OVERVIEW
The Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster is priced from $102,000 plus on-road prices for the cab-chassis mannequin on which you then want to suit a tray or tenting attachment.
Go for the built-in ute tray and it kicks off at $105,000 plus on-roads.
Every shares its entrance half with the Grenadier wagon however replaces the again with a tray or load space.
There’s additionally an extra 300mm between the entrance and rear wheels to assist accommodate that longer rump.
Every is offered with a alternative of BMW inline six-cylinder turbocharged engines; diesel and petrol variants are the identical worth.
The entry stage Grenadier is pretty sparsely geared up with 17-inch metal wheels (with a full-sized spare, energy home windows, single zone air-conditioning and a 12.3-inch touchscreen incorporating Android Auto and wi-fi Apple CarPlay.
Security options embody six airbags (entrance, entrance facet and facet curtain) and stability management.
However the newest energetic security options (issues akin to autonomous emergency braking and blind spot warning) will not be obtainable.
There are two higher geared up mannequin grades, every with the identical worth; within the cab-chassis they’re every $115,000 and with the ute tray $118,000, every earlier than on-road prices.
The Trialmaster is extra off-road targeted.
It will get extra critical BF Goodrich tyres, a raised air consumption, triple locking differentials, a tow bar with wiring, a second battery (every is below the again seat), compass, entrance parking sensors, heated exterior mirrors and extras akin to puddle lights. There are additionally utility rails inside and outside to permit equipment to be simply connected.
The Fieldmaster is extra about luxurious, though even then it’s solely the fundamentals.
It misses out on a few of these off-road options, together with the raised air consumption and second battery.
And there are 17-inch alloy wheels however shod in much less aggressive Bridgestone rubber.
There’s additionally a premium sound system with a subwoofer and safari home windows (that are like miniature sunroofs above the entrance occupants).
It additionally will get carpet ground mats, heated entrance seats and leather-based trim.
As with the common Grenadier the Quartermaster is offered with a raft of equipment.
They embody a roo bar ($2510), curler tonneau cowl ($4115), rock slider rails ($1759) and varied roof rack equipment (together with a $210 spare wheel bracket) and cargo organisers.
Britannia Blue (a darkish blue) is the one customary color, with the opposite 10 shades costing between $1155 and $1520 further.
DRIVING IMPRESSIONS
Just like the wagon, the Ineos Grenadier Quartermaster does its greatest work off-road.
It’s a correct off-roader with the form of conventional {hardware} 4WD lovers love.
That features a ladder body chassis and dwell axles entrance and rear.
There are coil springs on all 4 corners. Whereas some could question that given the load lugging duties of a ute, Ineos says they’re heavy responsibility springs with a give attention to hauling heavy weights.
It’s price remembering, too, that many giant vans use coils throughout as do a few of the giant American pick-up vans.
Talking of weights, the Quartermaster can tow as much as 3500kg. It has a payload of as much as 907kg for the petrol variants and 832kg for diesels; the payload of cab-chassis fashions will rely on what you’ve fitted.
Nonetheless, in our expertise they didn’t have any difficulty with massive jolts, albeit with comparatively mild masses on board.
If something the suspension appears a tad agency, sometimes jiggling at low speeds.
However for washouts, potholes and the rest the outback throws up the suspension shunned the hits properly.
We examined it within the Flinders Ranges, which could be brutal on vehicles.
We didn’t sort out any of the actually gnarly trails, however there was sufficient gravel, sand and the occasional tough pinch to grasp the Quartermaster does all of it fairly simply.
The tyres assist. We spent most of our time in a Trialmaster with its aggressive BF Goodrich tyres. They’re not solely powerful however in addition they assist claw by way of rocks and sand.
With the differentials locked the Quartermaster is a formidable machine in mushy sand, confidently trudging by way of with minimal fuss.
It additionally has a formidable 264mm of floor clearance, so it’s tough to scrape beneath.
A stubby nostril minimises the probabilities of scuffing the entrance bumper, too.
Nonetheless, the longer wheelbase means it’s extra more likely to drag its stomach over steep pinches. The ramp over angle has decreased from 28.2 levels on the wagon to 26.2 levels on the Quartermaster.
