ROLLS-ROYCE TURNS CULLINAN INTO MOVING ART
Rolls-Royce has partnered with contemporary artist Cyril Kongo on five hand-painted Black Badge Cullinan commissions blending street art, luxury craftsmanship and collector culture.
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Luxury carmakers have long flirted with fashion and art, but Rolls-Royce’s latest collaboration pushes further into collector territory.
The British marque has unveiled five bespoke Black Badge Cullinan commissions created in collaboration with internationally recognised contemporary artist Cyril Kongo, whose graffiti-inspired works have appeared on everything from haute horology pieces to private aircraft.
The project, curated through Rolls-Royce Private Offices in New York, Seoul and Goodwood, transforms the luxury SUV into what the company describes as a “one-of-one collector’s piece”.
A hand-painted ‘Kongoverse’
Each vehicle features individually hand-painted interiors inspired by Kongo’s self-described “Kongoverse”, a visual world shaped by imagined planets, mathematical formulas, symbols and quantum physics references.
The artworks extend across the Starlight Headliner, fascia, centre console, picnic tables and rear waterfall section, with more than 70 paint colours used throughout the process.
One of the project’s standout details is the hand-painted Starlight Headliner, where Kongo worked alongside Rolls-Royce engineers to place all 1,344 illuminated stars individually.
The vehicles also introduce several firsts for the brand, including a gradient coachline with colour transitions and different coloured brake callipers behind each wheel.
Collector culture meets contemporary art
Born in Toulouse in 1969, Kongo first emerged from the Paris graffiti scene before becoming a sought-after name among luxury collectors and global brands.
Rolls-Royce said the collaboration reflects growing interest among high-net-worth collectors in contemporary and street art-inspired commissions.
The launch also forms part of the 10-year anniversary celebrations for the Black Badge family, Rolls-Royce’s darker and more performance-focused sub-brand introduced in 2016.
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Just 20 examples of the bespoke Porsche 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition will be produced, celebrating Kuwait’s cultural heritage and the marque’s seven-decade history in the region.
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Porsche has unveiled a limited-edition 911 Turbo S created exclusively for Kuwait, marking 70 years since the first Porsche sports car was imported into the Middle East.
Called the 911 Turbo S Sadu Edition, the bespoke model is based on the latest 992.II-generation Turbo S, with production limited to just 20 vehicles.
The release commemorates the arrival of a Porsche 356 Cabriolet imported into Kuwait by Morad Behbehani in 1956, establishing Behbehani Motors Company as the brand’s first Middle Eastern dealership.
The special-edition model draws heavily on Al Sadu, the traditional wool weaving practice recognised as part of UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list in 2020. Known for its bold geometric patterns and cultural significance across the Arabian Peninsula, the weaving style has been incorporated throughout both the exterior and interior detailing of the car.
“The Turbo S Sadu Edition combines high performance with exclusive craftsmanship,” Porsche Middle East and Africa CEO Dr Manfred Bräunl said.
“This very special project has been years in the making and the final product is a fitting tribute to the Behbehani family’s 70-year Porsche story.”
Finished in Cremewhite with black high-gloss accents, the car features bespoke Sadu-inspired decals across the lower doors and rear wing, alongside specially painted Sport Classic wheels and gold ‘Turbo S Sadu Edition’ badging.
Inside, the two-tone leather cabin combines black and Bordeaux Red finishes with GT Silver detailing and custom Sadu-pattern textiles integrated into the seats and door panels. The ‘70 Years’ anniversary motif has also been embossed into the headrests in Arabic lettering.
Additional detailing extends to the key case, owner’s manual wallet and illuminated door sill guards, while the car is equipped with Porsche Ceramic Composite Brakes, titanium sports tailpipes, a Burmester High-End Surround Sound System and front axle lift technology.
Behbehani Motors Company President Ali Behbehani said the model reflected both Kuwait’s traditions and Porsche’s bespoke craftsmanship capabilities.
The limited-run vehicles will be completed through Porsche Exclusive Manufaktur in Zuffenhausen, adjacent to the 911 production line.
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