Technically one model, practically speaking the Grenadier comes in a variety of forms, there being four main derivatives. As well as the Station Wagon, which is the vehicle I tested, there is a pick-up called Quartermaster plus a Quartermaster Chassis Cab and a Utility Wagon. The latter two are less luxurious and can be thought of as light commercials.
Steel chassis and suspension, lightweight aluminium doors
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Every Grenadier has four doors with a vertically-hinged 1/3-2/3 split tailgate for the Station Wagon and Utility Wagon. Without naming names, this big 4×4 has build quality which a certain other model it resembles could only dream about. And that starts with your first impression: all doors are light, perfectly weighted and gaps consistent. No matter where I looked, the quality of assembly was perfect.
You sit quite high in the Grenadier, looking out over what at first glance appears to be a flat windscreen (it isn’t). As with a Defender, there is simply a vast amount of space above so the extra-tall will be very happy. The Ineos seems to have deeper side windows than its Land Rover rival and while the spare tyre is on one of the back doors, it doesn’t block the view out.
There was surely a directive to make the dashboard and overhead console similar in looks and philosophy to an aeroplane, the cockpit effect being not only obvious but highly appealing. At first glance it can seem like a lot for the eyes and brain to take in but you soon find that every button and dial and toggle is logically placed. That applies equally to all the controls positioned on what is a wide central console.
BMW-sourced infotainment system
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By GlobalDataSensibility has also been specified when it comes to the touchscreen. Neither too large not overloaded – as is all too often the case with so many vehicles, SUVs especially – the driver is left alone to…drive. And the Grenadier’s exceptional off-road abilities are immediately apparent to anyone jumping into the passenger seat. There they will find not one but two grab rails.
Entry and egress are terrific thanks to doors which open to almost ninety degrees. It isn’t much of a clamber in either, despite how high you sit. That applies equally to any of the up to three occupants who will find abundant space in the back seats. A lot of that comes down to a lengthy 2,922 mm wheelbase. In the Quartermaster, this is extended to 3,227 mm, while respective lengths are 4,856 and 5,400 millimetres.
Starting the Ineos is a little unusual insomuch as there is an actual key. This you must push into the dashboard just ahead of your left knee. A real hand brake is also part of the standard specification, while the only thing which is obviously sourced from BMW is the transmission lever. And if you’re wondering about the gearbox, this, an eight-speed torque converter automatic, is provided by ZF.
Straight six petrol and diesel engines
Each of the two available 3.0-litre six-cylinder engines is sourced from BMW. The test vehicle came with the B58 petrol unit, the other choice being the equally well known B57 series diesel, although we are seeing both less and less in their maker’s own models.
Ineos does not offer a four-cylinder alternative, nor is there any talk of hybrids or plug-in hybrids. Will electrification come at some stage? It’s certainly possible, especially for European markets but nothing has been officially stated on this topic. A a theoretical hydrogen fuel cell Grenadier has been spoken of on and off as something for “the longer term”.
I should clarify here that the Fusilier, an electric Ineos, has been shelved. Production of this smaller 4×4 had been due to commence at Magna Steyr’s Graz works in 2027. In fact, there was to be a REx powertrain too but the company’s owner Jim Ratcliffe suddenly stated in July last year that development had stopped. Perhaps the project will be rethought and restarted in a few years’ time? Or else the EV and/or EREV systems might come to the company’s existing model?
High torque numbers for both 3.0-litre units
Back to the Grenadier’s powertrains though, with the model lent to me coming with outputs of 210 kW (286 PS) and 450 Nm. The same capacity diesel has another 100 Newton metres of torque but power is obviously down on the turbo petrol ‘six, at 183 kW (249 PS).
Aside from the sound it makes, you would hard pressed to identify the 3.0-litre straight six as BMW’s legendary B58. Not that it’s any way unsophisticated; more that this silky-smooth unit seems so different powering a tall and heavy four-by-four. Especially as the very-light steering – calibrated for extreme off-roading abilities – seems very un-BMW. Yet anyone who has been behind the wheel of a Mercedes G-Class will appreciate a similar combination of big-capacity sports model engine crafted for a ladder frame SUV. It shouldn’t really work but it does. Beautifully.
I took things very slowly at first as there is a lot of body lean though soon learnt that grip is in the amazing category. And you do soon become used to the many turns of the tiller set-up. The fascinating thing is that the recirculating ball steering isn’t at all vague, it’s just lovely and light to the touch. And to say it was a bit of a contrast to a Caterham I happened to drive on the same day as the Grenadier is a slight understatement.
Sum-up
It doesn’t take long to realise that Magna Steyr’s work was exceptionally well done. Even a brief drive of the big Ineos underlines this, and with that beautiful exhaust note from the BMW engine, you cannot help but think there is no other vehicle on the market like this one. It’s all very sophisticated with a side order of immense capability. And then you remember that much of the interior was designed to be hosed out.
This is what I mean about the Ineos being a vehicle you can’t really compare to others? Perhaps with the exception of the G-Class, which also happens to be way more expensive. With that in mind, the Grenadier Station Wagon, itself not exactly bargain-basement, seems well priced for what you get.
Due to its classification as a commercial vehicle, pricing for the Ineos Grenadier range start at GBP599/month on a Business Contract Hire plan.
