Who said that off-road is a sunset category? The Grenadier is a 4×4 vehicle that can do anything and go anywhere, and after careful preparation it is ready to launch
@
andrea_cake
-Milan
What is an off-road vehicle used for? A true off-road vehicle, not an SUV with excessive ambitions, but a “tough” vehicle capable of tackle difficult terrain enduring the rough confrontation with natural and non-natural elements. A vehicle capable of moving easily on sand, mud, rocks, of tackling hills even when towing trailers. There are those who choose an off-road vehicle for work, those who buy it to put hobbies and passions into practice or out of necessity, because in Italy – and in the world – there are many places that are difficult to reach for orographic reasons. Yet, that of the “hard and pure” offroad. it is a market segment that – at least in Europe – is depopulating, thanks to the limitations imposed by emissions. But there are those who go in the opposite direction, landing on the market with an off-road vehicle that has a global vocation and the ambition to satisfy those who have to get anywhere. Let’s talk about Ineos Grenadierwhich after a preparation and pre-sale phase is ready for its debut in Italy: two engines, three trim levels and prices starting from 69,290 euros, an entrance ticket much higher than the 60,500 euros communicated last spring.
CHASSIS AND BODYWORK
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The design leaves no doubts: Grenadier is designed for “dirty” work, the classic off-road square shape to maximize space efficiency, the wheels positioned at the end of the frame to optimize off-road capability. Elements that appeal to those who appreciate robustness and concreteness. The dimensions are important, with 4.93 meters in length (including the spare wheel) and 1.93 meters in width (excluding the mirrors), the technical data confirm the off-road vocation: 264 mm of ground clearance, 800 mm wading depth, 35.5˚ approach angle, 28.2˚ breakover angle and 36.1˚ departure angle. The frame is of the longitudinal type box section, simple, strong and stable. The axles are made by Carraro, which has been making them for tractors such as John Deere and Claas for 50 years, the underbody plates protect the mechanical parts and the fuel tank.
COCKPIT
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Everything on board the Ineos Grenadier is also designed to be robust, but comfort and practicality are not lacking. Each key corresponds to a precise function that is easily recognizable by the very clear symbols. Once the position of each button has been memorised, everything becomes immediate and simpler than using touchpads or screens. Everything is waterproof and washable and there are even water drain valves to wash the floor of mud and dirt. Above the dashboard it 12.3″ screen for the infotelematic system with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration, it provides all kinds of useful information off-road, from use of the accelerator to the brake, front and side inclination, engine parameters. Above the driver’s head, in pure aeronautical style, are the secondary controls and a series of switches for optional equipment, such as the external lights (already pre-wired). The seats made by Recaro they contain the driver and passenger even in off-road shaking, while behind it is necessary to hold on firmly.
ENGINES AND TRANSMISSION
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Consistent with the concept of a vehicle that can be used anywhere without constraints, Ineos Grenadier offers two engines petrol and dieselboth BMW, both 3-litre 6-cylinder. The petrol delivers 286PS and 450Nm of torque, while the twin-turbo diesel engine generates 249PS and 550Nm of torque. Both engines are mated to a ZF eight-speed automatic gearbox, with two-speed gearbox made by Tremec, CV joints and drive shafts are Dana Spicer. Depending on the version, the vehicle can be equipped either with a central differential only or with a scheme that includes three of them: front, rear and central, all of which can be locked using the controls placed on the dashboard, even when in motion. Grenadier is only available with permanent all-wheel drivethe driving modes allow you to select the most suitable one depending on the situation, for example the “ford” one excludes the cooling fan and monitors the engine parameters. The towing capacity reaches 3.5 tons, the winch (optional) has a capacity of 5.5 tons for self-recovery or rescuing other vehicles, and it is possible to load up to 150 kg on the roof.
EQUIPMENT AND PRICES
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The Grenadier range is articulated on three productions: Utility Wagon (from 69.290 with two seats and 70.490 with five seats), SW Fieldmaster Edition (from 78.485, with equipment more devoted to comfort) and SW Trialmaster Edition (again from 78.485), the “harder” variant with specialized equipment offroad, such as snorkel, auxiliary battery and Rough package (front and rear differential locks and BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 tyres). There is no difference in price between petrol and diesel engines, while it is possible to request both M1 car and N1 truck approval for any model. The network of dealers for the Italian market is already being set up and the first examples of Grenadiers for demonstration use are being distributed, while the first deliveries are scheduled for March 2023. The manufacturing plant is in Hambach, France, which Ineos acquired from Mercedes-Benz in 2021.
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