Ineos reveals Grenadier Quartermaster pick-up truck and details of hydrogen model
Ineos Automotive, the British off-road marque established by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, has revealed a brand-new model at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. Called the Grenadier Quartermaster, it’s a five-seat, double-cab pickup truck that’s based on the existing Grenadier Station Wagon. What’s more, it’s available to order now, with prices starting from £66,215.
As with the Station Wagon, power comes from a choice of two BMW-sourced 3-litre straight-six engines — one petrol and one diesel — both of which come with an eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox.
Bigger bed but not a commercial vehicle
The specs for the Quartermaster include a wheelbase that’s been extended by 305mm and an overall length of 5,440mm, which is 545mm longer than the Station Wagon. This makes space for a cargo bed that measures 1,564mm long and 1,619mm wide, which is more than big enough to take a standard Euro pallet. Four lashing eyes and a 400-Watt power supply add versatility, while the tailgate drops down and can support up to 225kg.
However, the Quartermaster only has a payload of 760kg in diesel guise (or 835kg for the petrol version), so it doesn’t qualify as a commercial vehicle. Double-cab pickups such as the Toyota Hilux and new Ford Ranger have one-tonne payloads that means they benefit from favourable tax rates under light commercial vehicle rules.
Still, the Ineos has a 3.5-tonne maximum towing capability, while those torquey six-cylinder engines should help to deliver easy pulling power.
Off-road credentials
It’s off-road where the Grenadier Quartermaster should really shine. There’s 264mm of ground clearance and an 800mm wading depth, while approach, breakover and departure angles of 35.5, 26.2 and 22.6 degrees respectively aren’t far behind the standard model and competitive for a pickup truck.
As with the Station Wagon, the Quartermaster features a centre differential lock and two-speed transfer case, while front and rear differential locks are available as an option.
The model range includes higher-spec Fieldmaster and Trialmaster editions with additional kit, while a range of accessories including a roll-top tonneau cover, bed linings and mounting brackets will be available.
Hydrogen power for its future
Also revealed at Goodwood was a hydrogen-powered Grenadier Station Wagon. Built in conjunction with Austrian engineering firm AVL, the car uses BMW’s latest fuel cell powertrain, emitting nothing but water.
This car features a modified Grenadier powertrain to fit the fuel cell system and electric drive units, while the only visual clue to the hi-tech drive system is a bonnet bulge to make space for the fuel cell — Ineos says that a production version would eliminate this feature.
Speaking about the hydrogen model, Lynn Calder, the CEO of Ineos Automotive, called on governments to help it become a production reality:
“The hydrogen powered Grenadier Demonstrator along with our all-electric model due in 2026, shows Ineos’s commitment to net zero. BEVs (battery-electric vehicles) are perfect for certain uses, shorter trips, most private car journeys and urban deliveries, whilst hydrogen FCEVs are more suited for longer trips, heavy duty cycles where batteries impact too much on payload and where long range between stops is necessary.
“Ineos also produces 400,000 tonnes of hydrogen per annum and is committed to hydrogen as a key fuel of the future. Our demonstrator proves that the technology is capable, but what we need now is support from policy makers to help provide the infrastructure for the next generation of hydrogen vehicles.”
While the Hydrogen Demonstrator is said to have undergone rigorous testing, no on-sale date has been announced for it. According to H2 Mobility’s latest map data there are just four hydrogen refuelling stations for cars in the UK at present, with a further three planned. This is down from more than 10 a few years ago.
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