INEOS Chairman Jim Ratcliffe has revealed new
details about his plans for a Land Rover Defender style vehicle called Projekt
Grenadier. Billed as a go-anywhere off-roader, the model promises to have the
"spirit and straightforward engineering of the old 4x4s but with a massive
leap forward in reliability."
The company hasn't released pictures of its first
model but says it will be an uncompromising vehicle that will appeal to
everyone from off-road enthusiasts to city dwellers seeking adventure. The
first model is slated to be launched by 2020 and the company has plans an
entire range of vehicles with multiple wheelbase options. The SUVs will be sold
globally and offered with petrol, diesel, and hybrid powertrains.
The plan is certainly ambitious but a lot of details
still need to be worked out - mainly where the vehicles will be built. INEOS
Automotive is considering building a new plant in the United Kingdom but it
could cost between £ 600-700 (US$ 810-945) million. The government could offer
incentives to reduce that number in return for the 7,000 jobs that are expected
to be created from the project.
Another option would be contract manufacturing from
companies such as Magna Steyr. According to INEOS Automotive CEO Dirk Heilmann,
“Our job is to create the world’s best and most uncompromising 4x4, and we are
steadily moving forward with the project. We have recruited a first-class
management team, are making good progress in our search for a manufacturing
site, and we are now launching the new Projekt Grenadier interactive website.”
