and status. Their exceptional attention to detail and quality have cemented their iconic position in luxury, swiftly garnering admiration and demand despite initial skepticism. And Rolls-Royce confirms that the Cullinan has quickly become their most requested model, accounting for a substantial proportion of cars shipped in 2023. In fact, the average age of a Rolls-Royce owner dipping from 56 to 43 between 2010 and 2024 could also be attributed, in part, to the Cullinan with most owners now opting to drive it themselves rather than relying on a chauffeur. 

But trivialising the Cullinan as an SUV is akin to reducing Jeff Bezos to 'wealthy' or Beyoncé to 'talented.' It is the pinnacle of automotive luxury. Its universal appeal is resounding–Drake has a Chrome Hearts-customised example, Isha Ambani’s Cullinan's iridium paintjob looks a different colour from every angle, Kylie Jenner’s kitted hers out in bubble gum-pink interiors, and the list goes on. Credit is also due to Rolls-Royce not being the taste police. “We want to give our clients complete creative liberty,” says Marius Tegneby, Head of Global Luxury and Corporate Communications. And that’s perhaps why the island of Ibiza is the perfect backdrop to sample the new Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II before it inevitably graces the garages of the rich and famous. 

Often stereotyped as the epicentre of nightclubs and hedonism, the island harbours a more refined persona that blends luxury with the remnants of its bohemian past. With secluded coves kissed by turquoise waves, hills adorned with opulent villas, and sunsets that paint the sky in hues of gold and crimson, no wonder the island has evolved from its bohemian roots into a modern playground for the elite. Our home for the weekend was the Six Senses resort, a tranquil oasis built into the side of a craggy cliff overlooking the stunning Cala Xarraca Bay. Frequented by celebrities like Alexa Chung and Irina Shayk, Six Senses has become a retreat for those seeking sustainable wellness in Ibiza, with its mission of zero waste and zero single-use plastics. The resort produces its food locally and organically, even allowing guests to pick their own produce from the farm. Watching the famous Ibizan sunsets from the private decks, whether during rooftop yoga or Rolls-Royce's Cullinan Design brief in a Villa parking turned Presentation room, you feel the perfect blend of bohemian dream and modern luxury. 

Our drive out of the resort through high-speed twisties, overlooking the turquoise Balearic Sea, though occasionally ruined by erratic speed limits, gave us a glimpse of what UHNWIs can expect. It might feel a little tone-deaf to talk about the Cullinan Series II's 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine, delivering an impressive 600PS and 900Nm of torque in the Black Badge variant, when the true allure lies in the detailed craftsmanship behind this automotive masterpiece. But it’s a testament to Rolls-Royce’s refined engineering, propelling the SUV to an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h. Despite its nearly three-tonne heft, the Cullinan’s performance, especially in its alter-ego, is thoroughly exhilarating.  

But Rolls-Royce have made the package more palatable for their illustrious clientele. A blistering 0-100 km/h time of under 5 seconds would risk spilling a customer’s Louis XIII cognac, after all. Thoughtfully, the time now stands at 5.2 seconds—quick, but not dizzyingly so for the Louis XIII-sipping, Patek Philippe-wearing client. Developed with quintessential Rolls-Royce elegance, its advanced air suspension system, perfectly tuned for the larger 23-inch wheels seven-spoke wheels (a first for Rolls-Royce) in polished or two-tone finishes, effortlessly smooths out road imperfections. If zen had an orchestra, it would be comprised of Rolls-Royce's hallmark ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ isolating you from the outside world, overlooking the turquoise blue Balearic Sea, while driving out of Six Senses through the twisties. 

But a statement piece needs to make a statement in front of discerning and indifferent eyes alike. And an island imbibing polar opposites of tranquility and revelry does take a second or two to stop and admire the new Cullinan bossing its beach towns. Be it the Twilight Purple hue or vibrant lime green interior on the new Arctic White Black Badge variant I drove, everything points at the bold, new direction the British marque wants to take with the Series II. “The idea was to make something bolder, more aggressive, and muscular,” explains Henry Cloke, Lead Exterior Designer. 

The Cullinan remains quintessentially Rolls-Royce–inspired by the luxury world, yachts, and architecture, aiming for grandeur and timelessness rather than overcomplicated designs. “We aim for that sense of scale, a sense of grandeur with a touch of formality, which is the key for timelessness for a Rolls-Royce. We are not focused on this automotive world of design,” adds Cloke. The front, with a new illuminated frameless Pantheon grille, redesigned lower air intakes with widened veins, and LED daytime running lamps (DRLs) flowing around the headlamp towards the bumper, add to that grandeur and sense of scale. It instantly commands attention on the road. The Series II adds subtle modern touches without being a drastic departure from its predecessor. 

Despite modern touches like the digital three-pod display behind the steering wheel showing the power reserve, speedometer, and essential details and the updated Spirit OS that seamlessly integrates with the Whispers app, providing real-time updates, remote control functions, and personalized settings via a sleek smartphone interface, the cabin maintains Rolls-Royce's hallmark of tactile luxury with analog controls and switches. The Clock Cabinet vitrine, with an analog timepiece and its up-lit Spirit of Ecstasy figurine that lights up rather dramatically upon starting the car, is the result of four years of development. Christine Franck, Head of Color, Materials & Trim Design, shares that multiple iterations were tested to achieve the perfect lighting effect. 

The pursuit for perfection is a recurring theme. The Black Badge variant’s Technical Carbon finish creates a three-dimensional effect with geometrical shapes, each leaf finished with six coats of lacquer and hand-polished over 21 days. The exterior paint finish, such as the Emperador Truffle with a 'Crystal Over' finish, uses glass particles infused in the lacquer to create a subtle shimmer, reminiscent of fresh snow under morning light. The option of a rayon fabric made from bamboo might seem surprising, but Rolls-Royce say this fabric is inspired by the extensive bamboo grove in Le Jardin des Méditerranées near Sir Henry Royce’s former winter home. But trust them to make it look at home in a £275,000 (£315,000 for the Black Badge model) bespoke statement piece, thanks to the embroidered ‘Duality’ graphic that incorporates up to 2.2 million stitches and 11 miles of thread. Inspired by skyscrapers at night, the dashboard’s illuminated fascia panel and the 18-speaker Bespoke Audio system turn the entire vehicle into a subwoofer—another subtle touch of non-intrusive modernity. But of course, if you’re a fan of leather seats, they feature up to 107,000 perforations, ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 mm in size, meticulously arranged to create an abstract pattern inspired by the clouds over Goodwood. 

As I type out this story from my business class seat on a nine-hour flight back home from Ibiza after unwinding at Six Senses, having dined on elaborate nine-course menus featuring the finest locally-sourced organic cuisine, I find myself momentarily grumbling about the absence of a massage function–perhaps spoiled by the opulence Cullinan owners are used to on the daily, besides unsolicited attention and all doors being held open. It’s a stark reminder that in the Cullinan Series II, Rolls-Royce offers not just a car, but the pinnacle of a statement piece in automotive luxury—one that embodies luxury, sophistication, and the freedom to express personal taste. Whether you’re a titan of an industry like Mukesh Ambani, a cultural icon like Shah Rukh Khan, or simply someone with a discerning taste for luxury, the Cullinan instantly signals prestige and power.