INEOS Grenadier

It’s been a long time coming, but finally, INEOS Automotive have revealed the exterior design of the Grenadier, its forthcoming, no-nonsense 4x4.

Quite rightly, INEOS are rather proud of the fact that the Grenadier has been built from the ground up on an all-new platform. Starting from scratch, the balanced proportions has been achieved because there were no limitations dictated by an old platform. It has been designed with a clear purpose in mind, and that’s simply to meet the demands of its future owners who demand a rugged, capable, yet comfortable go-anywhere working vehicle.

On the outside, the belt lines are functional with bump strips on the doors, or an optional ‘utility belt’ to the doors and rear body, on which to attach loads or accessories, like a jerry can.

The rear of the Grenadier is practical as well as visually striking, with the small rear door opening first to enable easy loading and unloading of smaller items. Have I mentioned that the Grenadier can accommodate a Euro pallet? Well it can.

The rear ladder can be fitted to aid access to the roof, and its design means it is aligned with the shut lines of the tailgate.

With exit points at the front and the rear of the roof included as standard, this allows easy access for exterior wiring for powering auxiliary lamps, work lamps or beacons.

On the subject of lights, INEOS say that the round lamps at the front and rear imply the strength of a solid tube running from front to back, not sure if I see that, personally, though the centre auxiliary lamps are included as standard, which is nice.

The front wings are sturdy enough that you can sit on them, and the roof bars and roof strips will enable owners to securely mount loads directly on them without the need for a roof rack - but of course a roof rack can be easily added, if you want one.

Oh yeah, there’s a storage box on the rear side, too, that is accessible from the exterior for grubby, smelly kit.

INEOS say that the Grenadier will be able to fulfil the core functions of a utilitarian 4x4, but they also hope that it’s a vehicle that will become ‘part of the family’.

So, it’s rugged and practical on the outside, and although we aren’t privy to any interior details yet, INEOS say that the Grenadier will include comfort levels that will meet the expectations of the 21st century consumer, with equipment levels and safety systems to match.

The Grenadier has been designed as a blank canvas for accessories, so customers can tailor the Grenadier to their own evolving requirements. A wide range of accessories will be available from INEOS, but they also want Grenadier owners to incorporate their existing kit into their new vehicle, and for third-party producers to develop a range of compatible accessories.

Overall, the brief was simple, to design a modern, functional and highly capable 4x4 vehicle with utility at its core. A design that is ‘easy-to-read’, with no ambiguity about the Grenadier’s role in life, it’s there to do everything you need, and nothing you don’t.

It’s certainly going to be an exciting journey for INEOS as they prepare for the next stage of the Grenadier’s development, that includes testing its capability and durability. They have a very challenging programme ahead as they put prototypes through their paces in all conditions, on the way to accumulating some 1.8 million test kilometres over the coming year.

So far I’ve managed to avoid the elephant in the room, and that’s its likeness to the outgoing Defender.

There really isn’t much I can say about that, though Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of INEOS, said:

“The Grenadier project started by identifying a gap in the market, abandoned by a number of manufacturers, for a utilitarian off-road vehicle. This gave us our engineering blueprint for a capable, durable and reliable 4x4 built to handle the world’s harshest environments. But it had to look the part as well. As you will see today, our team have done a great job in delivering a design that is both distinctive and purposeful.”

I think the Grenadier will take a whole lot of business away from LR on the commercial front, though on reflection, as Sir Jim said above, I think INEOS and Land Rover will be competing for two different markets.