Ineos Automotive, the British-based builder of the Grenadier SUV and Grenadier Quartermaster truck, unveiled its third vehicle, the Fusilier 4X4 SUV, today.
Like the Grenadier, the Fusilier features a modern design with its own distinctive identity, but will be shorter and lower, and better for smaller trails. Like many rugged EVs from Rivian and GM, it will be built on a skateboard platform with the batteries placed low in the body.
The Fusilier has smoother exterior lines than the Grenadier with chiseled edges that allow air to pass over the body more quickly. It has active grille shutters to manage airflow at the front of the vehicle depending on whether the powertrain needs its cooling or range. For protection and utility off road it has integrated side steps, boxed wheel arches and skid plates, which all help with aerodynamics.
Like the Grenadier and Quartermaster, the Fusilier has 7-inch circular LED lights in the front and back, along with visible steel tubing to strengthen the structure.
Ineos says the Fusilier is slightly smaller than the Grenadier, which is about the size of a Ford Bronco. Putting it about the size of the Ford Edge. Though it shares some of its look with the legendary Mercedes-Benz G-Class, it will be several inches shorter.
Ineos says the new Fusilier will meet a broad range of global consumer needs while still using mostly clean energy. The battery-electric vehicle (BEV) will be available with a range-extending engine/electric motor hybrid combination.
Models equipped with a range-extender will maintain battery levels when drivers are far out on the trails, times when public charging isn't readily available.
No further details, like range, charging time and battery size were given. Ineos plans to announce more powertrain details this autumn.
"As we developed this vehicle, we quickly concluded that in order to move towards decarbonization but continue making cars that consumers want to drive, we need a mix of powertrain technologies. BEVs are perfect for certain uses: shorter trips and urban deliveries, but industry and governments need to have realistic expectations around other technologies that can help accelerate the necessary pace of change," Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of Ineos, said in a statement.
"That is the reason we are offering an additional powertrain for the Fusilier, one that dramatically reduces emissions but has the range and refueling capabilities needed."
Ineos Automotive Ltd. was formed in 2017 by Jim Ratcliffe to build vehicles that were spiritual successors to the Land Rover Defender. It started with Project Grenadier. The Grenadier is now manufactured in two factories in Estarreja, Portugal, and Hambach, France, and feature BMW powertrains.
The Fusilier was developed in conjunction with Magna, as was Ineos' other vehicles.
The Ineos Fusilier is expected to go on sale in 2027.
About the writer
Jake Lingeman is the Managing Editor for the Autos team at Newsweek. He has previously worked for Autoweek, The Detroit ... Read more
