IN PICTURES: Ineos unveils robust 4x4 aimed at void left by Defender

Ineos says the Grenadier has been built from the ground up on a new platform to meet the demands of its future owners for a rugged, capable and comfortable go-anywhere working vehicle. It has sourced parts from numerous manufacturers that will be familiar within the farming community.

Toby Ecuyer, the company’s head of design says; “The brief was simple. We set out 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.”

Mobility technology specialist Magna has been instrumental in the design of the vehicle’s undercarriage, from the inception of the project, through its subsidiary Magna Powertrain. However, for series production, Magna Steyr has also been bought on board. The company was responsible for series production of Mercedes’ G-Wagen, with hints of that iconic vehicle also evident throughout.

A box section ladder chassis is found underneath the bodywork. Chosen for its structural rigidity and strength, the company says it has multi-layer corrosion protection. It will also enable the truck to have a 3,500kg towing capacity.

Supporting the chassis, beam axles from Carraro are used, offering better ground clearance, articulation and load carrying ability than independent suspension, says the company, as well as being simpler and easier to attach and fix. A coil and damper multi-link suspension arrangement is used; coils sourced from Eibach and dampers from ZF, offering a simple but robust system, the manufacturer says. Permanent four-wheel drive features, with looking differentials.

The front-end of the drive train is from BMW, with straight-six diesel and petrol engine variants expected. Power ratings for the modular three-litre units are expected to be between 216 and 400hp, if the tuning stays the same as the parent company’s cars.  ZF are also providing an eight-speed automatic transmission, complete with low box. It is not yet known if a manual ‘box will feature.

Externally, Ineos has designed the vehicle to be ‘open-source’ meaning that both its own accessories and those from other manufacturers can be fitted. Belt lines around the doors act as bump strips, but can be used as a ‘utility belt’, fixing jerry cans as an example to the waist of the vehicle, the company says. It has also added wiring exit ports in the roof, both front and rear to facilitate auxiliary lighting and power outlets.

The Grenadier has a vertical split rear door; a smaller section on the left for quick access when loading small items and a larger on the right which also supports the spare tyre. When both doors are open, a euro size pallet can be accommodated, making use of its tonne payload.

Production of the new four-wheel drive vehicle will start in the second half of 2021, at a newly constructed factory in Bridgend, Wales creating up to 500 jobs. To start with, the manufacturer is focussing on the five-door station wagon version, but a twin cab pickup version is also in the pipeline, and there may be a short wheelbase version on the cards too.

Dirk Heilmann, Ineos Automotive’s CEO, says; “We are delighted to be able to share the design of the Grenadier so early in the process. Most manufacturers would hold back, but we are a new business, building a new brand, and we want to take people with us on this exciting journey.”

He adds; “Showing the design now allows us to focus on the critical next phase of the vehicle’s development, testing its capability and durability.  We have a very challenging programme ahead, as we put prototypes through their paces in all conditions, on the way to accumulating some 1.8 million test kilometres over the coming year.  From today the covers are off. Testing ‘in plain sight’ without the need for camouflage wrapping, foam blocks or fake panels is an added benefit.”