Ineos Automotive shows off future 4X4s at Goodwood

Ineos Automotive brought a host of Grenadier prototypes to the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Included were a short-bed Quartermaster pick-up, a V8-powered station wagon, an eight-seat Safari conversion and an FIA-compliant rally-ready Grenadier . There was also the first example of the Detour from Ineos’ Arcane Works.

Lynn Calder, CEO, INEOS Automotive, commented at the launch, “The Grenadier’s body-on-frame chassis has already proven itself to be incredibly versatile, so as we look to future product and limited editions, we want to keep innovating.” 

Taking the off-road capabilities of the Grenadier Station Wagon and Quartermaster Pick-Up to new heights, German vehicle modifiers LeTech GmbH &Co KG introduced a raised chassis fitted with portal axles and offset wheel hubs. The result is a 250mm hike in ground clearance to 514mm and wading depth increased from 800mm to 1050mm. Larger off-road tyres round out the modifications. The fire brigade in Mühlheim an der Ruhr, Germany, recently purchased similarly modified vehicles.

Ineos engineers at the Hambach production plant in France created the short-bed Quartermaster Pick-Up, aka the ‘Shortermaster’. Based on a standard Grenadier Statio Wagon, the wheelbase of the double-cab pick-up measures 2922mms, which is 305mm shorter than the Quartermaster’s. The rear seats are pushed forward to maximise the capacity of the load bay, which is fully integrated into the chassis.

The Grenadier V8 Prototype is a one-off project for Ineos partner Magna’s engineering apprentices to give them hands-on experience of the Grenadier. This resulted in a complete powertrain exchange, replacing the Grenadier’s BMW 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine with a GM 6.2-litre V8 petrol unit that develops 317kW and 625Nm. The swap required a comprehensive re-engineering of the vehicle.

Arguably the model with the most immediate commercial promise is the eight-seat Safari game-viewer based on a converted Quartermaster Pick-Up. Botswana-based Ineos Kavango built this. The firm creates specialist modifications for a range of businesses involved in wildlife and conservation. 

The vehicle accommodates three tiered rows of seats offering all-round visibility for its passengers. There’s also enhanced off-road protection thanks to bespoke front and side protection bars. New alloy wheels shod in off-road tyres help tackle the most demanding safari terrain.

Buzz Special Vehicles displayed the first FIA-compliant Grenadier. Extensively modified to compete in the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship, the Buzz-prepped Grenadier features a tweaked version of the Grenadier’s BMW 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine. It adds 50kW and 100Nm to the existing mill, for an output of 260kW and 550Nm. Other fitments include a sports exhaust system, race suspension from R53, uprated brakes, and bespoke alloy wheels. A stripped-out cabin with internal roll-cage, racing bucket seats and carbon interior door panels and roof vents complete the racing modifications.

And finally, the first effort from Arcane Works division of Ineos appeared at Goodwood, the Grenadier Detour. It is a limited-run (200), hand-finished edition of the Grenadier. Four paint finishes are on offer (red, blue, green or silver) that are polished by hand for a top finish. New 18-inch forged alloy wheels and a different front grille mark out the Grenadier Detour. New colour options are available for the front and rear skid plates, roof rails and rear ladder.

Inside, four fine-grain leathers for the quilted seat upholstery are on offer. The headlining is finished in cashmere. Special satin finishes for key metal items along with leather and fabric options for key touch points are possible. Arcane Works badging and laser-etched scuff plates complete the picture of opulence.

The engine options are the same as those for regular Grenadier. However, the petrol model gets a tailored exhaust system for more regal noise.

Pricing for the Ineos Grenadier Detour kicks off from £134,100, roughly twice that of a regular Grenadier. More special models from Arcane Works are forthcoming.