The Ineos Grenadier was always intended to evoke the spirit of the Land Rover Defender, and to a large extent it has: tolerable on road, though never happier than when forging its own path off the beaten track. Now the tribute act is going one step further, with the first of ‘several’ new editions coming to the Ineos range. Whether classic or current, the Defender has never been without a special or two, so the Grenadier will do much the same. Say hello to the Helmsman Edition.
Yes, really. It’s the first of a few that will be ‘inspired by the adventurous spirit of the Grenadier and the elements it was designed to tackle’; the car has proven itself adept in nautical environments - the RNLI uses them, no less - and so here we have the Helmsman. It might have some unfortunate connotations with those whose faith in their driving ability is at odds with reality, but the origins are of course in sailing. So Ineos Grenadier Helmsman Edition it is.
The colour is notable here, with Whiteout Blue only previously offered on Arcane Works builds (we’re still waiting on the V8, guys). Eldoret Blue and Scottish White are also offered, with black or white contrast roofs optional. Whichever colour combo is chosen, all Helmsmans are fitted with a Dark Exterior Pack, privacy glass, 17-inch diamond cut wheels and something called a Smooth Pack, which adds front parking sensors (handy given how the bonnet protrudes), ambient lighting and auxiliary electrical points.
Buyers can have their Helmsman as a Station Wagon or a Quartermaster truck, with prices from £70,995 - actually a grand less than the existing Trialmasters and Fieldmasters. But don’t wait too long, as there’s a ‘limited production window’ ahead of the next one. Answers on a postcard for that one - something safari-grade seems like an obvious contender. Sagree Sardien, Ineos Automotive Global Sales Director, said of the Helmsman: “Built to work hard and play even harder, the Grenadier is in its element when recovering a boat or transporting kayaks to the coast. With this in mind, we have combined popular design features from previous limited editions with new oceanic hues to deliver the ideal 4X4 for watersports enthusiasts and seafarers. After three quarters of double-digit growth, it’s clear that our model line-up evolution is focussed on bringing new customers to the brand who share our spirit of adventure.”
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