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
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