Highline Test Drives
Some of the greatest automotive brands were built off the idea the “establishment” has missed the mark. Most notably, when Mr. Lamborghini was not too impressed with his red sports car from Maranello, Italy; and set off to build his own. With a modern twist, the INEOS Grenadier brand was born from a similar story. When Land Rover ended production of the previous generation Defender, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chairman of the very successful European chemicals group, tried buying the machinery to continue to build those Defenders under his own brand. Land Rover would not agree to terms, and ended up refusing the sale of their production materials, so Sir Ratcliffe embarked on his own journey to build the world’s best luxury/utilitarian SUV.
“Shrek”, our admiringly named Sela Green INEOS Grenadier is the real deal, off-road, go-anywhere vehicle. Upgrades included Toyo Open Country A/T tires and a front bumper brush guard that bullies other drivers out of the way on the road; however, inside the INEOS Grenadier, you would not believe how comfortable and capable the ride is as a daily driver. This incredibly supple ride, as well as effortless steering and great visibility, was the biggest takeaway from the ultimate utilitarian vehicle. Inside the INEOS, driver and passengers are treated to beautifully made RECARO seats. These OEM RECARO seats are not the sporty versions enthusiasts may be used to in the high-performance trim variants across the auto industry, but they increase the comfortable driving experience you would not expect from a vehicle that is as boxy and rugged as the INEOS Grenadier.
Powering the INEOS Grenadier is a 3.0 liter turbocharged BMW inline 6 paired to a ZF 8-speed auto trans and 2-speed transfer case. Companies like BMW and ZF do not let just anyone making their first vehicle use their powertrain components. Only a serious automaker, with a serious product would be allowed to use such premium components in their construction. These big-name collaborations bring us to our second revelation with the INEOS Grenadier, it does not feel like a new product.
Build quality of the INEOS Grenadier is just as you’d expect any other European luxury auto maker. There are no squeaks or rattles in the interior, the drivetrain feels like it was all developed properly to work together, and the off-road telemetry/technology included in the vehicle’s systems feel like they’ve been in development for years, with billions of dollars invested into their reliability.
It is no surprise the off-road capability is where these vehicles really show off. First the hardware, 3 locking differentials: front, center and rear, 3 modes for those differentials: high range, low range, and locked, and a 2-speed transfer case. The software: downhill assist, pathfinder recording, compass rose, waypoint logging, latitude and longitude tracking, altitude & air pressure monitoring, wading depth monitoring, wheel angle, G-force, vehicle’s pitch recording, temperatures, aux. battery monitoring, and much more! The sheer tech dedicated to the intricacies of off-road driving is very impressive. All data displays work smoothly and reliably as well, you are not waiting in loading screens or lagging in display data, this information is fed perfectly to the infotainment screen in the middle of the cabin.
Cabin trim is an F16 fighter-inspired, metal face with exposed screws, toggle switches, and physical button aesthetics. The physical buttons and switches on the center console is a refreshing reminder of how convenient vehicle controls can be when not hidden in an infotainment menu screen, or how a modern vehicle does not need a TV for a center console to feel new. The INEOS Grenadier cabin is well thought out and intuitive with the placement of the button controls, something else not entirely synonymous with a new automaker, but another reason why the INEOS Grenadier does not feel like an automaker’s first attempt at a vehicle.
The INEOS Grenadier proves that rugged utility and daily comfort can coexist. With upgrades like Toyo A/T tires and a brush guard, “Shrek” is built to tackle any trail, yet surprises with its smooth ride, effortless steering, and plush RECARO seats. Powered by a BMW turbo inline-six and ZF 8-speed transmission, the Grenadier is refined and well-engineered, not like most newcomers’ first try. Its serious off-road hardware is matched by a suite of driving aids and telemetry. Built to go anywhere, the INEOS Grenadier impresses most with how well it handles on everyday roads.
For your complimentary 24-hour test drive, contact the Arrowhead INEOS Grenadier team today!
INEOS Grenadier Arrowhead
19400 AZ-101 Loop, Glendale, AZ 85308
web: www.ineosgrenadierarrowhead.com
email: sales@arrowheadgrenadier.com
phone: 602-638-3328
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