French-build hard-core 4x4 wagon picks up where old Land Rover Defender left off
- How much does the INEOS Grenadier cost?
- What equipment comes with the INEOS Grenadier?
- How safe is the INEOS Grenadier?
- What technology does the INEOS Grenadier feature?
- What powers the INEOS Grenadier?
- How fuel-efficient is the INEOS Grenadier?
- What is the INEOS Grenadier like to drive?
- How good is the INEOS Grenadier off-road?
- How much can the INEOS Grenadier tow?
- What is the INEOS Grenadier like inside?
- Should I buy an INEOS Grenadier?
How much does the INEOS Grenadier cost?
It may look like the lovechild of a Land Rover Defender and a Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, but the 2023 INEOS Grenadier is actually an all-new heavy-duty off-roader from an all-new brand.
Before we get to pricing and the line-up, however, a few paragraphs of background… It’s not that often we introduce a genuinely all-new brand.
Best known as a global chemicals giant and having a one-third share in the Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 team, the INEOS conglomerate now also owns sporting clubs, iconic British outdoors clothing brand Belstaff, extensive property portfolios and an eclectic bunch of other businesses.
The privately held, multi-billion-dollar company is headed by Sir Jim Ratcliffe. And he’s key to the Grenadier’s raison d’etre. The suggestion that the INEOS Automotive start-up was formed after Ratcliffe was downing beers while lamenting Land Rover’s decision to kill-off the original Defender in a London pub is wrong… They were gin and tonics…
I mention the above only for the fact that the billionaire’s interest in this all-new, ground-up off-roader is manifest. His fingerprints are all over the Grenadier and will continue to shape the company’s future products.
For now, INEOS Automotive’s line up consists of two- and five-seat variants of a single five-door dual-range body-on-frame wagon, auto-only with the choice of turbocharged petrol and diesel inline six-cylinder powertrains.
The Grenadier will eventually be offered as a dual-cab ute, built on a stretched version of the Grenadier’s existing running gear. There will be other model lines – one doesn’t ante up billions of euros to build just one car.
Right now, prices for the INEOS Grenadier Utility wagon kick off at $97,000 plus on-road costs for the two-seat version and $98,000 plus ORCs for the five-seater INEOS Grenadier Station Wagon. You can choose between petrol and diesel for the same price.
Leveraging INEOS’ ownership of the iconic Belstaff brand, two optioned-up variants will account for the lion’s share of sales Down Under – and that’s what we are testing here.
The five-seat INEOS Grenadier Fieldmaster Edition has a slightly plusher interior and dressier wheel and tyre package, while the INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster Edition boasts steel wheels, more aggressive rubber and other features including triple differential locks aimed at off-road capability.
Both Belstaff Editions are priced from $109,525 plus ORCs with the choice of petrol or diesel.
Most people will end up paying a lot more than this because there’s a raft of cross-pollenating packs, options and accessories.
Think of all the three current variants of Grenadier as blank canvases for adventurers, enthusiasts and remote workers who want something tough and functional to cover just about any terrain.
In Australia and New Zealand, INEOS Automotive has adopted an agency model so prices are fixed and transparent. Buyers can specify, configure, order and even finance their Grenadier purchase from INEOS’ own website or visit one of its growing number of dealerships.
As befitting the target customers, outlet locations are heavily skewed in numbers to regional areas – there’s just one each in the five major capitals.
What equipment comes with the INEOS Grenadier?
The near-$100K starting price of the 12-variant 2023 INEOS Grenadier line-up buys you plenty of mechanical capability including full-time dual-range four-wheel drive with standard lockable centre differential, plus solid equipment levels.
However, cabin materials and finishes are relatively spartan – and for this INEOS Automotive is unashamed.
Indeed, the standard INEOS Grenadier is deliberately a hose-out affair – in theory. Carpet is an option on all grades, although the Fieldmaster does get standard carpet mats.
That said, even the entry-level Grenadiers are reasonably well equipped. Cloth and vinyl trimmed, manual-adjustable front seats come courtesy of Recaro, while air-conditioning is a simple single-zone climate-control system.
