INEOS Automotive’s first model, the authentic off-roader Grenadier, has been unveiled in the South Korean market.
Chart Motors Inc., the official importer for INEOS Grenadier in South Korea, held its first unveiling event on the 22nd at the Banyan Tree Club & Spa in downtown Seoul.
INEOS Automotive is a subsidiary of the UK’s INEOS Group, a petrochemical company, which began developing vehicles in 2017. The Grenadier was conceived from an idea by INEOS Group Chairman Jim Ratcliffe, aiming to deliver the best off-road performance, durability, and practicality in a 4X4 vehicle.
Combining British ruggedness and design with German meticulous engineering, it features a proven engine with multiple awards, a ladder-frame chassis, an all-wheel-drive system, up to three locking differentials, and solid beam axles. Consumers can easily select and customize various options and accessories to create their own unique vehicle.
During the unveiling event, Justin Hawker, Head of INEOS Automotive Asia Pacific, remarked, “The South Korean market is sensitive to trends and has a tendency to embrace new brands flexibly. The INEOS Grenadier will become an authentic off-roader that can meet Korean customers’ needs for comfort, safety, and practicality.”
The design of the Grenadier is centered on practicality, prioritizing functionality over aesthetics with a straightforward, no-frills approach. It maximizes spatial efficiency with a boxy exterior, positioning the wheels at the corners of the chassis to minimize body overhang for improved off-road performance. The interior has also been designed to be functional and intuitive.
The analog central control system and aircraft-style overhead control panel are impressive, featuring buttons and dials that display functionality at a glance.
A powerful engine and a reliable transmission enhance the Grenadier’s off-road capability. It is powered by the award-winning BMW 3.0-liter inline-6 turbocharged engine, with the B57 diesel engine to be introduced in the domestic market first. It comes equipped with an 8-speed automatic transmission from ZF, the industry’s top transmission manufacturer. The transmission, finely tuned and calibrated by Magna Steyr, features a heavy-duty torque converter specialized for off-roading.
Jung Jin-Koo, CEO of Chart Motors, stated, “The domestic outdoor and leisure market is continuously growing, and there is a high level of interest in authentic off-road vehicles. However, there are currently no models that satisfy the actual demand. In this regard, the Grenadier will be the best choice.” He also mentioned, “As the official importer in Korea, Chart Motors is committed to providing perfect after-sales service for the Grenadier, and it will soon be available for viewing in our showroom currently being built in Seongsu-dong, Seoul.”
The Grenadier will participate in the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, to be held from March 31 to April 9 at KINTEX in Goyang City, where it will meet the general public.
It is expected that formal sales of the Grenadier will begin in the second half of this year, although the domestic sales price has yet to be determined.
Lee Sang-Jin daedusj@autodiary.kr