In 2017, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the CEO of INEOS and an automotive enthusiast, identified a gap in the market for reliable off-road SUVs. This led to the conceptualization of the vehicle in their favorite pub, The Grenadier, in Belgravia, London, which inspired the vehicle's name. This resulted in the establishment of INEOS Automotive Limited, with a team of automotive professionals dedicated to turning this vision into reality. After more than five years of research and development, and over 108 million kilometers of testing, the Grenadier SUV made its debut in 2024.
Now, INEOS has introduced the new Quartermaster model, providing more options for off-road driving enthusiasts. It features a competitive rear loading space without compromising the base model's performance and is equipped with engine options from BMW, four-wheel drive systems, and suspension systems that enable it to easily handle various terrains, whether rough off-road or ordinary roads. The Quartermaster also retains the option for manual transmission, giving drivers complete control.
Exterior Design
The vehicle boasts a classic exterior design that clearly showcases British styling, with a boxy shape, large windows, and an increased overall length of 5440 mm, which is 50 cm longer than previous models, and a width of 1930 mm.
The front design is classic, featuring LED headlights and fog lights, a black-painted grille, a sturdy steel front bumper, and a steel engine guard. The approach angle is 35.5 degrees, the departure angle is 22.6 degrees, and the ground clearance is 26.4 cm.
The side lines evoke a military style with a boxy design and large windows offering better visibility for the driver and passengers. The doors are easy to open, and passengers can opt for a side step for easier access. Additionally, a multifunctional side rack is available, allowing for the attachment of tables and other items, widely used in Europe.
The rear design continues the overall styling with round lights and a robust bumper, providing ample storage space with a single opening tailgate, protected by a sturdy plastic layer to secure cargo during transit, along with anchoring points and compartments for a spare tire.
The vehicle offers 17 and 18-inch wheel options in steel or aluminum, as well as three-ply off-road or regular road tires.
Interior Design
The interior is designed to match the exterior, equipped with off-road technology while providing elegance and comfort. The front seats come in either embroidered fabric or leather, designed to embrace the driver. The instrument panel features a small display screen showing information about the off-road systems, while the steering wheel is made of thick stitched leather, giving a sense of quality, with a red indicator for alignment. The console is covered in padded leather, with plastic in areas prone to wear.
The information screen integrates the instrument panel and navigation control systems, including an additional off-road navigation system (Pathfinder) that can determine specific points and chart routes even without stored maps, also displaying elevation, tilt, temperature, and coordinates, while supporting wired connections for (Apple Carplay, Android Auto).
Below it, climate control systems have large, prominent buttons for easy operation, along with audio system controls that are easy to access, while the center console features a gear lever designed by BMW and a mechanical switch for low and high range, with cup holders and a control knob for the touchscreen.
On the roof, there are removable side sunroofs (Safari), with a central control panel for the four-wheel drive systems, designed to evoke a sense of adventure, also equipped with connections for winching systems and side lighting without needing to extend any wires.
The seats are made from high-durability materials to withstand the harshest conditions, spacious and comfortable, with high-durability, waterproof floors for easy cleaning after each adventure, and manually adjustable front seats with heating options.
Engine
The vehicle features two engine options sourced from BMW to ensure strong performance and reliability.
The first engine is a 3-liter inline 6-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine, producing 281 horsepower and a high torque of 450 Nm, accelerating from 0 to 100 in 8.8 seconds, with a top speed of 160 km/h. The other engine is a 3-liter inline 6-cylinder twin-turbocharged diesel engine, producing 245 horsepower and a high torque of 550 Nm, both linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF.
Off-Road Equipment
The company designed the vehicle with a specific goal: to create an off-road vehicle targeting adventure enthusiasts. It began with a sturdy steel frame, to which the vehicle body is attached, incorporating an advanced suspension system with a wheelbase of 3227 mm, an approach angle of 35.5 degrees, a departure angle of 22.6 degrees, and a high ground clearance of 26.4 cm, making it one of the rare vehicles that can be purchased directly with these capabilities, in addition to withstanding a water depth of up to 800 mm, which can be increased by adding a top-mounted air intake (snorkel) alongside the passenger barrier.
It features an advanced four-wheel drive system with a basic central differential lock and optional front and rear differential locks, as well as a low and high range system, with a towing capacity of up to 3.5 tons.
A button disconnects all electronic systems, allowing the vehicle to operate under mechanical controls, giving the driver full control and a unique driving experience.
