Ineos Grenadier Goes Upmarket: 1924 Edition, Arcane Works Detour, and Portal Axles

Luxury and off-road capability don’t usually mix without compromise. More often than not, when a brand decides to elevate a product with premium materials and bespoke craftsmanship, function takes a back seat. But Ineos seems determined to do things differently.

Its Grenadier isn’t just another overbuilt SUV designed to look the part — it’s a serious off-road machine, engineered with durability and longevity in mind. And now, with the latest lineup of special-edition models, Ineos is proving that a well-crafted 4×4 doesn’t have to sacrifice authenticity for refinement.

That philosophy made Aspen the perfect setting for its latest reveals. While the town may be best known for its luxury ski culture, it’s also home to some of the most dedicated mountain athletes in the world.

And during Shaun White’s Snow League event, where the best snowboarders on the planet came together in a new, structured competition format, Ineos took the opportunity to showcase its latest models. It balances rugged capability with thoughtful design in a way that mirrors Snow League’s own mission to redefine professional snowboarding.

A New Kind of 4×4, A New Kind of Competition

Aspen, Colo., has long been synonymous with luxury — multimillion-dollar ski homes, high-end boutiques, and après-ski champagne bars. But dig a little deeper, and you’ll find a core group of people who are there for the mountains, not the scene. That’s where Shaun White’s Snow League comes in.

Snowboarding has long been at the forefront of winter sports, but for all its mainstream appeal, it’s never had the kind of structured season that legitimizes other professional sports. Unlike Formula 1, the NFL, or even golf, snowboarders have traditionally bounced between one-off contests, often dependent on invite-only formats, inconsistent judging, and minimal financial stability for athletes.

White’s vision is to change that — giving the best riders a real league format that rewards consistency, builds narratives across a season, and, most importantly, provides real prize money. The goal is to give snowboarding the stability it’s been missing — turning it into a sustainable career rather than a series of unpredictable paydays.

Ineos’ involvement in Snow League makes sense in that regard. It’s not just a corporate logo slapped onto an event for exposure — there’s a real alignment in philosophy. Both Snow League and Ineos exist because the people behind them saw a gap no one else was filling.

Snow League isn’t trying to reinvent the sport — just give it the structure it should have had all along. And in much the same way, Ineos isn’t trying to revolutionize off-roading — it’s just building a truck the way people have been asking for years.

That made Aspen the perfect setting for Ineos to showcase the latest additions to the Grenadier lineup. Just as Snow League is shaking up how professional snowboarding works, Ineos is proving that capability and refinement don’t have to be at odds.

Grenadier 1924 Edition: Celebrating 100 Years of Belstaff

Much like Snow League is bringing structure to snowboarding without changing its essence, Ineos is refining the Grenadier without sacrificing its purpose. The brand has always been about rugged, no-nonsense capability, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t room for refinement. That balance is exactly what the new 1924 Edition represents — a Grenadier that keeps its off-road grit while adding just enough polish to make it stand out.

Based on the Fieldmaster trim, the 1924 Edition celebrates the 100th anniversary of British heritage brand Belstaff, a brand renowned for its waxed-cotton jackets worn by motorcyclists, explorers, and aviators for generations. It retains key features like safari windows and heated, leather-trimmed Recaro seats as standard.

1924 Edition Features

The 1924 Edition is available in Magic Mushroom with a contrasting black roof — normally a $1,780 option — or a solid Inky Black. These colors, paired with gloss black, diamond-cut 17-inch alloy wheels, a dechromed black grille trim, and dark grey skid plates, make it immediately recognizable.

Inside, the changes are more apparent. Dark green accents on the dashboard, center stack, and door panels contrast nicely with black saddle leather touches on the steering wheel, handbrake, and the BMW parts bin gear selector.

It feels distinct from a standard Grenadier, offering a more refined interior without sacrificing ruggedness. The almost black but assuredly dark grey headliner makes a notable difference. It not only adds a cozier, more premium feel but is also far more practical than the standard light-colored option, which tends to stain more easily.

Why Buy a 1924 Edition?

Personally, I think the 1924 Edition is the best-looking Grenadier available right now, striking a thoughtful balance between rugged practicality and a more refined design. It retains the off-road essentials — removable vinyl flooring, front and rear locking differentials, and BFGoodrich KO2 all-terrain tires — but introduces just enough refinement to set it apart. As Ineos’ first special edition, it feels purposeful rather than excessive, adding thoughtful upgrades without compromising the Grenadier’s core mission.

That said, if you’re looking for functional upgrades like an auxiliary battery, high-load auxiliary switches with roof-mounted power points, or a factory winch, you’ll need to stick with the Trialmaster Edition. These features aren’t included or available in the 1924 package.

I had some initial concerns that the 1924 Edition might signal Ineos drifting toward the luxury market, following the same path as Land Rover. But the 1924 doesn’t feel like a departure from the brand’s ethos. Instead, it’s a measured evolution — introducing subtle refinements without diluting what makes the Grenadier special.

