These Cullinan spy shots snapped way up near the Arctic Circle in Scandinavia give us an even better look at the preview shots released by Rolls-Royce itself. And like the jewel after which it's named, it's huge: it may emerge slightly shorter from nose to tail than the recently discontinued Phantom (even with the standard wheelbase), but it will be much taller – and likely wider, too. It may prove lighter, though, thanks to a new aluminum architecture that's slated to underpin every new model Rolls-Royce will make for the foreseeable future.

Expect motivation to come from a version of the same 6.6-liter twin-turbo V12 engine that powers the Ghost, Wraith, and Dawn, driving (for the first time in a Rolls-Royce) all four wheels, through an eight-speed automatic transmission. In true Rolls-Royce style, it's anticipated to feature suicide rear doors to provide easy access to the most opulent cabin space in the business. In contrast to the growing trend of slant-backed "crossover coupes" – the Roller is slated to stick with a conventional wagon roofline to maximize interior space.


Look for the Rolls-Royce Cullinan to debut sometime next year, at which point it looks poised to eclipse even the Bentley Bentayga – and make Range Rovers look like Ford Fiestas by comparison.