Car of the Week: Ineos Grenadier Black Edition

There’s certainly no shortage of big, high riding SUVs but when it comes to cars that can genuinely get you out of a tricky situation, there’s really very few. Sure, a Range Rover will cart you across a rough patch in absolute luxury but few would consider it for an expedition across the Okavango Delta or even a blast around the military training grounds on the Salisbury Plains. For that, you’ll be needing Ineos Grenadier. Trust me, I’ve been lucky enough to pilot it in both of the aforementioned scenarios: The former while sitting next to its creator, petrochemicals tycoon Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

The 2026 Black Edition, for those looking for a Grenadier with more urban appeal

It takes less than a minute of speaking with Ratcliffe to understand why he created the Grenadier. The man is adventure obsessed. If he’s not running an ultra across the Sahara, or celebrating his birthday by driving from Paris to Peking in a Bentley Blower, he’s dreaming up more adventures and, crucially, vehicles to conquer them in. Which brings us neatly onto the latest and most accomplished iteration of his award-winning four-wheeled creation; the 2026 Black Edition, for those looking for a Grenadier with more urban appeal, which arrives three years on from start of production in late 2022.

The Grenadier can conquer terrain you wouldn’t even consider crossing in a tank

New and updated for 2026, both the Grenadier station wagon and Quartermaster pick-up has been enhanced for everyday usability, without losing any of its rugged personality. Treated to new visual upgrades, the Black Edition (from £71,995) comes with an Inky Black paint option, Gloss black 18-inch alloys, a Dark Exterior Pack (black grille, dark skidplates), privacy glass and lockable spare wheel storage box.

Treated to new visual upgrades, the Black Edition comes with an Inky Black paint option, Gloss black 18-inch alloys and a Dark Exterior Pack

On the inside, a dark interior headlining and carpet flooring set the scene, while upgraded climate control across the range improves the performance and predictability of heating and cooling within the cabin, making it an even more comfortable place to spend time.

Upgraded climate control, a dark interior headlining and carpet flooring set the tone for the Black Edition inside

On the driving side, in come extra advanced safety systems (ADAS) for all 2026 models, to meet the latest regulations, but with the minimal amount of intrusion into the driving experience. A new touchscreen shortcut enables one-touch deactivation of the audible alert for the compulsory Intelligent Speed Assist, helping drivers to minimise unwanted distractions.

But the most significant upgrade the Grenadier receives for 2026 is to the vehicle’s steering setup, which features a variable ratio for the first time to improve its on-road driving dynamics. Using a lower ratio around the central steering position results in a tighter, firmer feel to deliver more precision and greater responsiveness, without losing any of its off-road capability and performance. Further enhancements also reduce the turning circle, making the 2026 model more manoeuvrable and easier to use in every day life.

The most significant upgrade the Grenadier receives for 2026 is to the vehicle’s steering setup, which improves its on-road driving dynamics

Other than that, it’s business as usual for the Grenadier and by business, I mean conquering terrain you wouldn’t even consider crossing in a tank. Its boxy aesthetic is reassuringly functional. The bumpers and wheel arches are hardy but separate from the rest of the body panels, so when they inevitably get scratched or worse when hacking through the undergrowth, they are easy to replace. Which happily is a running theme for the rest of the car, even on the inside where it’s spartan interior is tough as nails. Children, dogs and potentially even predatory wild animals will have a hard time dislodging anything from a Grenadier.

Its boxy aesthetic remains reassuringly functional

Under the hood is either a BMW-sourced 3.0-litre turbo petrol, which produces 283bhp and 332lb ft of torque, or a turbodiesel, which puts out 248bhp and a hefty 405lb ft of torque, which is enough to ensure the car can wade, climb or churn its way through most things. Underpinning everything is an old-school ladder frame chassis, with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission to lay all that power down smoothly.

The Grenadier Black Edition Station Wagon and Quartermaster pick-up start from £71,995

For all other 2026 models, pricing is unchanged, starting from £51,930 (exVAT) for the Grenadier Commercial, £62,495 for the Quartermaster pick-up, £62,495 for the base model Grenadier and £69,995 for the Trialmaster and Fieldmaster editions.

For all other 2026 models, pricing is unchanged, starting from £51,930

Throughout 2026, Ineos will reveal a series of new Arcane Works models – its unique service that allows customers to personalise limited editions models, all hand finished in the UK.

Throughout 2026, Ineos will reveal a series of new Arcane Works models

Taking its recent Detour model as an example, limited to just 200 vehicles, buyers could opt for any colour that Ineos would match from a palette of 7,500 shades; seat embroidery, adding any stitching to the quilted seats, either a specific design or text; and personalised, polished metal skid plates. All versions of the Detour model feature fine grain leather seats, in charcoal and flint colours, 18” alloy wheels and a Cashmere wool headliner. The marque even showcased a short-bed version of the Grenadier Quartermaster pick-up, nicknamed ‘Shortermaster’ at Goodwood in 2024 to demonstrate the full breadth of Arcane Works’ abilities.

The short-bed version of the Grenadier Quartermaster pick-up, nicknamed ‘Shortermaster’ made its debut at Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2024

As expected, Ineos has always gone big on options and extreme customisation. Its kit and personalisation lists wouldn’t look out of place on the desk of either an ultra-luxury concierge or a Ministry of Defence procurement officer. For the latter side of things, think NATO-spec winches, auxiliary lighting, electronically actuated diff locks and everything you’d need to survive a zombie apocalypse. Cranking it up a notch for those looking to explore the bush, Ineos has a fully customisable safari-spec Grenadier coming in 2026. The Grenadier Game Viewer by Ineos Kavango, is a bespoke in-house conversion of the Grenadier 4X4, for those looking to explore the bush in considerably more comfort than before.

The Grenadier Game Viewer by Ineos Kavango, is a bespoke in-house conversion of the Grenadier 4X4

Destined for game reserves and luxury safari lodges as far as Sub-Sahara Africa and ranches in the US, Middle East and South East Asia. To create them, Ineos sends long- and extra-long wheelbase Grenadiers from its Hambach assembly plant to its sister company Ineos Kavango in Botswana, in a partial-build state – with no paint, tailgates, seats (except the front), side glazing, roof skin, trims or unnecessary electrical features – ready for conversion.

Destined for game reserves and luxury safari lodges as far as Sub-Sahara Africa and ranches in the US, Middle East and South East Asia

Available with between four and nine rear passenger seats, depending on the wheelbase, the Grenadier Game Viewer requires no chassis alterations, ensuring the vehicle’s original ladder-frame retains its full strength and durability. In an industry first, the vehicle is supported under a manufacturer warranty, subject to terms and conditions, giving operators the freedom to work with the INEOS Kavango team to design a vehicle that works for them, with full factory-backed aftersales support. Component traceability guarantees every part meets the brand's quality standards and ongoing servicing, maintenance and repair will be provided by INEOS Kavango.

The Ineos Grenadier became the official vehicle of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) charity

More recently, the Ineos Grenadier became the official vehicle of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) charity, supporting the charity’s courageous volunteers in their critical lifesaving role. Regional search and rescue services across the country are also increasingly employing Grenadiers for rapid response to incidents in hard-to-reach areas, such as tackling moorland fires and supporting mountain rescue efforts.

Read the full interview with Sir Jim Ratcliffe about business success, sports ownership and adventure.