Latest news with #Grenadier
IOL News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- IOL News
Driven: the Ineos Grenadier, a rugged, modern take on the classic 4x4
The Ineos Grenadier has been around for a while but it still turns heads. Image: Supplied The Ineos Grenadier has been with us for a while now but it still turns heads wherever it goes, especially in the off-road community and more so among those that have a soft spot for the original Land Rover Defender. How did it come about? We know that billionaire and chairperson of multi-national chemical company, Ineos, Sir Jim Ratcliff, expressed an interest in buying the tooling for the Defender when JLR stopped production, which they declined in no uncertain terms. So he and a couple of mates, while sipping on some beers at the Grenadier pub in London, drew a rough design of what he wanted on a napkin and from there the Grenadier was born. That napkin is now framed and has pride of place in the pub. He has spent a good few billion dollars in the process but he's built one of the most rugged and capable 4x4s on the market. We were fortunate enough to be at the launch in Scotland in 2022 and it's taken a while to get behind the wheel on local soil, but when we did, it was the Trailmaster, aimed at the more serious off-roader. The original brief was to create a vehicle that's durable, reliable and has extremely capable off-road abilities. The team then set about sourcing components from the world's best including BMW for the engines, ZF for gearboxes, Magna Steyr for design and engineering, Bosch, Tremec for the transfer case and the Carraro Group for the car's live axles. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Exterior With a combination of Defender and Mercedes G-Wagon looks, the Grenadier sports no sleek SUV lines or pretty curves, it's a statement rather than a suggestion of adventure. With mounting attachments fixed to the doors, grab handles in the roof and pre-wired plugs for lights and other outside accessories, the Trailmaster really is trail ready. That's also underscored by the old-fashioned short stick on the floor to shift between 4h, 4L and central diff-lock and the buttons mounted in the roof to activate the front and rear diff-locks. The Ineos Grenadier is purpose built to go anywhere. Image: Supplied Interior There's also something very satisfying about climbing into the Grenadier. We've become so used to smooth and minimalistic digital interiors with enormous screens that seeing an interior that's littered with switches and toggles is a delight for analogue affectionados. It looks a bit like a helicopter's interior which adds an extra bit of swagger. It also means that there's less wiring and fewer motherboards to go wrong or that things can be MacGyvered in the bush, should there be a problem. They were designed to be operated with gloves on so there's plenty of space and no likelihood of pressing the wrong button. The volume and temperature control buttons did feel a little flimsy but I haven't picked up any issues on any of the Grenadier owners forums. As you would expect, the seating position in the super-comfortable Recaro seats is commanding, providing a clear view of things ahead including cyclists. To disperse the lycra-clad crowds there is a red 'toot' button on the steering wheel that has a softer sound than the regular hooter. There's also no traditional instrument cluster, only a screen with warning lights. Speedometer, revs, fuel gauge and the rest of the driving information is displayed on the central infotainment touchscreen. It's crisp and clear and responds quickly to inputs and it's filled with useful information like consumption, system readouts, a compass with an altimeter and also its own GPS system, called Pathfinder. Because it has Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, digital maps and apps like Waze can still be used. There's ample space for rear passengers and the rear load bin has a hardy floor and handy rings to keep things tied in place. There's no traditional instrument cluster, only a screen with warning lights. Image: Supplied Driving the Ineos Grenadier The Trailmaster we had on test was the diesel version fitted with BMW's 3.0-litre twin-turbo diesel engine with 182kW and 550Nm coupled to said eight-speed ZF gearbox powering all four corners. The software has been tweaked and calibrated to provide grunt lower down in the rev-range for optimal off-road driving. Not that it's a complete slouch on the black stuff but its forte is off the beaten track, as you would understand. The turning circle is very wide so you won't be slipping into tight parking bays easily and there's no return to centre once you're maneuvering, which requires you to manhandle the steering wheel. The steering is light, though, with not much feedback as a result of its traditional rack-and-pinion set-up but I had no problem with it and certainly it doesn't warrant any gripes. Talking of gripes, I've watched and read a few reviews and customer comments of the right-hand drive versions with its large bulge in the footwell. One even said that it was the only reason he wouldn't buy it. Sure, it is prominent, but you quickly get used to it and adjust your position accordingly, and compared to say, the old Defender and even the new Toyota Land Cruiser 79, it's positively luxurious. It hustles along nicely and, for me at least, the big BF Goodridge all terrain tyres provided a soft reassuring hum through the well insulated cabin and I could easily spend hours in it. Taking