2022 Ineos Grenadier tough 4WD confirmed for Australian launch

It’s not often a new car brand launches, but the maker of a tough new four-wheel drive has its sight firmly set on Australia.

2022 Ineos Grenadier two-seater.

Tough new four-wheel drive brand, Ineos, is arriving Down Under this year.

The newcomer is the brainchild of a British billionaire Sir Jim Ratcliffe who wanted a stripped back, hardworking four-wheel drive for the modern day.

The Ineos Grenadier is developed as a spiritual successor to the previous Land Rover Defender, although it is more luxurious and hi-tech.

The Ineos Grenadier is headed to Australia.

Pitched at the LandCruiser 70-Series, the Grenadier will be available in two and five-seat form with prices starting at $84,500 (plus on-road costs).

All versions are four-wheel drive, with a heavy duty ladder-on-chassis frame. Both versions come with plenty of heavy duty off-road hardware including high and low gears, a centre locking differential, front and rear skid plates, fuel tank protection and all-terrain tyres. Front and rear locking differentials are optional.

It also has steep approach and departure angles and a wading depth of up to 800mm.

Suspension tuned by German specialists Eibach is designed to maintain control over rough terrain with up to 600mm of movement.

It has permanent four-wheel drive and plenty of off-road hardware.

A dedicated off-road driving mode disables the parking sensors, seat belt reminders and engine start stop, while a central touchscreen displays relevant information for the driver, including vehicle attitude, steering angle and system temperatures.

The no-frills 4WD remains analog and utilitarian, with buttons and switches that are designed to be used with gloves on. The off-road switch gear is located overhead.

The Grenadier has plenty of physical control buttons.

At its heart is a BMW-sourced inline six-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine making 210kW and 450Nm or a twin-turbo six-cylinder diesel unit making 183kW and 550Nm. Surprisingly, both engines are the same price.

Both are paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Grenadier can tow up to 3500kg. The two-seater can accommodate a full Euro pallet in the tray and the five-seat wagon has cargo space of more than 2000 litres with the rear seats folded.

The two-seater can fit a full Euro pallet.

Payload ranges from 810kg to 906kg depending on specification.

A 12.3-inch central touchscreen is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and comes with in-built satnav and digital radio.

Ineos is taking orders for the Grenadier from May 18th. Production is expected to start in July this year.

Ineos has partnered with 28 dealers across Australia to sell and service the Grenadier. Most of the network is focused on regional centres.