Electric cars shunned by Ineos: V8-sized holes left by the LandCruiser 70 Series and original Land Rover Defender filled by 6.2-litre Ineos Grenadier concept and more limited specials at Goodwood – Car News

Ineos has revealed a selection of Grenadier and Quartermaster concept vehicles at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed and none are electric. 

From a short-body ute to race-prepped 4×4, the concepts are not production models but instead explorations into possible future limited editions – some that could replace the hole left by the V8 LandCruiser 70 Series and original Defender V8. 

Those built in-house by Ineos are the short-bed Quartermaster (or ‘Shortermaster’) ute and GM V8-powered wagon, an experiment for apprentice engineers. Other models include the portal axle off-road focused concept by LeTech, eight-seat Safari version and Grenadier race car. 

With the electric Ineos Fusilier project postponed to 2027 or 2028, it looks as though Ineos is keen to capitalise on the demand for limited run editions of combustion engines before the light is switched off indefinitely. 

“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. 

“As our new brand campaign states, the Grenadier is Built For More, and over the next few years we will be showing just what that means,” says Ineos Automotive CEO Lynn Calder.

The V8-powered Grenadier uses a 6.2-litre petrol V8 from General Motors developing 317kW and 625Nm. It replaces the usual choice of petrol or diesel BMW-sourced straight sixes. 

Ineos of Goodwood Festival of Speed

To retain functionality and capability, the engineers said engine mounts, engine electronics, water and oil cooling, exhaust manifold and rear silencer, transmission bearings and heat shields and a revised centre console were needed.

Then there is the ‘Shortermaster’ ute, based on a Quartermaster, which rides on a 305mm shorter wheelbase than the full-size ute. Rear seats have been pushed forward to keep the tub – which is integrated into the chassis – a useful size. 

Ineos Grenadier Shortermaster

For ultimate all-road capability and clearance there is little better than portal axles. Built by retail partner LeTech, this Grenadier scores 250mm more ground clearance and wading depth, at 514mm and 1050mm, respectively. It is also equipped with beefy tyres.

Ineos has already delivered portal axle-equipped models to a German rural fire brigade, proving the real-world application. 

The eight-seat game-viewer with three tiers of seating was put together by Ineos Kavango, in Botswana for conservation, anti-poaching and safari trips.

Finally, a race-prepped Bowler Defender-style model has uprated suspension, brakes, a roll cage, bucket seats, carbon interior panels and 50kW/100Nm more grunt from the 3.0-litre turbo-petrol straight-six from BMW. 

Ineos has not announced any concrete plans to put these vehicles into series production but it does give us an idea of its medium-term future – and it doesn’t appear to be in electric cars.