Grenadier Quartermaster: A modern-day explorer’s dream car

Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Automotive made headlines early last year with the launch of the highly anticipated Ineos Grenadier 4×4. Before even the ink was dry, its second vehicle, the Grenadier Quartermaster, began rolling off the production lines in Hambach, France, at the end of 2023.

The brand’s second model is a rugged, go-anywhere, no-nonsense double-cab pickup truck (bakkie or ute) designed for off-road fanatics. Building on the foundation of the Grenadier sport utility vehicle (SUV), the Quartermaster offers impressive off-road capability, a unique personality, and a touch of quirkiness, along with the added practicality of a truck bed for hauling cargo.

“The Quartermaster offers a unique driving experience both on and off-road,” Tim Abbott, the head of Region, South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa at Ineos Automotive, says, emphasising that the pickup’s outstanding capability and drivability make it an ideal choice for off-road enthusiasts.

The workhorse, named after a British Army officer responsible for supplies, combines modern engineering with a retro aesthetic, offering a durable and functional vehicle for challenging terrains. Its robust ladder-frame chassis, solid axles, and impressive ground clearance make it highly capable off-road.

“For me, it’s about going back to the roots. Unlike other players that are bristling with electronics, which aren’t necessarily what you need in the Sahara or the deep deserts of Saudi Arabia, the Grenadier offers quality with simplicity,” says Abbott.

He adds, “It features a unique ladder chassis frame and solid beam axles, avoiding potentially problematic air suspension in favour of reliable coil springs.”

Combining the rugged appeal of classic off-roaders with the advanced engineering of modern vehicles, the Quartermaster is a testament to what can be achieved when tradition meets innovation.

The pickup is powered by two formidable engines sourced from BMW: a 3.0-litre inline-6 turbocharged petrol engine delivering approximately 281 horsepower and a diesel variant producing around 246 horsepower — both paired with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. Abbott says that combined, these high-quality elements resulted in a truly special vehicle.

What’s more, the Quartermaster’s four-wheel drive, centre differential lock and two-speed transfer case for low-range 4WD, as well as 36.2, 26.2 and 22.6 approaches, ensure that you will never find yourself stuck in the Empty Quarter or high up in the challenging Baviaanskloof mountain range. Its robust ladder-frame chassis, solid axles, and impressive ground clearance make it highly capable off-road.

The ultimate off-roader

Ineos is offering the Quartermaster in three trim levels, with the entry level starting at Dhs312,000. Then, there’s a Quartermaster Trailmaster edition and a Fieldmaster edition— both priced at Dhs349,000. The Trailmaster edition emphasises off-road capability, while the Fieldmaster edition focuses on more luxurious features.

The Grenadier Quartermaster is designed with practicality in mind. It measures approximately 5,000 mm in length, 1,930 mm in width, and 1,930 mm in height and has a wheelbase of 3,022 mm, offering ample space while maintaining excellent manoeuvrability both on and off-road.

With a ground clearance of 264 mm, an approach angle of 35.5°, a departure angle of 36.1° and a breakover angle of 28.2°, this vehicle is engineered to conquer challenging landscapes.

The permanent four-wheel drive system, coupled with a two-speed transfer case, ensures optimal traction and stability across diverse terrains. Similarly, the Quartermaster can wade through water depths of up to 800 mm, making it a reliable companion for adventurous journeys.

Jump into the cockpit; the Grenadier Quartermaster is designed to offer optimum comfort, practicality and convenience. Up front, the pickup features proper Recaro seats and a 12.3-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a familiar BMW shifter next to a chunky 4WD lever, and more buttons and switches that evoke pilot vibes.

The Apple CarPlay and Android Auto-enabled touchscreen infotainment system includes navigation, Bluetooth, and smartphone integration, ensuring that drivers remain connected and entertained on the go.

Building a legacy

I’ve been fascinated by Ineos Automotive’s progress since day one. Since its inception in 2020, the British carmaker, born from Sir Ratcliffe’s vision to create an uncompromising 4×4 that meets modern-day standards for compliance and reliability, has quickly evolved into a formidable force in the off-roading market.

“Sir Ratcliffe’s journey to creating the Ineos Grenadier began with a safari in Africa. Dissatisfied with the available vehicles, he envisioned a modern successor to the classic Land Rover Defender,” notes Abbott. He adds, “The idea took shape in a London pub called The Grenadier, where Sir Ratcliffe and designer Toby Ecuyer sketched the initial concept on the back of a five-pound note.”

Abbott asserts that the Grenadier occupies a unique niche in the market, positioned between the high-end Mercedes-Benz G-Class and more utilitarian models such as Toyota Prado and Hilux.

Ineos Automotive’s production facility in Hambach, formerly owned by Mercedes-Benz, has the capacity to produce up to 26,000 vehicles per year, and the company is actively gearing up to meet this target.

The automaker gave a glimpse of potential future Grenadier variants at the Goodwood Festival of Speed earlier in July, with a series of prototypes underlining the versatility of the robust body-on-frame 4X4.

A big, bold, and beautiful portal-axled Quartermaster and SUV were shown alongside a short-bed Quartermaster pickup, a V8-powered SUV, an eight-seater Safari conversion, and the first FIA-approved rally-modified Grenadier.

The automotive brand shelved plans for its electric SUV, citing waning consumer demand for electric vehicles and uncertainty around tariffs. Production of the Fusilier, a smaller vehicle than the Grenadier 4×4 that the company started selling last year, had been expected to begin in 2027.

With its lineup of powerful performance, advanced off-road capabilities, practical design, and modern features, Ineos Automotive is setting a new standard in the off-roader market. Whether navigating urban environments or tackling the toughest terrains, the Quartermaster and Grenadier SUV delivers exceptional driving experiences, making them a worthy investment for those seeking top-tier vehicles.

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