it off-road But Sir Jim didn't design the Grenadier exclusively for its on-road prowess so there will always be a compromise, especially with a ladder-frame chassis. For the off-road anoraks the numbers make for interesting reading. It has a Eibach coil springs five-link front and rear suspension setup, solid front axle, 264mm of ground clearance, a wading depth of 800mm, a 35.5-degree approach angle, a 36.1-degree departure angle and a 28.2-degree breakover angle. There's decent underbody protection and the side-steps won't bend or become crinkle-cut when tackling axle twisters. We had planned to do one of the more challenging 4x4 trails in Gauteng on a Sunday, but unfortunately in the morning the dark clouds poured relentlessly. It hardly relented throughout the day so I ended up playing around at an abandoned quarry close to where I stay the next day. The rains had made a muddy bog of it but the Grenadier coped admirably as I tried to avoid the worst of the deep soft mud. There was no need to activate the front diff-lock but in low range up a slippery rock incline with the rear one engaged, it climbed like a mountain goat. In fact, on a few other attempts I deliberately chose various incorrect lines with the same result. I had called a mate to tell him of my plans and that he may have to do a recovery in his 200 Land Cruiser, but my only discussion with him was that I was on the way for a cup of hot chocolate. the Ineos Grenadier has every off-road addition you would ever need. Image: Supplied
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Maj Gen Sir Christopher Airy, eminent Guards officer appointed Private Secretary to Prince Charles
Major General Sir Christopher Airy, who has died aged 91, had a distinguished career in the Army; after he retired, he accepted an invitation to become Private Secretary and Treasurer to Prince Charles and Princess Diana. In 1974, after serving with the Grenadier Guards for 20 years, Airy transferred to the Scots Guards and assumed command of the 1st Battalion. Regiments are by their nature tribal, and a commanding officer from a different regiment is always going to be viewed with a certain amount of misgiving. While never disavowing his pride at having been a Grenadier, Airy launched himself into his new assignment. Having swiftly absorbed the regimental history, he assembled the warrant officers in the sergeants' mess and asked them to help him become a Scots Guardsman. He then summoned the Pipe Major and invited him to play a different company march each day in the Orderly Room until he recognised them all. With his natural charm and courtesy, Airy soon earned the loyalty and respect of his battalion. He was a shrewd observer of individuals, and when necessary he could be tough with those who did not live up to his high standards of behaviour and performance. He ran a very successful and happy battalion and his wife, Judy, was a great support. Christopher John Airy was born at the Queen Elizabeth Military Hospital, Woolwich, on March 8 1934. His father, Lieutenant-Colonel Eustace Airy, served in the RAF in the 1920s, gaining his wings before transferring to the Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment). In the late 1930s he and his family were stationed in Gibraltar, and during the Second World War Eustace Airy was involved in intelligence work in the Far East. Soon after the outbreak of war, the family returned to England by ship. Young Christopher enjoyed going up on deck; he was fascinated by ripples on the surface of the sea which kept appearing, until it was explained to him that they were actually torpedoes. Airy was educated at Marlborough and became fluent in French after attending a course at the Sorbonne in Paris. After RMA Sandhurst, in 1954 he was commissioned into the Grenadier Guards and was posted to the 3rd Battalion. He was stationed at Windsor, and one day while he was on guard, he received a telephone call inviting him to join the Queen and the Royal family for dinner that evening in the Castle. There were about 20 guests present, and after the meal, they played charades; Airy was in a team with Princess Margaret. The Queen drew all the cards, and he had to mime Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, a rather daunting role under the circumstances for the 21-year-old. After two years in Cyprus during the Eoka Emergency, followed by an appointment as military assistant to the Secretary of State for War, Jack Profumo, in 1970 he commanded the Queen's Company of the 1st Battalion during a period of increasing inter-communal strife in Northern Ireland. He served as brigade major of 4th Guards Brigade in Munster, West Germany, before transferring to the Scots Guards. After relinquishing command of their 1st Battalion, he commanded 5 Field Force in Germany. In 1982 he was appointed Assistant Chief of Staff of UK Land Forces and played a key part in the decision to deploy the 2nd Battalion Scots Guards and 1st Battalion Welsh Guards in 5 Air Portable Brigade for the conflict in the Falklands. He was promoted to major general in 1983 and posted to the Royal College of Defence Studies. The appointments of Major General Commanding the Household Division and that of GOC London District followed. One day, when he was taking the salute at the first rehearsal of the Queen's Birthday parade on Horse Guards, he invited his family to watch from his office immediately above the saluting base. His four-year-old grandson was so excited when he saw his grandfather appear beneath him on his horse and