Should Any of These Rugged Grenadier Concepts Be Built?

• Ineos reveals a group of Grenadier-based prototypes, including a V8 SUV version, a portal axle Quartermaster pickup (pictured above), a shorter Shortmaster pickup, a Safari variant, and a rally-optimized FIA rally SUV.

• The concepts were created by a variety of teams for different reasons, with Ineos showcasing further possibilities of its current SUV and truck models.

• Built at a former Mercedes-Benz factory in Hambach, France, the stock Grenadier is powered by BMW gas and diesel inline-six engines.

At the moment Ineos offers the Grenadier SUV in addition to the Grenadier Quartermaster pickup, with the two admittedly pricey models taking aim at a number of competitors in two very busy segments.

But is this the full extent of what the Grenadier lineup could be?

A short time ago Ineos Automotive unveiled several prototypes, all part of the greater Grenadier Cinematic Universe, or at least some possible additions.

A shorter pickup truck based on the Grenadier Quartermaster is one of the concepts revealed this month, dubbed Shortermaster and built by Ineos engineers at the Hambach plant in France.

But it's still a four-door model, even if its overall length has been cut by a relatively modest 12 inches.

The result is a pickup with a shorter rear overhang, giving the Grenadier a slightly more compact footprint and perhaps more of an off-road lifestyle audience.

At the other end of the size spectrum is an eight-seat Grenadier concept built by Botswana-based Ineos Kavango, which specializes in unique vehicles used in the country for a variety of outdoor missions, including anti-poaching and veterinary duty. This version features added off-road protection in addition to three rows of tiered seats, giving all the passengers increased visibility.

The automaker also reveals a portal axle version of the Grenadier (pictured at top of story) built by LeTech GmbH & Co KG.

Featuring offset wheel hubs and a raised chassis, the ground clearance of this version of the Grenadier has been boosted to 20.2 inches, with special off-road tires among the custom modifications.

Even the stock Grenadiers already feature quite a bit of off-road ability, we should note, but this particular version is not as whimsical as it seems, and has already been built for real-world customers.

"The portal axle Grenadier already has real-world applications, as similarly modified vehicles were recently delivered to the fire brigade in Mühlheim an der Ruhr, Germany," Ineos notes.

A rally version of the Grenadier is also among the vehicles revealed, with this particular model destined for the 2025 World Rally-Raid Championship.

Built by Buzz Special Vehicles, this FIA-compliant Grenadier features a souped-up 3.0-liter inline-six engine with 348 hp on tap in addition to upgraded brakes and suspension, racing bucket seats, an internal roll cage, and other racing hardware.

Ineos also took the wraps off a V8 version of the Grenadier, with a 425-hp General Motors 6.2-liter V8 underhood.

Built by contract vehicle assembler Magna’s engineering apprentices for experience, the burly Grenadier required new engine mounts as well as reengineered engine electronics, exhaust manifold, oil and water cooling, a reworked interior console, and revised transmission bearings, among other things.

A V8 option is one thing the stock Grenadier doesn't offer, as its inline-sixes are sourced from BMW. But perhaps it wouldn't be difficult to source a V8 from BMW (or GM) as well, if there was enough interest in such a variant.

"The Grenadier's body-on-frame chassis has already proven itself to be incredibly versatile, so as we look to future product and limited editions, we want to keep innovating," said Lynn Calder, CEO of Ineos Automotive.

Of all the concepts shown, we think it's the portal axle prototype that might be the most logical choice for possible production, if the cost isn't too high. And the demand already appears to be there.

The V8 version, as fun as it sounds, may be too much of a good thing for this type of SUV, while a shorter four-door pickup is perhaps too similar to current offerings.

One other variant that could see some demand—but one that was not shown in prototype form—would be a two-door Grenadier pickup with a longer utility bed out back. Despite once showing a utility bed version of the Grenadier Quartermaster, Ineos has not indicated that a more basic two-door pickup is being considered.

Such a model, we would argue, could offer a lower price of entry in some markets where utilitarian pickups are still popular.

Which of these concepts, if any, would make the most sense as an addition to the Grenadier lineup? Let us know in the comments below.