The first 2024 INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster customer cars have rolled off the production line in France ahead of their arrival Down Under early next year.
Priced from $110,000 plus on-road costs, the Grenadier Quartermaster is the dual-cab 4x4 ute version of the lauded Grenadier wagon, which was finally released in Australia this year packing old-school ruggedness and off-road capability alongside thoroughly new-school BMW-sourced inline-six powertrains.
European deliveries of the Quartermaster will start next month, followed “soon after” by shipments to the Asia Pacific, Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, meaning Aussie customers don’t have too long to wait for their new Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series rival.
Developed alongside and based on the same ladder-frame platform as the Grenadier Station Wagon, the Quartermaster shares all of its key DNA with the five-door but throws in a significantly longer (+305mm) wheelbase and the obviously different rear cargo area (tub versus boot).
The 1564x1619mm tub can swallow a Euro pallet and has a maximum payload of up to 907kg depending on the variant, however, INEOS has also confirmed a dedicated one-tonne pick-up is also in the works for those who require a purpose-built workhorse, along with a cab-chassis version of the Quartermaster.
The bareback variant will feature all the same components as the pick-up version, but will obviously ship without the rear tub as it’s “specifically aimed at conversion specialists and commercial body builders”.
All Grenadiers offer the choice of a BMW N58-series 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine (210kW/450Nm) or the German car-maker’s B57-series 3.0-litre turbo-diesel (183kW/550Nm).
Both straight sixes are paired to an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission as standard, along with a full-time four-wheel drive system and a Tremec low-range transfer case.
Ground clearance is rated at 264mm, while the official 800mm wading depth also matches the class-leaders.
“The start of production for our second model line is another extremely exciting and important milestone for INEOS Automotive,” said INEOS Automotive CEO, Lynn Calder.
“As part of the final sign-off process I drove a late prototype in both Spain and the African bush and it’s unbeatable off-road, combining the rugged capability and refined performance of the Station Wagon with the enormous load bay that can carry a huge amount of kit and cargo.
“It’s a great addition to our model line-up.”