INEOS Grenadier is 4X4 of the Year in France

The INEOS Grenadier has been named ‘4X4 of the Year’. The prestigious accolade was given by a panel of off-road experts at 4X4 Magazine in France, who chose the Grenadier from a shortlist of three vehicles selected by readers. 4X4 Magazine is the leading off-road outlet in France and was established in 1981.

Michel Renavand, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of 4X4 Magazine, praised the Grenadier saying, “The entire jury came to the conclusion that, unequivocally, the Grenadier truly embodies the authentic off-road spirit.” He added, “It has all the features you need to progress efficiently on any type of surface. At ease on the road and very well equipped, its excellent climbing capabilities make it the undeniable 4x4 of the year”.

This description certainly fits the brief, with the Grenadier being designed as a tough and comfortable off-road vehicle. In 2017, INEOS Chairman and car enthusiast Jim Ratcliffe identified a gap in the market for a stripped back, utilitarian, hard-working 4x4 engineering for modern day compliance and reliability, a gap created when Land Rover created its new Defender. Casual observers may mistake the Grenadier for a classic Defender, with INEOS clearly taking inspiration from Land Rover, with its box-like shape, when creating the vehicle.

Developed across three years, the old-school ladder frame chassis, which has been fully e-coated for maximum protection, coilover suspension and beam axles provide the shell in which the Grenadier sits, as well as a 90-litre fuel tank. INEOS used BMW to source the Grenadier’s 3.0-litre straight-six engines. The diesel produces 246bhp, while the petrol version offers 282bhp.

Looking towards the future, a smaller, pure EV is also in development and while owner INEOS is well placed to build a hydrogen car, owner Ratcliffe is said to be waiting for infrastructure to improve before putting this idea into production.

Shipments of the INEOS Grenadier have started from the company’s factory at Hambach, on the French-German border. Prices start at £58,000.

Words: Mike Booth
Pictures: INEOS