The Grenadier unwrapped: the interior

Over the last 12 months we’ve been following the evolution of the INEOS Grenadier from a concept dreamed up in a London pub (like all the best ideas) through to a nearly finished product. In that time we’ve told the story of the exterior design, the engineering that will allow the vehicle to go anywhere and do anything, as well as the great off-roaders of yesteryear that have inspired the minds behind the Grenadier. Now we can bring you the final part of the design story - the all-important interior.

With the interior, perhaps more than with any other aspect of the design, INEOS Grenadier have had a challenge to overcome: how to make it practical, durable and no-nonsense while still providing the comfort, tech and quality, not to mention the space, that the modern consumer has come to expect from an off-roader, and keep the vehicle as analogue as possible, so that it works (and is repairable) in even the toughest and remotest of environments. To us, it looks like they have more than overcome that challenge.

As with the rest of the project, the focus is on reliability, practicality and utility – from the switches and dials, to the ample stowage and cargo areas – with a form-follows-function mindset. The interior is built to endure whatever you throw at it, with hard-wearing materials and integrated tech, and a carefully considered layout engineered to be easy to use in all conditions. There’s also plenty of scope for customisation and individualisation and a wide range of options. But let’s start with some of the practical touches that we think will particularly excite the shooting community.

Hard-wearing practicality

Anyone who has returned home after a day’s shooting to find their vehicle looking like it was used as a venue for mudwrestling or bog-snorkling will love the fact that you can choose to have hose-out rubber flooring complete with drainage plugs, along with a splash-proof, wipe-down dashboard and switches, stain and water-resistant upholstery. There’s also a dry-storage box under the rear seats, a great place to sling your wellies after a muddy day, or to keep your overnight bag to keep the grime away from your evening wear. If you’re more into a luxury interior, or don’t have a dog / filthy kids, or just plan to leave the mud outside the vehicle, you can opt for heated leather seats and carpeted floors.

Another great touch is that all the switches are spaced out enough that they can be operated easily even when traversing bumpy terrain or while wearing gloves. The layout of these also means that the passenger can operate the auxiliary switches.

Where possible, the gizmos have all been designed to be as mechanical as possible, with around half the number of ECUs as comparable vehicles. One way in which this manifests itself is that there is a physical key rather than an electronic keyfob, eliminating the risk of electronic failure preventing you from starting the engine, which would be far from ideal when you’re on a remote moor or in the middle of an estate. Just don’t lose the key!

Cargo, stowage and tools

The Grenadier will be available in both a five-seat passenger version and a commercial two or five-seat layout. The two-seat layout has a rear cargo area large enough to take a Euro pallet, so ideal for transporting sacks of pheasant feed or for installing a dog crate. Even the five-seat layout has a capacious cargo area, plenty big enough for all your shoot day clobber, wellies and your dog. The cargo bay has tie-down hooks for securing loads, as well as the option of interior fixing rails. Elsewhere in the vehicle, in addition to the aforementioned dry box, there is a secure side-mounted storage box, and a lockable cubby box in the central console, as well as one-litre water bottle holders in all doors.

In keeping with the ethos of customisability and adaptability, the vehicle is equipped with plug-and-play pre-wiring to power winches or exterior lighting - perfect for lamping - which are controlled from the overhead console in the cab. The optional glass panels in the roof can be tilted for ventilation, or removed altogether, providing a fantastic viewing or rifle shooting vantage point. Additionally there’s an optional power pack that provides a 2,000-watt AC converter to power electric tools or whatever else you may wish to run.

Hi tech (where appropriate)

Despite the low-fi and practical approach to the design, you’re not going to be navigating using a map and compass (unless that’s what you’re into.) Nor will you be restricted to longwave radio in terms of in-car entertainment. In fact, there’s a 12.3” touchscreen displaying the digital instruments and “infotainment” menus. To put that in perspective, that screen is only slightly smaller than that of the laptop upon which I’m writing this article. In case the terrain is too bumpy to use the touch screen accurately, or if your hands are wet or in gloves, there’s a rotary dial in the centre console from which you can operate the system.

This display is compatible with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, while for the true off-pisters a pathfinder off-road navigation system allows you to plot and record your route via waypoints - perfect for anyone running a big grouse moor.

Inspired by industry, sports and adventure

The entire interior feels pretty different from other 4x4 vehicles. Toby Ecuyer, Head of Design and himself a former superyacht designer said: “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.” 

Those sources of inspiration are not only reflected in the layout of the cockpit, but also in the aesthetics. I use the word “cockpit” advisedly - the dashboard and switch panel look decidedly aeronautical, more redolent of a light aircraft than of a car. There’s a bit of a James Bond vibe going on too - one almost starts looking for the ejector seat button.

As with everything we’ve seen of the Grenadier so far, the thing that really jumps out is the attention to detail that the design team have shown. They have clearly given serious thought to where and how people might use the vehicle, what tools and capabilities they are likely to need, and have engineered accordingly. The design touches and details combine to create a sense of adventure and excitement.

Tested in the the toughest conditions

The Grenadier is currently in the testing phase of the productions story, completing 1.8 million kilometers of gruelling challenges in some of the toughest landscapes the planet has to offer: the deserts of the Middle East and the Australian Outback, the icy Swedish wilderness and the Austrian Alps and helping the Halo Trust on a landmine clearance operation in Kosovo. 

Get a test drive

The next phase of the testing regime will see members of the public invited to a series of tour events to act as testers, critics and advisors for the Grenadier’s development team. If you would like the chance to be among that number, all you have to do is register your interest via the Grenadier website.