[QUOTE=EchorecT7E;867097If you have a look at the Bronco6G forum, there is a Ford rep on there ensuring everyone is taken care of.
[/QUOTE]

Having owned a Bronco that showed up 3 months late at the dealership with an airbag light on, GOaT modes not functional, a bad fuse box, a leak, missing trim parts, and a few other random problems, I got absolutely nowhere in the 6G forum. My dealership was amazing but Ford did not give a fuch. That's all blowing smoke.

 

I hope buyers are happy with their car, I don’t care who makes it. It totally sucks when something blows on a new vehicle (as we LR owners know more than anyone, lol).

I also hope the Gren is successful enough for a gen 2. There are many things I think could be addressed to make a far more polished and coherent offering. I am somewhat concerned as I I do not see this doing will in the US/Canada. As many have said, at its MSRP it is a terrible value proposition and no protection from dealership markup to top it off. F that.

 

I suppose I’ll go on record and say that we’re ordering one. Actually two (because at this point I haven’t had to pay anything additional and can get a refund on our deposit). But since everyone has thrown out their thoughts and judgements on the Grenadier I figured I’d do the same.

Here’s my take on the Ineos - it’s a simplified, rugged, ‘overland built’ SUV that we can FINALLY buy here in the US vs watch everyone in Europe have fun with yet another automobile that we can’t get access to.the components that it’s comprised of are all top notch, and a sense it’s overbuilt for (perceived) reliability and longevity from the factory. Having driven one at one of the events near Atlanta, and spending a few hours afterwards crawling all over the thing most of my concerns were alleviated. The interior had just the right amount of spartan-ness for me, the plastics didn’t feel cheap (like a Jeep) and the seats were comfortable.

Speaking of seats - I may be in the minority but I’ve never been in love with my Defenders. I have an HSE with full leather and adjustability but to me they’re not very supportive and the seat base is flat. But then I prefer a heavily bolstered seat. My father had a GT3 with factory Cup Bucket seats that had zero adjustability and it was the most comfortable thing I’ve ever driven. It was like a gentle hug and caress as you careened around corners at 110mph (on the track so calm down).

I may fall in the minority too as I prefer switches for simple things. And the pre wired switches for external power is a pretty cool option that we don’t have for our Defenders without drilling through the roof. Dual battery setup from the factory ticks another box as I don’t have the skills, or more importantly the time to invest to install one in the Defender.

Regarding tires I can now choose between 17” or 18”. Now I don’t need to take a grinder to my calipers or swap them.

Then I come to the attempt to significantly reduce the number of computer systems in the build. Sure they have to include some things otherwise it would never be allowed for sale here, but you can’t argue that they’ve simplified as much as possible to meet that goal. Going as far as to only offer a mechanical functioning seat.

So with all this being said the Grenadier will replace my wife’s G550, which for all the talk around ‘bullet proof reliability’ has been a disappointment. To me the INEOS is like the commercial version of gate g-wagon that we can’t get here. Regarding where prices go once deliveries come in, reservation holders should hopefully be protected by any markup, which I won’t pay. They can control what dealers do but then no manufacture can hear in the US. The price is around where I’d anticipated, sure it would have been markedly less if we hadn’t just gone through the rapid inflation and supply problems of the last three years. Not sure if I’ll go through with the second Grenadier order, but I don’t have to decide or commit any more money at the moment. And I still really like my 2021 Defender, I just with I could get my replacement headlight to replace the one I have where the ‘signature running lights’ have failed. Fortunately still under warranty for a few more miles, but the thought of paying $4,000 for a replacement headlight just because it’s a sealed unit down the road is a little scary. I just with a car company would design something more simple and easier to work on long term….

 

Ah! well this is a stumbling block for some but not everyone: the daily drive. I drive a 2015 LR, drives wonderfully. I think Grenadier is positioned to attract the Bronco/Wrangler crowd, as I can not see this first version as an alternative for the 110 Defender. Although Grenadier seems indestructible under light artillery fire, the family use SUV has to keep the entire family happy & comfortable. Heated back seats, quiet cabin, places for cups, phone charging, the whole thing. Nobody wants an uncomfortable or cramped 4 hour drive as part of a family trip. To be fair to Grenadier, I don't think I was on Ineos radar in the 1st round of production. I test drove a LC once, wonderful drive and lots of comfortable (but not luxurious) space. If Grenadier future models target more the old LC, I'd be interested again. The LC looked big, but it drove fairly easily - nice on-road manners, plus it had all the stuff you'd want for the interior. It seemed perfect, and now that Toyota no longer sells LC, maybe Ineos can try for some of those buyers in the future?

 

although both engines are a 6, the Defender has some electric help - I'm not sure how, but they call it a "mild hybrid" and I'm figuring it's not an apples to apples comparison because the Defender has that extra power from (I'm assuming) some hybrid batter tucked in there. I find that to be tremendously ingenious of LR, as why not give a bit extra power to the gas engine with some electrons?!

 

The main issue with the Grenadier is the price, with the most recent price hike the cheapest two seat Grenadier is now £65,000 ($85,000)

Add a few essential options such as a tow bar and it's £70,000 ($91,500)

The new Defender starts at £51,500 ($67,500)
With the tow bar and a few options it's £55,000 ($71,000)

Although the Grenadier is still cheaper than a Mercedes G-Wagon

 

As promised, I would keep adding information as time goes on. Here is a recent video from car journalist Robert Pepper. He borrowed a friend's Grenadier and put it through the paces against a LR2 and his Nissan Patrol. Both are older vehicles and he has indicated he is trying to put a test together with the L663 and new Ford Everest. He is very honest and points out some important issues with the Grenadier off road. @TrioLRowner I think you orginal comments are spot on.

 

Looks like Ineos bought a company in Africa called Kavango. Compared to JLR (which is going more toward suburban mall shoppers), the Grenadier - as aggressive as it was at the outset - seems to be continuing the trend of finding a way to build a durable off roader. You have to hand it to them - they are clearly going all in on making an SUV that will take whatever happens on along your drive.

 

The safari Grenadiers really look the part. Top notch vision. These shots are from Botswana despite the German rego.

It was all Landcruisers when I was kicking about the wilds of Botswana, Zim and SA many moons ago.

It is sad to say but I don't think JLR want any piece of that sort of market anymore. Can't very well chop a monocoque too easily to make this happen with a new Defender.

The arrival of the revamped 2024/5 Landcruiser however, including a new 70 series in Australia and Africa, will really put the squeeze on this side of their market I think.

A cheap(er) easy to mod live-axled, body-on-frame, coil-sprung platform with a sound reputation.

 

I think Sir Ratcliffe is going for jugular in the safari space with this move. He can make the vehicle super cheap. Think about it just center lock, none of the creature comforts and the design lends itself to a 7 seater. They already have proof of concept and first to market. The design has already been put on sale to African Safari to pre-order. That is a head start. Tough for Land Cruiser to jump on board if no one is looking because they already bought it.