The long-awaited Rolls-Royce SUV is well and truly underway now, as engineers from Goodwood begin testing the first prototype, or mule, under the skin of a Phantom. In what amounts to the first official teasers, here we see what will eventually be turned into Rolls-Royce Cullinan.

Making a SUV presents Rolls-Royce with an unprecedented challenge because they need to make sure the first utility Roller maintains the brand signature ride quality, while at the same time it needs to be capable of dealing with rough ground, because that is kind of the whole point of a SUV.

Rolls-Royce Cullinan test mule rides on an all-new suspension system that works in tandem with a bespoke all-whee-drive powertrain to make sure RR’s “magic carpet” ride is there. The system is being thoroughly tested on Belgian Pavé, cobblestones, corrugated concrete, noise development and measurement surfaces, resonance road, and acceleration bumps.

That is just the tip of the iceberg. Over the next months and years Rolls-Royce Cullinan SUV will be put through a huge number of tests and evaluation while the designers work on the body and craftsmen craft the lavish interior. The Cullinan should be ready sometime before 2017.