Rolls-Royce reveals Cullinan, its first-ever SUV, in camouflaged photos

Rolls-Royce

gave the world a glimpse of its first ever SUV. The premium automaker released pictures of the camouflaged vehicle that is still in for a few rounds of gruelling testing before its expected 2018 launch.

The 4x4 SUV, which has been given a development name of ‘Project

Cullinan

’, retains some of the most prominent visual elements atop which the iconic Spirit of Ecstasy figurine usually threatens to take flight.

The official photos show the Cullinan with bold prominent rectangular headlights and the characteristically mammoth radiator grille. And, there’s a large bonnet with a pronounced nose.

While a number of automakers are trying to categorize their latest offerings as some or the other form of an SUV, Rolls-Royce has taken a completely different approach and distinguished Cullinan as a 'all-terrain, high-sided vehicle'.

With Cullinan, the automaker will also test the aluminium architecture which will support all Rolls-Royce vehicles from 2018 onwards.

Named after the

Cullinan Diamond

, one of the largest diamonds ever found by man, the car is to be put through testing in some of the gruelling conditions on the planet. The

Rolls-Royce Cullinan

will also be tested at the Arctic Circle later this month to undergo cold weather durability and traction testing. Early in 2017, it will be tested in West Asia, to endure high temperatures and challenging desert conditions.