Aiming for a Rolls-Royce Ride, Whatever the Road

Rolls-Royce, on February 18th of this year, during a factory visit by UK Prime Minister Cameron,New Model Announcementrevealed that test vehicles would begin running on public roads from next week.

This new model is described as an all-rounder with a high-riding aluminum body, possessing the luxury befitting a Rolls-Royce. The development project has been named “Project Cullinan,” after the world's largest rough diamond.

The first test vehicle unveiled for the project is based on the “Phantom II,” with a shortened wheelbase. As befits a crossover model, the ride height has been raised, and features such as flared fenders and a large rear wing are visible. While the size of this test vehicle may offer hints about the planned new car, Rolls-Royce states that the design will be entirely different.

The experiments with this vehicle aim to acquire data on the suspension system to achieve the “effortless” ride that Rolls-Royce champions, on any surface. Initially, on-road testing will focus on the suspension's behavior relative to the tall body, followed by verification on test grounds that replicate various global road conditions, such as cobblestones and undulating concrete.

The test vehicle will spend as much time on off-road testing as on-road, ultimately aiming for an unchanged ride quality even on rough terrain and challenging landscapes.

In contrast to Bentley's “Bentayga,” which began with the unveiling of design studies, Rolls-Royce's crossover model has started with its internals. While its development has only just begun with suspension adjustments, as various brands continue to cast a keen eye on the luxury SUV market, anticipation is building for its final form.