Ineos Grenadier

The Ineos Grenadier is an upcoming rugged off-road utility vehicle that is proposed to be built in Wales, but which may be built in France.

Ineos Grenadier
Overview
ManufacturerIneos Automotive
Productionplanned for 2021
DesignerToby Ecuyer
Body and chassis
ClassMid-size SUV
Body style5-door 4x4 estate car
LayoutFront engine, four-wheel drive
Powertrain
Engine
TransmissionZF 8-speed automatic

The Grenadier was designed by Ineos Automotive Ltd, a company founded by Jim Ratcliffe, billionaire chairman of the multinational chemicals company, Ineos. The Grenadier, which is strongly reminiscent of the old Land Rover Defender, has boxy bodywork, a steel ladder chassis, beam axles with long-travel progressive-rate coil spring suspension (front and rear), and is to be powered by BMW six-cylinder engines.

History

Ratcliffe came up with the idea of building a replacement of his Land Rover Defender and approached Jaguar Land Rover to buy the tooling to continue production after the original model ceased at Solihull after 67 years in January 2016.[1] Jaguar Land Rover quickly broke off discussions on 13 January 2016. They later wrote to Ineos making it clear that it would regard the production of vehicles of the same shape and appearance as the Defender models as a breach of its intellectual property rights and as a misrepresentation that the Land Rover brand was associated to those vehicles. Jaguar Land Rover filed six trademark applications between April and September 2016, seeking to protect the shape of the Land Rover Series I, II, and III and Defender. The company refused to publicly comment on whether it submitted its first trademark applications before or after they were approached by Ineos.[2]

Jaguar Land Rover subsequently decided to fight the matter in the High Court. During the court process Jaguar Land Rover cited a report by J Mays, who has a history of designing cars at Volkswagen Group and BMW and served as vice-president of design at Ford for sixteen years. His report cited a number of features as being unique to the Defender, including the clamshell bonnet, flat, almost vertical windscreen and 'Alpine' roof windows, which have been emulated on the Grenadier. "The resulting difference in the overall shape of the vehicle from the norms and customs of the SUV sector is clear and significant," Mays wrote in his report. "It is that shape which makes the Land Rover Defender so distinctive and acts as a visual receipt to the customer that it is a Land Rover Defender. It is unique."[3] Ineos hired former Volvo and Austin Rover designer Stephen Harper, who claimed that there are a number of models in history or on sale that share the Defender's look - including the 1940s Willy's Jeep and older versions of the Mercedes G-Class.[3] The Intellectual Property Office decided that the Defender’s shape was not different enough from that of other 4×4 models for a trademark to be justified.[4] The hearing officer of the case disagreed with the argument from J Mays, stating that Mays' position as a "design expert" and that "differences in design that appear important to him may be unimportant or may not even register with average consumers of passenger cars".[3] On 17 November 2019, Jaguar Land Rover lost the challenge to trademark the shape of previous Land Rover model shapes.[5] Jaguar Land Rover lodged an appeal after losing the case, which was held in early August 2020, but dismissed by the new judge who agreed with the original verdict.[3] In a statement, Jaguar Land Rover noted its disappointment in the ruling, given that the Defender’s shape is already trademarked in a number of other markets. “The Land Rover Defender is an iconic vehicle which is part of Land Rover’s past, present and future,” it said. “Its unique shape is instantly recognisable and signifies the Land Rover brand around the world.” Ineos responded by saying that the Defender’s design “does not serve as a badge of origin for Jaguar Land Rover's goods” and confirmed it will press ahead with plans to launch the Grenadier in 2021.[3]

Subsequently, Ratcliffe decided to then initiate a project to design and build a similar vehicle under the codename Projekt Grenadier.[6] The vehicle is named after Ratcliffe’s favourite pub, the Grenadier, in Belgravia, London, where the initial idea was considered, and where a promotional presentation was given.[1] [lower-alpha 1]

It was announced on 22 July 2020, that British professional cycling team Team Ineos would be renamed the Ineos Grenadiers from the start of the 2020 Tour de France, named after the vehicle.[8]

