Following the start of production for the Ineos Grenadier in October 2022, the company is ramping up the development of the pickup variant. Undisguised prototypes of the latter were caught testing in Austria and Scandinavia, giving us a proper look at the stretched wheelbase and dual-cab bodystyle.
Ineos engineers didn’t bother adding a camouflage wrap on the prototypes, given that the styling of the pickup was officially previewed with a single photo back in 2020. The production version looks almost identical to the teaser model, with only minor tweaks, including a recess on the tailgate with “Grenadier” lettering, a different shape of the unpainted rear bumper, a few details on the rear bed, and extra pillars on the rear side windows.
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Predictably, the entire section up to the B-pillars is shared with the Ineos Grenadier SUV, but the wheelbase has been stretched and the rear overhang is significantly longer to make room for a large rear bed. The prototypes came fitted with grippy all/terrain tires, mudflaps, a snorkel, and a tube frame for the rear bed which also houses the spare wheel.
The result looks quite rugged and utilitarian, making for a fitting successor to the original Land Rover Defender 130 pickup. The off-road capable ICE-powered pickup will compete with the likes of the Jeep Gladiator and the ancient but cool Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series which is still available in some markets.
The Ineos pickup will most likely share the powertrain options with the SUV, using a longer version of the same ladder-frame chassis. This means it will get the BMW-sourced 3.0-liter straight-six petrol and diesel mills, producing 282 hp (210 kW) and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque or 246 hp (183 kW) and 406 lb-ft (550 Nm) respectively. Both are exclusively mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission by ZF and a permanent four-wheel-drive system with a two-speed transfer case.
According to a recent report by CarExpert citing Ineos’ commercial director Mark Tennant, the Grenadier Pickup will launch by the end of the year. Production will take place at the Hambach factory in Germany, next to the sibling SUV. Besides the pickup, Ineos is reportedly working on three additional models – namely a small fully electric off-roader, a more luxurious SUV, and a smaller urban-focused SUV.
