From The Grenadier Pub at only 16 metres above sea level, to the highest pub in Africa – 2,876 metres above sea level – there could be no better place to take final pre-production models of the new INEOS Grenadier than up the steep Sani Pass to the highest pub in Africa.
It was a warm, cloudless day, and the views over the valley and KwaZulu-Natal hinterland were simply spectacular when a small convoy of 4x4s slowly yet effortlessly crawled their way up Sani Pass. Starting at 1,544 metres, the Grenadiers tackled the twisty gravel road, with a gradient up to 1:3, to ultimately reach an altitude of 2,876 metres.
After an uneventful ascent (although some of our group members had to assist some fatigued motorcyclists in the final set of tight S-bends) and a quick border crossing, we parked off at the famous ‘Highest Pub in Africa’ for a celebratory toast to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who about six years ago in the Grenadier Pub in Belgravia, London, conceived the idea for a stripped back, utilitarian, hard-working 4×4 vehicle engineered for modern-day compliance and reliability.
The story goes that Sir Jim initially approached Land Rover to acquire the rights to the original Defender after production ended in 2016. Land Rover rejected the offer, so he built his own version of the iconic off-roader – named for the pub where the initial idea was formulated.
A BESPOKE OFF-ROADER
With straightforward, simple design lines reminiscent of the original Defender with Series III and early Beijing Jeep-type nose treatment, the Grenadier certainly looks the part, leaving no ambiguity about its role as a utilitarian yet comfortable, practical, and reliable workhorse.
The timeless, boxy form includes practical features such as interchangeable round lamps at the front and rear, the standard centre LED auxiliary high beam lights integrated into the front grille, flat front wings (ideal for resting kit on), and bump strips for the belt line along the bodysides (an optional utility belt can be added for attaching accessories).
To fettle the Grenadier, INEOS Automotive picked the best automotive industry suppliers – Magna Steyr tuned the Eibach sprung suspension, and BMW engines feed power through ZF transmissions. Tremec transfer cases and Eaton diffs to Carraro axles with Dana Spicer CV joints and prop shafts to Bridgestone-shod wheels – before taking the prototypes through an arduous 1.8 million km testing regime in all climates, conditions, and across all terrains.
Considering our initial impressions of the final pre-production versions, it seems all have come together rather nicely. With a sturdy ladder-frame chassis and short overhangs front and rear, the Grenadier has an approach angle of 36.2 ̊, a break-over angle of 28.2 ̊, and a departure angle of 36.1 ̊ – more than enough to overcome any serious obstacle.
This, as well as ground clearance of 264 mm and a wading depth of 800 mm, meant the jaunt up Sani Pass was not a challenge for either the petrol or diesel derivatives (the dedicated Off-Road Mode or integrated Wading Mode proved superfluous), and their smooth power delivery and excellent ride comfort over the rock-strewn parts of the track was impressive.
PETROL OR DIESEL?
The evocative sound of the proven BMW 3.0-litre straight-six B58 turbo petrol engine, delivering 210 kW and 450 Nm of torque (from a low 1,750 rpm to 4,000 rpm), was quite audible thanks to a bespoke exhaust system. With its torque sweet spot at 2,000 rpm, it easily lugged the 2.6-tonne five-seat station wagon up steep inclines.
Sampling the diesel derivative – powered by the revered 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder mill from BMW – on the high-altitude Lesotho tracks, we favoured its immediate torque delivery (550 Nm from 1,250 rpm to 3,000 rpm) and smooth power delivery (183 kW) in the mountainous terrain.
To be fair, both models performed impeccably on the route, but the conditions favoured the characteristics of the diesel (the petrol would probably be more suitable in sandy terrain and for driving high dunes). Having driven both, we suspect the choice between diesel and petrol will come down to personal preference.
This also applies to the choice between Trailmaster Edition or Fieldmaster Edition specification (if the standard model, at just over R100,000 less, is not enough). Inspired by the quality outerwear from Belstaff, the pre-configured editions (with Smooth Pack and Rough Pack trim features) have been specifically curated – the Trailmaster for extreme off-roading and the Fieldmaster for adventure lifestyle.