Other standard equipment highlights across the range include full LED lighting, a Nappa leather-wrapped steering wheel, 17-inch steel wheels wrapped in Bridgestone Dueler all-terrain tyres, a full-size spare, heated rear window, cruise control, power windows and central locking.
Centre LED auxiliary pencil spotlights are integrated into the front grille on all Grenadiers.
The INEOS Grenadier Belstaff Fieldmaster and INEOS Grenadier Belstaff Trialmaster Editions up the ante in terms of comfort and off-road capability respectively.
Both get what INEOS calls its Smooth Pack ($2205), comprising rear camera, front park assist, immobiliser, power heated exterior mirrors, heated windscreen washer jets, lockable central console, puddle lamps, auxiliary charge points and ambient door lighting.
Other additions to both Belstaff Edition Grenadiers include roof-access ladder, compass and altimeter and a multi-function tow hitch (ready for pintel or normal 2-inch receiver) with wiring harness.
Low-profile roof rails and ‘shoulder’ tie-down points dispense with the need for roof racks for light loads.
The Fieldmaster upgrades to 17-inch alloy wheels (with lock nuts) but retains the base grade’s same Bridgestone A/T rubber. ‘Safari’ windows above the front passenger and driver are standard and creature comforts include leather trim and heated front seats plus carpet floor mats.
There are no seven-seat Grenadiers and the rear seat is a conventional 60:40-split/folding bench in all station wagon versions.
The most adventure-ready INEOS Grenadier out of the box (a very relative term given even the base version’s capability) is the Trialmaster which echoes the Fieldmaster in many aspects but adds INEOS’ Rough Pack ($3015) as standard. This comprises front and rear diff locks and more aggressive BFGoodrich T/A KO2 tyres (on steel wheels).
The Trialmaster also gets exterior and interior aircraft-style cargo fastening channels, a raised air intake (INEOS points out this is not a snorkel), an auxiliary battery with integrated CTEK charger, high-load auxiliary switch panel with winch and spotlight-ready wiring.
Among the significant list of options offered across the line-up is an integrated heavy-duty 5500kg winch ($5705kg), seriously solid roof rack ($2640) and rock sliders ($1710), spare wheel lockable storage ($440), carpet flooring ($395) and the option of 18-inch steel and alloy wheels.
The only standard exterior colour is Scottish White solid paint, with other solid paints (Magic Mushroom, Eldoret Blue, Britannia Blue, Sela Green, Inky Black) all costing $950 extra, while metallic hues (Sterling Silver, Shale Blue, Queen’s Red, Donny Grey) all cost an additional $1295.
Contrasting solid roof paint (Scottish White or Inky Black) is a $1775 option and, instead of the standard black power-coating, the ladder frame can be had in contrasting red or grey paint for a further $1480. If you do choose the latter, INEOS will donate a portion of the money to one of two nominated charities (based on the colour).
The INEOS configurator lists a wide range of other options – it’s hours of fun. Indeed the options list and the accessory catalogue are still expanding. With a decade or more of model life ahead of the Grenadier, expect that to continue.
Down Under, the Grenadier range is backed by a five-year, unlimited-km mechanical warranty. A 12-month service interval is recommended but this is halved in “continuous tough environments”.
The company’s outlets will provide service support but INEOS has also partnered with Bosch for servicing if your local agent is not local enough. INEOS says it will also support owners who choose to service their own Grenadiers with “3D interactive” online manuals.
How safe is the INEOS Grenadier?
The nature of the 2023 INEOS Grenadier’s ladder chassis and body-on-frame design means it is unlikely to be tested and ranked as a five-star car by bodies like Euro NCAP and ANCAP any time soon.
It’s safety suite therefore balances legislative requirements and the need to be safe on- and off-road.
Standard features include six airbags (including side curtain), anti-lock brakes, electronic traction/stability control, automatic hazard warning, tyre pressure monitoring, SOS Emergency Call, trailer stability assist and parking sensors. There are ISOFIX/iSize child seat anchor points for each of the two outboard rear seats on five-seat models.
