BUILDING AN UNCOMPROMISING 4X4 OFF-ROADER
Building a 4X4
Following the completion of a six-month feasibility study, INEOS confirmed that it's going ahead and building a brand new uncompromising 4X4 off-roader. While the company is one of the largest manufacturers in the world, it will be the first time that INEOS has produced such a vehicle. "This is a fantastically exciting project," says Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS Chairman. "We want to build the world's purest 4X4 and are aiming it at explorers, farmers and off-road enthusiasts across the globe." The company is expecting to spend many hundreds of millions on the project and is determined that the new vehicle will not only fill a perceived gap in the market, but also aim to provide improvements in build quality and reliability. Identification of a suitable manufacturing location will be a part of the next phase of the project and the company will look at UK sites alongside other European options. The project is run by Dirk Heilmann, formerly head of Engineering and Technology at INEOS. Dirk, now CEO of INEOS Automotive has already started recruiting a team of automotive experts to help build the Grenadier. He says: "This is an amazing project for everyone involved. Our job is to create the world's best 4X4 and we're already moving forward with our plans."t
The Grenadier - a new vehicle inspired by 4X4 icons of the past
The project is the brainchild of INEOS Chairman, Jim Ratcliffe, who was a fan of the original Land Rover Defender. When it ceased production, Jim saw a gap in the market for an uncompromising off-roader that stood for adventure and active driving but also had the capability to be a work and utility machine.
WE WANT TO BUILD THE WORLD'S PUREST 4X4 AND ARE AIMING IT AT EXPLORERS, FARMERS AND OFF-ROAD ENTHUSIASTS ACROSS THE GLOBE.
JIM RATCLIFFE, CHAIRMAN OF INEOS
This new off-road model takes its inspiration from legendary 4X4 models of the past. It takes the very best aspects of their design while adding modern INEOS know-how to build a truly unique vehicle
The target market is global and includes agriculture and forestry workers, explorers and adventurers as well as traditional 4X4 fans that simply enjoy an authentic off-road driving experience. The plan is for an extensive, intensive testing programme designed to help make the Grenadier uniquely capable.
INEOS is determined that its new vehicle will offer a real and pure alternative to the current crop of standardised 'jelly-mould' SUVs.
"I'm a great admirer of the old Land Rover Defender and have enormous respect for its off-road capability," says Jim Ratcliffe, INEOS Chairman, "and our new 4X4 has been inspired by it. But whilst our off-roader might share its spirit, our new vehicle will be a major improvement on previous models."
BUILDING ON PURPOSE
Since we started our journey to build a utilitarian 4X4, we've come a long way. We established INEOS Automotive as a serious contender in 4X4 development and manufacturing. We partnered with some of the biggest names in the automotive industry. We made our way from vision to prototype. We secured a world-class production facility and delivery team. Now we're ready for the final stretch.
RESERVATIONS OPEN
OCTOBER 2021
We gave our long-term supporters the opportunity to place their reservation first, two weeks before opening to the general public. The response was very positive, with people keen to be first in line when orders open in late 2022. We also shared sales, servicing and pricing information. And we launched the first iteration of our configurator, with more features, options and accessories still to come.
THE GRENADIER INTERIOR JULY 2021
The interior of the INEOS Grenadier is designed on purpose, to deliver the space, practicality and versatility owners need from a hard-working 4X4. Starting from a clean sheet, the design incorporates the modern technology and comfort expected of a vehicle for the 2020s and beyond.
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OUR PRODUCTION FACILITY DECEMBER 2020
To ensure the highest standards of production, we needed a world-class manufacturing facility. So we purchased a plant in Hambach, France, that was designed and built by Mercedes-Benz. The perfect base to produce the Grenadier.
DESIGNED FOR WORK JULY 2020
INEOS Automotive revealed the exterior design of the Grenadier to the world. The vehicle has been designed to meet the demands for a rugged, capable and functional go-anywhere working tool. Ready to tackle America's toughest terrain.
ENGINEERING PARTNERS DECEMBER 2019
Transitioning from concept to series development is always a major milestone. It marked the moment the INEOS Grenadier team was joined by the 4X4 specialists, Magna Steyr, to engineer the production vehicle.
NAMED BY YOU SEPTEMBER 2019
When we asked members of the 4X4 community to name our new vehicle, 6,000 of you replied. You told us the answer was right under our nose. The Grenadier, after the London pub where it all began.
WORLD-CLASS ENGINEERING FEBRUARY 2018
Our 200-strong team of expert engineers started working full-time on the vehicle from our offices in Stuttgart. Fusing British design with German engineering precision.
A PUB, A BEER AND A PLAN
THE BEGINNING
Over a beer at the Grenadier pub in London, INEOS Chairman and 4X4 enthusiast Sir Jim Ratcliffe had an idea. The vision for a stripped-back, no-nonsense, utilitarian 4X4 was born.
