Ineos has used the Goodwood Festival of Speed as its stage to unveil a range of unique Grenadiers, ranging from a V8-powered version of its off-roader, a shorter-wheelbase variant and even a 4×4 designed for safari expeditions.
Earlier this month, Ineos teased that it would launch its Arcane Works customisation division at Goodwood, which was expected to be the platform for a range of modified Grenadiers.
Despite the large reveal, just one Arcane Works Grenadier has been unveiled, featuring a tweaked grille and silver trim highlights, though no further details about the vehicle have been announced.
Grenadier Arcane Works
However, the showstopper of the bunch is the Grenadier V8 Prototype, which Ineos claims is just a one off – but that can’t stop us dreaming of a production version.
Built by a team of engineering apprentices from Magna, the firm which builds the Grenadier for Ineos in France, the Station Wagon-based prototype swaps its 3.0-litre six-cylinder BMW engine for a 6.2-litre V8 from General Motors.
The LS-series V8 produces 317kW and 625Nm – 117kW/175Nm more than the BMW petrol engine manages – and required the Grenadier’s engine mounts, engine electrics and electronics, water and oil cooling, exhaust manifold and rear silencer, transmission bearings, heat shields and centre console to be re-engineered.
For now the Ineos Grenadier remains solely available with a choice of BMW petrol and diesel powerplants.
Next up in the list of one-offs is the ‘Shortermaster’, a Quartermaster Pick-Up with 305mm removed from its wheelbase.
Measuring 2922mm between the axles, Ineos’ engineers further pushed the rear seats forward to provide more space in the load bay, which has been integrated into the chassis.
Ineos also showed off its collaboration with German firm LeTech, which fitted a raised chassis, portal axles and offset wheel hubs to both the Grenadier Station Wagon and Quartermaster Pick-Up.
The new equipment, in addition to larger off-road focused tyres, raises ground clearance to 514mm (up 250mm) while also providing 1050mm of wading depth.
According to the brand, it’s already put portal axle-equipped Grenadiers in service with Mühlheim an der Ruhr’s fire brigade.
If you thought Ineos was all about low-speed off-road driving, it’s now signalled its intention to compete in the 2025 World Rally Raid Championship with a modified, FIA-compliant Grenadier.
Built by Buzz Special Vehicles, the aforementioned turbocharged 3.0-litre engine has received a 50kW and 100Nm increase to produce 260kW and 550Nm, as well as race suspension, tougher brakes, bespoke alloy wheels and a sports exhaust.
Inside, all the creature comforts have been removed and replaced by a full roll-cage, racing bucket seats and carbon door panels and roof vents.
Finally, the most eye-catching Grenadier was created by Ineos Kavango, the Botswanan division responsible for Safari-oriented conversions which sees the roof and pillars removed.
Fitted with three tiers of seats, Ineos says it offers “excellent visibility for all passengers; enhanced off-road protection from bespoke front and side protection bars; bespoke alloy wheels shod in off-road tyres to tackle the most demanding safari terrain”.
Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder wouldn’t detail which prototypes will go into production, though hinted there’s more treats to come.
“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,” Ms Calder said.
“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.”
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