Ineos Grenadier headed to Aus
Ineos Automotive has revealed pricing for its upcoming fivedoor Grenadier four-wheel drive before it goes on sale in late 2022.
The $84,500 before on-road costs price is for the entry-level two-seat wagon Grenadier that Ineos says will be a ‘no frills but capable package that’s entirely fit for purpose’ and match rivals’ braked towing capacities in the segment at 3500kg.
Further variants, including a dualcab ute, are expected to be announced in time, with up to four models to be offered overall.
Equipment and specification details of the model are yet to be announced, but Ineos says buyers will not be slugged a premium for a diesel engine, the price for the 3.0-litre Grenadier identical irrespective of fuel type.
The pricing places the Grenadier in almost direct competition with the strong selling 76 Series Toyota LandCruiser Workmate Troop Carrier that retails for $67,400 plus on-road costs and tops out with the 70th Anniversary Edition at $78,500 plus on-road costs.
Order books for the Grenadier open this month, with first deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2022.
Australia is expected to receive only a five-door wagon variant of the Grenadier initially, while a dual-cab utility offering is still 18 to 24 months away.
Its maker says it is aimed primarily at those who work and operate within Australia’s utilitarian, rural and regional areas of the country, and addresses a shortfall in the availability of such models globally.
Initial production estimates place annual numbers between 25,000 and 30,000 units with an increase possible ‘if demand dictates’.
Australia is likely to receive about 1000 units at launch.
Promising to ‘do things differently’, the start-up company unveiled its Australian sales and distribution models – including how the brand will interact largely with a regional audience – and its aftersales strategies last week, ahead of the Grenadier’s official launch in July.
The brand aims to have 26 locations operable in Australia by the time the model is launched, including four in New Zealand. By the time the dual-cab ute arrives in late 2023, these numbers will grow to 34 and four respectively.
The Grenadier will be offered with a five-year-unlimited-kilometre warranty and roadside assistance plan with capped-price service plans available for the duration of the warranty period.
The Grenadier is powered by Bmwsourced 3.0-litre turbocharged sixcylinder petrol and diesel engines developing 210kw-450nm and 183kw-550nm respectively. Both are paired with a Zf-sourced eight-speed automatic transmission only. A hydrogen fuel-cell driveline co-developed with Hyundai is also in the wings.
The Grenadier offers permanent allwheel drive with selectable low-range gearing via an in-house developed transfer case.
Centre and rear differential locks are standard issue, as are hill-descent control and four-wheel disc brakes.
Bespoke 17 and 18-inch steel and alloy wheels are available, all shod with BF Goodrich All-terrain tyres.
The Grenadier has undergone more than 1.8-million kilometres of testing – 300,000km of which have been conducted off-road – as part of its development, ‘ensuring the model can tackle the world’s harshest environments’. One-hundred prototype models were tested in more than 15 countries across the globe, including Australia and New Zealand.
Nothing unnecessary is included in the entry model’s hose-down cabin, meaning manual seat adjustment, a keyed ignition and smartphone-supported navigation. All electronic items are installed above the Grenadier’s maximum wading depth.
The aircraft-inspired centre stack includes a 12.3-inch touchscreen and controls for HVAC, infotainment, idle-stop and parking aids, while all four-wheel drive associated controls – including pre-wired spare switches for aftermarket accessories – are set in a central overhead panel.
All switches and controls are designed to be ‘glove friendly’, as is the saddle leather steering wheel that Ineos Automotive says is designed to patina with age.
Further specification details will be announced closer to the Grenadier’s Australian launch.