Hazards Ineos Grenadier revives the Defender

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Wuxi InfiMotion Technology Co., Ltd.

Out of frustration over the end of the classic Land Rover Defender, a British billionaire had a successor developed. The purebred off-roader Grenadier stands up against the flood of SUVs.

The Englishman Jim Ratcliffe is hardly in the headlines here - even though he is the richest man in his country with an estimated 16 billion euros. The boss and founder of chemicals giant Ineos may be familiar to soccer fans as the owner of FC Lausanne (Switzerland) and OGC Nice (France), who is currently bidding for Manchester United. In addition, the busy Brexit fan is following in the footsteps of Tesla magnate Elon Musk, but is taking a completely different course with his own car company.

The chunky Ineos Grenadier is a pure off-road professional, for whom no path is too steep and hardly any water is too deep. Back from the future, without batteries and an electric motor as propulsion, but a thick six-cylinder under the distinctive hood.

The story reads like a mini-series on Netflix. In early 2016, when Land Rover retired its iconic off-road vehicle Defender and replaced it with an SUV of the same name, Ratcliffe publicly expressed outrage and decided to build his own off-road vehicle. As this idea originated in a London pub called Grenadier, the name for a "foot soldier" from the 17th century quickly became the chosen name for this new venture.

With technology from Germany and Austria

For their Ineos Grenadier, Ratcliffe and his team are now knocking on the door of the premier class of the supplier industry. The combustion engines come from BMW, the automatic transmission from ZF, the all-wheel drive technology from Magna in Austria and many parts of the electronics from Bosch. Finally, the new company buys the Smart factory in Alsace that Mercedes no longer needs. The surprise package is ready to be delivered.

During the first walk around the Grenadier, it quickly becomes apparent how strongly the newcomer was inspired - at times even copied - by the classic original Defender: the boxy structure, the ample dimensions, the rear ladder to the roof, the circular lights at the front and rear, and the externally mounted spare wheel on the left half of the split rear door. To provide enough clearance for crawling over obstacles or through deep ruts, the wheels do not completely fill the wheel arches surrounded by sturdy plastic; they may appear somewhat lost when stationary away from off-road terrain.

In the interior: a mix of digital and analog

To get behind the wheel, arm and thigh muscles should be in shape. The height difference between the asphalt and the seat demands its toll: the driver pulls themselves up on the steering wheel, while the passenger uses a handle on the roof pillar. Upon entering the interior, two worlds open up. The central monitor, in line with the new digital era, houses features such as the speedometer, tachometer, as well as the navigation system.

In contrast, the analog dominates in the center console. Meticulously labeled push buttons and rotary switches are placed behind the two levers. The right one is the eight-speed automatic selector taken from BMW. To the left of it is the classic control for the drive ratio. Later, in rugged natural environments, it would be revealed that a lot of practice and patience are required before the iron teeth engage as desired.

Another control panel is located centrally in the headspace, resembling an aircraft setup. Here, functions such as the activation of the three locks are controlled, and accessories like winches or additional lights mounted with toggle switches. The ambiance is appealing. Leather seats come from Recaro, chrome handles, or the wrapped steering wheel complement the straightforward plastic elements. The focus here is primarily on removing the inevitable traces of wilderness upon reaching the destination. The floor can withstand the use of a water hose up to the underside of the seats, with a removable valve for drainage.

Grenadier impresses with good insulation and seating comfort

A nostalgic turn of the key ignites the six Bavarian cylinders; their vitality is robust yet unobtrusive. The visibility is superb thanks to generous glazing and a high seating position, as expected from a true off-road vehicle. In everyday use on solid terrain, a level of comfort prevails that was completely foreign to the original model. The Grenadier impresses with careful insulation, as well as a sense of spaciousness and seat quality. When it ventures off the road onto hilly paths, steep inclines over lurking boulders, the giant transitions into the realm of thrilling amusement park rides. From then on, the Grenadier belongs to the nearly extinct breed of true professionals navigating over rough terrain.

Like the outrageously expensive Mercedes G-Class or the Jeep Wrangler, the German-Austrian Brit from France tackles paths that only experienced mountaineers would traverse on foot. Thanks to the differential locks, the two solid axles with extreme articulation, and the controllable engine power, the Grenadier extricates itself from deep mud, masters adventurous slopes, or can accompany chamois on their way to the summit.

Available from around 66,000 euros

The ultimate challenge is a water crossing where the wheels leave the surface, experienced at Morecambe Bay on the west coast of England. Of course, only drivable at low tide on the soft sand, but constantly interrupted by deep furrows of water left behind and even a river crossing. For the Grenadier, it's an easy task, even as the February wind sends waves crashing against its front and doors.

In the end, the off-roader, where only the character remains typically English, enlarges the small group of remaining rugged vehicles, standing up against the SUV army. While SUVs can now handle "off-road" as well, they are not built for real adventures, simply due to their high prices. It's different with the Grenadier. Even though a completely off-road-focused edition costs over 75,000 euros, which is about 8,000 euros more than the version primarily intended for non-professionals. The base model, considered a commercial vehicle with two seats, is available starting at 65,900 euros.