Grenadier story update

[v8250]

Have just signed up to follow these guys - I for one can't wait to see this new Defender

 

[Sirronluap]

Thanks for posting @v8250 . I don't have 'facebook' so thanks to you I found my way to their site (Link) and have subscribed! Top Man!

 

[lightning]

Loads of guff, but still no picture of the vehicle!!

 

[Jonmlb748]

BMW motor with automatic gearbox and beam axles is about all the info I’ve seen.

 

[v8250]

Loads of guff, but still no picture of the vehicle!!

Be patient, these guys are starting from scratch. I'm sure Sir Jim will come up trumps on this one. A truly global Defender for the C21st

 

[v8250]

BMW motor with automatic gearbox and beam axles is about all the info I’ve seen.

And some of the engineering design team are ex-BMW. I think they'll really be going for super tough reliability...as they're not only taking on JLR but also Toyota and Mitsubishi, and that's a very tall order.

Plus, they've got to please the majority of crusty old Defender owners. And that's the biggest challenge of all...!

 

[bluedog333]

Wonder if the chassis will be galvanised? That folded top seam in the CGI looked a right rust trap!

 

[v8250]

here's the first look as the suspension/chassis set up

 

[lynall]

Nuts on track rod ends, are very useful things indeed

 

[JimS]

Nuts on track rod ends, are very useful things indeed

View attachment 209666

well spotted

 

[lynall]

well spotted

Its me job spotting things wrong on vehicles, sad I know!

6 bolt hubs look interesting

 

[JimS]

Looks like it's going to be quite overengineered and expensive but we'll see

 

[tottot]

No fancy electrics in the suspension system he said.

 

[v8250]

Looks like it's going to be quite overengineered and expensive but we'll see

My gut feel is that it's going to be "correctly engineered" and hit the new Defender price right between the eyes, i.e. a £35-£48k price point and without the need for 80 black art ECU's. Naturally, there's going to be a few ECU's for approvals but as these are BMW based they're already very well proven and reliable.

If they hit this price point they'll be able to take on the new Defender, Discovery and Toyota with one single production range; and that would be one very smart market strategy.

 

[lightning]

Still no pictures of the actual vehicle
I know they are “starting from scratch” but it’s been a few years now since they originally announced the project.

l assume they know what it’s going to look like, as Land Rover tried to stop them using the “silhouette” of a Defender.

 

[bluedog333]

Nuts on track rod ends, are very useful things indeed

View attachment 209666

They don’t even look threaded to be fair!

 

[bluedog333]

How many millions do you think they spent coming to the conclusion that coil springs and dampers are the way to go? Could have just had a look under the vehicle they’re copying.

 

[v8250]

How many millions do you think they spent coming to the conclusion that coil springs and dampers are the way to go? Could have just had a look under the vehicle they’re copying.

This +1 though I don't think they've spent millions on this conclusion. They'll be using their huge existing suspension database to model/know the chassis/suspension set up is 95% accurate even before they go to prototype stage. Magna are a highly respected in their field and my guess is they'll do a superb job.

Oddly, have been thinking about the Grenadier on and off through lockdown and thoughts are, "the definitive point that will make this a seller, or not, will be the external look...the aesthetic" People still buy with their hearts, the emotional "what looks good in their eyes..." and as long as Ineos get this right this old bus will sell.

 

[bluedog333]

This +1 though I don't think they've spent millions on this conclusion. They'll be using their huge existing suspension database to model/know the chassis/suspension set up is 95% accurate even before they go to prototype stage. Magna are a highly respected in their field and my guess is they'll do a superb job.

Oddly, have been thinking about the Grenadier on and off through lockdown and thoughts are, "the definitive point that will make this a seller, or not, will be the external look...the aesthetic" People still buy with their hearts, the emotional "what looks good in their eyes..." and as long as Ineos get this right this old bus will sell.

Think you’re right about the company. It’s just a bit of journalistic licence making a non-story a bit more exciting!

 

[lynall]

This +1 though I don't think they've spent millions on this conclusion. They'll be using their huge existing suspension database to model/know the chassis/suspension set up is 95% accurate even before they go to prototype stage. Magna are a highly respected in their field and my guess is they'll do a superb job.

Oddly, have been thinking about the Grenadier on and off through lockdown and thoughts are, "the definitive point that will make this a seller, or not, will be the external look...the aesthetic" People still buy with their hearts, the emotional "what looks good in their eyes..." and as long as Ineos get this right this old bus will sell.

Do we know where they are going to make it?