Ineos Grenadier High-miler smiler

Unusual, not normal, insightful and real – getting the opportunity to share time with 
a new vehicle that has close to two years annual mileage is unusual when reviewing 
press cars. This particular press car was well travelled, having endured trials in the 
freezing Artic and the blistering desert and many places in-between – suffice it to say 
it hadn’t had an easy life. 
A bone-fide prototype, the Ineos Grenadier stood on the gravel carpark, the white- 
frosted grass at its Carton House HQ, a perfect backdrop for the Grenadier’s 
intended talent and intent. 
Much has been said about this first offering from Ineos, from ‘Oh, it’s a Defender 
clone,’ to its steering characteristics, to the very reason it exists, to be the best 
utilitarian 4x4 on the planet. 
So, yes, it has the boxy exterior akin to the formula of a Defender, a Land Cruiser and 
Santa Fe, the genre almost demanding that profile. After all, front row rugby players 
tend to be substantial, built and tuned to withstand immense physical demand, in 
conditions that lighter, less robust players would be used merely as traction. 
The Ineos Grenadier will not suit everyone, but should you require a dependable, 
robust and long-life 4x4, look no further. There was not a squeak out of my car for 
the week, which considering its global hardship to date, is beyond impressive. 
Make: INEOS 
Model: Grenadier 
Trim Level: Fieldmaster 
Drive: Mechanical Four-Wheel Drive 
Seats: Five 
Doors: Six – rear door 70/30 split 
Engine: 3.0 BMW turbo-diesel 
Power: 245bhp 
Torque: 550Nm 
Transmission: ZF 8-speed Automatic 
Boot Space: 1255 litres – 2035 litres seat down 
Length: 4896mm 
Width: 1930mm 
Height: 2036mm 
Price: Starting at €68,995 for 
Test Model Price: €124,495 
Some of the Competition: 
Toyota Land Cruiser, Mercedes Benz G-Wagon, Land Rover Defender 110, BMW X5, 
Audi Q7/8 

Outside View 
I like the sheer intent of Ineos, in designing and bringing the Grenadier to market, 
amid those whose reputations have been established over decades. Underneath, the 
Grenadier is built on a ladder chassis, with Carraro beam axels and three locking 
differentials, multilink suspension, with separate coils and dampers. Driven via 
BMW’s 3.0 litre bi-turbo diesel, it produces 245bhp, with 550Nm of torque, 
transferring its power through an 8-speed ZF transmission. The marketing spiel 
states that the Grenadier is ‘Built on Purpose’ – In my time with it I found no reason 
to disagree. 
Inside Story 
Getting into the Grenadier is quite a stretch, the benefit of the optional step not on 
my prototype. Once inside, its individuality makes itself known, the layout and 
switchgear unlike any of the competition, robust in design and functional without 
any effort to be fashionable. The centre console buttons can all be activated with a 
gloved hand, their clarity of function a welcome change amid the searching eyes 
required of many. 
A small screen sits in front of the driver, where any issue is illuminated via a warning 
light, remaining blank until then. Over in the centre console, Apple Carplay or 
Android Auto awaits to connect to your mobile choice, with additional access to the 
comfort and vehicle information, with a rotary dial down to the rear of the gear 
selector allowing for easy shortcut access to your menu item. 
Like all centre console screen, it is vital to set them while stationary, with access via 
the voice command or steering buttons preferrable to the stretching of your left arm 
and fingers whilst mobile. 
On the Road 
Attaining a good driving position in the Recaro seat is not a chore, the view out the 
windscreen, while it’s a low and narrow aperture, was without complaint. I would 
prefer the ignition, just in front of your left knee, to be located in a more user- 
friendly location, here again the function overriding the following of the current 
fashion of push-button start. The two spoke steering wheel feels good in your hands 
and the addition of an extra audible warning along with the normal horn warning 
Firing up the diesel six-cylinder engine, selecting Drive, releasing the now old- 
fashioned handbrake, and the Grenadier moves away with what only be described as 
physical intent. There is nothing flimsy about it, and while it is not brutish, it works 
best if the driver takes charge of it, understands its reason for being and certainly not 
confusing it with soft-roaders or high-rise luxury SUV’s. 
Using a steering box instead of the more common rack and pinion system, does 
demand more hand action from the driver to centralise, but once acclimatised, I 
found it part of the Grenadiers persona and of little issue. Out on the secondary and 
country roads, its steered positively for a unit knocking on the door of three tonne 
and provided enough feedback to securely entertain. 

My prototype was shod with BF Goodrich all-terrain tyres, with thankfully not a 
whole lot of road noise intrusion. Road imperfections are dismissed by the compliant 
suspension and overall passenger comfort is up there with the other large SUV’s. 
Owners with the need, can with complete reassurance take the Grenadier out onto 
surfaces that would have mountain goats putting up picket lines. Being a permanent 
4x4, you have the option of locking three differentials when things go super- 
challenging, but even in high ratio 4x4, the Grenadier is seriously capable. 
Jumping out and walking away from my prototype Grenadier, I will carry great 
memories of our time together and will reflect on how it came to be, the 
manifestation of Sir Jim Radcliff’s doodle in his local Kensington pub, to its physical 
presence, where it can justifiably be called, the world’s best utilitarian 4x4. 
Having invested in his doodle and established the Grenadier’s manufacturing base in 
Hambach, Northern France, Sir Jim actually bought the pub, another reason to place 
the Grenadier at the top end of my favourites.