INEOS Grenadier

Model Overview

The INEOS Grenadier is a hardcore off-road 4x4 SUV engineered by the automotive arm of British chemical conglomerate INEOS Group. Its genesis stems from an unyielding passion: in 2017, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, billionaire founder of INEOS, sought to acquire the production tooling for the outgoing Land Rover Defender to keep it alive. Following Jaguar Land Rover's refusal, he resolved to pour substantial investment into developing an all-new off-roader that would capture the spirit of the original Defender. The "Grenadier" moniker pays homage to a pub of the same name in Belgravia, London—where Ratcliffe and his team first conceived the vehicle project. Officially revealed in 2020, customer deliveries commenced across Europe in 2022 before arriving in the Chinese market in 2023. Positioned as a purpose-built, heavy-duty off-road SUV, the Grenadier goes toe-to-toe with established rivals like the Land Rover Defender, Mercedes-Benz G-Class, and Toyota Land Cruiser. Currently available in China, the line-up comprises a standard five-seater variant alongside two distinct editions—Fieldmaster and Trialmaster—all driven by a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol engine and priced between RM808,000 and RM908,000.

Design Language

The exterior styling of the INEOS Grenadier pays explicit tribute to the Series I Land Rover Defender, sporting an unapologetically boxy, rugged silhouette dominated by crisp, straight lines. Up front, it pairs round LED headlamps with integrated daytime running lights alongside a functional rectangular grille, accented by a subtle power dome on the bonnet. Its side profile embraces clean utilitarianism, defined by prominent wheel arches, exposed door hinges, and bonnet tie-down latches that emphasize its mechanical toughness. Roof-edge air intakes are fitted as standard to elevate wading capability. Out back, it features an asymmetrical, side-hinged split rear door with an externally mounted spare tyre. Dimension-wise, it measures 4,896 mm long, 1,930 mm wide, and 2,036 mm tall with a 2,922 mm wheelbase. It boasts a minimum ground clearance of 264 mm, an approach angle of 35.5°, a departure angle of 36.1°, a ramp breakover angle of 28.2°, and an impressive maximum wading depth of 800 mm.

Inside, the Grenadier champions a function-over-form philosophy, deliberately bucking the current trend of buttonless, all-touchscreen cockpits. Atop the centre dash sits a 12.3-inch touchscreen, complemented below by an array of chunky physical switchgear and rotary dials engineered for seamless glove-friendly operation in demanding off-road conditions. Notable cabin highlights include an overhead aircraft-inspired control panel housing drive mode switches and differential lock controls, as well as heavy-duty hose-out rubber flooring. Cabin seating comes trimmed in durable water-resistant utility cloth or premium leather, matched with hard-wearing removable rubber floor mats.

Powertrain and Performance

Under the bonnet, the entire INEOS Grenadier range draws power from a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol engine (B58). This powerplant churns out 210 kW (around 286 PS) and a robust 450 Nm of peak torque, paired with a ZF 8-speed automatic transmission. It accomplishes the 0-100 km/h sprint in 8.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 160 km/h. On the combined WLTC cycle, fuel consumption is rated at approximately 12.5 L/100 km, supported by a sizable 90-litre fuel tank.

The powertrain utilizes a longitudinal front-engine, full-time four-wheel-drive configuration, complemented by a two-speed transfer case with selectable low-range reduction. Notably, the exhaust after-treatment system has been tuned to comply with stringent China 6b emissions standards without requiring AdBlue fluid, thereby reducing long-term maintenance overheads.

Chassis and Handling Dynamics

The chassis forms the true bedrock of the Grenadier’s off-road prowess. It rides on a full ladder-frame chassis (body-on-frame) constructed from high-tensile steel, offering extraordinary torsional rigidity. Both front and rear axles feature heavy-duty solid beam (live axle) non-independent suspensions, using a five-link setup with a Panhard rod up front and a three-link setup with a Watt's linkage at the rear. This heavy-duty hardware grants it unmatched axle articulation, payload strength, and resilience over treacherous terrain.

Traction is managed via a BorgWarner permanent 4WD system, fitted with a centre differential lock and optional front and rear electronically actuated differential locks, unlocking the coveted triple-locking capability for serious trail-bashing. Selectable drive modes cater to varied surfaces including On-road, Grass/Gravel/Snow, Mud/Ruts, and Rock Crawl. Added to this is standard Off-road Cruise Control, which automatically meters trail speed so the driver can concentrate solely on steering. The steering setup employs a recirculating ball system with power assist, delivering exceptional durability and reliable terrain feedback.

Cabin and Practicality

The Grenadier is configured as a practical five-seater (with an optional seven-seat layout). The front seats are upholstered in water-resistant fabric or leather, offering manual or electric adjustment. The rear bench splits and folds in a 60:40 arrangement. Boot capacity stands at a cavernous 935 litres, expanding to 2,255 litres with the rear seats folded flat, complemented by an easy-clean, wash-down boot floor.

In terms of comfort and convenience, the cabin features dual-zone automatic climate control, heated front seats, a heated steering wheel, keyless entry, and engine push-start button. The infotainment setup includes a 12.3-inch central touchscreen alongside a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, complete with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, on-board satellite navigation, and OTA firmware updates. An 8-speaker audio system comes standard, with an optional 12-speaker premium audio upgrade.

Safety and Driver Assistance

Safety equipment aboard the Grenadier is comprehensive. Passive safety includes a multi-airbag suite covering dual front airbags, front side airbags, and full-length curtain airbags for both seating rows. Active safety and driver aids encompass Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Autonomous Emergency Braking (AEB), Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Blind Spot Monitoring (BSM), and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert (RCTA). In addition, a 360-degree surround-view camera and front and rear parking sensors are fitted as standard to simplify manoeuvring in tight spots and tricky off-road situations.

Market Performance and Verdict

Since customer deliveries got underway in 2022, the INEOS Grenadier has captured massive interest across the global 4x4 community. By reinterpreting the classic Defender formula through the lens of modern engineering, it has struck a chord with enthusiasts yearning for authentic, no-nonsense off-roaders. Throughout 2023, Grenadier sales recorded solid momentum across Europe, beating order forecasts in core markets such as the UK, Germany, and Australia. Its subsequent launch in China in 2023 firmly carved out a niche in the high-end off-road segment courtesy of its unique retro-utilitarian identity.

Motoring media have broadly praised the Grenadier for its peerless trail capability, bombproof mechanical integrity, and faithful retro design cues. Nonetheless, critiques often highlight its hefty price tag, relatively agricultural on-road manners, and thirsty fuel consumption. Minor fit-and-finish discrepancies compared to mainstream German luxury SUVs have also been noted. Even so, as a clean-sheet off-roader, the Grenadier has triumphantly transitioned from a billionaire's vanity project into a formidable contender in the specialized 4x4 segment, writing an exciting opening chapter for INEOS Automotive.