Ineos plans smaller, fully electric 4x4

INEOS Automotive group CEO and chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe has confirmed plans for a second – and yet-unnamed – model line to sit beneath the firm’s Grenadier 4x4.

The smaller, all-electric model will utilise an all-new platform and retain the workhorse DNA and off-road capabilities of its larger, ICE-powered sibling.

While the Knightsbridge-based brand has yet to confirm further details or launch timing for the vehicle, it says the introduction of the battery-electric 4x4 will underscore Ineos Automotive’s long-term commitment to the automotive industry. 

The new model will be built alongside the Grenadier at the company’s assembly facility in Hambach, France and has the potential to rival the beloved Suzuki Jimny, albeit with pure electric motivation.

Speaking in a recent YouTube video with presenter Mark Evans, Sir Jim said the future model was one of several the marque had planned.

“We’re looking, quite carefully at the moment, at a smaller version of the Grenadier – electric,” he said.

“We need to embrace the future, which is you know, clearly in an urban environment is going to be electric. But even in the country environment, say, if you’re a farmer, you will probably have an electric car, which you can drive around on tracks and things like that.

“You’ll want one that is capable, but it’s electric. So, I think that’s our sort of vision things.”

Sir Jim added that Ineos Automotive was also working on other body styles for the Grenadier, including a long-wheelbase station wagon and a station wagon with “a small cutaway pickup” section at the rear. 

He also hinted that a hydrogen-powered Grenadier was in the works, saying simply “I think the Grenadier is perfect for a hydrogen engine in time.”

In a statement, Ineos Automotive said it continued to back hydrogen fuel cells as the clean powertrain solution for future versions of the Grenadier, adding that a fuel-cell technology demonstrator was due to begin on- and off-road testing by the end of 2022.

Grenadier has said previously that it was working in partnership with Hyundai to expand its hydrogen capabilities.

In November 2020, the British firm signed a memorandum of understanding with South Korea’s largest car manufacturer to combine their respective expertise in chemistry and hydrogen fuels to “facilitate public and private sector projects focused on the development of a hydrogen value chain in Europe”.

According to Ineos Automotive technology director Peter Williams, “the agreement between Ineos and Hyundai presents both companies with new opportunities to extend a leading role in the clean hydrogen economy”.

“Evaluating new production processes, technology and applications, combined with our existing capabilities puts us in a unique position to meet emerging demand for affordable, low-carbon energy sources and the needs of demanding 4x4 owners in the future.”

The Ineos Grenadier 4x4 range is on sale now with Australian deliveries set to commence from early July. The Grenadier is priced from $84,500 (plus on-road costs).