With the longer tray hanging out over the again, too, the departure angle has dropped from 36.1 levels to 22.6 levels, making it extra more likely to drag its tail.
Simply be sure you do your homework on the off-road programs within the Grenadier.
Choosing low vary is finished through a second gear lever (it’s an old-fashioned ball-topped unit that appears nothing like the principle BMW-sourced shifter), which might additionally slide to the left to lock the centre differential.
You then have buttons on the roof to lock the entrance and rear differentials, all of which must be accomplished in a selected order.
You may also disable a few of the programs – akin to stability management and parking sensors – by urgent the off-road mode button on the roof. However you must be stopped, press the button as soon as then press and maintain the button once more. All of which is much extra complicated than it must be.
Press the throttle and there’s sufficient grunt from the engines to make all of it very simple, it doesn’t matter what the terrain. It’s one of many standouts of the Quartermaster and makes the engines within the 70-Collection (even the soon-to-be-discontinued V8) look undernourished.
These engines are sourced from BMW.
They’re nowhere close to as easy and refined as they’re in a BMW, however the grunt is there (holding in thoughts there’s about 2.7 tonnes of automobile to shift).
Within the diesel type most house owners go for there’s 183kW and 550Nm, the latter obtainable from simply 1250rpm.
It interprets to easy grunt while you want it.
And it’s channelled by way of a terrific eight-speed ZF auto that does an excellent job of shifting cleanly and decisively.
The petrol engine has extra energy – 210kW – however goes backwards on torque, with a still-healthy 450Nm on supply.
It’s finally the faster engine, however you must rev it more durable to extract one of the best from it.
And whereas petrol engines are typically quieter and extra refined, the Grenadier will get a drone going at cruising speeds.
Throw in some wind noise and it takes the sting off that larger pace cruising consolation.
On paved surfaces the Grenadier Quartermaster is a rudimentary machine.
The steering is sluggish and cumbersome, which makes for loads of wheelwork, particularly when manoeuvring on the town. The 2-spoke wheel additionally isn’t keen on returning to centre, so that you’ll be nearly as busy coaxing it again to the straight-ahead place.
And tight turns aren’t a Grenadier speciality.
The wagon has a big 13.5-metre turning circle and the Quartermaster extends that to 14.5 metres.
Quick story is you’ll want a number of actual property to show it round.
But for all its massive automobile on-road manners the Quartermaster doesn’t really feel particularly massive within the cabin.
As with the wagon there’s a mass of buttons and dials.
It’s refreshing in a approach to not have all the things crammed right into a touchscreen and as an alternative know the gold ol’ button is there while you need it.
However you’ll want a refresher on which button is the place. There’s a complete bunch overhead, though lots of these are reserved for off-road capabilities, making a useful break up from the air flow and infotainment controls within the conventional centre console place.
There’s additionally no instrument cluster, with a Tesla-like 12.3-inch display incorporating the speedo and different capabilities.
A small warning mild panel in entrance of the motive force warns of vital data – together with whether or not differentials are locked – however it appears a missed alternative to include the principle devices immediately forward of the motive force.
And because of the positioning of the exhaust system the motive force’s left foot is cramped, which isn’t best.
Be cautious of these safari home windows, too. Ineos says many Queenslanders shun them – and it’s simple to see why as a result of they’re angled barely it’s simple to have the solar blaring down on you, which for lengthy stints can get testing.
Within the rear, the Quartermaster’s seatback is extra upright than it’s within the Grenadier wagon.
It means it’s not as enjoyable, particularly over lengthy hauls.
And area typically is modest given the exterior dimensions.
It provides as much as a automobile that’s an acquired style.
In the event you’re simply after a automobile to device across the suburbs then there are much better choices than the Grenadier Quartermaster.
Positive, it appears to be like cool and in ute guise it’s useful for carrying masses and as a foundation for an journey machine.
However for those who’re in search of a highly-capable workhorse then it’s a terrific different to the extra street targeted utes which might be much more inexpensive.
The rougher and more durable the street, the extra the Quartermaster feels at residence.
Simply don’t confine it to the suburbs. It gained’t be blissful – and neither will you.