Development

In March 2019, Ineos Automotive announced that it has entered into a powertrain technology partnership with BMW.[9] It was announced, during September 2019, that the Grenadier would be manufactured at a bespoke new manufacturing facility on a greenfield site in Bridgend, Wales. Ineos Automotive also confirmed that it would be investing in a sub-assembly plant in Estarreja, Portugal for the Grenadier’s body and chassis.[10] In December 2019, Ineos Automotive announced the Austrian-based Magna Steyr as their engineering partner for the development of the Grenadier. This partnership would oversee turning the development project concept into a series production machine.[11] Development of the off-roader will see it undergo 1.1 million miles (1.8 million km) as part of a grueling testing regime.[12] Mark Tennant, the commercial director of Ineos Automotive, told the Financial Times there had been 50,000 expressions of interest before the designs of the vehicle had been made public. The brand expects to build 25,000 Grenadier models a year at full capacity.[13]

On 7 July 2020, it was reported that Ineos Automotive was in talks with the owners of Mercedes-Benz, Daimler AG, to buy the Smart factory in Hambach, France. “It’s a serious business consideration,” Mark Tennant, Ineos Automotive commercial director, told the Financial Times.[14][15] Ken Skates, Welsh Government Minister for Economy, Transport and North Wales said it would be "a real blow if Ineos reneged on its very public commitment". Skates further added "We have impressed on the company in no uncertain terms the importance of honouring its commitment to Wales and to deliver on its promise to build a British icon here in Britain."[16] Bridgend Member of the Senedd Carwyn Jones, the former First Minister of Wales, said "There was an agreement and they've gone back on that." Bridgend MP Jamie Wallis said he was "disappointed" by the announcement, and said it was a "massive blow" to the local economy and the economy of Wales.[17][18]

Design

Toby Ecuyer, Head of Design at Ineos Automotive, became involved with the Grenadier project after several years of working with Jim Ratcliffe on marine based projects.[19] At the online launch, Ecuyer said: "We had Jeeps, Land Rovers, Toyota Hiluxes, a Toyota Land Cruiser, Nissan Patrols, Ford Broncos. And we looked at vans, lorries, Unimogs, military vehicles, tractors. African-spec vehicles were particularly interesting. They all shaped our plan for a vehicle that would be extremely capable but also very honest and uncomplicated".[20] The exterior design of the Grenadier was shown to the public for the first time in an online launch on 1st July 2020. At the online launch, Jim Ratcliffe said "The Grenadier project started by identifying a gap in the market, abandoned by a number of manufacturers, for a utilitarian off-road vehicle. This gave us our engineering blueprint for a capable, durable and reliable 4x4 built to handle the world’s harshest environments".[21] Ecuyer said “You can see just from looking at it how the car went together. That’s an important part of its DNA. There’s something reassuring and calming about something that’s easily understood, you’re not mystified by it.”[22] Ecuyer also said that the the matching round headlights and taillights gives a “subconscious idea of a tube running through the car”.[23]

Steve Cropley, Editor in Chief at Autocar said "The result is a simple, well-proportioned and familiar-looking off-roader."[24]

Specification

It was revealed in July 2020 that the Grenadier is due to be powered by BMW six-cylinder engines.[25][26] and would feature a box-section ladder frame with up to 4mm wall thickness. The company also announced the vehicle would feature beam axles both front and rear made by the Carraro Group in Italy, while the suspension would be a multi-link set-up with separate coils and dampers.[27] [lower-alpha 2] The dampers are made by ZF Friedrichshafen.[29] The Grenadier will have a towing capability of 3,500kg.[30]

In August 2020, it was announced the development of modified BMW petrol B58 and diesel B57 six-cylinder engines was being carried out by Magna Steyr in Graz, Austria. It was revealed that, as part of the development process, prototype vehicles would be covering 1.8 million kilometers (1.12 million miles) across hot and frozen terrains. As part of the announcement it was revealed that the Grenadier will only be available with the automatic ZF 8HP transmission.[31]

Notes
  1. Comparing this project to Sir James Dyson's aborted plan to build an electric car in Singapore, thereby writing off £500 million ($628 million), an industry insider commented "If JLR, which made the Defender for 70 years, is struggling, then that's an indicator of how tough it's going to be for a newcomer".[7]
  2. By comparison, the Land Rover Defender originally had beam axles and leaf springs,[28] later adopting Range Rover-type long-travel independent suspension).