Cruise control is standard, as are off-road assistance functions including off-road mode, wading mode, hill descent control and uphill assist.
In the 2023 model there is no autonomous emergency braking (AEB). This feature along with lane departure warning is expected to be added in the 2024 model year via a camera-based system. Adaptive cruise is unlikely to arrive any time soon.
What technology does the INEOS Grenadier feature?
The 2023 INEOS Grenadier may be capability-focussed but it’s no four-wheeled luddite. Indeed, there’s been a very considered approach taken to technical integration – of which there’s no shortage.
Infotainment is delivered via centre stack which is topped by a 12.1-inch interface featuring DAB+ digital radio, Android Auto, wireless Apple CarPlay and Bluetooth connectivity. The bespoke operating system concentrates various systems including voice control and a multi-mode Offroad suite.
Offroad display screen include Altitude, Tyre Monitoring, access to Pathfinder (see below), Statistics and Battery State. Think of it as an extra-smart trip computer with practical aids such as steering angle, tyre pressures and so on.
Decent four-speaker audio is provided – helped thanks to fact the Grenadier is generally quieter in terms of mechanical, wind and road noise than any ‘old-school’ off-roader.
On-road navigation is via various smartphone partner apps but INEOS Automotive has embedded its own native Pathfinder off-road navigation system. It says the bespoke, waypoint-based navigation system “has been specifically developed for adventures in the Grenadier, and uses GPS signals and co-ordinates to accurately guide drivers”.
Pathfinder boasts three modes (Follow Path, Record Path and Roadbook), which variously create, use and export (via USB-A or C) GPS files.
The centre stack of the Grenadier concentrates the everyday vehicle functions and switchgear as well as the Belstaff Editions’ combo compass and altimeter. Switches have an aircraft cockpit aesthetic. It’s function over form but the result is attractive, albeit in a very industrial way.
An overhead switch panel groups off-road functions and additional electrical systems. They’re a little hard to quickly take in but familiarity will help. INEOS suggests grouping off-road functions overhead gives your co-driver access to assist with engaging diff locks, off-road mode and such.
In some cases, these systems need a sequence of pushes to action. Again, there’s purpose to this process, however, given the unique positioning of these switches, one-touch might be preferable.
In place of a traditional instrument panel, ahead of the driver is a small screen with warning lights for key systems, fault telltales and nothing else. INEOS says this gives the driver better sights lines.
It means, however, that key instrument functions such as speed, gear selection, engine RPM, fuel levels and the like use some of the centre screen’s real estate and are a decent scan away from straight ahead. Not 100 per cent sure I’m a fan.
The multi-function steering wheel and stalks are par for the course on modern cars, with one exception. In addition to the centre conventional (loud!) horn pad, on the right-hand wheel spoke there’s a button labelled Toot.
Says INEOS: “The Toot Button – a direct link to the INEOS Grenadier cycling team – offers a friendly tone in place of the regular horn, and is ideal for notifying cyclists, walkers, horse riders or any other road users of your presence in a friendly, polite way.” It’ll never work Down Under!
Grenadier buyers who wish to add other tech such and HF and VHF radios, additional lighting (including strobes, etc) and the like benefit from easy access to ‘plug and play’ wiring in both the Grenadier’s engine bay and cabin. Likewise, there’s power for a fridge and other appliances where you’d expect.
What powers the INEOS Grenadier?
INEOS Automotive may be mostly unknown but what’s beneath the bonnet of the 2023 INEOS Grenadier Fieldmaster and 2023 INEOS Grenadier Trialmaster should be very familiar.
Rather than developing its own engines, the company turned to BMW for a choice of petrol or diesel propulsion – two 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder turbos hooked up to eight-speed ZF autos.
INEOS is proud of the German engineering in the Grenadier, even blending the British and German flags on its badging – then there’s also the ex-Mercedes-Benz Hambach manufacturing plant near Strasbourg.
