2023 Ineos Grenadier

INEOS was born from a man's ambition to create a proper off-road machine capable of carrying the legacy of famous vehicles that, in the past, were used to conquer uncharted territories.

Sir Jim Ratcliff came up with the idea of creating a 4x4 vehicle that could provide best-in-class off-road ability, durability, and utility. For that, he went to Land Rover to buy the assembly lines used for the former Defender, but he was turned down. Upset, he developed the Grenadier from scratch, purchased a former factory used by Mercedes-Benz to build the smart cars, and in early 2023 started the production for this rugged off-roader.

The rugged exterior look of the vehicle resembled many other off-road vehicles with its flat panels and wedged shapes. Its front fascia featured round headlights and a grille that sported a pair of fog lamps. But, unlike most off-road vehicles on the market, the Grenadier also featured a designated location for a winch so that the car could be legally driven on public roads. From its profile, the boxy shape featured flat windows and a vertical drop at the back, where the automaker installed twin, side-hinged doors of unequal length.

Inside, the Grenadier boasted a well-equipped cabin fitted with a 12.3" touchscreen where the driver could read various information about off-road conditions, tilt angles, speed, and revs. One of the vehicle's unusual features was the five drain plugs that allowed the owner to clean the interior using a hose and to release the water on the ground. Yet, the car provided plenty of comfort and accessibility for five passengers.

Under the skin, the Grenadier featured a ladder chassis and solid front and rear axles with coil suspensions. Both engines, one turbo-diesel and one turbocharged gasoline, were provided by BMW. They were paired to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox plus a two-speed transfer case.