References
  1. Cropley, Steve (1 July 2020). "Ineos Grenadier revealed as rugged off-roader for 2021". Autocar. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  2. Campbell, Peter (22 September 2017). "Jaguar Land Rover to trademark Defender design to see off rivals". Financial Times. Retrieved 10 July 2020.
  3. Allan, Lawrence (10 August 2020). "Jaguar Land Rover's trademark court case: testimonies revealed". Autocar. Retrieved 10 August 2020.
  4. "Trade Marks by Jaguar Land Rover Limited" (PDF). Intellectual Property Office. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  5. Collingridge, John (17 November 2019). "Jaguar Land Rover loses Defender ruling against Sir Jim Ratcliffe". The Times. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  6. Vijayenthiran, Viknesh (19 September 2017). "Unofficial Land Rover Defender successor gets a name". Motor Authority. Retrieved 20 September 2019.
  7. "Roadwrothy, or Rich Man's Vanity Project?" - "i" newspaper pp 28 & 29 - Saturday 18 July 2020
  8. "Team INEOS to become the INEOS Grenadiers". Ineos. 22 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  9. Ineos Automotive (19 March 2019) https://ineosgrenadier.com/news/ineos-announces-partnership-bmw
  10. Ineos Automotive (18th September 2019) https://ineosgrenadier.com/news/4x4-to-be-built-in-wales
  11. Attwood, James (17 December 2019) https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/new-cars/ineos-partners-major-engineering-firm-grenadier-development
  12. Anderson, Brad (30 June 2020) https://www.carscoops.com/2020/06/ineos-grenadier-combines-classic-looks-with-new-tech/
  13. "Ineos launches carmaking ambitions with Grenadier off-roader". Financial Times. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  14. "Ineos puts Welsh and Portuguese plants on hold as it eyes French site". Financial Times. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 7 July 2020.
  15. Article "Wales may lose now Land Rover rival to French factory - "The Times", July 8 2020 page 16
  16. "Wales Ineos 4x4 vehicle plant 'suspended' in Bridgend". BBC News. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  17. "Ineos puts Bridgend plant on hold jeopardising hundreds of jobs". Media Wales. 7 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  18. "Ineos sparks fury in UK with mooted 4x4 relocation to France". The Times of India. 8 July 2020. Retrieved 8 July 2020.
  19. Ineos Automotive https://ineosgrenadier.com/media/toby-ecuyer
  20. Overland, Colin (1 July 2020) https://www.carmagazine.co.uk/car-news/first-official-pictures/ineos-projekt-grenadier-an-old-school-4x4-off-roader-for-2020/
  21. Ineos Automotive (1 July 2020)https://ineosgrenadier.com/news/ineos-automotive-reveals-the-design-of-its-upcoming
  22. "Here's your first look at the Ineos Grenadier off-roader". Top Gear (magazine). 1 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  23. "The Ineos Grenadier is a beast in monster's armour". GQ. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  24. "Ineos Grenadier revealed as rugged off-roader for 2021". Autocar. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 5 July 2020.
  25. "Defender is back from the pub as a Grenadier". The Times. 2 July 2020. p. 18.
  26. Technical details from the Ineos promotional film.
  27. "Ineos Grenadier: FAQs". Ineos. 1 July 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2020.
  28. Land Rover sales brochure of 1972.
  29. "Building the Grenadier: Suspension". Ineos. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  30. "Building the Grenadier: Frame & Axles". Ineos. Retrieved 15 August 2020.
  31. "Building the Grenadier: Engine & Transmission". Ineos. Retrieved 14 August 2020.


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