Demand from South African customers for the all-new Grenadier from the chemical-maker-turned-car-manufacturer Ineos has exceeded the company’s expectations.
“By the end of June, we plan to deliver 50 vehicles in South Africa and the first deliveries to customers in Namibia and Kenya have recently taken place,” Ineos confirmed to TopAuto.
“Deliveries in other markets, including Botswana and Tanzania, will start shortly thereafter.”
Ineos initially announced its entry into the sub-Saharan African market at the start of 2022, with global pre-orders opening in May of the same year.
The brand has two local distributors in the form of the SMH Group in Gauteng and SMG in KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, Northern Cape, and Eastern Cape.
“Overall, demand for the Station Wagon has exceeded our expectations, and we’re also seeing a lot of interest in the forthcoming double cab Pick-Up,” said the company.
The most popular Grenadier
Ineos revealed that local patrons of the Grenadier tend to go for the diesel engine matched with the Trialmaster trim, which is the top-end model in the family.
The uptake of factory-fit accessories has also been “very high,” it said, led by bull bars, picnic tables, rock sliders, roof racks, seat covers, and winches.
Locally, the diesel Grenadier Trialmaster is available from a starting price of R1,630,560, and with all the above extras equipped, the total window sticker comes to R1,832,295 – a rather daunting amount for an untested, unproven 4×4.
Nevertheless, Ineos has promised that its SUV will be able to keep up with the best of the best and this is thanks to a plethora of specialised equipment and a purpose-built design.
Bolted between the front wheels of the new off-roader is a 3.0-litre, turbo-diesel motor sourced from BMW with a power output of 183kW and 550Nm.
An eight-speed cog swapper with a two-speed transfer case directs power to the permanent 4×4 system, which in turn accomplishes a combined fuel consumption of 9.5l/100km and a maximum towing capacity of 3,500kg.
A raised air intake additionally gets the Ineos to that competitive 800mm water wading depth, and it boasts an aggressive approach angle of 36.2 degrees, a break-over angle of 28.2 degrees, and an exit angle of 36.1 degrees.
Complementing this, the Grenadier is equipped with 17-inch steel wheels shod with BFGoodrich All-Terrain KO2 tyres that put it 264mm off the ground, and there’s also an exterior ladder for owners to climb on top of the 2m-high roof.
An exterior utility belt is included, too, offering mounting points for several optional add-ons.
Keeping with the rugged persona, the Grenadier’s cabin gets heavy-duty flooring with drainage valves, simplistic styling with hard-wearing materials, an overhead auxiliary switch panel connected to an auxiliary battery, a compass with an altimeter, interior utility rails, and the Pathfinder off-road navigation system.
It still comes with all the creature comforts you’d expect from a modern-day car as well, including Nappa or Saddle leather upholstery, a multifunction steering wheel, a touchscreen infotainment system, climate control, a rear-view camera, and front and rear parking sensors.
Keyword: How many Ineos Grenadiers have been ordered in South Africa