Expedition Portal: The New Ineos Grenadier is Overland Glory

Kinda surprised no one has posted this here yet. Thoughts?

I think that this is what most enthusiasts were hoping that the new Defender would have been. Rumored to be priced at $50k and may be offered in North America. Powered by either a BMW B57 (diesel) or B58 (gasoline) inline-6, mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic. Box-section ladder-frame designed in conjunction with Magna Steyr. Solid axles front and rear, with locking differentials optional for them and the center diff. Destined to be manufactured in Wales. The company's own YouTube channel, INEOS Automotive, has a few videos on the early design and planning for the vehicle.

I haven't been this excited about a new vehicle since the Mazda RX-8 (owned one, loved it and miss it) in the early 2000s, or the Discovery II before it (still own it and love it). I always told myself that the only replacement for my Disco would be a 70-series Land Cruiser (not gonna happen in the states), but now that this Grenadier is in development, I feel that it has gone to the top of my very short list for replacement vehicles. One of the reasons I like about the Grenadier so much is that it goes by the phrase "form follows function."

The biggest challenge I see is a brand new company trying to develop and bring to market their first product. They would need to build a sales and service network to go with it, also. Rumor is that they will follow the sales model that Tesla uses in the states that allow direct sales to consumers. I think that they have a good chance at making this work, considering the size and finances of INEOS. I am somewhat hopeful. In the meantime, I guess I'll start saving my pennies for one.

 

well, using BMW engines, that should mean that BMW can service that part at least. I am sure they are going to use the matching transmission too. That is a good chunk of the servicing of the truck right there.

 

Not sold on the styling. It has a bit of a g-wagon and defender have a one night stand feel to it

 

You're not the only one to make that comment. It definite draws from them, no one can say otherwise. Despite the exterior being derivative, I'm more interested in seeing the engineering going into this. Looks like the front and rear axles are located with four links (2 upper, 2 lower), plus a panhard rod. The prototype's 4-link, panhard rod, and steering rods are very beefy. Not sure if that'll make it to the production model. Coil springs and shocks are separate, which will ease maintenance.

 

aside from the grill, I do not mind it's look at all. I do really like the rear doors. I was following a MB Sprinter yesterday and wondering how many people have managed to rip off the three pointed star with closing the wrong door first. It seems to be a 30/70 door split (like the Grenadier) would be perfect for a commercial delivery vehicle where you do not need to open both doors to get something out of the back.

 

I don't mind the look but it doesn't feel original to me, is more my issue I guess.

 

It reminds me of a D110 and a newer Suzuki Jimmy that had a wild one night stand behind the bar or strip club and this is the result.

I think the headlights could have been a more traditional 7inch round style without going all nuts with the LED Jeep/G500 look. However if it is just the standard 7inch round headlight bucket you can drop in anything you want. I'm sure this model we're seeing is the top of the line as well so a more basic model will probably have standard headlights.

The rest doesn't really bother me. I mean I always knew the front vents would be a thing of the past along with a folding front windshield. That is all for safety and I understand that. I'm just happy to see another Solid Axle 4x4 that is designed around actually off roading!

I still think LR could have stuck with the Defender body style and re-worked it. However it was WAY to $$$$$$$$ of an adventure vs a clean slate.

 

It's not supposed to be original, it was built to be what the new Defender isn't; which is an updated version of the original Defender, which is what LR should've made but chose not to. I'm 100% on board with this thing bc unlike Toyota, they're gonna sell it here in NA with pricing closer to a jeep than a Defender.

 

Jalopnik: SUV Startup Already Pissing Off Everyone Possible

Some new info about Ineos possibly changing location of final assembly from Wales to France. Does it matter to you where it is built?

While I like the idea of something British made, post-Brexit there may be a better business case to have the vehicle built in the EU, considering many of the major assemblies and components are coming from elsewhere in the EU.

 

Was reading an article that said they were never going to be manufactured in UK, just assembled there at the plant in Wales. Me...I like them, offers a newer version of an older design and style that some folks love. It's like anything, folks are going to hate it and there are those that will love it.

I'd buy one...and may.