Andrew St Pierre White review of Grenadier

[Heym SR20]

Like many I am quite excited about the Grenadier. I do also like and follow ASPW videos as part of me still wants to do some big long journeys. I was going to do in the early 1990’s but a few little wars kicking off made this impossible and life has got in the way.

But could a Grenadier be a good vehicle. I think in a few years for me it could be an option when

a) they are coming onto the 2nd hand market

b) they have sorted out some niggles

c) the market of kit has caught up.

Judging by ASPW’s views they have got a lot right, especially if you are buying a left hand drive one. For right hand drive the huge step in the footwell is probably a deal breaker for many, especially those doing big miles.

 

[nick.308]

from what I have heard I dont think the little step is the issue. Its the numb steering. I haven't had the privilege to drive one yet but the anticorrosion aspect, ruggedness and over engineering is what Impressed me the most. The axels on it made my hilux axels look like a toy truck in comparison.

 

[Mike_E]

Ironically the over engineering of it actually makes it so heavy that it's payload is quite low... somewhat negating the requirements for such heavy duty build. Could make an overland build tricky without a gvm upgrade?

At 6ft 5 it is no where near as spacious or comfortable as I was expecting either when I've sat in one. This coming from a 2015 defender driver!

 

[Heym SR20]

from what I have heard I dont think the little step is the issue. Its the numb steering. I haven't had the privilege to drive one yet but the anticorrosion aspect, ruggedness and over engineering is what Impressed me the most. The axels on it made my hilux axels look like a toy truck in comparison.

ASPW’s conclusion on the steering is that it is a bit numb but it’s something that he can get used to and live with. The bump in the driver’s foot well is something that he cannot.

 

[bowji john]

Interesting video

I was very interested in fact that he comes from an over landing background

His review reflects that

I have to conclude that I’d never give up my 78 series overlander for one of these

Two heavy for my taste

Too much electronic glitter

My 78 had 240 litres in twin tanks

90 litres is just not enough

I did like the 78 that accompanied him on the beach

That’s where my money would go

 

[The Singing Stalker]

As somebody who can’t afford one but have sat in and played with one at the shows. I couldn't live with the lump in the floor. Ok for small journeys, but I have just done a 350 mile drive in a very comfortable freelander. My leg would be in pain as well with the lump. A few other things like he has said. I prefer the tailgate to lift rather than go side ways. But difficult to do that with a massive wheel on the back.

It has loads of great ideas and some bad. But overall I like it and if I had the money, I would certainly put it on my shortlist, if it didn’t have that lump. As soon as I sat in it, I thought no way. If you can’t be comfortable in it then it doesn’t matter how good everything else is..

But I don’t have the money so my opinion doesn’t really count.

 

[merlin]

My wife complains about the big lump that just gets in the way on the driver's side in my car.....

Oh..... ...... hang on a mo.......

 

[nick.308]

ASPW’s conclusion on the steering is that it is a bit numb but it’s something that he can get used to and live with. The bump in the driver’s foot well is something that he cannot.

Yep watched the review and quite enjoyed listening to him. I dont think I could bring myself to buy one over a toyota though. They should have gone down the japanese route instead of german and made it a bit more affordable ....

 

[Heym SR20]

Yep watched the review and quite enjoyed listening to him. I dont think I could bring myself to buy one over a toyota though. They should have gone down the japanese route instead of german and made it a bit more affordable ....

As a new brand / product / business, albeit owned and funded by ineos, it makes sense to maximise profit on early production, and thus recouping all the development costs and putting the business on a positive balance sheet as soon as.

As ASPW alluded to, all the funky switch gear, solidness of doors all adds to a huge quality feel that establishes the brand. By documenting and bringing enthusiasts with them on the development journey the built a significant customer base of early adopters. These will mostly be wealthy individuals in their late 40’s upwards where the Grenadier is a luxury purchase to satisfy their inner child. Others will buy a Porche or entry level Ferrari, but the Grenadier buyers want the rugged outdoor image, and in places such as Australia or the US, many will be buying as an overland tourer full kitted out.

There of course will be business buyers, but they will be choosing the Grenadier, instead of Velar, Discovery, Q7 or Defender.

And whilst they have this audience and production capacity is still limited they maximising the return on each and every one.

Once the brand is established and production capacity is increased they will then look at greater volume with a cheaper version that will go head to head with the likes of landcruiser 70.

But there is probably not a lot of cost than can be stripped out. Perhaps cheaper switches and seats, but the fundamental underpinnings will be difficult to strip out cost.

I suspect they will have a cheaper and less luxurious version, but they will take less profit per unit rather than lowering overall cost. And they will go for volume fleet sales, rather than individual units to retail customers. And here price and operating costs will be the main drivers. I suspect given its build quality it will be a long lived vehicle hence additional cost is offset against longer time, less maintenance and high resale value when in fleet use.

I think for most of us, Grenadiers will be like Mercs, Audi’s, Range Rovers etc - bloody expensive new, but give give them 3 to 5 years they offer plenty of ongoing life at a significantly reduced cost.

 

[nick.308]

I can imagine If I had one the kids would play with all them switches and I would end up blowing a diff up because they would have stuck it in diff lock and I wouldnt have noticed the little light was on?? Cant beat a simple gearstick or a simple handbrake (not sure if its electric or not)

 

[Gm81]

Before I watched it I thought buy a land cruiser. Then I saw how amazing it was following a land cruiser in the dunes. So I still think buy a land cruiser the back up car everyone uses

 

[HonestJohn]

What I personally found interesting was that Ineos has been refusing to let him test and review one! They probably knew deep down there was something he’d rip them a new one on.