The latest pictures and news from Rolls Royce about the upcoming Cullinan SUV.

In an open letter published in the Financial Times on 18 February 2015, Rolls-Royce undertook to regularly inform its stakeholders about the progress of Project Cullinan. 

Continuing this dialogue, which has seen twice-yearly updates, Rolls-Royce today publishes photographs depicting the latest key milestone in the development programme of this new ‘all-terrain, high-sided vehicle’. This first full development vehicle will begin testing in public from tomorrow.

The world’s leading luxury goods brand has regularly informed its patrons about this painstaking development programme. 

Advocates of the marque have been shown the first engineering mule built for the development of the new all-wheel drive suspension system, as well as those created to test the all-new aluminium architecture that will underpin all Rolls-Royces from 2018 onwards. 

This latest development vehicle will travel to numerous locations around the world in a challenging testing programme to ensure that the end product will be ‘Effortless … Everywhere’. Just after Christmas, for example, Project Cullinan will enter the Arctic Circle to undergo cold weather durability and traction testing. Later in 2017, it will travel to the Middle East to endure the highest of temperatures and challenging desert conditions.

“This is an incredibly exciting moment in the development of Project Cullinan both for Rolls-Royce and for the patrons of luxury that follow us around the world,” comments Torsten Müller-Ötvös, Chief Executive Officer, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. “Bringing together the new four-wheel drive system and the new ‘architecture of luxury’ for the first time sets us on the road to creating a truly authentic Rolls-Royce which, like its forebears, will reset the standard by which all other luxury goods are judged.”

AUTOCAR AWARDS - The Jaguar XE saloon is also named one of the UK's "Game Changer" cars.

• The game-changing XE has helped Jaguar to record sales in the first four months of 2016
• XE has contributed to the doubling of Jaguar’s share of the Corporate Market in the UK
• XE has the highest 3year/60k mile residual value in the segment and the lowest CO₂ emissions of any non-Hybrid vehicle in the segment at 99g/km
• The most advanced, efficient and refined sports saloon that Jaguar has ever produced is priced from £26,990 available to specify at www.jaguar.co.uk

The Jaguar XE has been named as a ‘Game Changer’ at the Autocar Awards 2016 for ‘establishing a new benchmark in its class for handling.’

Jim Holder, Editorial Director of Autocar, What Car? and PistonHeads said: “A new entry into the premium compact executive class is always risky; it’s full of such established and competent contenders that any fresh offering has to be truly special. 

Everyone at Autocar believes that the XE fulfills its brief perfectly, having redefined the handling benchmark on its first attempt. With its Callum-designed looks and business-friendly figures, we had absolutely no hesitation in naming the XE a ‘Game Changer’.”

Using Jaguar’s advanced Lightweight Aluminium Architecture, and high-tech Ingenium engines, the XE is the most efficient non-hybrid car in its class with fuel economy of up to 75mpg and CO₂ emissions as low as 99g/km. As well as its business-friendly emissions the XE also boasts the highest three-year/60,000-mile residual value* in the segment.

Presented at an event in the Silverstone Wing, Jaguar Director of Design Ian Callum – the man responsible for designing the XE – received the award from the Autocar editorial team.

Ian Callum said: “When we first created the Jaguar XE we wanted to make the best looking driver’s car which is great value for money. We take great satisfaction to receive validation from Britain’s oldest and most respected car magazine and something that everyone at Jaguar Land Rover is immensely proud of.”

The XE’s innovation, style and value for money has been recognized throughout the automotive industry, beating established rivals to 41 major global awards, including Best New Car at the Fleet World Awards, Telegraph’s Car of the Year and Business Car of the Year, Auto Express’ Best Compact Executive Car and Business Car of the Year at the BusinessCar Awards.

Jeremy Hicks, Jaguar Land Rover UK MD, said: “We’re immensely proud of the XE’s awards successes, above all we’re very pleased to see XE has been a winner with both private and fleet customers. Already hailed as the best driver’s car in its class, the XE was recently updated with all-wheel drive and InControl Touch Pro technology. In fact, the XE has helped transform our UK business with record Jaguar sales in April – that’s just one perfect example of why it really is a Game Changer.”

Autocar says that its ‘Game Changers’ are cars that ‘have been picked for setting new standards or defying conventions by turning the established order on its head’. Of the XE, Autocar says: “Jaguar hasn’t just made an alternative to the big three – offering something a little different, a touch quirky – to snare a few buyers. Instead, it has been brave enough to make a car capable of taking on the established players at their own game.”

The 2017 Model Year XE prices start from £26,990 – comes with an optional state-of-the-art InControl Touch Pro infotainment system with a 10.2-inch tablet-style touchscreen that offers intuitive operation, super-fast response times and intelligent navigation. The system offers a Wi-Fi hotspot for up to eight devices, and is compatible with an Apple Watch app, that offers remote functions including fuel level check, lock and unlock, and even remote engine starts.

USA - Ford to re-Introduce the Limited line to the F-150 Pick Up Truck range from the 2016 Model Year.

