Behold the new Ineos Grenadier pickup
Fancy yourself a true outdoorsman? The recently spied Grenadier workhorse ought to sort the men from the boys
Credit where it’s due to Ineos, the company isn’t hanging around. No sooner has the Grenadier 4x4 been launched - and with cars spotted at dealerships by eagle-eyed PHers - than the next model is caught testing. We’re promised a lot from Ineos over the coming years, including a model smaller than the Grenadier, but for now it’s the existing family that will grow. First off, a pickup.
From Ranger Raptor to GR Sport Hilux, the truck is big business in the UK right now, whether for actual commercial use or as an SUV alternative without a little more focus on the ‘U’ part of the name. Don’t expect the Grenadier’s remit to change one little bit with the new bodystyle: it will remain a hardy and capable 4x4 at heart. If anything, a truck plays to the model’s strengths even more keenly, upping the ruggedness further without treading on the toes of the conventional, family-friendly Grenadier. Might even be a bit cheaper, too.
This double cab test car has been photographed in Scandinavia; even against the vast expanses of snowy nothingness, the Grenadier looks absolutely enormous, both load bay and cabin sizeable where the dimensions of one are normally sacrificed for the other.
Clearly, that's the benefit of using the seven-seat model’s longer (3,175mm) wheelbase. Notable as well is the complete lack of disguise, the only giveaway to its prototype status being the ‘Test Vehicle’ font in the rear window. No surprises were expected for the look of an Ineos pickup, of course - but now we have it confirmed, same bluff front end and distinctive taillights marking this out as a does-what-it-says-on-the-tin Grenadier. A single cab is expected to follow in due course.
While not subjected to anything more demanding than the lightest dusting of snow here, the pick-up is expected to boast a similar level of off-road ability as the standard car. The snorkel isn’t going to be there for show, in other words. Power will come from the same range of BMW six-cylinder petrols and diesels as the Grenadier SUV, which will make a nice alternative to the four-cylinder engines so often seen in pickups. Unless you buy silly ones from Ford that want to be desert racers.
No launch date has been confirmed yet, though you'd imagine it can’t be a very long way from production. Regardless, competition will be tough - and typically much more affordable. But the original version has already shown off an intriguing array of talents - don’t be surprised if this one adds a few more.
Images: S.Baldauf/S.B.Medien
Double cabs sell well though, they should get this to the US ASAP...
What's the payload? if it's as heavy as the station wagon, it won't have the 1000kg payload to be classed as a commercial.
Presumably this one won't have the tax issues for businesses that the 4x4 has.
...but, both side windows are now the same height - it's has to be a winner for sure!
One of the kickers for new brands (and sooo many new models) is how the pricing is positioned against established competitors, leading to low volumes, high marginal costs at the factory and price increases designed to offset the increased costs caused by overly high pricing in the first place.
Get the volume up with marginal pricing, build a reputation, network and brand awareness and then raise pricing once you are considered desirable. Imagine these for say 12.5% below Hilux for similar vehicles? Keep the basic vehicle simple and let people blow the budget on options?
There seemed to be a lot of comment in the station wagon thread about pricing but those vehicles seemed to be high spec, not sure there were options for a simple version, but with the pickup maybe they will give us that affordable entry point to the brand, after all do we really need much more than aircon and cruise (I know, do we even need those? They happen to be my go to items but maybe not everyones?)
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