Dreame describes itself as a high-end cleaning appliances maker, with products such as robot vacuum cleaners, mops, and air purifiers. But now, in a move that almost no one expected, the Chinese company announced that they are also entering the world of carmaking – and its first automotive product for show (and apparently second model)… appears to be a downright clone of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan?
We all remember the famous quote from author Oscar Wilde, “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery” but most of us forget the second half of it, “… that mediocrity can pay to greatness.” Read in its full, we can’t help but think there’s no more appropriate scenario than this criminal impersonation of the Cullinan by Dreame.
It’s as if they didn’t even try, duplicating every single detail, right down to the silhouette and wheels. The massive grille and vertical fins are present, sandwiched by the rectangular headlights that look like they might even perfectly slot into a real Cullinan.
And yes, it even comes with the signature suicide doors. However, Dreame did actually make an improvement in this respect by integrating the B-pillars in the doors. This creates a cavernous opening for ingress and egress, definitely adding convenience to the picture.
Inside, the cabin is as luxurious as you’d imagine, but without photocopying the Cullinan. In fact, it incorporates much more modernity in its design with a full-length centre console and first-class style ottoman seats in the back.
The first-class airliner-style seats truly brings the airliner experience to the road. It has 145 degrees of recline and up to 1.2 metres of legroom for those lucky enough to find themselves in the rear.
READ MORE: Robot vacuum maker Dreame is building an EV, targets Bugatti Veyron performance with its first model
Powertrain details were not fully revealed but the SUV will be a range extended EV with “four engines”. The likely layout would see a petrol engine mated to a single electric motor for the front and twin electric motors for the rear – one engine, three motors, four engines in total. We won’t be surprised if there’s some translation error in there too.
Anyway, a number of smart features on the combustion side will boost efficiency, chiefly being pre-heating to reduce cold-start consumption by up to 38%, and emissions by 43%.
Working to eliminate any exterior discomforts is an “AI-enhanced” chassis with fully active suspension. A camera scans the road ahead and is capable of adjusting the damping in less than two milliseconds. Keeping the gargantuan SUV’s turning circle respectable is rear-wheel steering for a radius of under five metres.
Interestingly, Dreame is looking to assemble its cars in Germany, despite being a Chinese company. The move is very likely to avoid European tariffs on Chinese-built cars but the abundance of car factories in the country would also provide a stable supply chain platform.
ALSO READ: Rolls-Royce Cullinan Series II debuts – V12 twin turbo engine lives on