A Joyful Off-Road Experience
The vehicle was manufactured with the same techniques and objectives as its sibling, the Grenadier, as an off-road SUV that can be used on roads, benefiting from initial testing experiences to tackle the harshest terrains, whether muddy, rocky, sandy, or even snowy and in jungles, equipped with highly reliable equipment and mechanical performance to provide a unique driving experience. Subsequently, it was prepared and tested for conventional roads.
Our journey began in Dammam, then to Dubai, and finally to Cape Town, where we spent the night waiting for the rest of the group to join us. The next morning, we flew to Gqeberha Airport in Port Elizabeth, enjoying beautiful seasonal weather with temperatures ranging from 21 to 14 degrees Celsius. We drove the test vehicles, which had right-hand steering, presenting a challenge in itself due to the different driving directions and roundabouts, heading into the African forests for an hour, then entered a mountainous area covered by dense forests, characterized by stunning nature, heading towards the Baviaanskloof region.
Baviaanskloof
The Baviaanskloof wilderness area is part of the Cape Floral Region, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and one of the most biologically diverse areas in South Africa. The Baviaanskloof Nature Reserve is the third largest protected area in South Africa, featuring rugged and ever-changing terrains with subtropical forests, mountain fynbos vegetation, and a rich variety of succulent plants.
Our journey continued for over 4 hours, comprising city driving, paved mountain roads, and then rocky and rugged mountain paths created based on the historical elephant trails, interspersed with some water bodies and glimpses of wildlife and birds living in the reserve.
At around 7:30 PM, we arrived at the camp specially prepared for us on top of a mountain in the dense forest, with no communication means (mobile phone or internet or radio network), and the only way to contact the outside world was a satellite phone. Each individual was provided with a private tent with a small annex for a toilet, which would be our living space for the next three days without any contact with civilization.
Cooking in the Wild African Way
The company provided one of South Africa’s most famous chefs, Justin Bonello, who is well-known and has a television program. All meals were prepared through open-fire cooking and BBQ-style, enjoying meals in the beautiful outdoors surrounded by nature, tasting some delicious local dishes and new types of meats like ostrich. The temperature ranged from 14 to 4 degrees Celsius in the early morning, and despite the arrangements, sleeping in the cold was not easy.
After spending a cold night, we set off again in the vehicle to experience and test its performance in various terrains and locations, observing some features of the area such as the presence of wild bulls and herds of endangered rhinos, as well as monkeys and deer. After lunch, there was time to relax and enjoy activities such as river kayaking, fishing, or mountain biking, and in the evening we spent the night sharing stories around a campfire to avoid the cold night, under the moonlight and clear skies.
The next morning, we set out around 7 AM with the first light to return to Gqeberha Airport, expecting a drive of about 4.5 hours along the same route we came from, facing several challenges such as encountering opposing vehicles, passing them in narrow paths, and some trucks on a single lane, even losing the convoy for a few minutes. Once we arrived at the airport, we flew to Cape Town, then to Dubai (10 hours flight), and finally to Dammam, concluding one of the most wonderful trips and experiences I have undertaken.
Overall Impression
My experience with the current vehicle confirmed my previous impressions of its sibling, the Grenadier Wagon, as a vehicle that performs well on public roads and is a beast in off-road and dense forest conditions, as well as slippery and even watery roads. Despite all the challenges faced during the testing period, there were no rattles or noises from the vehicle, and nothing hindered our progress through these clearly challenging roads compared to many other vehicles.
The vehicle honestly gives you a sense of confidence that you can overcome any obstacle in front of you, and I believe it is an SUV for off-road enthusiasts who want to enjoy exciting adventures and hunting trips of all kinds, and for those who want a mechanical driving experience where they control the vehicle, unlike modern cars where electronics intervene in most of their performance without sacrificing comfort, safety, and modernity, all while enjoying the driving inside the city thanks to the wonderful longitudinal engine from BMW with its power and high torque and smooth performance and sporty engine sound.
Personally, it could be one of my future options from this company.
Advantages
1- Classic elegant design and spacious loading area
2- Outstanding performance on rough terrains without compromising performance on regular roads
3- Enjoyable mechanical driving experience
4- Various modern equipment
5- Multiple customization options to suit various tastes
Prices
So far, prices have not been fully confirmed, but they are expected to be similar to its sibling, Grenadier. You can visit the official website to view the models, select specifications, and receive the vehicle from the local dealer in Saudi Arabia.
Yasir Al-Mansouri have more than 10 years of experience in the automotive journalism world. He is an expert of automotive news articles, features, and reviews on cars, from the latest models to industry trends. He've built strong relationships with car manufacturers and industry experts. Connect with Yasir Al-Mansouri on LinkedIn to stay updated on all things automotive and join our exciting journey in exploring the world of automobiles.
