The design brief for the Ineos Grenadier aimed to create a new off-road car with three non-negotiable priorities: design, durability, reliability, and off-road capability. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, CEO and chairperson of Ineos chemicals group, sketched the first prototype on a napkin at the Grenadier pub in London, emphasizing these priorities. After five years of development, the first cars are set to be produced at the Hambach facility in France, which Ineos purchased from Mercedes Benz. The journey to bring the Grenadier to production hasn’t been easy, as Land Rover brought a court case against Ineos, claiming that the design of the original Defender was trademarked. Land Rover lost the case, allowing Ineos to move forward without restrictions.
The development of the Grenadier involved extensive research and development, including over 1.8 million kilometers of testing in extreme weather and terrain across the globe. In order to meet their design objectives, Ineos partnered with reputable companies such as BMW for engines, ZF for gearboxes, Magna Steyr for design and engineering, Bosch and Tremec for the transfer case, and the Carraro Group for the car’s live axles.
Ineos plans to release three variants of the Grenadier in South Africa: the Station Wagon, Trailmaster Edition for serious off-roaders, and the more bespoke Fieldmaster Edition. Later this year, there may be a hydrogen fuel cell version and a double cab variant.
All three variants are powered by BMW engines, either a 3.0-liter twin-turbo diesel engine with 182 kW and 550 Nm or a 3.0-liter turbocharged straight six petrol engine with 210 kW or 450 Nm. The engines have undergone revisions and recalibrations during the three-year live-testing phase to optimize both on- and off-road performance.
Power is distributed to all four wheels through an eight-speed ZF gearbox with a heavy-duty torque converter. The Tremec transfer case is manually operated and has an external oil cooling system. The Station Wagon and Fieldmaster Edition can be equipped with front and rear electronically operated Eaton lockers. The Grenadier features a full box-frame ladder chassis, coil springs and dampers, anti-roll bars, a five-link suspension setup, and box and beam steering. Brembo brakes are used, and the vehicle is designed to handle a combined gross fully laden weight and maximum trailer weight of seven tons.
The Grenadier’s exterior design and features adhere to the analog and robust nature of the vehicle. It has rock sliders to protect the sills and undercarriage, 17-inch steel wheels as standard, and the option for 18-inch steel or alloy wheels with specially designed all-terrain Bridgestone or BF Goodridge tires.
The interior of the Ineos Grenadier takes a departure from the sleek and modern designs we’re accustomed to. Instead of a large dominating screen, it features a small digital readout that only shows essential icons and information when the off-road button is pushed. The off-road controls, such as Off-Road and Wading Modes, diff lock, Downhill Assist, and pre-wired auxiliary switches, are conveniently located on the overhead control panel, inspired by aircraft cockpits. The vehicle comes pre-wired for various off-road accessories, with multiple circuits and weather-proof roof mounted outlets.
The centre control panel adopts a similar design, with chunky dials and switches that are easy to operate even with gloves on. There is a 12.3-inch touch screen that displays driver information and can be controlled via buttons on the steering wheel, the rotary controller on the centre console, or the touch screen itself. The touch screen also houses the Ineos Automotive’s Pathfinder navigation system, a waypoint-based navigation system using GPS signals and coordinates.
Comfort is provided by eight-way manually adjustable Recaro seats specifically designed for the Grenadier. Standard upholstery is a combination of dirt- and water-resistant cloth and vinyl, with the option to have them heated. Full-grain leather seats are also available, and they come with standard heating. During a launch drive in Scotland, the seats proved to be comfortable even in cold temperatures.
Given its utilitarian nature, the Grenadier is built to handle dirt, mud, and grime. The interior features five interior one-way drain valves under removable rubber mats, allowing for easy cleaning. Critical cabin components have an IP54K rating, providing protection against dust and water ingress.
The driving experience of the Ineos Grenadier was tested during the international launch in Scotland. Driving from Inverness to the town of Lusa in the Scottish Highlands, the Grenadier showcased its abilities in the picturesque and rugged terrain. Ineos allowed the drivers to navigate the technical areas independently, with only some guidance on the various 4×4 settings.
During the test drive, the wading depth of the Grenadier was put to the test, with a depth of 800mm. The vehicle features a Wading Mode that monitors engine temperature and disables the engine fan to prevent plastic parts from breaking when water flows over the bonnet. The wading experience was successful, with no water entering the car, a welcome change compared to other vehicles, such as the Defender.
During the test drive of the Ineos Grenadier, the weather conditions played a role in creating muddy and slippery 4×4 sections due to melting snow and rain. However, with all three differential locks engaged, the Grenadier navigated the challenging terrain easily, with minimal wheel slip or damage. The downhill control speed could be set on the cruise-control button, and the traction control system operated silently, contributing to a controlled descent.
Driving on dirt roads is where the Grenadier truly shines, and it feels well-balanced with little slipping and sliding when navigating corners and bends. The vehicle’s weight, ranging from 2,644kg to 2,740kg depending on the specification, doesn’t hinder its handling capabilities.
The combination of the engine and gearbox is exceptionally smooth, surpassing even flagship models from premium brands. The suspension and steering work well together, allowing the Grenadier to handle twisting roads without much fuss. Acceleration is effortless, bringing the vehicle up to speed quickly, and the driving position is near perfect.
Despite adverse weather conditions on day two of the test drive, the Grenadier demonstrated its off-road abilities on a more technical and rocky route. It tackled the terrain with ease, with occasional spins before the differential locks kicked in to propel it forward and upward. The supportive seats provided comfort during the rocking motion.
Overall, the Ineos Grenadier impressed the test drivers, meeting their expectations in terms of design, off-road capabilities, and practical features. The vehicle offers a roof rating of 150kg, strategically placed charging points, ample storage space, and a rear-mounted spare wheel that doubles as additional storage for wet and muddy items. While reliability and durability will be confirmed as more people own the Grenadier, the initial impressions of the vehicle are positive.
The Ineos Grenadier comes with a five-year/100,000km warranty, and an optional service plan is available.
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Ineos has recently formed partnerships with two companies to operate three retail and service locations in South Africa. The SMH Group will oversee operations in Johannesburg and Pretoria, while SMG will cover Cape Town and Durban. Additionally, selected service-only sites will be established to enhance after-sales support.
Below are the prices for the Ineos Grenadier models, excluding optional extras, on-the-road (OTR) costs, and emissions tax:
3.0L Turbo Petrol, Straight-Six Engine:
– Station Wagon: R1 513 100
– Trailmaster Edition: R1 630 560
– Fieldmaster Edition: R1 630 560
3.0L Twin-Turbo Diesel, Straight-Six Engine:
– Station Wagon: R1 513 100
– Trailmaster Edition: R1 630 560
– Fieldmaster Edition: R1 630 560
The specifications for the Ineos Grenadier include:
– Ground clearance: 264mm
– Wading depth: 800mm
– Approach angle: 35.5˚
– Ramp breakover angle: 28.2˚
– Departure angle: 36.1˚
– Maximum side angle limit: 45˚
– Front axle articulation: 9˚
– Rear axle articulation: 12˚
– Wheel travel: 585mm
– Crawl ratio and speed (petrol): 53.81 and 2.04km/h
– Crawl ratio and speed (diesel): 56.37 and 2.08km/h
Source: IOL Motoring