• Market Watch

Ineos Grenadier: Built for the bush

• 7 Months Ago - 2024-04-04 00:00:00

Buckle up for a journey into the heart of rugged exploration as we unveil the Ineos Grenadier, a vehicle set to redefine the off-road experience. In conversation with Metje & Ziegler Ineos dealership, My.Na Cars' own passenger princess Diana Master delves into its inception, design and the spirit of adventure it embodies.
Join us for an exclusive look inside the cockpit and discover what sets this rugged vehicle apart from the rest. Powering the Grenadier is a formidable three-litre straight-six BMW motor, delivering an impressive 185 kilowatts of power and 550 Newton metres of torque in the diesel variant. Paired with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, this powerhouse is ready to tackle any terrain with ease.
But it's not just about raw power. The Grenadier is designed for comfort and convenience, making it equally suitable for daily driving as it is for off-road adventures. With its spacious interior and customisable layout, you'll find yourself at home whether you're navigating city streets or conquering the wilderness. Speaking of customisation, the Grenadier offers a range of options to suit your individual preferences. From auxiliary switches for lights and winches to front and rear diff locks, every feature is meticulously designed to enhance your driving experience.
According to Karl-Heinz Eisenberg, retail sales manager at the Metje & Ziegler Ineos dealership in Windhoek, the French, German and English love child called the Ineos Grenadier has proven popular since its introduction to the local Namibian market months ago. “The Ineos Grenadier is a vehicle designed by off-road enthusiasts, for off-road enthusiasts. It takes all the best qualities of what the Land Rover Defender used to be and what the Land Cruiser is today, and the Mercedes G Wagon, and brings them all together to give you the toughest 4x4 known to man,” he said.

Purpose-built
The latest to arrive is the Grenadier Quartermaster: “It is a pick-up, which is exactly what everybody asks for, and Ineos luckily listens to their clientele. And we have the station wagon, true to the original shape of the Defender,” he added.
Though similar in looks to other personal off-road vehicles, the Grenadier stands out when considering its interior. “When you get inside, you are immediately greeted by a helicopter cockpit, and it has overhead controls for all of your dual battery systems, your three diff locks, and all of your off-road controls are overhead. And your regular day-to-day controls, like your gear lever, your compass, which few cars actually have, your heated seats, your air-con, those types of things are all controlled through the normal central console,” Eisenberg said.
According to sales executive Tertius Joubert, the vehicle is powered by a three-litre straight-six BMW motor. “It's paired or married with a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox. And yeah, the fuel tank is 90 litres with a 20-litre reserve tank,” he said.
“This diesel model has 185 kilowatts and 550 Newtons. So it's overkill, but still, you can never have enough power below your feet,” said Joubert.
"Nowadays, everything bigger is better. The steering wheel as well. In most cars, you can just adjust the steering wheel up and down. This one you can adjust in and out, as well. There's a lot of room in this car. Everything about the grenadier is intentional; there's intentional purpose behind everything,” he said.
Safety is paramount in the Grenadier, with every design choice made with purpose. From the lockable glove box for essential items to the adjustable steering wheel for drivers of all sizes, no detail has been overlooked. Whether fitted with 18-inch or 17-inch wheels, ground clearance is more or less between 360 and 380 mils, he said.
And it's not just about the vehicle itself. With options like the Halo Red Fund and the Rhino Trust, Ineos is committed to giving back to the community and protecting the environment.
Finally, coming to the price: the Ineos Grenadier starts at N$1 876 100 while a fully spec'ed unit with all the boxes ticked is about N$2 400 000, Joubert said.