Ineos Grenader 2022 Review

No matter what your drunk brain says, few good ideas come from pubs. However, the Ineos Grenadier SUV may be the only exception.

The story goes that in 2016, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the British billionaire chairman of petrochemical giant INEOS, conceived the car during a session at his favorite London pub after noticing a gap in the hardcore SUV market following the demise of the original Land Rover Defender. .

It has been suggested that the enthusiast generation was "left behind" as the SUV market softened in terms of aesthetics and ride quality. These buyers craved a rugged, all-terrain workhorse, but with modern technology and best-in-class engineering.

Fast forward six years and here we are: a non-car company trying to fill a niche that may or may not exist, launching a fuel-guzzling XNUMXxXNUMX while the rest of the world goes crazy for alternative energy. . , thanks to the whim of a self-made billionaire entrepreneur who clearly enjoys solving complex problems.

Can Ineos pull off this daring car stunt by taking the place they think exists between the Jeep Wrangler and the Mercedes G-Class?

To find out, we visited the company's off-road test site in Hambach, France, to drive a Grenadier prototype ahead of the car's launch in Australia in the last quarter of 2022.

Also check out the Australian preview of Ineos Grenadier by David Morley.

Does it represent good value for money? What functions does it have? 8/10

Final pricing and specs will be confirmed in April, but the Grenadier will most likely cost $84,500 plus travel expenses. 

As for the two models the Ineos is positioned between, that places it slightly above the $53,750 Jeep Wrangler, but nowhere near the astronomical $246,500 Mercedes is asking for the G-Class.

Since Ineos has identified four main markets - lifestyle (amateur drivers), utilitarian (farmers, landscapers, craftsmen, etc.), corporate (fleet bookings), and enthusiast (4x4 hardcore crew) - the Grenadier is likely to eat Toyota Land Cruiser. A piece of the 70s pie too. It's still cheaper at $67,400.

Initially, three versions will be launched at the same price - a five-seat station wagon we tested, a two-seat commercial vehicle, and a five-seat commercial model with the seats moved slightly forward to accommodate a larger load. We were assured that a double cab version was "in development".

The Grenadier will most likely cost $84,500 plus travel expenses.

Because our test car was still strictly a prototype, albeit at an advanced stage of production, the full feature set could not be confirmed. But here's what we can say with some degree of certainty ...

Two tire options are available, both certified by Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake - either Bespoke Bridgestone Dueler All-Terrain 001 or BF Goodrich All-Terrain T/A K02, as well as 17-inch and 18-inch steel and alloy wheels.

There is a choice of eight colors at the time of writing, but having seen the various hues in the grenadier's natural habitat, it is the no-frills monochrome colors (black, white, grey) that make the most impression.

Inside, Ineos' commitment to 21st century expectations comes to life, starting with super-comfortable heated Recaro seats.

Two tire options are available, both certified by the Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake.

The 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen from BMW can also be operated using the rotary knob next to the gear lever when the going gets rough.

Instead of on-board navigation, the system comes with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto for always up-to-date information. And if you ever get lost in the outback, the Pathfinder feature allows users to program, follow and record a route using waypoints even in the absence of road signs and tire tracks.

The Grenadier is also built with the aftermarket in mind, with ample pre-wiring for winches, zener diodes, LED lighting, solar panels and the like.

It's a frivolous detail, but we liked the steering wheel horn button, designed to gently inform cyclists of your presence or wake up any lingering cattle.

The 12.3-inch multimedia touchscreen from BMW can also be operated using the rotary knob.

Is there anything interesting about its design? 8/10

Maybe an overwhelming sense of deja vu? 

At the first glance at the Ineos production facility in Germany, located just across the border from the French polygons, the parallels with the old Defender are striking: especially the square corners, round headlights, almost flat windshield, clamshell-shaped hood, open door hinges, door handles in button-like, flat backside… you have to keep going.

If you're the kind of half-full, you'll call them "tributes". If you are a cynic, you will call them "robbery".

Either way, standing next to it on the factory floor, the Grenadier looks impressive - ruggedly handsome and undeniably imposing - with G-Wagon and Jeep Wrangler hues.

Maybe an overwhelming sense of deja vu?

Not a return to a bygone era, but an updated version of what was before. Its presence is not surprising given its size; The length is 4927mm, the height is 2033mm and the wheelbase is 2922mm, which may cause some concern for urban buyers.

It's boxy from most angles, but there's a certain laconic honesty to the Grenadier style. You intuitively feel that this is not a chariot of some poseur, you understand that this machine was created primarily as a working tool.

Of course, some styling touches are unique to the Grenadier, such as a three-piece front bumper, center fog lights, fully retractable safari windows, two 30/70 split doors (one with roof access stairs) and a side utility rail.

Ultimately, it comes down to this: the Grenadier will be judged for more than just its resemblance to a car that is no longer in production.

It's boxy from most angles, but there's a certain laconic honesty to the Grenadier style.

How practical is the interior space? 8/10

Just as old, unkillable Defenders were praised for sometimes outliving their owners, Ineos wants the Grenadier to stand the test of time - up to 50 years, it says.

To date, the design team has tested over 1.8 million kilometers of durability in some of the world's harshest landscapes, including Australia.

The aesthetic strength of the Grenadier from the side of the road (or from the side of the field) is perfectly transferred to the interior of the car. The floors are finished in rubber and can be properly hosed down thanks to the drain plugs and splash-proof surfaces of the switchgear and dashboard. These Recaro seats are also stain and water resistant.

The latest sealing technology was used to win the war against dust, water and gas, which is not always the case with SUVs in this class.