wearing his plumed hat, that he decided to sprinkle him with a colourful selection of canapés from the office window. One of Airy's duties as GOC was to inspect the regiments under his command. On one such inspection with his ADC, they pulled into a lay-by a few minutes early so that he could put on his Sam Browne belt and emerge at the saluting base exactly on time and immaculately turned out. On their arrival, the whole regiment was formed up on the square. A guardsman lent forward, opened the car door and saluted, but the great man did not appear. He was tethered to the back seat of the car by the entangled Sam Browne and the seatbelt. Airy retired from the Army after 35 years' service, in 1989. The following year he was offered the job of chief executive of the British Heart Foundation. Out of a sense of duty, however, when he was invited by Prince Charles to be his Private Secretary, he accepted. The Queen and Prince Charles knew him well from his time in command of the Household Division, and he got on well with Princess Diana. It was thought that what was needed was a man of Airy's integrity, background and experience to re-organise the administration of the office, ensure that it could manage the workload efficiently and see that there was a smooth flow of correspondence. The Prince's interests and activities, however, were growing fast and the Princess was showing an increasing readiness for high-profile public engagements of her own. For Airy, it was a difficult time and he resigned after only a year. The Queen received him on his departure, a mark of her respect for him. He was one of the multitude that lined the route at her Coronation in 1953. In 1995, Airy and his wife moved to a farmhouse near Wiveliscombe in Somerset, and lived there happily for the next 30 years. He raised funds for a number of charities including the Dorset & Somerset Air Ambulance, the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal and the Society of Martha and Mary. He was also chairman of the Not Forgotten Association for eight years. He cycled some 1,500 miles by himself along the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain, and raised £50,000 for the Association. Holidays with young families, travel, parties and shared celebrations played a large part in their lives, as did a menagerie of dogs, cats, ponies, donkeys and some rather temperamental alpacas. In retirement, he was a great supporter of the Scots Guards and regularly attended commemoration dinners and the Regimental Remembrance Sunday Service and Parade. He was appointed CBE in 1984 and KCVO in 1989. A friend of the family wrote: 'I can think of nobody who so embodied the principles of honour, decency and respect for others in the unassuming way that Christopher Airy did.' Christopher Airy married, in 1959, Judith (Judy) Stephenson. She predeceased him by three months to the day and he is survived by two daughters and a son. Sir Christopher Airy, born March 8 1934, died April 8 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Auto Express
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
From SUVs to classic coupes, cars are simply under appreciated
As drivers and car lovers, we – and I don't think it's just me! – spend a lot of time moaning about what's wrong. Whether it's potholes, temporary speed limits, roadworks, other drivers, the cost of motoring, what manufacturers are doing badly, or a million and one other things, it's easy to whinge. Advertisement - Article continues below But recently I experienced a trio of diverse cars that put a smile on my face for different reasons. And it's reminded me just how great the car is as a thing, in all shapes and sizes, and how lucky we are to be able to just hop in and pull away, whatever we're driving! On the same day, I jumped between a current Toyota Prius, an Ineos Grenadier and Toyota's beautiful 1985 AE86 Corolla Coupé: three cars with precious little in common, apart from all making me very happy. I like the Prius's looks and clever tech, and it's a decent drive, too – arguably the first time you can say that of something wearing that particular nameplate. The Grenadier, a car I hadn't managed to get behind the wheel of before now, pleasantly surprised me, probably based on low expectations, thanks to having bags of character. It really is a modernised 'old' Land Rover Defender, with the same flaws around the agricultural driving experience. I'm not saying I'd buy one – or even be that keen to drive one again – but I had more affection for it than expected. And then there was the AE86. It's so refreshing to drive a good-condition car from that period, because it highlights what we're now missing, thanks to its lightness of touch and minimalist controls, plus the pure connection it offers. But it also illustrates what we now have in terms of technology, the basic thickness and robustness of things like door panels, and the sheer size of cars. I adored the little Corolla Coupé, but sitting at traffic lights surrounded by seemingly giant Nissan Jukes and Ford Pumas – let alone genuinely large cars – was a stark reminder that I wouldn't want to be involved in even a mild encounter with a modern SUV. That doesn't mean I didn't love it, though. Overall, that little cross-section of just three cars was a cute reminder to take a step back from Trump's tariffs, electrification and congestion, and relish how much there is to enjoy about the humble motor car, in all its forms. Do you agree with Paul? Let us know your thoughts in the comments section...