The BMW N58-series petrol makes 210kW and 450Nm and sees the Grenadier cover the 0-100km/h dash in 8.6sec. But it’s the diesel most buyers will choose and in INEOS tune the B57-series turbo-diesel packs 183kW and 550Nm. It takes a more leisurely 9.9sec to get to 100km/h.
In addition to steeling the engines to cope with lower fuel quality, the tuning changes INEOS engineers have made to the BMW powertrains aim to deliver both peak torque at low revs for optimal off-road performance, and powerful acceleration through the rev range on tarmac.
A larger radiator with upgraded fan enhances the engines’ overall cooling performance, with optimised coolant flow within the pipes and radiator.
Both the ZF8HP51 transmission used in petrol variants and the ZF8HP76 gearbox used in diesel-powered models have posted impressive track records for reliability and durability since their market debut in 2008. For their deployment in the Grenadier, Magna-Steyr recalibrated and fine-tuned the gearboxes and added a heavy-duty torque converter specifically for off-road work.
At the Grenadier’s core is a full box-section ladder frame chassis that is very stiff, stable and corrosion-resistant. Robust five-link front and rear suspension set-ups deliver 585mm of axle articulation with 230/300mm (approx) of wheel travel front and rear respectively.
The heavy-duty solid beam axles are the handiwork of Italian specialist, Carraro. With over 50 years’ experience making heavy-duty tractor axles for ag brands like John Deere and CLAAS, Carraro’s axles are, umm, substantial.
No doubt the over-engineering of the hard parts on which the Grenadiers roll has much to do with its substantial kerb mass – over 2700kg for the diesel and around 100kg less in the case of the petrol.
The INEOS-designed and Tremec manufactured manually-operated two-speed gear-driven transfer case integrates a lockable centre differential. Its low-range ratio of 2.5:1 provides decent reduction for greater control when tackling low-speed off-road manoeuvres. It features an external oil cooling system.
INEOS quotes low/low total reduction ratio and crawl speeds of 53.81 and 56.37:1/2.04 and 2.08km/h for the petrol and diesel models respectively. Not quite in the Unimog league but stick the vehicle in drive, dismount and walk alongside for a minute and it will have only moved around 30m. PS: Seriously, don’t try this at home…
All Grenadiers ride on Eibach coil springs front and rear, while Brembo disc hardware handles stopping duties at all four corners. The 316mm diameter vented front discs are gripped by twin-piston callipers and 305mm diameter rear solid discs, by single-piston.
The live-axle configuration of the Grenadier sees its use a light truck-sourced, robust but low-ratio recirculating-ball steering system that is perhaps the vehicle’s only real Achilles’ heel. At more than 3.7 turns lock-to-lock, steering is slow – although not onerous thanks to decent power assistance. See below for more about its effect on driving characteristics.
How fuel-efficient is the INEOS Grenadier?
Not very, is probably the answer we should write… But horses for courses – this is a 2700kg-plus, full-time 4×4 with no accommodation for aerodynamics and yet the turbo-diesel version still manages to deliver a WLTP Combined consumption of 10.5L/100km. The petrol versions are listed at 12.6L/100km.
With a 90-litre fuel tank, the turbo-diesel should approach a 1000km range on the highway.
INEOS is looking at additional tankage options for those users who require additional range in extreme conditions. This need may be filled by aftermarket partners. INEOS has a strategy (in general) to engage such third parties early and often. Local businesses which are already in discussion with the brand include well-known off-road specialists.
What is the INEOS Grenadier like to drive?
The 2023 INEOS Grenadier looks rugged and ready for business and there’s a corresponding rawness to the way it drives. It’s polished, but not perfect.
Sure, it packs BMW engines but there’s not entirely BMW levels of refinement. You’ll feel and hear it going about its business. There’s also the occasional whine from the drivetrain and some wind noise here and there – better than older off-roaders but more than your average SUV.
But this is not your average jelly-mould SUV and the timbre sort of works with the utilitarian flavour of the Grenadier.
