When we think of off-road competition, rugged vehicles like Jeeps, Land Cruisers, and specialized 4x4s come to mind—not ultra-luxurious SUVs built for refined comfort. Yet, in 2019, the unexpected happened: a Rolls-Royce Cullinan conquered the harsh terrain of the Rebelle Rally, the longest women-only off-road competition in the U.S.
Behind the wheel were Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe, seasoned competitors who had already proven their skills in past editions of the rally. Their mission? To push the Cullinan beyond its intended limits and prove that even the epitome of luxury could handle the punishing desert landscapes. Against all odds, they not only finished the grueling event but also claimed victory in the Crossover class.
This is the extraordinary story of how Rolls-Royce, a brand synonymous with elegance and prestige, defied expectations and redefined what adventure can look like.
Are you ready to experience the Rolls-Royce in the Desert,the Cullinan’s unexpected victory at the 2019 Rebelle Rally?
Luxury Meets the Wild: The Rolls-Royce Cullinan’s Triumph at the Rebelle Rally
Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe took on the 2019 Rebelle Rally with a vehicle no one expected: a Rolls-Royce Cullinan. What seemed like an impossible challenge turned into a remarkable success, with the duo claiming victory in the Crossover class—proving that even the pinnacle of luxury can thrive in the harshest off-road conditions.
Since its founding in 1906, Rolls-Royce has embodied elegance, prestige, and craftsmanship. The British marque, established by Charles Rolls and Henry Royce, has long been associated with unparalleled automotive excellence. In 2018, Rolls-Royce ventured into new territory by unveiling its first-ever SUV—an ultra-luxurious, full-size off-roader. The name Cullinan was no accident; it was inspired by the Cullinan Diamond, also known as the Star of Africa, the largest rough diamond ever discovered, weighing an astonishing 3,106.75 carats (approximately 621 grams).
Built on Rolls-Royce’s Architecture of Luxury aluminum platform, the Cullinan is massive: 5.34 meters long, 2.16 meters wide, and 1.83 meters tall. Its cargo space offers 526 liters of capacity, expanding to over 2,000 liters with the rear seats folded. The available Cullinan Viewing Suite, featuring two leather seats and a cocktail table, adds an extra touch of exclusivity. But the Cullinan isn’t just about opulence—it packs serious power. Under the hood, a 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 engine delivers 571 horsepower and an impressive 850 Nm of torque at just 1,600 rpm. The SUV accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 5.2 seconds, with a top speed electronically limited to 250 km/h.
Unlike many of its competitors, the Cullinan doesn’t rely on complex drive-mode selectors. Instead, it features a single Off-Road Mode. A simple button press raises the vehicle by 4 cm, engages the all-wheel-drive system, and enhances traction control. Rolls-Royce’s Magic Carpet Ride suspension system ensures an unparalleled level of comfort, utilizing the Flagbearer system—stereoscopic cameras that scan the road ahead and adjust the suspension in milliseconds.
It’s the First Rolls-Royce That Looks Better Dirty
Torsten Müller-Ötvös, CEO of Rolls-Royce, famously remarked that the Cullinan is “the first Rolls-Royce that looks better dirty.” Embracing this spirit, Rolls-Royce announced on July 1, 2019, in Reno, Nevada, that it would enter the Rebelle Rally, competing in the Crossover category alongside Subaru, Honda Ridgeline, Honda Pilot, Jaguar F-Pace, and Porsche Cayenne. “We appreciate Rolls-Royce for choosing the Rebelle Rally to showcase the off-road capabilities of the new Cullinan,” said Emily Miller, founder of the rally. “We’re thrilled to see such a diverse lineup of vehicles and teams competing at this level.”
Rebelle Rally 2019: “If It Were Easy, Everyone Would Do It”
The Rebelle Rally is the longest women-only off-road competition in the United States, covering 2,300 km across unforgiving terrain. It’s also a true test of old-school navigation—participants must rely solely on maps and a compass, as GPS and modern digital tools are strictly prohibited. But the greatest challenge isn’t just the navigation; it’s the mental and physical endurance required to push through the grueling journey.
From October 10-19, 2019, the fourth edition of the Rebelle Rally took competitors from Squaw Valley in California’s Sierra Nevada, near the Nevada border, through legendary American landscapes such as Bridgeport Ranch, Gold Point, Death Valley, Trona Pinnacles, Wagon Wheel, Harrison Ranch, Cougar Buttes in Johnson Valley, Joshua Tree National Park, and finally, the Imperial Sand Dunes near the Mexican border.
Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe: Trailblazing with a Rolls-Royce
During the same week that two astronauts made history with the first all-female spacewalk, Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe were making history of their own—navigating the unforgiving deserts of California and Nevada in a Rolls-Royce Cullinan.
The duo, known as Original Rebelles, had competed in the rally since 2016, securing a victory in the 2018 Off-Road class with a Jeep Wrangler. This time, they embraced an entirely different challenge: proving that even a luxury Rolls-Royce could dominate the desert. “There comes a moment in every off-road driver’s life when you just want to have fun,” Hall wrote in an article. “You know, surprise people with a vehicle choice so outrageous that only the bold (or the crazy) would dare to try it. That’s exactly why I’m taking the Cullinan to the Rebelle Rally.”
How the Cullinan Was Prepped for the Challenge
Hall detailed the modifications made to prepare the Cullinan for the extreme conditions of the rally:
Rolls-Royce’s built-in Off-Road Mode provides nearly 9 inches of ground clearance—not bad for an all-wheel-drive crossover. But to tackle something like the Rebelle, extra reinforcements were necessary. The rocky terrain can be brutal, so Rolls-Royce added a three-piece skid plate underneath the Cullinan. Additional protective guards were installed around the height sensors, and we fitted robust recovery points on both sides of the chassis. The standard recovery eyelets were only on one side, which could complicate extractions in tough situations, so we reinforced them. We also brought along two DMOS Delta shovels and four Maxtrax recovery boards.
For nighttime navigation, we installed an LED light bar perfectly integrated beneath the Cullinan’s grille. In the cargo area, Rolls-Royce designed a specialized tire-mounting system to hold two full-size spare wheels, with extra space for a jack, tow strap, and a small toolkit.
The Ultimate Challenge: Tires
“Tires are everything in off-roading—they’re the difference between getting stuck and making it through. And with the Cullinan, this was one of our biggest obstacles. This luxury SUV comes with 22-inch wheels and 285/40 tires, which aren’t exactly ideal for rough terrain…” With determination, strategic modifications, and a healthy dose of daring spirit, Emme Hall and Rebecca Donaghe not only completed the Rebelle Rally in the Cullinan but also secured first place in their category. The victory proved that adventure knows no limits—even when luxury meets the wild.
