The first model of the British automobile company INEOS Automotive, the Grenadier, was unveiled in South Korea on the 22nd.
Chabot Motors, which is bringing this brand to the domestic market, held an event at a hotel in Seoul on the same day to showcase the vehicle. INEOS Automotive is a subsidiary of the British petrochemical company INEOS Group and has been manufacturing cars since 2017. It aims to produce four-wheel-drive vehicles with off-road driving performance, durability, and practicality. It features a trapezoidal frame chassis, permanent four-wheel-drive system, up to three locking differentials, and solid beam axles.
Justin Hawkby, President of INEOS Automotive Asia-Pacific, said, "The Korean market is trend-sensitive and has a tendency to flexibly accept new brands," adding, "The new vehicle will be a genuine off-roader that meets Korean customers' needs for comfort, safety, and practicality."
The design of the Grenadier focuses on practicality. It prioritizes form and capability based on function, characterized by an unadorned and straightforward design. The exterior is box-shaped, and to enhance off-road performance, the wheels are mounted at the corners of the chassis. The interior is also unique with an analog-style central control system and an aircraft-style overhead control panel.
Powered by a BMW 3.0ℓ inline six-cylinder turbocharged engine, the B57 diesel engine will be introduced first in South Korea. The transmission is an 8-speed automatic from ZF, modified by Magna Steyr to accommodate off-road driving.
The vehicle will also be showcased at the 2023 Seoul Mobility Show, which opens on the 31st. Official domestic sales will begin in the second half of this year, with the price yet to be determined. Jung Jin-gu, CEO of Chabot Motors, said, "The domestic outdoor and leisure market is growing, and interest in genuine off-road vehicles is high, but there is no model that can satisfy actual demand," adding, "The new vehicle will soon be available at the showroom currently being built in Seongsu-dong, Seoul."
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