Ineos Grenadier, do you reckon it'll take off?

Printable View

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page

22nd December 2022, 01:00 PM
ramblingboy42

I like your dog.
24th December 2022, 08:03 PM
prelude

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deefa

Attachment 182567Well we finally got to drive the Grenadier on Saturday. This was held at Tambourine Mountain on the Gold Coast hinterland. The off road course was reasonably challenging with ruts and a section there needing Low Range. Unfortunately my wife didnt take photos while we where on the course but got quite a few of the vehicles. They had three there, various specs but all diesel. The Grenadier did drive very well, tyres were down to 30 pounds and soaked up the bumps really well. Low range first is probably not as low as an original Defender but that's only going by feel , I could be wrong. Fit and finish seems quite good but these are still prototypes that will be improved on apparently. Actually they said these cars will be stripped of useful parts and crushed which seems a shame. We could not take photos under the bonnet but all seems neat and tidy. The complexity of modern engines means there are a lot of hoses and wiring etc but there is a reasonable amount of room around the engine. There are a few hang up points underside which is a little disappointing. The rear muffler is low and the front steering damper pretty low as well. Could be different yet on the production models though. The mounts for the rear arms are pretty low as well. Big sway bars and eye shocks as well as eye mounts for the rear arms so I doubt the suspension flex would be fantastic. My wife was worried about the rear spare blocking view of the back when reversing, but it does have a reversing Camera.
It looks good, although I dont love the front end with the insert lights in the grill but I guess thats going to grow on me. The back looks good, square load space which is practical. The other thing i am not keen on is the centre dash screen. Nothing in front of the driver except a small panel with lights. No speedo even. Got to love the centre console and roof console though. Feels like an airplane, very cool.
All in all a very impressive machine that's not perfect, but what is? Optioned up with duel batteries and a few other accessories it would make a great tourer without spending huge coin to set up whats is already provided in this vehicle. Attachment 182566 Attachment 182568 Attachment 182569 Attachment 182570 Attachment 182571 Attachment 182572 Attachment 182573 Attachment 182574 Attachment 182575 Attachment 182576 Attachment 182577 Attachment 182578 Attachment 182579 Attachment 182580 Attachment 182581

So, how did you feel about that huge lump where the DPF is in RHD vehicles in terms of driving position? I read lots of comments about the rear space, rightfully so, but how about the most important position in the car :) the drivers seat!

Cheers,
-P
24th December 2022, 11:37 PM
spudfan

1 Attachment(s)

Looking at this photo I do not think there would be room for a clutch pedal if they decide to do a manual version.
25th December 2022, 10:20 AM
Tins

Quote:

Originally Posted by spudfan

Looking at this photo I do not think there would be room for a clutch pedal if they decide to do a manual version.

Don't see why not. FIAT managed it back in the 60s, although it did put a whole new meaning into "left foot braking".
25th December 2022, 08:53 PM
Hoges

Quote:

Originally Posted by prelude

So, how did you feel about that huge lump where the DPF is in RHD vehicles in terms of driving position? I read lots of comments about the rear space, rightfully so, but how about the most important position in the car :) the drivers seat!

Cheers,
-P

I'm about 175cm tall and the driving position was fine. But that was on a rough track at low speed, I don't know what a couple of hours on a highway would do. We were there early Friday afternoon....there were a couple of other chaps there who were long time Defender owners. One of them was probably around 190+cm . He volunteered that he found the the driving position comfortable and no problem with the LH footrest ...he might even be on this forum [bigsmile1]..I forgot to inquire ...

EDIT: FWIW here's a recent test report on the Grenadier from the Expedition Portal
Ineos Grenadier :: Exclusive First Overland Test (Prototype) - Expedition Portal
25th December 2022, 10:35 PM
spudfan

1 Attachment(s)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tins

Don't see why not. FIAT managed it back in the 60s, although it did put a whole new meaning into "left foot braking".

Looking at this photo, you could be right.
27th December 2022, 11:52 AM
Tombie

Point is moot. There will never be a manual version.
27th December 2022, 09:56 PM
prelude

Indeed. Due to emissions and such the automatic was needed to get the engine/gearbox combo to JUST get through the emissions laws of the more stringent countries. As I mentioned before the "carbon tax" on this thing in my country is excessive. Going forward we could see the output of the car drop over the years even and it's only a matter of time before the straight 6 will be replaced. A manual is not going to make it, not with the current engine anyway.

I reckon that the two straight sixes in the v1 model are possible the best combo they will have for quite some time to come.

-P
28th December 2022, 10:06 PM
Deefa

Quote:

Originally Posted by prelude

So, how did you feel about that huge lump where the DPF is in RHD vehicles in terms of driving position? I read lots of comments about the rear space, rightfully so, but how about the most important position in the car :) the drivers seat!

Cheers,
-P

I found it was fine. Just a footrest for the side not doing any work in an auto.

As I mentioned probably the thing I dislike the most in the whole vehicle is the fact that there are no instruments in front of the driver. Not a deal breaker but a major disappointment for me. I have driven an old Nissan Xtrail (not mine!) with similar setups and they are dangerous. These are just prototypes, but I doubt that's going to change.
29th December 2022, 06:52 AM
123rover50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Deefa

I found it was fine. Just a footrest for the side not doing any work in an auto.

As I mentioned probably the thing I dislike the most in the whole vehicle is the fact that there are no instruments in front of the driver. Not a deal breaker but a major disappointment for me. I have driven an old Nissan Xtrail (not mine!) with similar setups and they are dangerous. These are just prototypes, but I doubt that's going to change.

Hey Brian. Old Land Rovers did not have instruments in front of the driver either[wink11][wink11][bigsmile]
Keith

Show 40 post(s) from this thread on one page