THE maker of the hotly anticipated Grenadier – INEOS Automotive – has revealed the exterior design of its rugged 4x4 vehicle.
Built from the ground up, the SUV has been designed to meet the rising demand for a no-nonsense yet comfortable go-anywhere working machine.
Design chief Toby Ecuyer said: “We set out to create a modern, functional and highly capable 4x4 vehicle with utility at its core and no ambiguity about the Grenadier’s role in life – there to do everything you need and nothing you don’t.
“Nothing is for show. Modern engineering and production techniques ensure the Grenadier is highly capable but we have been able to stay true to the essence of creating a utilitarian vehicle that will stand the test of time.”
The Grenadier is scheduled to go into production at a purpose-built factory in Bridgend, Wales, late next year. You can expect to see the first of them on – or off – UK roads soon after.
It will be based on a ladder chassis and have an interior that can be hosed down after dirty outdoor work. A payload of a tonne and 3.5-tonne towing capacity puts it on a par with many rivals.
But INEOS Automotive claim it will be comfortable, meeting the expectations of consumers for modern equipment and safety levels.
The firm’s boss, Dirk Heilmann, added: “We are building a new brand and we want to take people with us on this exciting journey. Showing the design now allows us to focus on the critical next phase of the vehicle’s development, testing its capability and durability.
“We have a very challenging programme ahead, as we put prototypes through their paces in all conditions, on the way to accumulating some 1.8million test kilometres in the coming year. Testing without the need for camouflage wrapping or fake panels is an added benefit.”
