There's something deliciously ironic about the Chelsea Truck Company getting to grips with the Ineos Grenadier. Here's a vehicle born from Sir Jim Ratcliffe's frustration that Land Rover abandoned the utilitarian roots of the Defender, now transformed into exactly the kind of poshed-up urban warrior that prompted the Grenadier's creation in the first place. Yet somehow, it sort of works.
This particular example – a Fieldmaster Edition in Sela Green – has covered just 90 miles, making it essentially box-fresh despite the £30,000 worth of modifications lavished upon it. The CTC Series I transformation is obviously intended to walk a fine line between tasteful enhancement and outright showboating. We’re inclined to think that Seeker’s effort (specifically the one we shone a light on last year) did a better job of gilding Ineos’ squared-off lily, but these things are wildly subjective. That’s the whole point.
Broadly speaking, the intention is the same: to enhance the Grenadier's appeal without destroying its fundamental character. To that end, you get 40mm wide wheel arches housing massive 20-inch Mondial Retro alloys complete with 35-inch tyres – a combination that undeniably does something for the car’s on-road stance. A three-piece front grille, Alpine window covers, piano black spare wheel cover, and what looks like a fairly prominent roof spoiler, complete the visual transformation.
Mechanically, it appears to be unaltered from standard, which is no bad thing. The petrol variant comes with a BMW-built straight-six which has enough grunt to make the Grenadier seem like a modern SUV in a straight line. Fuel economy is predictably agricultural given its shape, and the 99mph top speed certainly won't trouble the current Defender - but that was never the point. It’s all about the sort of bloody-mindedness that's becoming increasingly rare in modern car design.
Inside, the already excellent Recaro seats and much of the interior are now wrapped in what CTC calls "3D Modular Comfort Leather" – door panels, grab handles, gear gaiter, handbrake surround – you name it, it's been re-trimmed. It must be like sitting inside a very expensive tan leather glove. Albeit one sat atop a separate chassis that’ll wade through 800mm of water.
The point, of course, is that both soft-touch furnishings and safety from the briny deep are covered. For the right buyer – someone who wants a certain sort of modern British 4x4 with a dash of exclusivity – this barely-driven example represents an opportunity to skip whatever waiting list currently exists at Ineos and drive away in something truly distinctive. Yes, it's a significant premium over a standard Grenadier (you can have a lightly used Fieldmaster for around £25k less), but then individuality has always commanded a premium.
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