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3rd party Videos Prototype Review - Jonathan Hanson

Jeremy996

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I don't have a problem with the position of the locker switches; I'm used to relying on muscle memory to select the right switch as I have routinely driven ergonomic disasters like a 1989 LR 110 and a 1972 Morgan 4/4! Not changing vehicles very often is very useful here - and being taught to drive military vehicles.
 

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@Jonathan Hanson - nice to see you replying to the comments. 👏

The point with regard to the lockers has been raised before, in terms of generally looking up at all the switches and trying to read the icons. It's a real issue, especially for anyone with varifocals and we know the Grenadier demographic is going to contain a high percentage. So there might be some challenge here but perhaps a silent majority nodding?
The writing on the buttons in my current vehicle is so small I can't even read it with my reading glasses on.
Wrong focal length and I wouldn't put my reading glasses on when driving anyway as everything outside would be a blur.
I just had to learn and remember which of the 20 switches did the things I would need when driving and their position.
I am glad Ineos kept large buttons and knobs instead of putting everything in the touch screen.
As you said this issue is going to get harder as we all get older and eyesight fades.
Thankfully they have put them in a clear location up there and added the protection bars on each side.
I think you need to push them twice to operate, second time to confirm, same as offroad and wading modes.
I will be selecting them left handed as RHD so a memory item may be left forefinger on the bar to the left and select with the thumb
Drivers side rear passenger side front.


1673199204366.png
 
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Until recently I had never heard of a disconnecting sway bar and it certainly helps with the flex.
This is obviously an extreme demonstration and useful in rock climbing that seems so popular in the US.
Not sure how long that rear flair would last if the vehicle was actually moving rather than jacked up
Ahh, okay. The test is to drive up a ramp with one front tire, until another tire lifts (usually the rear tire on the same side as the one going up the ramp). Then you do a quick calculation to get the Ramp Travel Index (RTI) score. This is an objective measure of articulation, and it tells you how much flex you can get out of the suspension before you lift a tire. The test will involve stuffing two of the tires up into the wheel well. This is not meant to be how you drive all the time, but it tells you what it is capable of handling before maxing out. In practice, vehicles with lots of suspension travel are capable of traversing very technical terrain, but - perhaps more importantly - in moderate technical terrain the body of the vehicle stays flat, while the four wheels go up and down. The ride is comfortable because the body is staying relatively level, and the suspension is doing all the work. Its also safer having all four tires in contact with the ground.

For a better explanation, check out this video from Scott Brady at Expedition Portal (the same guy who recently did an excellent review of the Grenadier). He is reviewing a Wrangler modified by AEV, but the point is it has been modified in a way that increases the characteristics I am describing above. In the first part of the video they take the Jeep to the race track, which might seem silly, but testing its max track performance gives an idea of how it will handle on-road (even though normal folk won't push it as hard on a public road). In addition, they take it to the track to demonstrate that a lifted vehicle on 35s does not have to drive worse on road that a stock vehicle; when done right, it can drive better. But in the second part of the video (around the 3:30 mark) they drive off road (also with an AEV vehicle, but this one on 37s). Watch how flat the hood remains while the suspension articulates around 3:40 in the video. So the point of having a really good RTI score is not to always be stuffing your tires up into the wheel well, but understanding the type of terrain you can traverse safely and comfortably.

 
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The writing on the buttons in my current vehicle is so small I can't even read it with my reading glasses on.
Wrong focal length and I wouldn't put my reading glasses on when driving anyway as everything outside would be a blur.
I just had to learn and remember which of the 20 switches did the things I would need when driving and their position.
I am glad Ineos kept large buttons and knobs instead of putting everything in the touch screen.
As you said this issue is going to get harder as we all get older and eyesight fades.
Thankfully they have put them in a clear location up there and added the protection bars on each side.
I think you need to push them twice to operate, second time to confirm, same as offroad and wading modes.
I will be selecting them left handed as RHD so a memory item may be left forefinger on the bar to the left and select with the thumb
Drivers side rear passenger side front.


