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Rolls-Royce keeps the look, swaps the powertrain
Spy photos and realistic renderings suggest the 2028 Rolls-Royce Cullinan will arrive more as an evolution than a revolution. After years on the road as Rolls-Royce’s first SUV, the current Cullinan is entering its final chapter while engineers and designers quietly test its successor in cold-weather trials. Pixel artist @kelsonik has turned those scoops into photorealistic CGIs that underline how familiar the next Cullinan will feel at first glance.
What the renderings reveal
The key takeaway from the images is subtle refinement, not dramatic change. Highlights include:
- Split headlamp arrangement with slim LED daytime running lights above the main clusters.
- Grandeur grille that keeps the brand’s imposing stance, paired with a cleaner lower bumper featuring a wide central intake and no separate side vents.
- Slightly shorter side windows for a sportier profile and fresh door-line creases that modernize the silhouette.
- Rear-hinged back doors retained — a signature touch that maintains the Cullinan’s theatrical entry.
- Taller vertical LED taillights and a rear number plate moved from the tailgate down to the bumper.
“The CGIs point to a refined Cullinan that preserves Rolls-Royce’s visual DNA while tidying details,” says the social artist behind the renderings. The wheels pictured in the images are artistic choices and differ from the pre-production set spotted on test mules.
Visibility, packaging and practical changes
One notable styling decision are the beefier rear pillars. Thicker C-pillars will likely reduce rear three-quarter visibility, but manufacturers increasingly rely on advanced driver-assistance systems (ADAS) and camera-based fixes — especially in the luxury sector — to compensate for blind spots without compromising the design language.
Ground clearance appears broadly unchanged from the outgoing Cullinan, meaning the new model should retain similar capability for light off-road driving and comfortable ride height for owners who value presence and poise.
Powertrain: full electrification
The headline: the next-generation Cullinan will be fully electric. Rolls-Royce expects the new luxury SUV to out-muscle even the Spectre grand tourer in output. For context:
- Spectre: about 577 bhp in standard form, roughly 650 bhp in Black Badge guise.
- Current Cullinan (internal-combustion): up to 592 bhp in Black Badge, 562 bhp in standard trims from a 6.75-liter twin-turbo V12.
Details on motor output, battery capacity, charging speeds and WLTP range are still under wraps. Rolls-Royce has signaled a careful approach to EV development, prioritizing refinement, quietness and smooth torque delivery over headline-grabbing efficiency figures.
Market positioning and outlook
Switching the Cullinan to electric aligns with Rolls-Royce’s wider plan to electrify its portfolio. The move aims to preserve the brand’s ultra-luxury character while meeting tightening emissions regulations and wealthy buyers’ growing appetite for electric vehicles. Expect the next Cullinan to serve customers who want a stately, tech-rich luxury SUV with the silence and instant torque of an EV.
Estimated arrival: industry reports place the new Cullinan’s launch around 2028. Until Rolls-Royce confirms powertrain specs and production details, enthusiasts will be parsing spy shots and renders for clues.
Quick recap
- Design: evolutionary—split headlights, shorter windows, stronger door lines.
- Doors: rear suicide doors retained.
- Tail: taller vertical lights, plate moved to bumper.
- Powertrain: fully electric, likely more powerful than Spectre.
- Debut: expected in 2028.
Do these CGIs make the Cullinan feel fresher to you, or does the restrained approach underplay what some buyers expected? Either way, Rolls-Royce appears to be balancing brand continuity with the big technical leap to EVs.
Source: autoevolution
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