INEOS GRENADIER

Over the past few months INEOS has been offering the chance to potential customers, dealers, after sale partners and the press passenger rides in one of their prototypes, and despite being invited to numerous events by the Ineos team, I finally got my act, and calendar together and drove 2-1/2 hours across to Helmsley, North Yorkshire for the Grenadier Prototype Tour.

The rain had settled to a heavy downpour by the time I arrived at Duncombe Park Estate, which was good as I was looking forward to a decent ‘off-road’ experience. Arriving a bit early, I had a while to wait before it was my turn, which gave me the opportunity to have a thorough look around another of the prototypes.

What impressed me the most is that they’ve obviously put a lot of thought into tiny details which will make it a great 4x4 to drive and live with. The cargo clips on doors, load bars on the roof and the lockable stowage compartment in the rear wheel carrier are just a few small examples of a well thought out design package.

Getting Comfy

Getting behind the steering wheel I marvelled at the generous elbow space and leg room. All the switchgear are oversized and to hand, both in the centre console and above your head in the roof. When it comes to visibility you can see both corners of the front wings so you know how close you are to obstacles.

The Recaro seats are comfy yet supportive, and you have the usual options of leather or water and stain resistant cloth. They maybe heated, but not electric, that’s because Ineos want people to be able to hose down the floors when it gets dirty, and under the seats are where the electric motors usually sit. On the subject of hosing down, you also have the option of carpets or rubber matting with removable bungs in the floor.

Getting dirty

When it was my turn for the passenger ride around the off-road course, I was immediately impressed by how quiet it was inside the cabin, not only from the engine, but there was a distinct lack of creaks, moans and rattles from the Grenadier itself - not bad for a prototype that’s probably been well abused.

It’s comfy, like all large 4x4s on coils and full beam axles should! Even from the passenger seat I could feel the suspension flexing, keeping all 4 wheels on the ground. Some would argue that you don’t need a 4x4 to have flex these days as 4x4 and traction control systems figure things out for themselves. But I like the idea of permanent 4wd, coils and three difflocks.

The next thing to impress me was how smooth in drove at speed along an undulating stretch of field.

Keeping things simple there’s one engine choice, a 3.0 litre 6-cylinder BMW unit (either petrol or diesel) that is tuned specially for torque at low rpm and mated to an 8-speed automatic ZF transmission.

Overall I was left excited, the Ineos team’s enthusiasm for the Grenadier was infectious, not only that but as a 4x4 owner and driver I can see huge potential, it’s built tough with rugged reliability in mind and I can’t wait to get my hands on one.

Reservations are now open; head over to ineosgrenadier.com to register your interest.