THE ROUGH AND SMOOTH
Besides the additional Rough Pack adding front and rear diff locks, BF Goodrich All-Terrain tyres, a raised air intake, exterior utility belts, and an auxiliary battery, the hardcore Trailmaster, somewhat confusingly, also receive Smooth Pack features, as available on the Fieldmaster Edition.
This pack’s comfort and convenience features include a rear-view camera, puddle lamps, power heated door mirrors, auxiliary USB power outlets, 17” alloy wheels (with 18” alloys as an option), Safari Windows, leather upholstery, carpet floor mats, and heated front seats.
In the Fieldmaster Editions, we appreciated the removable, tinted Safari Windows (optionally available on other variants) above the driver and co-driver. Completely removed (and safely stored in a dedicated bag), it allowed our photographer to get some great shots of the beautiful surroundings.
AIRCRAFT-STYLE FRONT CABIN
Inside, the front cabin has a cockpit-feel to it, with aircraft-style instrumentation (complete with guards to avoid accidental operation) in the centre console and a bank of toggle switches (for the off-road switch gear) in the overhead control panel. The buttons are clearly labelled and well-spaced, and all driving information is conveniently displayed on a centrally-positioned 12.3” touchscreen.
Befitting the image of a rugged off-road vehicle, the mostly digital controls have an old-school mechanical look and feel to them. The lack of a driver instrument binnacle initially feels odd, but one gets used to it.
The Central Control System displays all required information in one place and is accessed using steering wheel buttons or a BMW-style rotary controller.
In front of the controller is a genuine BMW gear lever and sturdy-looking gear knob to engage the two-speed transfer case for the permanent four-wheel-drive system. The touchscreen also displays steering angle, and our Belstaf-edition vehicles had the Pathfinder nav system, a rear-view camera, and parking sensors.
Besides buttons for sound and cruise control on the two-spoke multifunction steering wheel, a red ‘toot button’ with a bicycle symbol (for discreetly warning cyclists and equestrians) is a very British touch, although, for South Africa, it probably needs a minibus taxi sign and a much louder horn.
Standard is also a radio, Android Auto and wireless Apple CarPlay compatibility, Bluetooth connectivity and voice control, and USB-A, USB-C, and 12V sockets. Trim for the airy cabin is unpretentious yet refined, and we found the eight-way, manually adjustable Recaro seats (with optional leather upholstery) supportive and comfortable in all conditions.
Folding the 60:40 split rear bench seat flat provides for 2,035 litres of load space, and with the rear seats in use, this is a class-leading 1,152 litres.
ROAD COMFORT
For a ladder-frame-based vehicle, the Grenadier surprised with its quiet cabin, body control, agility, and smooth ride on the undulating, pothole-scarred road leading from Bergville to Howick. This is thanks to eight chassis mounts isolating the body from the chassis, and a well-tuned suspension setup.
However, we found the steering, while accurate and well-weighted, to be slow to self-centre (requiring driver assistance to get it back to the straightforward position), and the spare tyre positioned on the back of the 30:70 split rear doors greatly diminishes vision to the rear.
LAST WORD
It is clear INEOS and Sir Jim did their homework before releasing this newcomer into a highly competitive market segment. As a built-on-purpose 4×4 with serious off-road capability, refined on-road driveability, and a functional, modern, comfortable interior, it ticks all the off-road boxes.
As such, and with a wide range of options and accessories available, the Grenadier – now locked and loaded – is ready to take the fight to the expensive Mercedes-Benz G-Class on the one hand, the Land Cruiser 79 on the other, the New Defender, and anything in-between laying claim to the off-road capability throne. Also, a new double cab pickup is nearly production-ready, and there is talk of a smaller INEOS model as well.
With prices starting from just over R1.4 million for a standard derivative, the new Grenadier is a competent and desirable vehicle worth consideration.
For more info visit: www.ineosgrenadier.com
Report by FERDI DE VOS | Images © RYAN ABBOTT