Land Rover Defender Inspired INEOS Grenadier Pushed Back To 2021, Will Be Built In New UK Plant

We haven’t heard much about Projekt Grenadier lately, but INEOS Automotive has confirmed the model will be built at a brand-new manufacturing facility in Bridgend, South Wales.

The plant is already under construction and the first models are slated to roll off the assembly line in 2021. The facility will eventually employ up to 500 people and INEOS Group Chairman Sir Jim Ratcliffe said “The decision to build in the UK is a significant expression of confidence in British manufacturing, which has always been at the heart of what INEOS stands for.”

Despite all the patriotic chest beating, the SUV’s body and chassis will be produced approximately 780 miles (1,255 km) away at a plant in Estarreja, Portugal. That facility will apparently be operated in “conjunction with INEOS’s European supply chain partners.

Also Read: Projekt Grenadier SUVs To Use BMW Engines, Promises “No-Frills Utilitarianism”

Speaking of European partners, the model will use BMW-sourced petrol and diesel engines. There’s no word on which particular engines, but INEOS has previously said BMW’s TwinPower Turbo units are “famed for their world-class blend of durability, performance and efficiency.”

While the company still hasn’t shown the upcoming SUV, INEOS did confirm it will be called the Grenadier. The name was selected as part of an online poll and it’s fitting as the model was conceived at the Grenadier pub and has been previously known as Projekt Grenadier.

The Grenadier is behind schedule, but INEOS Automotive CEO Dirk Heilmann said “We are progressing well with the design and engineering work, as well as our marketing and distribution plans.” He went on to say the company plans to share more information about the model in the months ahead.

Regardless, the Grenadier draws inspiration from the previous-generation Land Rover Defender and promises to embrace “no-frills utilitarianism, complete purity of purpose, unquestionable authenticity and ultimate engineering integrity.” As a result, it’s slated to ride on steel ladder frame and have a towing capacity of 7,716 lbs (3,500 kg).

The model will be offered in a variety of markets including Africa, Australasia, Europe and the United States.