View attachment 7799833
I’ll be instructing my co-driver and navigator on which buttons to press and when so I can keep my eyes on the track. She already has to look left for me at junctions as I have a stiff neck 😂😂
 
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I'll repeat what I said in my first post - I think it was a great review, and I really enjoyed reading it. I'm excited about the Grenadier, and I think it looks like it is going to be a vehicle that - in terms of production quality and durability - will be vastly superior to the Wrangler. But when it comes to flex, the Wrangler is best in class. In the photos below, the Grenadier is lifting its front right tire - there is very little droop; look at the angle of the front axle. In the photo below that, the front right tire of the Wrangler is still touching the ground (which is what you want) despite the incredible angle of the front axle. Yes, the anti-sway bar is certainly disconnected on the Jeep, but the difference is enormous. Can't wait until we get some good objective test results like the Ramp Travel Index (RTI).

View attachment 7799827
View attachment 7799828
NOTE: given that both vehicles run solid axles front and rear, and both run coil springs front and rear, it cannot be possible for one vehicle to have twice the payload of the other, and still flex the same. The engineers at Ineos chose to go for high payload (almost 2,000 pounds), and to do that they sacrificed some flex. The engineers at Jeep chose to go for massive flex, and to do that they sacrificed payload (about 875 pounds in the Rubicon). Neither choice is objectively good or bad. Buyers should purchase the vehicle that meets their needs.

Lastly, I didn't mean to come off as rude or argumentative in my previous post (or in this one). Debating technical attributes of a vehicle is really why we are here, and that is the spirit in which I am writing.

All the best!
Hey, I didn't think you were being rude or argumentative at all. I completely agree with your statement regarding debate. My response wasn't intended as defensive, just counterpoint. I'll have to dig up some of my review photos of Wranglers flexing and compare them. However, I strongly feel the Grenadier has a more comfortable rough-road ride than the Wrangler Unlimited.
 

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Ahh, okay. The test is to drive up a ramp with one front tire, until another tire lifts (usually the rear tire on the same side as the one going up the ramp). Then you do a quick calculation to get the Ramp Travel Index (RTI) score. This is an objective measure of articulation, and it tells you how much flex you can get out of the suspension before you lift a tire. The test will involve stuffing two of the tires up into the wheel well. This is not meant to be how you drive all the time, but it tells you what it is capable of handling before maxing out. In practice, vehicles with lots of suspension travel are capable of traversing very technical terrain, but - perhaps more importantly - in moderate technical terrain the body of the vehicle stays flat, while the four wheels go up and down. The ride is comfortable because the body is staying relatively level, and the suspension is doing all the work. Its also safer having all four tires in contact with the ground.

For a better explanation, check out this video from Scott Brady at Expedition Portal (the same guy who recently did an excellent review of the Grenadier). He is reviewing a Wrangler modified by AEV, but the point is it has been modified in a way that increases the characteristics I am describing above. In the first part of the video they take the Jeep to the race track, which might seem silly, but testing its max track performance gives an idea of how it will handle on-road (even though normal folk won't push it as hard on a public road). In addition, they take it to the track to demonstrate that a lifted vehicle on 35s does not have to drive worse on road that a stock vehicle; when done right, it can drive better. But in the second part of the video (around the 3:30 mark) they drive off road (also on with an AEV vehicle, but this one on 37s). Watch how flat the hood remains while the suspension articulates around 3:40 in the video. So the point of having a really good RTI score is not to always be stuffing your tires up into the wheel well, but understanding the type of terrain you can traverse safely and comfortably.

Thanks
Good review, I have now subscribed to that channel
It really shows the importance of a properly engineered suspension mod.
That type of off-roading on dry rock surfaces is not very common here as far as I am aware.
It really shows the importance of wheel articulation and large tyres.

