Portal Axles Boost Grenadier’s Off-Road Capability
At last year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, Ineos showed off a fleet of prototypes, including a Grenadier with portal axles by German firm LeTech, which designs off-road accessories and suspension kits, as well as building custom off-roaders and doing small-batch contract manufacturing for larger firms. Now this even more capable Grenadier is headed to showrooms.
Marketed as the Grenadier Trialmaster X LeTech, the portal-axle conversion increases the ground clearance of this mid-level version of the Grenadier by 7.4 inches, to 17.7 inches, and the wading depth by 9.9 inches, to 41.3 inches. In SUV form, the approach angle improves by 10 degrees to 45.5 degrees, the departure angle increases by 8.9 degrees to 45 degrees, and the breakover angle increases from 28.2 degrees to 43 degrees. The Quartermaster pickup truck sees similar improvements.
More Room For Big Tires
Ineos
Ineos
Ineos
Ineos
Portal axles drop the wheel hub below the axle centerline, allowing for that improved off-road geometry while also making room for 37-inch BFGoodrich Mud-Terrain KM3 tires, mounted on 18-inch Hutchinson Industries forged beadlock alloy wheels. Ineos says the portal-axle conversion also gives the Grenadier greater wheel travel, better axle articulation, and a wider footprint as well.
LeTech also adds its own coil springs and shocks, upgrades the brakes, and decks out the Grenadier with fender flares, running boards with jacking points, a roof rack, LED light bar, and front winch. Options include a tire-pressure control system, loadspace drawers, and rear working lights.
Will It Come To The U.S.?
Ineos
Ineos
Ineos said it plans to offer the LeTech upgrade not only to private customers, but rescue services and other commercial operators that could make use of its considerable capability. However, the company hasn’t specifically discussed U.S. sales.
Europe is definitely first in line, as the press kit states that the LeTech upgrade will be available with the BMW B57 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six diesel that isn’t available in the U.S. The Grenadier is sold here exclusively with the gasoline B58 3.0-liter turbo-six, which is also available in Europe and can also be had with the LeTech kit.
Ineos
Ineos
Ineos
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About the author
Stephen Edelstein
Contributing Writer, Autoblog