- Olga Kokorina
- Translated by Olga Apetenok
- Ru Fr He Ar
Ineos. Out of love for the good old Defender
Ineos Automotive is a British company created in 2016 out of love for the good old Land Rover Defender. The company was founded by billionaire Jim Ratcliffe, known in the world of big business as the founder and owner of the influential chemical group, Ineos. For more than 30 years, the businessman has successfully developed his business. In 2018, he was recognized as the richest British man. Ratcliffe himself was born in October 1952 in Failsworth, an eastern suburb of Manchester, known for its developed industry. Jim’s father worked as a carpenter and eventually even managed to open a small furniture factory. The future chemistry king received an excellent education at the prestigious Berkeley Gymnasium, which helped him reach his current results.
Mr Ratcliffe is now 69 years old. In the spring of 2022, his name appeared in many newspapers in connection with the billionaire’s plans to acquire the Chelsea Football Club, which did not materialize.
The Ineos automobile brand has evolved from Mr. Ratcliffe’s passion for the Land Rover brand’s body-on-frame SUVs and specifically the Defender. In 2016, Jaguar Land Rover discontinued this legendary model. Being a billionaire and talented entrepreneur, Jim Ratcliffe tried to buy the rights from Jaguar Land Rover to continue production of the Defender, but was refused and decided to develop his own vehicle in the same style. The vehicle was named Ineos Grenadier 4×4, that is, the ‘grenadier’, a soldier of some privileged regiments. Initially, this was the name given to soldiers armed with grenades for throwing.
Ineos Grenadier
The 2022/2023 Ineos Grenadier has an aluminum body and a general rough, strong style similar to the source. However, the Grenadier is quite different from the Defender, to avoid any lawsuits for infringement of copyright from the Land Rover brand. You can get to know the Grenadier better here.
The Grenadier must become very reliable to meet the requirements of those who use vehicles for work and off-road travel
The SUV comes with 3-liter in-line 6-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines by BMW. The engines have been derated for better reliability and longer service life, and are combined with a ZF 8-speed hydromechanical automatic gearbox. The vehicle is based on a powerful ladder frame, featuring front and rear axle suspension from the Italian company Carraro. There are downshifts and forced locking of three differentials. In general, the structure was developped with the participation of the Canadian Magna and the Austrian AVL, widely known in the automotive industry. Ratcliffe wanted its vehicle to be well-elaborated and reliable.
The Grenadier must become very reliable to meet the requirements of those who use vehicles for work and off-road travel. Orders for the first and so far the only model of the brand began to be accepted from May 18, 2022. The model is produced in Hambach, France, at the former Daimler plant. It is planned to release the new Ineos Grenadier in a 2-seater cargo and 5-seater passenger body. The model’s versions are initially simple, but easily adaptable to the wishes of owners with the help of accessories and options. Ineos’ openness is evidenced by the fact that in November 2021, it announced the start of Hyundai’s cooperation in the field of hydrogen power plants. The fashion for electric cars may also touch the old-school Grenadier.
Plans for the near future
Ineos Automotive promises buyers the opportunity to service and repair cars themselves by opening online access to a parts catalog and all the necessary instructions. The spare parts are delivered within a day. The manufacturer also provides its own technical assistance service. The price for the Grenadier 4X4 starts at 48,000 pounds or 59,000 euros (more than the Land Rover Defender). The plant, located in Hambach, will produce only 5,000 SUVs in 2022, and will reach full capacity (30,000 - 40,000 vehicles per year) in 2023 (if everything goes as planned). The sale will be handled by 200 branded outlets worldwide, with Europe as the main market. In the USA, Ineos SUVs will appear in the summer of 2023. Time will tell if Jim Ratcliffe’s automobile project becomes as successful as his chemical empire.
