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Ineos Grenadiers in Morocco
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Now they're being released I can talk about them, lol
They look cracking for overlanding (properly good approach and departure angles, wider than a Deafner), and the LWB crewcabs with full safari kit are suited to proper hard work - I especially like that the rollbars also cover the front wing area. I really like that the factory winch is tucked behind the number plate, and the options to have things like tiedown bars or windows in the roof. I also like some of the colour schemes. Not sure about the headlights aesthetically, though. Put them next to the new generation of G-Wagon and they're much better suited to the task of off-roading in serious terrain. Short version: I like them. |
So who is going to be first to ask to borrow one to drive it to Singapore?
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my 2ct
I did a quick 10-15min tour around the block in a promotion car at a hunters/fishing exhibition, where they showed it in Germany last fall. Built quality, haptics and looks of the plastics inside the cabin felt like a delivery van from the turn of the century and the upholstery showed obvious signs of wear in this test bed vehicle with far under 100tkm. Not that I would dislike some agricultural touch in such vehicle, but the material didn´t convince me to be hard to break, easy to clean and long lasting under usage as a tool. Though it was pretty close before the release date, the entire interior had kind of a "beta version" touch with sticker labelled switches and such in the childishly designed center consoles, mimicking something between a MIG-29 and a `80s ghetto blaster cassette recorder. The screen and BMW auto gear leaver are totally out of space in there and add another surface/material/look to it, like the gaming console style steering wheel. All a bit thrown together... I did not expect a full metal interior like my Landy S2a, which you just could quickly hose down inside, wipe clean and go, but I expected much more practicability from the inside, than what was found, terrible surface design/architecture, from a clean surface = clean look point of view, from bumps in the floor sills, overlapping plastic covers and a touchscreen attracting dust and fatty fingers... Drives like expected, it´s a heavy car, comfy seating position, sufficient power, bit spongy brakes. Not sure about the exact measurements, but it feels wide like a truck, you allways have to be aware of that front bumper when parking. Despite the pouty looking front bumper, the outer design meets my expectations totally. I like it. Inside though, there is the problem with every modern car, when you look at it, how customizable it is for overlanding use. It´s not. Plastic covers and lots of angles and corners will make it a PITA for (aftermarket) outfitters to construct furniture/shelfs etc for the rear compartment. If you´d just throw in standard square boxes, you´d lose a lot of space due to it´s "topography" inside. Rear lay out did not do the job for me. If you want to throw in two MTBs, gear for a surf, ski or fit it out to a living/sleeping room, there is not much advantage compared to a station wagon and still little alternatives to a VW bus (which is lacking the offroad features...) I left that test drive with a "never meet your hero" feeling (after such long rumors and waiting for this "true new Defender"), but understood, such a small series production attempt has to cut corners sourcing parts from different manufacturers, lacking a consistent look. After I went through their online configurator (decided for the light blue with white roof, optional sunroof, roof rack and ladder, steel rims nothing fancy inside and ended up north of 80k€, ridiculous for what you get) I stopped trying to feel, this would be my future overlander. Dealer/service net philosophy is a bit strange, too. Ranging from BMW, Mercedes, Hyundai to even Land Rover dealer ships here in Germany. Hard to think, a Merc sales man would push this brand, nor a Hyundai mechanic would like to train service skills for a brand, that rolls into the workshop once in a year. But it obviously closes the gap between the very agricultural Asian 4x4s starting from 45k€ and the totally luxury 4x4 brands, like Land/Range Rover and Mercedes G, reaching into six figure price tags, if you order the rubber mat set plus the off side mirror. I´m still waiting for the classic shooting brake 4x4 design with modern tech, a long wheel base 2 door offroader like the 109/110 Hardtop Landys or the Toyo Troopys. There is hope, Suzuki will launch a 2 door long wheel base version of the new Jimny, like they built under license in Spain in the 1980s as Vitara, but this little beauty would still have to grow about 10-20% to fit me comfortably. Anyways, they don´t build them any longer, like they used to... I´d still throw half the money onto well serviced Defender or Toyo HZJ and wouldn´t mind to add a scratch or two. |
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Did was able to find a new frontscreen in Mauretania. We did found parts in Bolivia and Peru. Those parts are not just "ready for ordering", they are "on stock" at the regional toyota warehouse. The Land Cruiser 200 was sold world wide, including US (LX570), central & south america, europe, australia, russia, china and in africa as UN/NGO base vehicle & armored vehicle. There was never an vehicle before, who was not a Hilux - with that good availability of parts. Dont think that the Land Cruiser 300 will get a similar network.. But back 2 topic :innocent: I like the Ineos Grenadier also when the spares have to be shipped. 60 days of waiting, people on a world trip usually dont have such a thight time scedule. Surfy |
The Grenadier is the same price as my new VW Multivan 4Motion.
I didn’t buy it as a status symbol as I am sure many Grenadier buyers won’t as well. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Grenadiers in Kenya
Just saw a sign for the Grenadier outlet in Karen - as we are looking for a vehicle I'd like to find out more!
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There's lots of videos of them being used on yoochoob now, I'd start there if I were curious
Edit: I forgot to mention, we had one through work that had been used as a press car for the Dakar rally, it looked like they didn't do any mods beyond adding a roof rack, sand ladders, and a rear winch. We've still got one of the LWB crew cabs too (unfortunately without the full safari kit), I think it might be being used as a staff car ... it looks like it's lasting better than most of the mainstream pickups after a couple of dings. |
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