Thank you very much sir.

 

I was cutting through a light industrial, warehouse neighborhood in Charlotte late this afternoon and saw not one, not two, but three Ineos Grenadiers.

I had to stop, of course. All three had graphics with the ineosgrenadier.com URL and a QR code that takes you the same site.

Each of the three also had graphics saying TEST VEHICLE and what I presume to be a test vehicle identifying number (PT02-069, PT02-078, and PT02-077).

There was no signage on the building to indicate a company name, and when I Googled the address I found nothing useful.

I have no idea what's going on here, nor why these "test vehicles" are in Charlotte. Any ideas?

 

Many Grenadier reviews are on Youtube, all European/UK so far what I found. Owners are all impressed, Harry's Garage's not so much.

 

yeah because Harry Metcalfe doesn’t have any natural bias for Land Rover or anything like that….

 

They might be in town or traveling to one of the Grenadier Experience (test-drive) events that are being held all across the country this year. I put down my deposit for one a few years ago but not sure if I want to convert to an order now that its known the MSRP for a base Grenadier starts at ~$72k USD. If I outfit a Grenadier with all the same options and accessories I have on my D2 its approaching $90k!!! Honestly, it seems like they missed the market here (hello F-150) by offering the SUV before the pickup....I might pull the trigger on the pickup option but its going to be a separate order process mid-late 2024.

 

Weird they are still in town.

May 14th there was an event at Overland Experts in Uwharrie. I have a reservation for one and drove one at the event.

Most of the reviews get the vehicle all wrong. It does have "old off roader styling" reminiscent to the Defender but looking closely it's the same as every other new vehicle. ECU's, sensors and all the other electronics. No power seats, does not have push button start and no sunroof motors but that is about it for deleting unnecessary electronics.

The biggest thing the vehicle has going for it is how the frame, suspension and axles are overbuilt. It really is impressive what they have done with these.

A little pricey. I'm getting one but may be a game time decision to keep it or quick flip for some easy money. I think the demand will be there when they start arriving at the end of the year.

 

They're finally here for the most grueling testing yet: America's malls and horrible roads.

 

I have my own term for this: "suburban off roading!" It's when you drive your SUV like Mr. McGoo - what pothole? was that a curb? Mr. McGoo tried his best, but he basically hit anything in and around the road. In suburbia, that's what LR is needed for!