Ford Motor Co. is responding to surging demand for high-end pickups by introducing a Limited version of the F-150 that will start at about $60,000 and likely top $70,000 when loaded with options.

The F-150 Limited, which Ford is unveiling today in Los Angeles, will go on sale this winter as a 2016 model. Its features include 22-inch polished aluminum wheels, Mojave leather seats and interior accents made of aluminum and fiddleback eucalyptus. Each truck’s production number is laser-engraved in a VIN plate on the center console lid.

“The F-150 Limited sets a new bar for what discerning customers should expect in a high-end truck,” Raj Nair, Ford’s product development chief, said in a statement. “We’re adding segment-exclusive technology, and features that improve productivity, convenience and capability with distinctive style.”

Ford offered a Limited trim on the 2013 and 2014 F-150, at a starting price of about $53,000, but discontinued it when introducing the aluminum-bodied 2015 model.

In the first half of this year, Ford said 60 percent of F-series sales were so-called high-series trims: Lariat, King Ranch and Platinum. As a result, the truck’s average transaction price has jumped 9 percent to $44,100 from a year ago.

Though the Limited trim isn't expected to sell in large numbers, it gives Ford another way to maximize revenue from the hugely profitable F-series lineup. Its starting price is about $10,000 more than that of the Chevrolet Silverado High Country, $8,000 more than a Ram 1500 Limited and the same as a BMW X6.

Exact pricing will be announced later this summer.

“There’s a lot of people who buy trucks as both a work tool and a status symbol,” said Karl Brauer, senior director of insights for Kelley Blue Book. “You have a lot of wealthy businesspeople who have the money to buy an extremely capable and extremely luxurious truck. It’s not any financial stretch for these people to spend 50 or 70 grand.”

Ford sold about 190,000 F series for more than $50,000 last year, TrueCar estimated, outselling BMW’s 3, 5 and 7 series combined and the entire Audi brand.

The F-150 Limited will have a 3.5-liter, EcoBoost V-6 engine, which is a $400 option on the King Ranch and Platinum trims. It will have a unique grille, raised “Limited” lettering on the hood and a satin-chrome exterior accents. The interior contains massaging front seats, a Sony 10-speaker sound system and scuff plates with “ice blue” backlighting.

Nick Bunkley

REPORT HERE

FLEET WORLD HONOURS - Jaguar's new XE takes another award, "Best New Car 2015".

• Jaguar XE picks up the honour of Best New Car in prestigious fleet awards
• Second award this month for Jaguar XE, which is available in retailers from June
• XE’s success in awards strengthens Jaguar Land Rover’s new dual-brand approach to fleet and business sales

The Jaguar XE has been named the Best New Car of 2015 in the Fleet World Awards. It marks a triumphant few weeks for the new sports saloon after it won Best Large Car at the Diesel Car Magazine awards earlier this month.

The XE arrives in retailers from June and has already scored rave reviews for its beautiful design, sporty driving dynamics and class-leading low cost of ownership.

Fleet World Editor Steve Moody said: “The Jaguar XE is a brilliant new addition to the compact executive sector, with handsome looks, a class-leading, brand new diesel engine, strong whole-life costs and high RV predictions.

“Not only that, but it is wonderfully refined and drives incredibly well too. It is a sure fire winner in the corporate market.”

In April, Jaguar Land Rover announced changes to its fleet and business division that has seen it move to a dual-brand approach to corporate sales. 

Commenting on the change Jon Wackett, Fleet & Business Sales General Manager for Jaguar Land Rover, said: "By uniting our two iconic brands we are able to offer a unique portfolio of cars to our fleet and business customers, build strong customer relationships and simplify the ownership experience for company car drivers. 

“The Jaguar XE is entering one of the most competitive segments in the industry – so to have a publication as respected as Fleet World praise it as not just the best in its class but the best new car on sale is a huge honour.

“Jaguar Land Rover now has one of the most capable and diverse vehicle line-ups in the industry – one that consists of desirable vehicles that appeal to the head as well as the heart.”

DIESEL CAR AWARDS - Jaguar XE wins Best Large Car award, its first UK prize.

• The new Jaguar XE picks up its first UK award
• Diesel Car judges praise beautiful looks, competitive pricing and thrilling driving experience
• Arrives in retailers next month priced from £26,990

The Jaguar XE has been named Best Large Car in the 2015 Diesel Car Magazine Awards, beating tough competition from the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Ford Mondeo. The judges praised the XE’s competitive pricing, beautiful looks, classy cabin, low CO₂ emissions and its sporty driving dynamics.

Diesel Car Editor Ian Robertson said: “With a thrilling driving experience that enthusiasts yearn for and class-leading emissions, Jaguar has taken on the Germans and beaten them at their own game!”

The Jaguar XE is the only car in its class to feature a lightweight aluminium-intensive monocoque which, combined with Jaguar Land Rover’s efficient new Ingenium diesel engines, helps it to deliver fuel economy as high as 75mpg and emissions as low as 99g/km CO₂.