Under the bonnet, there may be BMW propulsion but not BMW power levels. Combined with that substantial mass, it means acceleration is honest rather than brisk.
The petrol version revs more cleanly and ultimately provides snappier acceleration. It’s fast enough with decent roll-on performance for overtaking.
But it’s the diesel that makes more sense. There’s hearty mid-range acceleration and an effortlessness to the way it maintains a cruising speed. It might even sound a little better than the petrol, although both sixes are good on the ear.
The diesel’s flexibility is helped by the eight-speed ZF, which nicely plucks ratios.
If you’re expecting the on-road dynamic excellence of a BMW X5 or even a new Land Rover Defender, however, think again… The Grenadier’s driving characteristics are old-school.
There are live axles front and rear and plenty of mass that needs to be coaxed to change direction. Throw in all-terrain tyres with a relatively tall profile and you’re up for some sluggish responses.
The truck-like recirculating-ball steering doesn’t help and is arguably the biggest thing INEOS needs to work on.
There’s no way to sugar coat it, the steering is pretty awful… Vague on centre and lethargic and, as noted above, plenty of armfuls are required to go lock-to-lock. You’ll be kept busy with the slow ratio. Plus, it’s not particularly keen to return to centre, so you’ll also be winding a lot of that lock off when exiting a corner.
Short version – you’ll be busy at the wheel…
Passengers should be a lot happier, though. The suspension is relatively compliant and does a decent job of dealing with bumps. The long wheelbase helps. The Grenadier also corners remarkably flat – forget those images of old Rangies scraping their mirrors…
On the ice-damaged Scottish roads used for our global launch drive, the occasional pothole or dip was brushed away as though it was a minor inconvenience; the Grenadier certainly feels like a tough truck that’ll cope with anything.
How good is the INEOS Grenadier off-road?
Serious off-road capability is the reason the 2023 INEOS Grenadier exists. It absolutely ticks this box – at least to the extent an initial launch drive can inform. In fact, the more time you spend with the INEOS Grenadier Fieldmaster and Trialmaster (in particular) off-road, the more you realise it relishes tougher terrain.
All that old-school thinking underneath brings huge benefits once the going gets rough. There’s 264mm of ground clearance – about 20 per cent more than a 70 Series LandCruiser – and short overhangs mean there’s little chance of scrapes and scuffs.
Approach and departure angles are generous at 35.5 and 36.1 degrees respectively. Rampover is an impressive 28.2 degrees. A modest lift will exaggerate these numbers. And the Grenadier’s live axles have loads of travel, so the wheels can compress and droop to keep them in contact with whatever it is you’re driving over.
There are also triple locking differentials. Once they’re locked in (see technology above), there’s fantastic traction.
This is further assisted by the choice of rubber, which is well suited to the Grenadier’s brief. The cars we were driving featured the more serious BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrains, which easily handled everything we threw at them – even at standard road pressures.
The Grenadier’s switchable Off-Road Mode disables parking sensors, seatbelt reminders and the engine’s idle-stop system, as well as tempering stability and traction control. Selecting the integrated Wading Mode monitors engine temperature and disables the engine fan.
Downhill assist is another button-push away and speed can be changed via the cruise control controls on the wheel. One improvement INEOS could make might be showing the speed increments you’ve set for this function.
We tackled long rocky climbs and downhills near Loch Lomond, as well as more boggy conditions in the Cairngorm National Park and Ardverikie Estate near Kinloch Laggan, and the Grenadiers ne’er put a wheel wrong. Sand driving will have to wait until we get one Down Under.
How much can the INEOS Grenadier tow?
We expect the 2023 INEOS Grenadier line-up to be almost as good at towing as they are off-road, with perhaps one proviso.
Braked towing capacity across the range is pegged at the class-standard 3500kg (350kg downball max) and a 7000kg GCM is expected to be confirmed for local-spec vehicles.
Part of the equation here is effective payload at max towing capacity. Expected payload ranges from 689kg on a fully-optioned diesel Trialmaster Station Wagon to 871kg for a base two-seat petrol Utility Wagon.
