Sometimes the world needs to take a small step back. We slowly lose character and personality in so many areas of our lives. I am an advocate of action. Getting things done, but with progress. Stepping back and measuring your progress, understanding what the roots were in the first place, allows you to change perspective in order to arrive at your long-term goals. Never go that fast that you actually forget this and allow yourself to properly review your progress.
Well, that step back has been taken by one company, or should I say under the direction of one Mr. Jim Ratcliffe, the brainchild of the Grenadier! They have seriously taken that look back and produced products one step ahead. Disrupting the conformist strategies. INEOS steps outside of the habits of the motoring industry and shares that not all changes are necessary.
I had the privilege of speaking with the INEOS promotions team here in Dubai. The privilege also of getting more understanding and feeling for the product, and what a product. INEOS has been testing this vehicle across the globe, and thus far it has been eating into any conditions, should we say that the world is the Grenadier’s natural habitat. Over 1.8 million kilometers of being driven high, driven low, driven hot and driven cold, and with all test’s analysed changes and upgrades were made.Â
There are many of you out there, like me, that were former British Military. And yes, quite similar thoughts, but no, as much as I thought this, there is enough to keep that nostalgic memory, but this is a new car.
"the world is the grenadier's natural habitat"
The current marketplace is saturated with 4×4 that probably never see, or will ever see anything more than a cobbled driveway or some patches of sand across the road. There are still people out there that need a proper 4×4. Farmers, humanitarian efforts in such out-of-the-world places, and more. Future models are in development, therefore already looking deeper at who wants what for what purpose. Pick-ups, short wheelbase, and even electrification, all have a place for someone.
The Grenadier is structured the old-fashioned way, with a ladder-frame chassis. INEOS has chosen two very robust engines from BMW. Choices are a 3.0 straight-six diesel with 249hp, and 550Nm of torque, or there is a 3.0 V6 turbo petrol with 285hp and 450Nm of torque.  These have been married up with an 8-speed auto box with torque converter. Maintaining permanent four-wheel drive, with low range mode, central locking diff, and electronically controlled front and rear diffs. Axles are solid beams too. This allows more flexibility in off-road situations, ensuring wheels are always touching the ground as much as physically possible. Approximately a Grenadier weighs in at 2500kg, but if towing, it will pull happily up to 3500kg. The suspension is coil springs, no fancy air suspension or similar. That’s just asking for trouble when you’re halfway up a mountain or stuck in the desert. And the body panels are all aluminum. You’ll also see many tracks, holes, and loops across the vehicle. All ready for hanging, connecting, and attaching accessories and adventure items.
The Grenadier uses BMW’s iDrive infotainment system, which has been paired to a dash and consoles that emulate the cockpit of an aircraft, with large switches designed for use with gloves on.   Switches for accessories and other additions to the car are placed above your head and in a centre roof panel, where normally you would find the sunroof. Either side of this is two smaller sunroofs. The seats are made by Recaro, with a very high level of comfort. Ready for those long-haul adventures. Plenty of room for all front and back, even for those who are on the tall side. And one small thing, that stands out when sitting in the driver’s seat. There are two horns. One at the centre of the steering wheel, and a little red one labeled Toot on the ride side of the wheel. This is for the times you may need to raise an alarm to a cyclist or pedestrian. A little lower in volume, hopefully then not scaring the living hell out of someone.
This serious off-roader looks cool, spacious, and will be a hit with farmers. It is a car that will get the job done. All that is left is to add you. Effectively a blank canvas to accessorize and am sure that accessories will be never-ending in both the INEOS and after-market areas. All four corners of the planet have had the pleasure of meeting this land-crawling beast, and it has most certainly taken on the challenge. That challenge! Well, probably the most agile and utilitarian-friendly four-wheel drive to enter the modern market.
James has a most positive and illuminating view of the world, finding soul and animation in our ever-manufactured global environments.
A traveler by nature, James has grown his professional and diverse career in Supply Chain, Photo-journalism and Digital Marketing management by acquainting himself with different traditions and cultures of more than 35 countries around the world. Capturing memories, creating identities, and gaining great perspectives.
In addition, James takes on the recent challenge of founder and creator to push his internationally recognized freelance and corporate experiences into new and exciting times with the advent of Brand Command. A brand and marketing company recognizing the creative talents of others around the world and placing soul and emotion into the image of its clients.