Ineos shows new prototype Grenadier V8 at FoS
Plus limited edition Outbound model from its new 'Arcane Works' personalisation service
If the Ineos Grenadier is accepted as a conventional remake of the Land Rover Defender, then up until now it’s been missing one very important thing - special editions. The old Landie was never far from a limited-run model of some description, from Tomb Raider to SVX. So the Grenadier is set to follow suit, kicking off with the Detour, the first product of Ineos’ newly formed Arcane Works division. Consider it like a special vehicle operations department, responsible for one-offs, special editions and performance upgrades. Ineos says AW will function as a ‘test bed for new technologies and systems for future Ineos vehicles, such as new chassis systems, materials and features.’ A few more Grenadiers like this one seem certain.
Ineos says the Detour ‘offers a level of personalisation and long-distance comfort that is unique in its sector’, with four fine-grain Bridge of Weir leathers offered alongside cashmere - cashmere! - headlining from Johnstons of Elgin. The ‘Arcane Works’ badges are from Vaughtons the jewellers, and the aluminium scuff plates get a laser-etched nod to the limited edition status. Anyone who finds the standard car a tad too utilitarian inside may have found the Grenadier for them.
Colours specifically for this edition will ensure the Detour stands out. It will be available with Magma Red, Whiteout Blue, Squall Green and Storm Force Silver, or Arcane Works can do paint to sample. Speaking of extras, an optional exterior contrast pack will offer different colour choices for the skid plates, ladder and roof rails. The 18-inch forged wheels are Detour-specific also.
Both the diesel and petrol engines will be offered for the special edition, with the latter benefitting from an upgraded exhaust to ‘enhance the sound character and emotion of the vehicle.’ There will be 200 Grenadier Detour models made by Ineos, though a price hasn’t yet been confirmed. Cashmere surely carries quite a premium. Ineos’ Commercial Director George Ratcliffe said: “We chose the Arcane name for our new division because the limited-edition vehicles it creates will be so unique as to be rarely spotted in the wild. Working in small batches and hand finishing the cars means we can give a level of individuality not found in the 4x4 market. For our first launch, Grenadier Detour felt like a fitting name as the Grenadier is for people who enjoy driving, and sometimes it’s worth taking the longer route.” Hopefully coming to a green lane near you at some point soon.
But Ineos has more to show the Goodwood crowds than just a limited edition. Way more, in fact. There’s the V8, for starters, one of a host of very intriguing prototypes heading for FoS that ‘hint at future 4x4s’. How exciting. It’s not the turbo BMW V8 you might expect, either, but the 6.2-litre Chevy LS3 with 431hp and 461lb ft of torque. Yes, please. Built as a one-off by Magna’s engineering apprentices, the Grenadier V8 Prototype needed a new centre console as well as better cooling, then re-engineered transmission bearings, heat shield, electrics and electronics, engine mounts and exhaust manifold. Good to keep the kids busy. No doubt a few will make their interest in a V8 Grenadier known to Ineos over Goodwood weekend.
The troop of prototypes also includes ‘Shortermaster’, a short-bed version of the Quartermaster that’s 30cm shorter than standard but keeps the rear seats, an eight-seat Safari game-viewer converted by Ineos Kavango with off-road protection and tyres, plus a portal-axled Quartermaster from German company LeTech. The new hardware for that more than doubles ground clearance, from 250mm to 514mm, and pushes wading depth from 800mm to more than a metre, at 1,050mm. Off-road tyres make the most of the upgrades, and similarly configured Grenadiers are already in service with the fire department in Mühlheim an der Ruhr. Nothing if not versatile, the Grenadier.
Finally, the rally car deserves a mention. Built by Buzz Special Vehicles in the UK, the black and orange beast is going to compete in the 2025 World Rally Raid Championship. So it gets a significantly more potent petrol straight six (354hp and 406lb ft of torque), motorsport spec suspension from R53 Engineering in Warwick, bigger brakes, a cage for the stripped-out interior and carbon door panels. Hopefully the Grenadier takes on the rally stage over the weekend; it should be well worth a watch.
Quite the lineup from Ineos this Festival of Speed, then. Lynn Calder, Ineos CEO, added: “The Grenadier’s body-on-frame chassis has already proven itself to be incredibly versatile, so as we look to future product and limited editions, we want to keep innovating. As our new brand campaign states, the Grenadier is Built For More, and over the next few years we will be showing just what that means.” We look forward to seeing it - V8 Shortermaster, anyone?
I can’t help thinking that if you bought a grenadier and then decided it was not refined enough on tarmac, you would be better off selling it and buying a range rover instead of having the custom leather and headlining installed into your utilitarian off road vehicle.
Like the idea of LE's based on Camel Trophy lookalikes, ie loaded up with all the gear in special colours.
At least it's showing some versatility with being body on frame but hope they don't release models which aren't fully proven and aftersales supported
https://images.pistonheads.com/nimg/48733/blobid4....
k up and stop moaning about a Billionaire Brexiteer and what he does with his moneyYou'd have to be pretty dense of thinking and utterly lacking in social conscience for your country if you buy one of these Chinese knock off style vehicles.
All to help line the pockets of the billionaire grifter
The crate LS is certainly suggestive of a quick, low-comittment bit of "over here - V8!" journo-bait. I don't think you could even sell it in a new car.
Ford and a few others still offer a V8 and with Grenadier's low sales perhaps they will also qualify for exemption status ?!
Quartermaster with an LS V8 ? - I'd be tempted.
Ford and a few others still offer a V8 and with Grenadier's low sales perhaps they will also qualify for exemption status ?!
Quartermaster with an LS V8 ? - I'd be tempted.
The follow-on LT series have already been nixed by Euro6 and has been pulled from everything save the Corvette, Blackwing and pickups (because the US has emissions regs too, esp. Cali!) If this was a serious product it would have an N63, LTA or something similar - that they could actually sell.
They drive terribly, have few dealers and, like any new car manufacturer, suspect the build quality will be so so.
You would have to be determinedly individualistic to buy one of these over a host of other alternatives....
They drive terribly, have few dealers and, like any new car manufacturer, suspect the build quality will be so so.
You would have to be determinedly individualistic to buy one of these over a host of other alternatives....
You'd have to be pretty dense of thinking and utterly lacking in social conscience for your country if you buy one of these Chinese knock off style vehicles.
All to help line the pockets of the billionaire grifter
You'd have to be pretty dense of thinking and utterly lacking in social conscience for your country if you buy one of these Chinese knock off style vehicles.
All to help line the pockets of the billionaire grifter
And yes I also have no use for one but a portal axel’d LS V8 truck version strangely appeals
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