Ineos is one of those companies that has its fingers in a lot of pies, with one of those being the automotive industry.
In 2022, the company announced the Ineos Grenadier, a utilitarian off-roader that aims to strike a balance between the Land Rover Defender and Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon.
But, for us common folk, much is still unknown about the Grenadier. So, how good is a 4x4 made by a chemical company that recently bought a stake in Manchester United?
In this blog, we take a look at the Grenadier and all it has to offer.
I sometimes think that Jim Ratcliffe has been challenging his inner youth in recent years. Making his own 4x4 and buying a stake in Manchester United, it doesn’t really get much better than that.
At the launch of the Grenadier, Jim Ratcliffe said that the idea for the vehicle came about because of a gap in the market for a utilitarian off-road vehicle that can be used as a reliable working tool.
In short, Ineos wanted to create a 4x4 that could meet the demands of an active and hard-working business.
When you look at the Grenadier, it looks pretty good on the eye. It’s a cross between a Toyota Land Cruiser and Land Rover Defender, with a little bit of Jeep Wrangler thrown into the mix.
At the front, there’s a horizontal front grille with rounded headlamps, while the body of the car stands quite upright in a boxy shape.
It also comes with 17-inch steel wheels as standard, with 18 and 17-inch alloy wheels available as an extra.
I’m impressed with the interior of the Grenadier; it does a great job of blending modern technologies with rugged and traditional 4x4 characteristics. Whether you’re 18 or 70 years old, you’ll have no issues navigating your way around the interior of the Grenadier.
It’s the dashboard that stands out for me. At the top is a 12.3-inch central control system, but look below, and you’ll find a load of buttons and dials that provide a more traditional look. You also get an integrated compass for those adventurers out there.
You also get an overhead control panel, just to make you feel like you’re a pilot. Jokes aside, the overhead panel is superb. It includes all your off-road controls, including the buttons for the axle differential locks and the switches for light bars or winches.
The Grenadier is powered by a BMW straight-six engine that’s available in two versions, the B58 petrol and B57 diesel. The petrol version is more powerful, returning 286PS compared to the diesel’s 249PS.
Both have a top speed of 99mph and shoot from 0-62mph in 8.8 seconds (petrol) and 9.8 seconds (diesel).
On the road, the Grenadier is decent to drive and nothing to really write home about. But get off the road, and it comes into its own. Whether it’s battling through mud, tackling rocks, or wading in water, the Grenadier powers through.
The Grenadier is available in three versions: Quartermaster, Station Wagon, and Utility Wagon.
The Station Wagon is the standard version, coming with five seats and a generous payload of up to 835kg. If you want more cargo space, the Utility Wagon has only two seats and a full-length flat food capable of taking a standard Euro Pallet.
If you’re looking for even more space and practicality, go for the Quartermaster version. It’s like a pickup truck as it adds a sizable load bay onto the rear end, allowing you to carry impractical cargo.
If you want to be a bit of a nomad in the 4x4 sector, the Ineos Grenadier is the vehicle for you. It looks good, has a practical interior, and is undoubtedly one of the best off-road vehicles to drive.
Although it’s not very commonplace yet, we’d recommend giving the Grenadier a go if you spend your weekend like Bear Grylls.
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