Like most of you I
only know what I've read in the press about this brand new vehicle so it was
with some scepticism that I attended yesterday's presentation. Some of the
press reporting so far has been sensational, sceptical, even derogatory whilst
some has been supportive and informative. On a personal basis? I was impressed,
and I like it.
The team make no apologies for its styling,
having drawn on Defender, G-Wagon and Jeep for ideas and inspiration. The
result is a creation that will appeal to those who want a traditional looking
vehicle that is not entirely dependent on electronics and software. What they've
designed and built is an extremely practical, functional and adaptable 4x4 vehicle
with go-anywhere ability.
There were three vehicles there
yesterday, two prototypes for demonstration and one static vehicle which will
be pretty close to the final customer offer. The bodywork and drivetrain is
more or less finalised whilst the interior still needs some tweaks but is
almost there. As an exercise, this pre-launch presentation was indeed
worthwhile and the feedback the team gets from it will no doubt help to finalise
the spec.
On the basis that these were purely
prototypes there were still some parts which were not quite finished. For
instance the Hi-Lo range selector was milled from a solid billet of aluminium
(I wasn't allowed to take pics!) but by goad it looked guid! Both the test
driver and myself agreed it looked just the dog's b*ll*cks. The same with the
grab handles, they were solid lumps of milled alloy with a knurled finish which
felt just so good to grip but wouldn't be allowed under Euro NCAP safety rules
- more's the pity.
Some parts of the dash were non
functional having been made by a 3d printer but it showed the thinking. There
is a vertical control panel in the middle of the dash complemented by a centrally
mounted switch panel on the roof. The seats are made from a washable but soft
and comfortable material and the Commercial versions of the vehicle will come
with rubber mats and floor bungs to let the water out after an internal
hosedown!
The rear backs fold down but not flat to
the floor although the floor behind the rear seat can accommodate a standard metric
pallet, hence the asymmetrical rear doors as opposed to a tailgate.
Unlike other vehicles of this ilk, there
is bags of head, shoulder and leg room so there's little chance of accidentally
impregnating a passenger. Both front seat occupants can keep a safe distance!
The steel and galvanised steel body is
bolted to a ladder frame and suspended on coil springs with beefy (so they don't
overheat) specially designed shock absorbers. Power comes from a 3 litre straight
six BMW turbo petrol, or turbo diesel with an 8 speed auto 'box with sequential
shift over-ride. And it's got a manual cable operated handbrake on the rear
wheels.
Anyway, I had a good session with one of
the chief development engineers (and ardent rally fan) who explained what was
still to be done. At present the wheelbase is 116 inches although that may yet
change slightly, and the track has yet to be determined. But really, at this
stage is all just detail stuff to be finally decided.
On the question of where it will be
built, much has already been said, including quite a lot by folk with more opinions
than facts. Apparently the deal to buy the factory in Wales was on the point of
being signed when there was a hiccup. I don't know what went wrong and I expect
few outside the company know either, but the decision was then made to buy a
factory in Moselle, France at Hambach.
This was a Mercedes-Benz facility
employing some 3,000 workers and was building Smart cars. As part of the deal,
Ineos will continue to build Smarts there and produce other ancillary M-B parts.
That means the plant will continue to
operate as a vehicle building concern and gradually assume the build of the
Grenadier working up to a planned 6,000 units per year. It may not be a popular
move, but it was certainly astute as the fledgling company has gained a modern,
working factory already up and running with trained staff on site.
The price hasn't been finalised yet
either, but the target is around £40,000 plus VAT. That's not bad for a solid,
well built, non squeaky, non rattly, non draughty, all terrain machine and the
ride quality ain't half bad! It'll do for me.
