Rolls-Royce has a strong history in the Middle East, one that runs deeper than the bespoke creations we see parked in forecourts of five-star hotels, back to the earliest days when its reputation for creating the world’s best car was forged from an ability to build unbreakable vehicles.
In that sense, despite being regarded as a brave departure for the company at its 2018 launch, its first SUV, the Cullinan probably has the strongest link to Rolls-Royce’s founding years than any of its contemporary siblings.
From behind the lofty driving position of the 2021 Cullinan, I couldn’t help but visualise TE Lawrence of Arabia. I imagined how, in 1918, he used his fleet of nine armoured Rolls-Royces, which he famously described as “more valuable than rubies”, to drive across the wild sand dunes and desolate wadis of Jordan (what is now Saudi Arabia).
The cornerstone to his plot to overturn the Ottoman Empire, as he stormed Aqaba on the banks of the Red Sea with his band of Arabian rebels on horseback, was his fleet of Rolls-Royces he tendered from the company in 1916.
Off-roading capabilities
The Cullinan has a depth of history to lean on, but it’s the first SUV of the modern BMW-owned Rolls-Royce era, and aside from its outward off-road-capable appearance, inside there’s little fanfare to show off its all-terrain credentials save for a single button in the centre console marked “Off Road”.
Press it and the modified xDrive architecture borrowed from parent company BMW, which has been tailored for the Cullinan, automatically adapts to one of five drive modes, comprising snow, mud, sand, gravel and rutted track. It sets the traction and air-suspension height for every road condition. The only other indicator that hints to its off-roading prowess is Hill Descent Control, which takes care of the throttle on steep descents.
The Cullinan’s raised height gives it an impressive 540 millimetres of wading depth, which the company claims is the highest of any super-luxury SUV and is 40mm higher than the Bentley Bentayga. Likewise, the air suspension also lowers when parked, to offer saloon-like convenience for stepping in and out. A series of stereo cameras, meanwhile, look ahead to read the road conditions and adjust the suspension in milliseconds to flatten out bumps or dips before they arrive.
Driver's delight, passenger's comfort
It would be fair to say the Cullinan is the all-rounder of the Rolls-Royce family, offering Phantom-like, five-star luxury for the two rear occupants who can be isolated from the outside world by a glass partition for when the rear tailgate is opened. Yet it is more of a driver’s car than the chauffeur-orientated flagship saloon and closer to the Wraith in how it feels from behind the wheel.
While the occupant priorities of the Phantom and, to an extent, the Ghost are more passenger-centric, and the Wraith and Dawn are the opposite, with the car built more around the driver, the Cullinan is the best mix of all, making it my preferred model in the range.
Powered by the venerable 6.75-litre V12 engine from the Phantom, which develops 585bhp and 850Nm of torque running through an eight-speed automatic transmission, the 2,660-kilogram Cullinan is no slouch, getting to 100 kilometres per hour in 5.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 250kph.
Around town it’s virtually silent and is one car that would be perfectly suited to running as a fully electric vehicle, as the company’s engineers have worked tirelessly to make the big V12 behave exactly like an electric motor. It offers copious torque, is so silent that even when standing outside, I had to press the throttle and watch the gauges to see if the motor was running and ticks all the boxes for being ideal for electrification. There has been talk, but no commitment so far, but it would have to be on the agenda at Rolls-Royce HQ.
Cabin comforts
As expected, the interior options are virtually unlimited with the rear offering a 60:40 split-fold three-seat bench that offers up to 1,930 litres of cargo space. For ultimate luxury, however, there is a more traditional four-seat layout that includes individual motorised rear seats, a fixed centre console through the middle and a rear bulkhead partition to block out sand and heat when the tailgate is open.
For options, owners can request chilled drinks cabinets with crystal glassware, picnic hampers or, in the case of The National’s review car, electrically operated, leather chairs that swivel out from the rear floor over the tailgate for days at the polo. There’s even a photography and drone kit that can be installed complete with computer and iPad that stows away in the air-conditioned box below the cargo floor at the touch of a button.
As is the Rolls-Royce way, if you can dream of something completely different, such as modifications for falconry, hunting or fly-fishing, it will be accommodated.
Cullinan’s closest competitor is the Bentley Bentayga, though Mercedes is about to chip in with its Maybach-badged GLS SUV, and from a performance perspective you can add the Lamborghini Urus and Aston Martin DBX at a stretch to the equation as well.
However, after spending a few days living with the Cullinan, it could also be a competitor to other Rolls-Royce models as it covers all bases from Goodwood in one elegant, luxurious and beautifully powerful package.
