Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Vancouver, part of OpenRoad Auto Group, marked the official grand opening of the venerable brand’s new Vancouver showroom, Canada’s first stand-alone Rolls-Royce retail facility. The official unveiling of the luxury auto maker’s most anticipated new model of all time – the Rolls-Royce Cullinan took place during exclusive events for both media and clients, marking the first time the luxury auto maker has held a new model debut in Canada.
“Cullinan will be a game-changer for Rolls-Royce, especially in Canada providing our clients with the ultimate in luxury and a totally capable all-wheel drive vehicle. Our customers expect to go everywhere in luxury and they have demanded a Rolls-Royce that offers uncompromised luxury wherever they dare to venture. Cullinan is that car,” said Pedro Mota, President of Rolls–Royce Motor Cars Americas. “The new showroom and facilities at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Vancouver showcase the way we interact with our clients, in a luxurious and exclusive setting,” added Mota.
OpenRoad Auto Group’s new Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Vancouver is located at 1809 West 5th Avenue on Vancouver’s west side and replaces the former dealership located just a few blocks away. The 4,500 square foot, two level luxury automotive retail centre offers an elegant showroom featuring high end finishes, premium architectural details and space for up to six Rolls-Royce models. The new dealership is currently the only stand-alone Rolls-Royce dealership in Canada. All other Canadian stores combine Rolls-Royce with other luxury car brands like Karma or Lamborghini.
“It’s an honor to partner with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars for the North American debut of the much-anticipated Rolls-Royce Cullinan while celebrating the official opening of our stunning new dealership,” said Christian Chia, President & CEO of OpenRoad Auto Group. “To host such a significant launch for one of the best automotive brands in the world is a true reflection of the strength of the Vancouver market and our relationship with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars.
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Vancouver is currently the top Canadian volume dealer and one of the top selling Rolls-Royce dealerships in the world. OpenRoad Auto Group acquired the Vancouver Rolls-Royce retail store in 2014, and just last year purchased a second Rolls-Royce dealership in Bellevue, Washington along with an established Bentley and Lamborghini retail facility.
Authentic Rolls-Royce engineering – everywhere
Key to the creation of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV was the Architecture of Luxury – Rolls-Royce’s proprietary all-aluminium architecture. The Architecture of Luxury really comes into its own in creating Cullinan. The engineering team behind Cullinan adapted the Architecture of Luxury to the design template of a high-bodied car laid down by Giles Taylor and his design team thanks to its innate adaptability. It was designed and engineered from the ground up in such a way as to be scalable to the size and weight requirements of different future Rolls-Royce models, including those with different propulsion, traction and control systems, thus underpinning the long-term future product roadmap.
“The drivetrain system we engineered for Cullinan had one key job to do,” explains Caroline Krismer, Engineering Project Leader for Cullinan. “To bring the famed Rolls-Royce ‘Magic Carpet Ride’ to all other terrains possible, while ensuring class-leading on-road behaviour in the SUV sector.” The integration of new technologies into the architecture was key to ensuring the fundamental quality of Cullinan as Effortless, Everywhere.
The 6.75 litre twin-turbo V12 Rolls-Royce enginedelivers 563bhp/420kW and 850Nm/627lb-ft of torque to the all-new Rolls-Royce All-Wheel Drive. A four-wheel steering system provides never-before-seen handling. The entire package makes Cullinan capable of overcoming any challenge while still delivering the world-renowned “Rolls-Royce Magic Carpet Ride.’
Designing a force of nature
“At this point in the history of automotive design, SUVs have become homogenous and ubiquitous,” comments Giles Taylor, Director of Design, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “The label SUV
is now applied to anything with a two-box silhouette and the least suggestion of going off tarmac. We envisioned an authentic, three-box all-terrain high-bodied car with a convention-challenging design and absolute capability that would satisfy the adventurous urges of our clients.”
Contemporary and functional design ensures Cullinan gains iconic status in the face of increasingly bland SUV designs. The first “three-box” offer in the SUV-sector, Cullinan offers individual seating configuration where customers have the option of a unique glass partition wall that creates a distinct environment for passengers, separated from the luggage compartment. The most practical of Rolls-Royces, Cullinan is the most versatile, family oriented, fun-to-drive super-luxury SUV available today. Cullinan offers a suite of Bespoke features developed specifically for the many various lifestyles of its owners including the Viewing Suite and multiple options for a ‘Bespoke Recreation Module.’
The Rolls-Royce Cullinan is Rolls-Royce as never before seen. When Sir Henry Royce said, “Strive for perfection in everything you do. Take the best that exists and make it better. When it does not exist, design it”, he could have had Cullinan in mind.
ABOUT OPENROAD AUTO GROUP
OpenRoad Auto Group is B.C.’s largest automotive dealership group with over 1,200 associates representing 19 quality automotive brands at 23 full-service car dealerships. Established In 2000, OpenRoad Auto Group offers car buyers and owners an experiential automotive retail service. With sales and service in multiple languages, OpenRoad Auto Group encourages a car buying experience based on openness, participation and expertise. OpenRoad is proud to be one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies, a CADA Laureate, and the recipient of multiple Canadian Best Employer Awards.
