QUARTERMASTER DELIVERS

A UTE VARIANT ADDS IMPROVED LOAD CARRYING AND MORE VERSATILITY TO TI'IE GRENADIER RANGE OF INEOS 4X4S

- MATT RAUDONIKIS

INEOS Automotive Australia has launched the ute version of its Grenadier 4x4 which it dubs the Quartermaster. Essentially the same vehicle as the Grenadier station wagon, the Quartermaster has a 305mm longer wheelbase and is available with either a ute cargo tub or a bare cab-chassis at the back.

Of course, Ineos does offer a practical optional tray that can be fitted on the back of the cab-chassis and for this it has partnered with Australian company Norweld. Alternatively, buyers can opt to fit their own tray from any of the many suppliers available in Australia, as well as partial or full canopies that sit on a tray or directly on the chassis.

Like the Grenadier wagon to which it is pretty much identical forward of the B-pillars, the Quartermaster is offered in three specification levels with a long list of options and customisations available.

Both the ute and cab-chassis are available in standard specification as well as the Belstaff editions: the Trialmaster and Fieldmaster models. With so many options all available on any variant, owners can customise the Grenadier to their own specification. Ineos Australia told us that surveying the specification of more than 100 Grenadiers sold in Australia, it couldn't find two that were exactly the same.

Like any ute, the Quartermaster is all about practicality and the new vehicle's longer wheelbase over the wagon (3227mm) better locates the cargo weight over the rear axle for more stable and capable load lugging. Like the Grenadier wagon, the Quartermaster ute has a 3500kg towing capacity.

The Quartermaster has a 3550kg GVM and 7000kg GCM which should make it appealing to anyone who tows. Payload for the ute is rated at 907kg with the petrol engine and 832kg with the diesel powertrain. Payloads for the cab-chassis models aren't quoted as this will depend on what the user places on the back of it.