The Ineos Grenadier, Which Is Technically Not a Land Rover Defender, Begins Manufacturing

It’s been about 5 years since B-Tier Brosnan-Period Bond Villain Jim Ratcliffe introduced plans to construct his personal model of the traditional Land Rover Defender. It seemed like a loopy plan on the time, however apparently, for those who’re a billionaire you possibly can simply throw cash at something you need and make it occur. And finally, it did occur. The Ineos Grenadier is now formally in manufacturing, in accordance with Motor1.

Constructed at a former Mercedes-Benz manufacturing unit in Hambach, France, the Grenadier actually does look like an off-road fanatic’s dream. It’s a real body-on-frame SUV with the U.S. model getting full-time four-wheel drive, dwell entrance and rear axles, a locking center-differential, totally different modes for off-roading and wading by way of water, entrance and rear skid plates, metal wheels, and a number of other different adventure-friendly options.

Clients who need one thing much more rugged can improve to the Trialmaster Version, which provides, amongst different issues, a snorkel, a ladder, an auxiliary battery, and an oh-so-important branded jacket. The non-compulsory Tough Pack provides locking entrance and rear differentials and all-terrain KO2 tires, whereas the luxury-oriented Easy Pack throws in stuff like a backup digicam, puddle lights, ambient inside lighting, heated mirrors, and heated windshield washer fluid nozzles.

Lastly, the Fieldmaster Version upgrades your Grenadier to incorporate alloy wheels, locking lug nuts, safari home windows, leather-based trim, heated entrance seats, carpet flooring mats, and, in fact, the branded jacket. However when you can add the Easy Pack to the Fieldmaster Version, the Tough Pack is reserved for the Trialmaster.

Ineos plans to finally provide a model with a truck mattress, but it surely has but to announce when that can be.

Energy comes from a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter inline-six engine that makes 282 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. Sadly, although, there’s no handbook transmission choice. The Grenadier solely will get an eight-speed ZF computerized.

U.S. pricing has but to be introduced, however anticipate it to be surprisingly affordable. Within the UK, probably the most primary Grenadier begins at £49,000. However the least expensive model that can be coming to the U.S. begins at £52,000. That’s about consistent with the bottom value of a brand new Land Rover Defender 90 within the UK, so performing some tough back-of-the-napkin math, anticipate the bottom model to begin round $55,000.

Sadly for U.S. prospects, Ineos remains to be within the technique of constructing out its vendor community right here, so there’s no telling once you’ll really be capable of order one, a lot much less once you’ll be capable of take supply. Within the UK, although, Ineos estimates it is going to start delivering Grenadiers to prospects in December.

Till then, you possibly can no less than have enjoyable enjoying round with the configurator.