Rolls-Royce Cullinan previewed

Rolls-Royce has released preview images of its first SUV. The carmaker refers to the car as Project Cullinan, although it says this is a development codename for the car, and wouldn’t comment on what the production name would be.

Rolls-Royce had previously released an image of the Cullinan as a Phantom-bodied test car. While still camouflaged, these new images mark the first time that the SUV has been seen in non-testing form. The carmaker has also officially confirmed that the project is underway, with the production model expected to go on sale worldwide in 2018. Rolls-Royce didn't use the term SUV, instead calling the Cullinan an "all-terrain, high-sided vehicle".

Also confirmed is that the Cullinan will be the first model with four-wheel drive in Rolls-Royce's 110-year history. It is known that the car will share its aluminium architecture with other Rolls-Royce models from 2018.

The high-riding Cullinan's boxy design takes after Rolls-Royce's flagship Phantom as opposed to the smoother-looking Ghost. A developed version of the Phantom’s 6.8-litre V12 engine is expected to be used for the new SUV, although this hasn’t been confirmed yet. Rolls-Royce has toyed with the idea of a plug-in hybrid powertrain, as well as a diesel unit, although the latter has been discarded due to its lack of refinement.

Unusually, Rolls-Royce has also revealed details of where the car will be tested ahead of its official launch: First, it will be taken to the Arctic Circle for cold-weather testing, before being shipped to the Middle East next year for the opposite.