The Ineos Grenadier is a rugged off-road SUV with retro styling and a powerful BMW engine under the hood.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s venture into the automotive industry made a smashing entry at the Concours of Elegance in London, where he showcased his Grenadier 4×4 SUV with real off-road genes.
Sitting next to some of the era’s defining off-roaders, the Grenadier certainly shows off its roots, but also its differences.
BMW Straight-Six Engines Under the Hood
The manufacturer offers a modular range of six-cylinder BMW diesel and petrol engines to choose from, producing from 261 to 400 HP depending on the engine selection. In our book, that’s more than enough for any adventure off the beaten path.
As Ineos Automotive CEO Dirk Heilmann puts it, it will be “fine for anyone who’s used to driving, say, a Jeep Wrangler” when discussing the Grenadier’s on-roads abilities.
Ineos brought the design philosophy to the fore by parking the SUV among off-road classics, namely a 1988 Mercedes-Benz G-Class, a 1980 Toyota FJ40, a 1944 Willys Jeep, and a Land Rover Series I.
“At the outset of the Grenadier project, we brought some of the great 4x4s of the past into the studio to look closely at what made them so enduring. And now, it’s fantastic to see Grenadier in the company of these legends. You can see common design traits and proportions, and certainly the same clarity of purpose. I think the Grenadier sits very naturally among these 4×4 icons, and if others agree, then we’ve achieved our design objective,” explained Toby Ecuyer.
The boxy aesthetics of the SUV does remind one of the absent ‘Defender,’ which might have something to do with its recent lawsuit win over Land Rover.
Two Different Body Styles – Wagon and Pickup
The 4×4 should roll off the production line by late 2021. Ineos will offer two options of the Grenadier — a five-door wagon and four-door pickup. As for pricing, expect to pay around £40,000 (≈$52,000) in the UK for the base model.
Meanwhile, the company stated that more than 17,000 potential buyers already registered interest for the SUV. However, it remains to be seen if these registrations convert into actual sales.
Heilmann stated that Europe and North America will be their key markets. However, he also added that Ineos plans to expand in Australia, Africa, and South-East Asia, where Grenadier’s off-road ruggedness will suit the rough terrain.
Presently, production is planned to be set in Wales. Nevertheless, Covid-19 scares, along with the Brexit, may move it to France instead.
Although still in development, the Grenadier’s appearance at this year’s Concours d’Elegance is keeping the buzz alive as it eyes to become the next great off-roader.
Surprisingly, even though the Grenadier has been in the news for quite a while now, the company is yet to reveal the interior of the SUV. Nonetheless, Mark Tennant, Commercial Director of Ineos Automotive, assures us that the Grenadier’s interior will be comfortable. Moreover, he promised up to date cabin with screens, connectivity, and all the bells and whistles.
It will be interesting to follow this thread, especially as October 15 approaches.
To be continued…