Mechanically, the 1924 Edition is identical to the standard Ineos Grenadier, which means it still wanders around on the road like it’s had a few too many pints. The steering is slow and heavy — great off-road but in need of some fine-tuning for highway driving. Handling isn’t on par with modern SUVs, but that was never the point.

Grenadier in the Snow

Aspen saw 20 inches of snowfall over the course of the event, and despite owning a Grenadier myself, this was my first real chance to drive one in serious winter conditions. Living in Arizona doesn’t offer many snow-driving opportunities.

I was genuinely impressed — not just with how planted and stable the truck felt on snow-covered roads and icy streets, but with how confidently it handled technical terrain in deep snow. Ineos had built a short test course throughout Kevin Costner’s Dunbar Ranch, and while they had to be mindful of what they were doing on a $100-million property, the storm made it just challenging enough to warrant engaging the lockers.

This is where the Grenadier really comes into its own. That slow, heavy steering that feels cumbersome on pavement translates to a smooth, controlled experience off-road, preventing the wheel from getting yanked around over rough terrain. And I keep coming back to how planted it feels in technical conditions — no doubt helped by its 5,800-pound curb weight.

1924 Edition Pricing

With a starting price of $86,950, the 1924 Edition is actually a solid deal if you were considering a Fieldmaster with a few options. For reference, the base Fieldmaster starts at $83,100 — but adding the Rough Pack (locking differentials and all-terrain tires, $2,850) alone already brings you close to the 1924’s price. And that’s before you factor in the Inky Black Contrast Roof ($1,780).

Not only do you get the unique interior color scheme and black headliner at no extra cost, but you’re also getting a special-edition model that stands out from the pack.

Arcane Works Detour: A More Tailored Take on the Grenadier

We got our first look at the Arcane Works Detour at Dunbar Ranch, where it sat on static display as the only one of its kind in the country. Unlike the other Grenadiers at the event, this one wasn’t there to be driven — it was there to be examined.

Every detail, from the hand-stitched leather to the forged alloy wheels, was meant to showcase the level of customization Ineos is bringing to the table. While the other Grenadiers were being put through their paces in the snow, the Detour stood as more of a statement piece. A glimpse into what’s possible for those looking to personalize their Grenadier beyond the factory options.

Detour Exterior Details

The most noticeable change is the front end, where an all-new grille and headlamp surrounds give the Detour a distinct visual identity. It’s not a radical departure, but it’s enough to make it stand apart from the standard Grenadier.

The wheels also get an upgrade, with 18-inch forged alloy wheels that aren’t just for looks — they’re stronger and lighter than standard cast wheels. And crucially, they aren’t some oversized, pavement-princess setup designed for parking lots in Beverly Hills.

Ineos resisted the urge to slap on 22-inch show wheels, keeping the proportions honest and the off-road capability intact. It’s the kind of refinement that feels considered rather than overindulgent — different but not screaming for attention.

Then there’s the paint. Most off-roaders come in whatever color the manufacturer decides looks “rugged.” The Detour throws that idea out the window. Ineos is offering a Porsche-like PTS (Paint to Sample) program, where you can pick any color you want from a palette of 7,500 shades.

The body still gets built at the Hambach factory, but instead of getting painted on-site, it’s shipped to a specialist painting partner to ensure a higher-quality finish than standard factory paint. If you’ve ever wanted a Grenadier to match your grandfather’s old Land Rover, your favorite pair of boots, or your sports car, now’s your chance.

Inside the Detour

Inside is where Arcane Works has really flexed its craftsmanship.

The Bridge of Weir leather — the same low-carbon, high-quality leather used in Aston Martins and Range Rovers — now covers nearly everything: seats, door panels, grab handles, sun visors, and even the center armrest.

If you’re the type of person who gets excited about the smell of real leather, this is the Grenadier for you. If you’re the type of person who gets excited about hosing their interior out after getting it muddy, this is not the Grenadier for you.

But the leather isn’t the only upgrade on the interior. The Detour’s headliner is trimmed in cashmere wool from Johnstons of Elgin, a Scottish textile maker that’s been around since 1797 and holds a royal warrant from King Charles. They’ve been spinning wool fibers since before Napoleon invaded Egypt, and now they’re lining the roof of an off-road workhorse.

It’s available in light or dark grey, and while some may scoff at cashmere in a 4×4, it’s the kind of understated luxury that makes sense here. It’s not flashy; it’s not trying too hard — it just feels right when you see it in person.

Of course, this being Arcane Works, which Ineos is attempting to position as its bespoke wing, customization is king. The Interior Contrast Pack lets you choose Volcanic Grey or Icy White accents for the dashboard, air vents, and compass bezel.

Even the badges get special treatment, with Vaughtons — one of England’s oldest jewelers — handcrafting each one from copper, filling them with enamel, polishing them, and chrome-plating them. This is the same company that’s made Olympic medals, so if you’ve ever wanted your off-roader to share a lineage with some of the most prestigious trophies in sports, congratulations, this is your chance.

Arcane Works

While some might argue that a Grenadier doesn’t need cashmere wool or handmade enamel badges, I’d counter with this: the aftermarket is already refitting Grenadiers with luxury interiors and custom paint colors.

