The opulent SUV remains instantly recognizable but the entire front section has been redesigned
December 1, 2023 at 06:20
–> 
–>
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is about to receive a facelift and our spy photographers caught a lightly camouflaged prototype testing out in the open. A series of updates is expected to extend the lifecycle of the ultra-luxurious V12-powered SUV until Rolls-Royce becomes an EV-only brand in the early ’30s.
Rolls-Royce employees didn’t bother adding big chunks of camouflage on the bodywork of the prototype, with a white vinyl sticker on the front bumper being unable to hide the visual updates. It looks like the bumper loses the middle intakes, with more emphasis on the aggressively angled lower intakes which are chrome-free and feature aerodynamic fins.
The revised Pantheon grille appears to be slightly smaller than before, losing the chrome bezels and likely being optionally illuminated, similar to the recently facelifted Phantom. The headlights also look slimmer, with fresh LED graphics rounding up the changes at the front.
advertisement scroll to continue
More: Roll-Royce To Become Electric-Only Brand By “Early 2030s”
Predictably, the profile is carried over from the outgoing model, retaining the timeless proportions associated with the brand. We don’t know if Rolls-Royce designers will offer the option of disc wheels in the Cullinan, but it is safe to assume that owners will have access to more intriguing combinations for both the exterior and the interior spec. At the back, the cladding on the rear bumper has been revised, with the noticeably larger dual chrome tailpipes proving that the Cullinan will remain an ICE-powered affair (at least for a few more years).
We don’t expect major upgrades under the skin, with the twin-turbo 6.75-liter V12 most likely retaining its position under the long hood. Currently, the V12 engine produces 563 hp (420 kW / 571 PS) in stock form, or 591 hp (441 kW / 600 PS) in the sportier Black Series. Chances are that this will be the last Rolls-Royce SUV with an ICE, as the next generation will trade the V12 for a fully electric powertrain.
Rolls-Royce keeps its cards closed when it comes to revealing the debut dates of future models so we can only speculate based on what we know. The mechanically related Phantom was introduced in 2017 and received a facelift in 2023, meaning that the Cullinan which arrived in 2018 could benefit from a mid-lifecycle update in 2024 or 2025.