The rear of the single-row Utility wagon can swallow a Euro pallet thanks to the wide-opening barn doors and 2088 litres of cargo space. The Station Wagons offer up 2035L of space with the 60:40-split/folding second row stowed, or 1152L when it’s in place.
That proviso? The steering. While the vague and slow response is not a huge issue off-road, it could be a little tiresome when towing – especially on high-crowned roads. Let’s take that aspect under advisement for the time being.
What is the INEOS Grenadier like inside?
There’s no missing the intention of the 2023 INEOS Grenadier’s exterior design – exposed bolts, classic 4×4 proportions and details – and that built-for-purpose mantra extends to the interior.
The centre stack and overhead switch panels set the theme (see Technology above) – it’s aviation chic and no-nonsense. Same goes for the material choices. There are softer materials where there needs to be but most of the plastics deliver plenty of room for either INEOS or the aftermarket to glam-up things down the track.
The ‘analogue’ transfer case selector and traditional handbrake lever send a message – minimal fancy electronics here… So much so, the BMW-sourced angular gearshift lever is anachronistic.
As noted above, don’t go expecting wood or carbon-fibre finishes in the Grenadier – that’s not what it’s about. Instead, saddle leather steering wheel option aside, it’s the basics done right. Functionality that looks like it’s here for the long haul.
The Recaro front seats are excellent and the driving position is good but for one glitch. There is an issue with space for the driver’s left foot. There’s a raised panel on the floor that’s there to cover the exhaust system beneath. It’s ‘disguised’ as a dead pedal and some drivers won’t notice – many others will.
The optional Safari windows are a must-tick item (they allow more natural light and brighten the cabin) and the chunky doors have a ledge that’s perfect for elbows on long drives. Overall, the front passengers have a much more natural relationship with the B-pillar and side windows than Defender drivers will remember. You don’t have to dip down to look out.
The rear seat is a vast improvement on many off-roaders. You sit a little higher than up front but there’s proper legroom and decent comfort. I deliberately spent time in the rear seat on some of the rougher sections as well as on the road and it’s decent. It’s a big step up to get in though and additional grabrails are required.
There’s loads of room and you can lift the 60:40-split seat bases to easily access the battery. If you don’t opt for a second battery there’s a waterproof if small under-seat storage cubbyhole.
Should I buy an INEOS Grenadier?
If you’re serious about adventure or off-roading of even just in love with the idea of it, the 2023 INEOS Grenadier has your name all over it.
It is a car that looks the part and walks the walk – it gets better the rougher and tougher the terrain is. While it’ll happily trundle around the suburbs, it’s a car that relishes rocks and rubble – and whatever else you want to throw at it.
Even in its optioned-up INEOS Grenadier Belstaff Fieldmaster and INEOS Grenadier Belstaff Trialmaster Edition forms, it’s not for everyone. But especially for those who want a tough, no-nonsense and very, very capable off-roader, it offers a fresh alternative.
At its core is very smart design, a real depth of off-road insight and tough engineering – DNA that happily shuns the shift to the softer side for many off-roaders these days.
Of course, the big test for the Grenadier will be how it performs on Aussie roads – across vast outback stations, dusty mines, up into the High Country and through the arid outback.
Our initial driving impressions and INEOS’ local development testing suggests all the boxes have been ticked.
2023 INEOS Grenadier Belstaff Trialmaster Petrol at a glance:
Price: $109,525 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now (first deliveries April 2023 onwards)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 210kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with dual-range transfer case and full-time four-wheel drive
Fuel: 12.6L/100km (Combined)
CO2: 292g/km (Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
2023 INEOS Grenadier Belstaff Trialmaster Diesel at a glance:
Price: $109,525 (plus on-road costs)
Available: Now (first deliveries April 2023 onwards)
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo-diesel
Output: 183kW/550Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic with dual-range transfer case and full-time four-wheel drive
Fuel: 10.5L/100km (Combined)
CO2: 276g/km (Combined)
Safety rating: Not tested
Keyword: INEOS Grenadier 2023 Review – International