The specs
Engine: 6.75-litre V12
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Power: 585bhp
Torque: 850Nm
Price: Dh1.9 million
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BMW M5 specs
Engine: 4.4-litre twin-turbo V-8 petrol enging with additional electric motor
Power: 727hp
Torque: 1,000Nm
Transmission: 8-speed auto
Fuel consumption: 10.6L/100km
On sale: Now
Price: From Dh650,000
Tearful appearance
Chancellor Rachel Reeves set markets on edge as she appeared visibly distraught in parliament on Wednesday.
Legislative setbacks for the government have blown a new hole in the budgetary calculations at a time when the deficit is stubbornly large and the economy is struggling to grow.
She appeared with Keir Starmer on Thursday and the pair embraced, but he had failed to give her his backing as she cried a day earlier.
A spokesman said her upset demeanour was due to a personal matter.
Results:
CSIL 2-star 145cm One Round with Jump-Off
1. Alice Debany Clero (USA) on Amareusa S 38.83 seconds
2. Anikka Sande (NOR) For Cash 2 39.09
3. Georgia Tame (GBR) Cash Up 39.42
4. Nadia Taryam (UAE) Askaria 3 39.63
5. Miriam Schneider (GER) Fidelius G 47.74
THREE
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Going grey? A stylist's advice
If you’re going to go grey, a great style, well-cared for hair (in a sleek, classy style, like a bob), and a young spirit and attitude go a long way, says Maria Dowling, founder of the Maria Dowling Salon in Dubai.
It’s easier to go grey from a lighter colour, so you may want to do that first. And this is the time to try a shorter style, she advises. Then a stylist can introduce highlights, start lightening up the roots, and let it fade out. Once it’s entirely grey, a purple shampoo will prevent yellowing.
“Get professional help – there’s no other way to go around it,” she says. “And don’t just let it grow out because that looks really bad. Put effort into it: properly condition, straighten, get regular trims, make sure it’s glossy.”
5 of the most-popular Airbnb locations in Dubai
Bobby Grudziecki, chief operating officer of Frank Porter, identifies the five most popular areas in Dubai for those looking to make the most out of their properties and the rates owners can secure:
• Dubai Marina
The Marina and Jumeirah Beach Residence are popular locations, says Mr Grudziecki, due to their closeness to the beach, restaurants and hotels.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh482 to Dh739
Two bedroom: Dh627 to Dh960
Three bedroom: Dh721 to Dh1,104
• Downtown
Within walking distance of the Dubai Mall, Burj Khalifa and the famous fountains, this location combines business and leisure. “Sure it’s for tourists,” says Mr Grudziecki. “Though Downtown [still caters to business people] because it’s close to Dubai International Financial Centre."
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh497 to Dh772
Two bedroom: Dh646 to Dh1,003
Three bedroom: Dh743 to Dh1,154
• City Walk
The rising star of the Dubai property market, this area is lined with pristine sidewalks, boutiques and cafes and close to the new entertainment venue Coca Cola Arena. “Downtown and Marina are pretty much the same prices,” Mr Grudziecki says, “but City Walk is higher.”
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh524 to Dh809
Two bedroom: Dh682 to Dh1,052
Three bedroom: Dh784 to Dh1,210
• Jumeirah Lake Towers
Dubai Marina’s little brother JLT resides on the other side of Sheikh Zayed road but is still close enough to beachside outlets and attractions. The big selling point for Airbnb renters, however, is that “it’s cheaper than Dubai Marina”, Mr Grudziecki says.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh422 to Dh629
Two bedroom: Dh549 to Dh818
Three bedroom: Dh631 to Dh941
• Palm Jumeirah
Palm Jumeirah's proximity to luxury resorts is attractive, especially for big families, says Mr Grudziecki, as Airbnb renters can secure competitive rates on one of the world’s most famous tourist destinations.
Frank Porter’s average Airbnb rent:
One bedroom: Dh503 to Dh770
Two bedroom: Dh654 to Dh1,002
Three bedroom: Dh752 to Dh1,152
Founder: Ayman Badawi
Date started: Test product September 2016, paid launch January 2017
Based: Dubai, UAE
Sector: Software
Size: Seven employees
Funding: $170,000 in angel investment
Funders: friends
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
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Read more about the coronavirus
Top 5 concerns globally:
1. Unemployment
2. Spread of infectious diseases
3. Fiscal crises
4. Cyber attacks
5. Profound social instability
Top 5 concerns in the Mena region
1. Energy price shock
2. Fiscal crises
3. Spread of infectious diseases
4. Unmanageable inflation
5. Cyber attacks
Source: World Economic Foundation
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