I can also understand the importance of a standard RTI test as manufacturers can be a bit loose withy the truth to get a sale
 
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Hey, I didn't think you were being rude or argumentative at all. I completely agree with your statement regarding debate. My response wasn't intended as defensive, just counterpoint. I'll have to dig up some of my review photos of Wranglers flexing and compare them. However, I strongly feel the Grenadier has a more comfortable rough-road ride than the Wrangler Unlimited.
Ah good. I didn't want to offend. I enjoy the debate, and appreciate your counterpoints. I also have to believe you with regard to comfort off-road - I have sat in a Grenadier, but not while it is moving! You mentioned that your big test drive of the Jeep Rubicon was a number of years ago; the suspension on the Rubicon is vastly improved in the JL (2018 and later). I'd be curious to hear your thoughts on those. But frankly, I won't be surprised if the Grenadier rides better in bumpy terrain - Jeeps just aren't as well engineered or built as the Grenadier seems to be. I think Jeeps have become overpriced for what you get, and they belong in a lower price bracket. They used to be relatively cheap knock-about off-road convertibles, and that is the niche in which I think they belong.

Lastly (since we are having a nice civil discussion!) I thought I'd address your comment about Iceland being a unique place where 35-inch tires may be necessary. I agree, that touring across Africa or Asia is best done on something like a 31-inch tire, or some other similar size that can be easily replaced, and that maximizes fuel economy while still providing decent ground clearance. However, there are many places like Iceland that call for larger tires: the trails of Colorado, Utah, and Montanna, for example. So - from the perspective of someone who gets out on trails in the American West - Iceland isn't unique as an off-road challenge, but presents obstacles that require similar solutions as many places around where I live. Here is a screen shot from an Expedition Portal video, but this is a trail I drove in my Rubicon on 35s, and there are - literally - hundreds of similar trails in the area around Moab.

1673201483172.png

Thanks for the conversation, and for sharing your experience driving the Grenadier! I'm looking forward to getting behind the wheel soon.
 
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Thanks
Good review, I have now subscribed to that channel
It really shows the importance of a properly engineered suspension mod.
That type of off-roading on dry rock surfaces is not very common here as far as I am aware.
It really shows the importance of wheel articulation and large tyres.

I can also understand the importance of a standard RTI test as manufacturers can be a bit loose withy the truth to get a sale
Yup! Here is an example of how one independent reviewer uses the RTI to compare vehicles. It is, of course, not the only thing that matters - its just one variable, and an excellent RTI score is irrelevant if the vehicle can't carry or tow what you want.

 
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emax

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In the past 20 years, I have never read the labels on the buttons in our cars. I just know where they are. And I think any average driver does, too.

Knowing the switches is always good.

"Um, landing - which one is the landing gear switch? Where are my glasses? ..."
nogear2.jpeg
 

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In the past 20 years, I have never read the labels on the buttons in our cars. I just know where they are. And I think any average driver does, too.

Knowing the switches is always good.

"Um, landing - which one is the landing gear switch? Where are my glasses? ..."
View attachment 7799854
In principle, you are right. But every time I drive my wife's Disco, I have to ask how to switch on the rear window wiper. In my Disco, the lever has completely different functions. Not to mention my Range Rover.
I know how to do it in my Series 2. Manual wiper :)
 

emax

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every time I drive my wife's Disco, I have to ask how to switch on the rear window wiper. In my Disco, the lever has completely different functions
Not your fault. This happens if a manufacturer doen't stick to his own design. I call it then bad cockpit design. Or more precise: bad cockpit designers.

You may like the Mercedes or not. But the basic levers and switches in the car have since decades remained the same. If you know one model, you know them all.
 

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Not your fault. This happens if a manufacturer doen't stick to his own design. I call it then bad cockpit design. Or more precise: bad cockpit designers.

You may like the Mercedes or not. But the basic levers and switches in the car have since decades remained the same. If you know one model, you know them all.
Yes, in principle I can confirm that. I had two W124s and a SLK 230 Kompressor. However, they did not install the foot-operated parking brake in all of their models.
 

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However, they did not install the foot-operated parking brake in all of their models
Agree, something I am really missing in our R171.

But for the basic operating everything is still in place.
 
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