• The INEOS Grenadier has undergone extensive testing across Sub-Saharan Africa and one of these rugged prototypes is now on display at the Franschhoek Motor Museum
• The INEOS Grenadier is an uncompromising off-roader, built from the ground up to meet the most extreme demands of customers

Since the very first INEOS Grenadier sketch – on a napkin in the Grenadier pub in London – the core purpose of this vehicle is to offer unsurpassed capability in any terrain. As such, Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) has played a key role in the Grenadier’s testing and development.

The INEOS Grenadier was created to fulfil the vision of adventurer and INEOS Group Chairman, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, inspired by legendary working 4X4s. The Grenadier is a rugged and uncompromising off-roader, designed to be a capable, durable, and reliable working tool to conquer the world’s harshest environments. 

One of the Grenadier prototypes used for testing across SSA has now been put on display at the Franschhoek Motor Museum. This specific prototype – nicknamed XX5 - was the fifth prototype to be produced.

“XX5 exceeded all expectations for a prototype”, says Tim Abbott, INEOS Automotive Head of Region South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa, “We are delighted to partner with the world-renowned Franschhoek Motor Museum to create some early Grenadier heritage in our milestones timeline.”

Grenadier prototype XX5 was only meant to complete 4 000 test kilometres but ended up doing 27 026 km across SSA.  Over the past year XX5 has explored all nine provinces in South Africa, as well as Namibia and Botswana.

“This prototype has been everywhere from Somerset West to the Sani Pass, up the Skeleton Coast from Swakopmund to Serra Cafema – via Mala Mala, Middelburg and Maun”, says Abbott. “XX5 has spent a year going everywhere in Southern Africa, traversing Polokwane, Pofadder and Paarl to White River, Windhoek and the Wild Coast, which is what makes this vehicle so special to our market.”

Now that the Grenadier testing is complete, with the first customer vehicles arriving early next year, it’s only appropriate that XX5 retires in South Africa.

Wayne Harley, curator at the Franschhoek Motor Museum says, “I’ve been following the Grenadier’s development and the fact that the Grenadier XX5 prototype spent its working life as a local test vehicle makes it an interesting addition to our current display. It’s not often any of us see an all-new vehicle brand being tested and refined from concept to production. Grenadier XX5 is an interesting bit of automotive history.”

The Grenadier XX5 prototype will be on display at the Franschhoek Motor Museum until 30 June 2023.