Rolls-Royce priming electric Cullinan with dramatic new look

Rolls-Royce is winter testing its second electric model, a Cullinan-sized SUV that will go head to head with Bentley's forthcoming maiden EV. 

Goodwood's new model was seen for the first time at parent company BMW Group's proving ground in Arjeplog, Sweden, in what appears to be close to production spec. 

The SUV will sit on the Architecture of Luxury platform used by all existing Rolls-Royce models including the Spectre coupé, the firm's first EV. 

That model draws electricity from a 102kWh battery, offers 329 miles of range and delivers up to 650bhp from a dual-motor powertrain in top-rung Black Badge guise. 

The new SUV, however, could adopt BMW's new arsenal of Gent technology - including batteries and motors-that will feature in its sibling brand's forthcoming range of Neue Klasse EVs, starting with the new iX3 SUV. 

The compatibility of that tech with the Architecture of Luxury platform could be a stumbling block, however. 

The new Rolls-Royce SUV is likely to be unveiled in the coming months, before going on sale around a year later. 

This would follow the same timeline as the Spectre, which was spotted testing for the first time at the end of 2021 and revealed in October 2022, with deliveries starting a year after that. 

Rival brand Bentley, meanwhile, is planning to unveil its first electric car, an "urban SUV", in the final quarter of 2026. 

Rolls-Royce has yet to disclose any official details about its new SUV. 

When approached, a spokesperson told Autocar that the company was "unable to comment on future product plans".