THE interior of the much anticipated Ineos Grenadier – a kind of a clone of the old Land Rover Defender – has revealed that inside the cabin it is all about utility and work.
As with the exterior design, which is very much modelled on the classic Defender, the focus is on practicality and utility – from switches and dials, to stowage and customisation options.
“When we started thinking about the Grenadier’s interior, we looked carefully at modern aircraft, boats and even tractors for inspiration, where switches are sited for optimal function, regular controls are close to hand, auxiliary ones are further away,” said Toby Ecuyer, the brand’s head of design.
“You can see the same approach in the Grenadier. The layout is functional and logical, designed with ease of use in mind. It has everything you need and nothing you don’t.”
Toggle switches and dials on the centre and overhead consoles are widely spaced and clearly labelled. Auxiliary switches have been built in, pre-wired to support the addition of winches, work lights and other accessories.
Advanced technology is included only where it benefits functionality and usability. The infotainment system is accessed via a 12.3-inch touchscreen, or by using a rotary dial. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration means users can rely on smartphone navigation which will always be up to date.
An off-road pathfinder navigation system also allows drivers to programme, follow and record their route via waypoints, when roads and tracks are left behind.
It is designed and clad with hard work in mind. Drain plugs in the rubber flooring and wipe-down upholstery mean the interior can be hosed out.
Water-resistant, anti-stain Recaro seats provide ergonomic support and comfort on and off the road, and carpets and leather upholstery will be available for those aiming to leave the mud and sand outside.
Stowage space includes a dry storage box under the rear seat, a lockable central console cubby box, and secure side-mounted storage in the rear load area. There is also a wide range of interior options and accessories.
It also looks like the Ineos Grenadier is emerging from its testing period prior to going on sale. The130 second-phase prototypes are currently half-way through their target of 1.8m km of testing around the world, with the next stage being traversing the dunes of Morocco.
It features permanent four-wheel-drive through a proven ZF eight-speed automatic transmission which has manual override. Also included is a hi/lo transfer case to make the most of the power from the BMW straight-six, twin-turbo, petrol and diesel engines
The petrol version has 283 bhp available, while the oil burner has 246 bhp available, with the latter having much better torque figures which will be ideal for towing the 3.5-tonne rated limit. Also, all-round coil springs will make this an enviable Defender replacement!
This confidence has means that Ineos has announced that reservations to buy will open from October, 2021, and deliveries will start from July, 2022. The starting price is around £50,000.