First Drive: 2024 INEOS Grenadier in the UAE

The INEOS Grenadier is officially here in the UAE. While you may have already seen a few on the roads, we recently got a chance to test one out properly in all sorts of off-road conditions.

Although the INEOS brand might not be known in these parts of the world, it is a massive multinational conglomerate founded by Jim Ratcliffe. Some keen Formula One fans may have noticed the name on a Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 car.

On the other hand, the INEOS Grenadier is not a machine built for the race track but rather, for the roads less travelled. It is named after the pub in which Ratcliffe, a massive off-road enthusiast, conceived the idea after seeing a gap in the market for an uncompromising off-road SUV.

The Grenadier’s powertrain is familiar to the automotive fraternity—the N58-series petrol engine, a 3.0-litre inline-6 cylinder turbocharged engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission.

This motor churns out 282 hp and 450 Nm of torque, which is enough to sprint from 0 to 100 kph in a claimed 8.6 seconds.

The Grenadier incorporates German engineering and British craftsmanship. This fusion is symbolised by the British and German flags on its badging. The Grenadier is also built in the ex-Mercedes-Benz Hambach manufacturing plant near Strasbourg, France. 

The ZF transmission, introduced first back in 2008, is known for its reliability and durability. Magna-Steyr, developers of the Mercedes-Benz G-Class’s four-wheel-drive system, was brought in to recalibrate and fine-tune the gearbox, even adding a heavy-duty torque converter for off-roading.

Built on a body-on-frame chassis to provide durability, the Grenadier also gets a robust suspension system that delivers 585 mm of axle articulation and up to 300 mm of wheel travel. Carraro, makers of heavy-duty tractor parts, provides heavy-duty solid beam axles to handle the abuse of off-roading well.

All Grenadiers ride on Eibach coil springs front and rear, while Brembo discs handle stopping duties.

The INEOS-designed and Tremec-manufactured manually operated two-speed gear-driven transfer case integrates a lockable centre differential, which is very helpful for low-speed off-road manoeuvres. 

The Grenadier’s live-axle configuration uses a light truck-sourced low-ratio recirculating-ball steering system, perhaps the vehicle’s only real problem. Lock-to-lock of the steering wheel is about 3 and a half turns. When you start driving, you will quickly notice you need to turn a lot more than you might be used to. 

You will especially feel this while parking, as you get a nice workout when cycling through the steering turns.

On the road, while it may have a BMW engine, don’t expect the refinement of a BMW. This is a serious off-road machine sitting on live axles. It is still decent to drive on-road and won’t have you hopping all the way like in a Land Cruiser LC70. The long-wheelbase helps as well. Wind noise does start to creep up when you hit speeds above 80 kph.

All these upgrades and solidifying internals do add weight, with the Grenadier sitting at around 2,600 kg.

The Grenadier’s exterior features are designed for off-road capability. The exposed bolts, classic 4×4 proportions, and details all serve a functional role, reflecting the vehicle’s built-for-purpose mantra. 

Its 264 mm of ground clearance and short overhangs reduce the risk of scrapes and scuffs and enhance the vehicle’s ability to navigate rough terrain.

Approach and departure angles are generous at 35.5 and 36.1 degrees, respectively. And the Grenadier’s live axles have loads of travel, so the wheels can compress and droop to keep them in contact with whatever you’re driving over. There are also triple-locking differentials. 

The Grenadier’s switchable Off-Road Mode is a key feature that enhances the vehicle’s off-road performance. When activated, it disables parking sensors, seatbelt reminders, and the engine’s idle-stop system and also adjusts stability and traction control settings to suit off-road conditions better. This mode is designed to give the driver more control and flexibility when tackling challenging terrain. 

Selecting the integrated Wading Mode monitors engine temperature and disables the engine fan. Downhill assist is another button-push away, and speed can be changed via the cruise control on the wheel.

An ECU upgrade or “Sand mode” for our region is probably needed for off-roading in the sand dunes. On a few occasions during our test drive, the INEOS upshifted instead of staying in gear, thus cutting off power when tackling long, steep dunes. The engine and chassis are more than capable of tackling them, so a simple update could solve this, we are told.

The Grenadier’s exterior design screams off-road, and this design approach extends to the interior, which is a testament to practicality. The centre stack and overhead switch panels give off aviation vibes. The material choices are also practical, with soft-touch materials used only where needed.

Its raw charm is enhanced by an analogue transfer case selector and traditional handbrake lever. However, the unmistakable BMW gear lever sticks out like a sore thumb in the centre. 

The Recaro front seats are excellent, and the driving position is good. The optional Safari windows are a must-have, and probably the best feature for me, personally, is the thick doors, which are perfect for resting your elbows while driving.

In the rear seat, you sit slightly higher than up front, but there’s good legroom and acceptable comfort. It’s a big step up to get in, though, and some grab handles would have been helpful instead of me pulling on the steering wheel every time I had to get in.

The INEOS Grenadier has been built with the primary purpose of having serious off-road capability. The more time you spend with it off-road, the more you appreciate all the different aspects of the vehicle the manufacturer has taken to enhance the experience on tougher terrains. We are glad INEOS considered the off-roading culture of our region and is willing to take our feedback to improve their product, which shows they are intent on building “the world’s purest off-roader.” If you’re serious about off-roading, the Grenadier is definitely a solid option.

Keep track of the latest INEOS Grenadier prices in the buyer guide.