Recently, I was invited to the Game Fair 2024, where INEOS was showing off the Grenadier, which I’ve talked about a couple of times before, and you can definitely chalk me up as a fan. It’s a pretty fitting backdrop too, because the INEOS Grenadier is the sort of go-anywhere 4×4 that’s perfect for folks who live in rural areas or love wondering about the supreme green-ness of the British countryside, whether you’re looking for a dependable farm truck or if you’re out shooting pheasants.
I had a quick little off-roading session on a relatively mild (by INEOS standards, anyway) off-road course, and it’s certainly nothing that’s extreme enough to thoroughly test the INEOS Grenadier to its off-the-beaten-path limits, at least not compared to what I’ve seen the Grenadier being able to do in the past. If you like to see me chuck the Grenadier down a suitably tough off-road trail, check out my first impressions and test drive of the Grenadier during last year’s Game Fair, as well as a separate excursion by the Lake District.
Both occasions should give you a much clearer idea as to what the INEOS Grenadier could really do when it comes to hardcore off-roading. However, this recent experience was nevertheless a refreshing reminder that INEOS has put a lot of thought into engineering the Grenadier to best handle far-flung expeditions into the unknown or tackling the worst that Mother Nature has to offer yet – no doubt a core part of the blueprint! So, does the INEOS Grenadier really do enough to justify the years of hype for this thing? Spoiler alert: Yes.
A 4×4 Built For The Occasion
For those of you who are new to the INEOS Grenadier, a 21st-century remake of an old-school off road-first 4×4, it comes in multiple forms, including a chassis cab variant and even commercial work truck models. But, at the Game Fair 2024, INEOS let me try out what I’m sure are to be their two most popular versions, the 5-door Station Wagon, as well as the Quartermaster pickup truck. For now, I’ll focus on the Station Wagon, and otherwise, if you want to know how the Quartermaster copes with towing, check out my coverage here.
Still, INEOS knows full well who their target demographic is, and as such, they’ve still prepped a pretty decent off-road course for visitors at this year’s Game Fair. The Grenadiers that INEOS brought to show off were fitted with all-terrain tyres, which is needed given what lay ahead… Aggressive camber, bumpy tracks, and more than a handful of steep gradients, sudden dips, minor undulations, as well as wading through tall grass. While they might not look that extreme in the photos, trust me, the actual angles of these inclines and descents are enough to separate the good off-roaders from the bad, and the INEOS Grenadier took it like a champ.
A New Challenger Has Arrived
The off-road nature of the INEOS Grenadier isn’t merely skin deep, either. It’s built on a tried-and-tested ladder frame chassis, giving the Grenadier that extra bit more agility and flexibility – yet, without compromising on its strength – to tackle less-than-perfect off-road surfaces. Other than that, you’ll find a two-speed transfer case, diff-lockers, an off-road-ready suspension, and a robust BMW-sourced powertrain. Actually, there are two engines; a petrol or diesel 3.0-litre turbo inline-6, paired with ZF transmissions.
Additionally, from all those nice-to-haves and off-road necessities, the Grenadier features a comprehensive suite of electronic aids and software to help you while you’re off-roading. This includes their handy Downhill Assist system, which helps to manage your braking and traction while going down steep descents. High approach, breakover, and departure angles help quite a bit, too. Even the infotainment system is geared with off-roaders in mind, showering you with a wealth of information, from your altitude to the pitch and roll of the Grenadier at any one point.
So, even though this year’s showcase by INEOS isn’t as extreme as the past two that I’ve been invited to, I’m nonetheless still impressed by just how capable the Grenadier is when you bring it to its natural habitat – off-roading. It’s always great to be behind the wheel of the Grenadier, and I certainly can’t recommend it enough, particularly if you’re out shopping for a new off-roader, but if back-to-basics off-roading is what you’re looking for, the Grenadier is a really attractive package.
