Recently we were very privileged to attend the Ineos Quartermaster Drive which took place over three days with two overnight stays in the beautiful Baviaanskloof Wilderness Area. The whole ‘glamp’site was set-up from scratch, so in other words, there was nothing there before!
Every journalist had his or her own tent with an electric blanket, warm shower, etc. For the outdoor purists, it was a magical experience with all food cooked straight on the camp fire; which was never left alone. People were constantly fueling the fire with logs, and many bonding stories were shared that can only happen around the crackling sound of properly dry wood burning each night.
From Gqeberha airport in Port Elizabeth on the Friday, we teamed up in pairs and got into Ineos Quartermasters, all accompanied by a representative from Ineos SA. It was actually very good to have someone from the Ineos team in the vehicle at all times, as we could ask them any technical questions on route while we got to know the new bakkie, or should I rather say, mini truck.
My driving partner, Jordan Smidt took the wheel first from the airport along the highways of the Eastern Cape. Unlike its “Series” lookalike predecessor, this brand-new utilitarian vehicle rides fairly comfortably on the open road at 120 or 130 km/h. It comes standard with ladder frame technology from the 50’s, but tuned for today. I would not advise challenging fast on-road corners and sweeps but then again, it was built for making its own way in the bushveld where no-one has gone before.
The BMW straight six powerplant, in petrol form (210 kW / 450 Nm), is beautifully calibrated to the vehicle through the ultra-reliable 8-speed ZF gearbox, which does service in many cars around the globe. That typical BMW soundtrack adds some spice for in-cabin entertainment. We were actually looking forward to a cold start the next morning.
Our first coffee stop approached us and it was time to swop seats. I was going to attempt the first un-sealed road (as the Brits will say) towards our camp site. Soon after that we were caught by night-time, as we graveled through the mountain pass, not looking to the drop-off on the right.
We started ascending in 4-wheel drive high range, and I must say, it was lovely to not have to press a button, but to move a quality old school lever towards “4 high”. Even in high range, the power is beautifully delivered with peak torque from 1750 rpm. That, for a petrol engine, is quite something.
I myself have fairly minimal off-road experience, yet I felt comfortable and in touch with the road as it was getting more rough towards our camp site. The steering set-up in all Grenadiers is quite unique in the sense that the steering wheel does not return by itself (as is usual in any other car), but you have to turn it back yourself.
It’s something you get used to quite quickly; and it all makes sense off-road. For instance, in a normal SUV the steering wheel will be thrown around as its wheels tend to follow the imperfect gravel. The Ineos lets you do all the steering, giving you the freedom of complete control to steer the front wheels.
We explored low range on the steep approach to our destination, but soon realised “4wd high” was more than adequate for the current terrain. With every mode change, we were guided properly by our Ineos representatives, as you do need to learn your way around all the buttons, of which a lot are situated in the roof area, like on an airliner. All buttons are solid and have a proper feel to them, good enough so that even William Wallace from Scotland would be able to use them with his leather snow gloves.
Ineos thought of everything!
The screen in the middle is purely for information. If for some reason, it physically gets smashed, the vehicle will still carry on like normal, as there are no touch-screen buttons fulfilling important changes; or connected to important ECU’s.
The next morning (after a lovely farm style breakfast) we headed out for a drive further up the mountain, where we stopped for coffee and bites. On the way there, we virtually drove through a vlei river where we got to experience the Quartermaster’s wading mode. This again is a proper button, initiating hard mechanics.
The vents from outside close up, while the fan speed adjusts to create a positive pressure in the cabin for when doors need to open. Also, the cooling fans in front of the engine switch off, in preparation for wading through deep water. The Ineos is water tight to the state that you can clean it out with a hose pipe on the inside. (Not sure if I would do it to my own, I must say 🙂
In the afternoon, a few of us went for some advance 4×4-ing, but this time with one of the Ineos representatives behind the wheel. It was a serious climb so low range with diff locks was selected. The Grenadier is a serious off-roader and there was not even a hint of struggle. What is quite remarkable, is the fact that this is a straight off the floor stock standard vehicle with no extra’s from 4×4 specialists.
The quartermaster double cab pick-up starts from R1 717 000 and soon there should be diesel derivatives available as well, with the same reliable 3.0L straight 6 (183 kW / 550 Nm) that serves duty in the rest of the Grenadier family.
All in all, I was very impressed with the Grenadier. A utilitarian vehicle built with the best of everything. Die-hard old Defender fans will appreciate specs like a full box-sectioned ladder frame, galvanised steel body and Carraro beam axles, front and rear. The beauty of the Grenadier is that, like the old Defender, it’s already creating on-road stories and bringing people all over the world together, even if it’s just for a cup of tea.
A good friend of mine, Francois Joubert actually bought the seventh car in South Africa and the first one in Somerset West. He met a British couple on one of the forums, and this couple shipped their car to South Africa, drove all over Africa and then shipped their car back. While they were in Cape Town, they had some tea with Francois and his wife. (Here is a picture of the men with their vehicles).
