Young manufacturer’s hard-grafting off-roader gains a longer pick-up truck variant
MATT PRIOR @automattictransmission
TESTED 9.5.24, FLORENCE, ITALY ON SALE NOW
wonder whether, if Ineos had launched this Quartermaster variant of the Grenadier first, we would perceive the Station Wagon differently. The 4x4 is sometimes compared unfavourably with swanky SUVs, because it costs as much as them but feels less sophisticated. The pick-up, though, lives in N1 commercial vehicle land, so would a shorter passenger version following it have been cut more slack? And has the Grenadier now found its place as a purer utility vehicle?
The basics of the Station Wagon and Quartermaster are the same, as are their front two-thirds. There’s a strong ladder chassis with solid axles front and rear and, as a result, recirculating-ball steering (like in a Suzuki Jimny or Jeep Wrangler), because rack and pinion tends to provoke huge bump steer and wheel kickback when mated to a live axle.
The engine is a longitudinal petrol or diesel BMW 3.0-litre turbo straight six, mated to an eight-speed automatic gearbox, driving all four wheels permanently. There’s a low-range transfer box and a locking centre differential as standard, plus optional front and rear locking diffs.
However, the Quartermaster’s wheelbase is increased over the Station Wagon’s by 305mm to 3227mm, while its overall length is increased by 545mm by the load bed to 5440mm. A chassis cab with no bed so that buyers can spec their own gear will follow imminently.
The length increase has some ramifications for the Quartermaster’s off-road credentials. They’re the same as the Station Wagon’s in terms of ground clearance (264mm), approach angle (35.5deg) and wade depth (800mm), but breakover angle is down from 28.2deg to 26.2deg and departure angle from 36.1deg to 22.6deg.
The bed is big enough for a Euro pallet (if you move the spare wheel), at 1564mm long, 1619mm wide and 485mm high at its maximum. The rear door is 1280mm wide and can hold 225kg when open.
The Quartermaster has a maximum payload of 835kg, but that’s for the petrol variant with the lightest options. The heavier (2740kg) diesel in base form can carry 760kg.
As with the Station Wagon, any Quartermaster can tow 3500kg.
