Ineos Fusilier: Alternative Powered Alternative to the Grenadier

In Germany, one increasingly sees the first "Grenadiers," with which Ineos has already achieved initial acclaim and consequently sales successes. The "Grenadier" in the Land-Rover-Defender style is now followed by the slightly more compact, yet also upright-charactered Fusilier. During its presentation in London by Sir Jim Ratcliffe, it was confirmed that, besides the previously announced purely battery-electric drive (BEV), a low-emission drive with an electric range extender is being developed to ensure that the Ineos Fusilier meets a broad spectrum of global consumer needs while also promoting decarbonization.

400 kilometers range with the BEV

The range extender option includes a small gasoline engine that drives a generator to maintain the battery's state of charge when no external charging option is available. The gasoline engine (we guess here a three- or four-cylinder from BMW) is supposed to serve as a generator and always operate in an optimal performance window. The drive itself is always electric. The model with range extender is supposed to get a battery with around 70 percent of the capacity of the pure BEV. For the BEV, Ratcliffe announced a range of approximately 400 kilometers, which suggests an 80 kWh plus x battery. This battery could also feature a fast-charging capacity of 150 to 200 kW at an HPC charger. Details on the alternative drive and the timeline for market introduction are expected to be confirmed in the fall of 2024. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, Chairman of Ineos, explains:

"In developing this vehicle, we quickly concluded that we need a mix of different technologies to promote decarbonization while offering vehicles that are in demand. BEVs are perfectly suited for certain applications, such as shorter trips and delivery services in urban environments. However, industry and policymakers also need to set realistic expectations in other technologies that can contribute to accelerating the necessary pace of change. For this reason, we are offering the option of an additional drive for the Fusilier, which drastically reduces emissions while providing the required range and refueling capability."
 
Once again, Magna is on board: The Fusilier is "made in Austria" and "Schöckl-proved"

The Fusilier was developed in collaboration with Magna. Magna will also manufacture the vehicle in Graz, which means the Fusilier is likely to be "Schöckl-proved"—that's Magna's "home mountain," where both the Mercedes-Benz G-Class and the Ineos Grenadier had to prove their off-road capabilities. The Fusilier is based on the Grenadier but will be somewhat shorter and have a slightly lower height. It will be built on a special so-called skateboard platform with a steel body and underbody, as well as aluminum doors and body panels.
 
Lynn Calder, CEO of INEOS Automotive, comments:

"The announcement of our third model series is another significant milestone for INEOS Automotive. It underscores our commitment to being a complete vehicle manufacturer—as with our product range, we are long-term oriented."

Also thinking further about hydrogen
 
As part of INEOS Automotive's commitment to further decarbonization, the company presented a demonstration vehicle of the Grenadier with hydrogen fuel cell technology at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2023.  This vehicle proves that the technology for a hydrogen-powered off-road vehicle is powerful and ready for series production. However, the necessary infrastructure for refueling still needs to be established before this concept can become commercially viable. 

The design of the Fusilier is an evolution of the instantly recognizable proportions of a traditional off-road vehicle, with INEOS placing an emphasis on better aerodynamics: the contours had to be rounded to minimize air resistance without compromising the functional design. Angled edges and corners ensure unobstructed airflow and provide clear visibility of the road and terrain.