Customers want it, and Arcane Works is proving that Ineos can do it better. But as soon as the wheels get bigger than 18 inches — I’m going to start poking fun.

Quartermaster Gets a Much-Needed Price Correction

It pays to have common-sense oversight in a car company. After George Ratcliffe took over as president of Ineos Americas, he did something that most auto executives wouldn’t even consider — he walked into a dealership like a regular customer. No red carpet, no press event, just a guy checking out his own company’s trucks. What he saw was a problem: a dealer demonstrator Quartermaster with a projected customer price well over $100,000.

The culprit? The 25% Chicken Tax, a relic of trade policy that slaps a hefty tariff on pickup trucks imported into the U.S. That tax alone put the Quartermaster at an immediate pricing disadvantage compared to its SUV counterpart, the Grenadier.

Originally, the Quartermaster’s pricing in the U.S. was set at $86,900 for the base model. If you wanted the Trialmaster or Fieldmaster versions — both of which package the most popular off-road and touring options — the price jumped to $94,900.

And while the Grenadier’s pricing made sense for its niche, the Quartermaster’s numbers didn’t quite add up. Nobody in their right mind was going to spend six figures on a pickup with a cargo bed smaller than most full-size trucks.

Bluntly, at dinner in Colorado, George Ratcliffe told me that he knew a pricing change had to happen. “We want to sell more than 100 a year,” he said. And with that, the Quartermaster got a price cut before it even officially hit customer hands.

Now, instead of offering a base model that nobody would buy, Ineos is simplifying things. The Quartermaster will only be available in the more equipped Trialmaster and Fieldmaster trims, both priced at $83,900. That’s not just cheaper than the original base model pricing — it’s $11,000 less than what the higher-spec models were initially set to cost.

It’s rare to see a company acknowledge a pricing misstep and course-correct before the market forces them to. But this move makes the Quartermaster far more competitive and gives it a fighting chance against not just other off-roaders, but also full-size trucks that come in at similar price points. And in a world where new-car prices only seem to climb higher, an actual price drop feels like a breath of fresh air.

The Portal Axle Ineos Grenadier

Ineos didn’t build the Grenadier for mall crawlers. But if the standard model wasn’t hardcore enough, the new portal axle-equipped version takes things to another level.

Designed in collaboration with LeTech — the same company responsible for the Mercedes G-Wagen 4×4² system — this Grenadier is poised to give Mercedes’ ultra-lux off-roader a real challenge. Not in terms of status-symbol appeal, but in actual, real-world capability.

Portal axles use geared hubs to raise the differential above the wheel’s centerline, dramatically increasing ground clearance without requiring a massive suspension lift. On the Grenadier, this setup allows for larger 37-inch tires with minimal lift while adding 9.8 inches of axle clearance. This brings total ground clearance to a towering 20.2 inches — enough to make obstacles that would stop most 4x4s feel like minor speed bumps.

The increased ride height also boosts wading depth from 31.5 inches to an impressive 41.3 inches, ensuring the Grenadier can handle deep water crossings with ease.

The prototype also has a 2-inch suspension lift with Eibach springs, further enhancing its off-road capability. The wider track helps offset the higher center of gravity for improved stability, while the revised gearing reduces drivetrain stress in technical terrain.

At Aspen, the portal axle version stood apart among the new models. Unlike the G-Wagen 4×4², which has become a high-riding luxury showpiece more likely to be seen valet-parked in Beverly Hills than tackling rocky trails, the portal axle Grenadier is built with a different mindset. There are no carbon fiber fender flares or bedazzled interiors — just pure, functional engineering designed for those who truly use their 4x4s.

Ineos hasn’t set a price for this variant yet, and they’ve been clear that the LeTech-equipped Grenadier and Quartermaster on display in Aspen were prototype vehicles. The only clue as to where pricing might land came from a passing comment that it would be “cheaper than the G-Wagen 4×4²,” which starts at around $350,000.

Given that a base Grenadier costs nearly $75,000 less than a G-Wagen, that would likely place the portal axle version somewhere in the $200,000 range. It’s a big number, but portal axles aren’t cheap — nor are the high-end components LeTech produces.

Ineos’s Gimmick-Free Lineup

Ineos didn’t roll into Aspen to show off a fleet of SUVs and trucks destined for valet lines and country club parking lots. They brought a lineup of vehicles that, despite their refined details and high-end materials, remain unapologetically functional.

Whether it’s the Grenadier 1924 Edition adding subtle but tasteful upgrades, the Arcane Works Detour offering deep personalization, or the portal-axle prototype proving just how extreme the Grenadier platform can go, one thing remains clear — Ineos is staying true to its original mission.

These vehicles aren’t about marketing gimmicks or following the luxury offroader playbook. They’re built for people who actually go off-road, who understand what makes a vehicle last, and who aren’t willing to compromise capability for convenience.

And while it remains to be seen if enough customers raise their hands for the portal axle version to make production, it’s reassuring to see an automaker willing to build something because it should exist — not just because it’s easy to sell.

In a market flooded with trend-chasing vehicles, the Ineos lineup stands apart — built with intent, not indulgence.