The aesthetic strength of the Grenadier from the side of the road (or from the side of the field) is perfectly transferred to the interior of the car.

Don't bother looking for the start button. Grenadier uses an old-fashioned physical key along with the handbrake lever. It's all part of Ineos' ambition to make the Grenadier as mechanical as possible.

It houses only half of the ECUs [electronic control units] found in equivalent vehicles, and would theoretically be easier to fix if it suddenly failed in the backyard.

This writer is 189 cm tall, with the wingspan of a small commercial aircraft, and yet I had enough elbow and leg room.

Three life-sized adults can fit nicely in the back, thanks to the shape of the front seats, which gives rear passengers plenty of knee room. The two-seater and five-seater commercial versions can accommodate a Euro pallet (1200 mm × 800 mm × 144 mm).

Three life-sized adults can fit perfectly in the back.

In terms of brute force, the towing capacity is 3500kg (without brakes: 750kg) and although the final weight of the car has not been officially confirmed, along with the payload, the Ineos is said to be aiming for 2400kg, although our prototype was probably heavier . Want to take a dip? Wade depth 800 mm.

And of course, the Grenadier comes with all the essential practical features a beefy off-road machine should have, including built-in cargo tie-downs, cargo rails, front and rear tow hooks, and heavy-duty skid plates.

In general, then ready for action.

What are the main characteristics of the engine and transmission? 8/10

Petrol and diesel versions are offered with 210kW/450Nm and 183kW/550Nm respectively, both using the same excellent 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged inline-six engine as the BMW X5, but tuned for more torque. 

The engine is mated to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission with permanent all-wheel drive, and there is a separate switchable downshift transfer case with a manually operated center-lock differential. The front and rear differentials are electronically locked.

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How much fuel does it consume? 7/10

Where will have to go with a total of seven out of 10 here, since official data has not yet been released. But what's interesting, given how much this huge vehicle is likely to consume, Ineos is exploring the possibility of using hydrogen fuel cells to power future versions of the Grenadier. The company insists that this technology is better suited for long-distance transportation than lithium-ion batteries. 

What safety equipment is installed? What is the safety rating? 7/10

Another general estimate is here, but more information will be available in July. It has already been suggested that the Ineos may avoid scrutiny from European and Australian new car programs as the Grenadier is expected to be sold in relatively small volumes, so a five-star crash safety rating is not a deal-breaker.

But for now, the official line is that the car has been designed to meet occupant and pedestrian safety standards in all markets and will feature several advanced safety systems.

How much does it cost to own? What kind of guarantee is provided? 7/10

The Grenadier is rumored to likely (but not necessarily) be covered by a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, as well as after-sales support even in remote parts of the country thanks to a partnership with Bosch.

Ineos aims to have 80 percent of the Australian population within reasonable distance of sales and service points at launch, with that figure rising to 98 percent by its third year.

The brand is aiming for an "agency model" where cars are bought directly from Ineos Australia rather than a dealer, which allows them to maintain fixed prices.

The Grenadier is said to likely (but not necessarily) be covered by a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

What is it like to drive? 8/10

In our short but colorful 20-minute hangout, the Grenadier handled everything that came his way with casual confidence.

Traction in low gears is impressive when climbing or descending hills, even on ridiculously waterlogged terrain. Especially one near-vertical and admittedly heartbreaking section that showed why a 35.5-degree approach angle is such a handy thing.

Suspension - solid axles front and rear - courtesy of agricultural specialist Carraro, combined with progressive coil springs and well-tuned dampers provide a comfortable ride over uncompromising terrain.

The grenadier handled everything that came his way with nonchalant confidence.

Bumps and lumps are well absorbed. Even when crawling up steep hills, with the tires hard at work in the mud for traction, body roll isn't as wild as it can be in those situations. Experience virtually stress-free without being too disconnected from the outside environment.

It also shows the value of the tough, heavy-duty Grenadier ladder frame box section chassis.

Being a prototype, our test car wasn't road ready, but the short gravel track gave us a feel for what the Grenadier could do in a straight line.

Acceleration was incredibly smooth as our Austrian driver-guide squealed “Wow!”. How much body roll appears on normal roads remains to be seen.

Even when crawling up steep inclines, body roll is not as wild as it is in situations like this.

Special mention deserves the layout and interior design, which are an integral part of the off-road atmosphere of the Grenadier.

Despite the modern technology used in this car, the simple, massive analog switchgear feels attractively old-school and fit for the Grenadier's task.

During the research, Ineos considered various modes of transport, including helicopters, and some of those thoughts were carried over to the aviation-style overhead controls that are used when the vehicle is moving off-road, adding a sense of drama.

Experience virtually stress-free without being too disconnected from the outside environment.

Verdict

With a focus on practicality and off-road stability, the Ineos Grenadier isn't a luxury offering like the new Defender, and that's a good thing.

Remember, the original Defender was iconic for good reason, and the Grenadier has all the earthy charm of a much-loved classic, plus a whole bunch of modern technology and high-tech developments.

While some consumers are rebelling against an over-digitized world, rediscovering the allure of vinyl records, paper books and other analog delights, and the automotive industry continues to look beyond the technological horizon, the Grenadier, paradoxically, feels like a breath of fresh air. - a kind of anti-car ... but in a good way.

This will quite rightly appeal to a wide range of buyers.

Even our short time at the Grenadier's company was enough to convince us that Sir Jim Ratcliffe's booze-inspired pipe dream could really shake up the XNUMXxXNUMX market. I welcome this.

Note: CarsGuide attended this event as a guest of the manufacturer, providing transportation, lodging and meals.