Let’s face it: most off-roaders aren’t used for their intended purposes in the UK. This has led to the insult ‘Chelsea tractor’ being used to describe vast 4x4s being driven by the wealthy in urban areas. However, The Chelsea Truck Company has embraced the idea with its latest creation, the Ineos Grenadier Grandmaster. Somewhat sacrilegiously combining a sporty design and luxury with a thoroughbred workhorse is contentious, but the Grandmaster will certainly turn heads on the school run.
Wealth Requires More Stealth
Alongside KAHN, the legendary German design house, Chelsea Truck Co. has overhauled the Grenadier’s exterior with a whole load of carbon fibre. The 40mm wide wheel arches are made from exposed carbon fibre, which also appears on the front and rear bumper valances, and there are other carbon details dotted around the car as well.
A reworked grille also features, as does a rear spoiler, giving the posh Grenadier a more road-going appearance. There is also a roof-mounted central LED light, purportedly inspired by Ineos’ involvement in Formula 1. The bumpers are finished in body colour, unlike on the standard model, while the roof is finished in gloss black.
Black is seemingly the order of the day as the exhaust system, wheels and spare wheel cover have all been given the stealth treatment. Despite the Ineos Grenadier Grandmaster being targeted towards those staying on the roads, it is fitted with 35-inch all-terrain tyres.
A Sophisticated and Stylish Interior
Thought the exterior was taking the Grenadier too far away from its utilitarian roots? Think again. The Grandmaster receives bespoke Italian Nappa Leather upholstery in extreme quantities. Finished in the luscious Volcanic Blue, the posh interior might be as far from the rough and ready cabin of the old-school 4x4s it originally set out to replace. However, there is still an abundance of plastic and the standard roof liner remains, slightly offsetting the use of the ultra-premium leather.
