Bold luxury and the sound of silence: inside the Cullinan Black Badge

The luxury SUV market has boomed in recent years – and you’re probably bored of hearing about it. But as more of us opt for comfort, safety, and the ability to travel with plenty of kit, the usual names in automotive royalty have stepped up. And if you’re wondering what separates sovereign from subordinate, the clue you’ll find, as ever lies in the name. Rolls-Royce has long identified with the ethereal and the supernatural – Ghost, Wraith, Phantom and Spectre are all names that allude to the marque’s undisputed crown for exceptional experience and unearthly silence.

The Cullinan, however, is the exception. But taking its name from the largest gem quality diamond ever found (South Africa, 1905) – parts of which reside in the King’s Sceptre and Imperial Crown – it makes no compromises. Claiming to be the “quietest SUV cabin in the world,” the Cullinan holds the title with good reason. Behind the hand stitched Alpine leather and 3D carbon-fibre veneer panelling (worked for up to 21 days) lies almost 100kg of acoustic insulation. Foam filled tyres strip decibels off the tarmac before they become airborne. Double-laminated glass and hermetically sealed gaskets isolate any unwanted interference from wind noise and reverberation, as it gently ploughs through the air. The result – recording studio level acoustics, in a machine that can cruise steadily in treble digit territory.

In fact, Rolls-Royce is so adept at sound proofing, it once made a version of the Phantom that was so quiet and smooth, it was disorientating – like the feeling you get floating in a sensory deprivation tank. Purposefully, you can hear the quiet purr of the Cullinan’s 6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 engine by design, just to re-assure you the wheels haven’t actually left the ground. The Flagbearer system pre-emptively scans the road ahead, independently adjusting the air suspension on each wheel to iron out any surface imperfections and creating a magic carpet like glide for its passengers – with just the gentlest turbulence, like a jumbo jet high above the clouds.

Throughout the cabin there are 18 high-performance speakers, tweeters and subwoofers, concealed in every aspect of the car’s interior. Developed inhouse by Rolls-Royce acoustic engineers, each installation is custom tuned to the vehicle. Hidden microphones monitor cabin noise, and the system adjusts volume and frequency accordingly, so sound quality is never compromised, regardless of speed and terrain. The experience is truly immersive, and like being in a cinema or auditorium. It’s one that rival brands, who boast the likes of Burmester and Bang & Olufsen, have never quite been able to compete with. Bentley’s Naim sound system is probably the closest contender – drawing over 2,000 watts it’s like being at a private gig. Whereas in the Cullinan, the sound simply fills the silence – like Pavarotti in La Scala.

Goodwood introduced the “Black Badge” alter ego back in 2016, aimed at a younger clientele who wanted something a bit more daring and slightly less stately. A resounding success, Black Badges now account for one third of demand and is the fastest growing part of the business. Instantly recognisable because of its obsidian black chrome finish, trademark Lemniscate (infinity symbol) emblazoned on the dash and treadplates, and bold contrasting colour schemes, the Black Badge breaks with tradition – turning quiet restraint into something darker, and more defiant. The unassuming “Low” button on the gear leaver puts it in sport mode, releasing the exhaust baffles and unleashing a throaty roar. Gears are held for longer and changes quicken by 50%, while throttle response and suspension dial in and sharpen up for rapid manoeuvres. Additional horsepower in the Black Badge puts the total at 600 PS, achieving 0-62mph in just over five seconds – which is impressive for a car that weighs as much as a male rhinoceros, but not what it’s about.

When it comes to customisation, Rolls Royce will tell you, “The only limitation is your imagination.” Besides the unlimited colour palette, and fibre optic starscape headliner that can be made to match the exact zodiac sky from any moment in your lifetime, my personal favourite has to be the theatrics in the boot. If you don’t have a particular need for the Viewing Suite, which pops out two chairs complete with cocktail table and champagne fridge, you can opt for custom made storage boxes for things like flyfishing rods, turntables, cameras, guns, hampers, ski boots — if you can think of it, they can build it.

The Cullinan may not be the fastest or the fairest of them all, but its craftmanship and attention to detail are second to none. Much of what goes on behind the gates of Goodwood remains shrouded in mystery – and rightly so.

6.75-litre twin-turbo V12 | 600 PS | 900 Nm | 0-62mph 5.2 seconds | 2,725kg

To find out more about the Cullinan Black Badge go to the Rolls Royce website. Each commission is unique, price start at approximately £330,000.