Building the Grenadier: a solid base

 

Although the Grenadier won’t be available to buy for a while yet, we do have a few details about the vehicle’s components which have been released in the last few months.

 

Engineered to go anywhere and cope with hard work, the Grenadier uses a classic 4x4 chassis - a ladder frame - which their engineers say is the “only way to build a proper off-road 4x4 vehicle”. It gives strength and stability - making it sure-footed on any surface, from mud and rock to sand and snow - as well as reliability. It also gives the solidity needed for towing heavy equipment, something that will surely interest gamekeepers, land managers and conservationists, or anyone who finds themself towing a horsebox at weekends. This is not a ‘Sports Utility Vehicle’ - it’s a Utility Vehicle. In a similar vein, the Grenadier will employ robust beam axles, which are the most durable option.

 

If you’re driving on rough ground the solid base that this gives is… well, a solid base from which to start. But even, or perhaps especially, on tough terrain, the ride is important. Here’s where the Grenadier’s heavy-duty coil spring-based suspension system - developed by analysing the world’s best off-roaders - comes into play. The suspension adapts depending on the load, ensuring a great ride. This system also gives good ground clearance, plus excellent traction and stability on any surface. The system is entirely free of electronics, meaning that there’s less to go wrong and it’s easy to maintain.

The ladder frame chassis and suspension are being developed with global mobility technology company, Magna, who have a track record of creating ladder frames suitable for the toughest environments. Meanwhile the Grenadier’s beam axles will be supplied by Carraro, who are world famous for producing solid beam axles for off-road vehicles including tractors.

 

Although these are the only solid details INEOS have released so far - and boy are they solid - we think they give a pretty clear picture of what they are trying to achieve with the Grenadier. Here at GunsOnPegs we are really excited to see the development of a truly rugged, straightforward 4x4. We think that there’s a good chance that it will become the must-have shooting vehicle in years to come, for guns and gamekeepers alike.

 

Like so many things in the last few months, Covid-19 has presented INEOS with some challenges but true to their ethos of getting the job done, they’ve risen to the challenge to minimise the impact and stay on track. There is currently an extensive programme of testing underway, putting the Grenadier through its paces in some seriously harsh conditions.

 

Over the coming months we’ll be updating you with more details of the Grenadier’s vital statistics, as and when they are released. So far no-one knows what the Grenadier will actually look like, but this will all change in the next few weeks, when the exterior of the vehicle will be revealed to the world - we can’t wait to see it in all its glory, and we’ll be sharing the news with you via the Grenadier Hub.