Perth Now
07-05-2025
- Automotive
- Perth Now
Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series: New Australian regulation forces production pause
Production of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series for Australia will be paused while the popular off-roader is updated to comply with a new emissions standard due to come into effect here later this year. However, Toyota Australia told CarExpert there will be sufficient stock of the 70 Series to meet demand despite the temporary production stoppage. 'The eight-month pause from September 2025 is based on the normal production cycle for this model,' it said in a statement. Hundreds of new car deals are available through CarExpert right now. Get the experts on your side and score a great deal. Browse now. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'We have ordered additional supply so we can continue to meet demand for all three models throughout the pause and we do not anticipate an additional increase in wait times.' The 70 Series is one of three Toyota commercial vehicles impacted by the Euro 6-related regulation change. However, key 70 Series rivals such as the Ineos Grenadier and upcoming Ford Ranger Super Duty are not impacted because they already meet the standard by incorporating AdBlue exhaust gas treatment systems. Supplied Credit: CarExpert 'Both of our Grenadier engine variants (diesel and petrol) are already Euro 6-compliant,' an Ineos spokesperson told CarExpert. 'The Grenadier also has [a] stop/start engine function on both variants as well as AdBlue (17L tank) on the diesel variant to reduce emissions.' The regulation also impacts the Toyota Coaster, Australian production for which will pause for 17 months from August 2025, and the Toyota HiAce Commuter, which will undego an eight-month stoppage from June 2025. Supplied Credit: CarExpert New legislation introduced in 2024 requires newly introduced models sold in Australia with a Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) of more than 3500kg to comply with what are effectively Euro 6 Stage C tailpipe emissions regulations. From November 1, 2025, the law (ADR 80/04) will be extended to include all existing applicable vehicles sold, not just newly-introduced models. The LandCruiser 70 Series has a GVM of 3510kg and will require AdBlue – an additive used in diesel vehicles such as the Ford Everest SUV to reduce tailpipe emissions – to continue to be sold in Australia. Toyota already sells a 70 Series with AdBlue in Japan, where the iconic commercial vehicle was reintroduced in 2023, and the same 2.8-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder version will remain on sale in Australia after stocks of the discontinued 70 Series V8 are delivered.
The Independent
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
The night the late Queen did the hokey cokey secretly among VE Day crowds
Amid the jubilant throngs celebrating VE Day outside Buckingham Palace, a teenage Princess Elizabeth, just 19, danced unnoticed, later recounting it as "one of the most memorable nights of my life." Joined by her 14-year-old sister, Princess Margaret, the future Queen Elizabeth II slipped into the crowds on May 8, 1945, experiencing the historic moment alongside thousands of revellers. The princesses joined in the revelry, dancing the hokey cokey and the Lambeth Walk, and even participating in chants of "We want the King" at the Palace railings. Their evening's adventure extended beyond the Palace gates, walking for miles and even dancing the conga through the Ritz hotel in Piccadilly. The Queen, speaking in 1985, recalled: 'My sister and I realised we couldn't see what the crowds were enjoying… so we asked my parents if we could got out and see for ourselves…' She added: 'I remember lines of unknown people linking arms and walking down Whitehall, and all of us were swept along by tides of happiness and relief.' The Queen said: 'After crossing Green Park we stood outside and shouted 'We want the King', and were successful in seeing my parents on the balcony, having cheated slightly because we sent a message into the house to say we were waiting outside. 'I think it was one of the most memorable nights of my life.' She described how she was terrified of being recognised on the streets 'so I pulled my uniform cap well down over my eyes' but was told off by a Grenadier officer who was part of their group. Three-quarters of a century later in 2020, the Queen, by then the UK's longest-reigning monarch, addressed the country to mark the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic. She urged the nation to 'never give up, never despair' echoing the message of VE Day – poignant words which resonated during the Covid-19 lockdown. As part of the official celebrations in 1945, King George VI and his wife Queen Elizabeth made eight appearances on the Palace balcony in 10 hours – on one occasion accompanied by Prime Minister Winston Churchill. Elizabeth and Margaret appeared six times with their parents throughout the day and evening. In an unprecedented and spontaneous breach of royal protocol, they also hurried out of the Palace after dinner to join the crowds, accompanied by a group of Guards officers, who were friends of the princesses. It was Margaret's idea and the King and Queen agreed to the excursion, with the monarch writing in his diary that day of his daughters' lack of social life: 'Poor darlings, they have never had any fun yet.' Under the cover of darkness, the royal teenagers went unnoticed in the throng. Jean Woodroffe, one of the Queen's first ladies in waiting, once recalled how Elizabeth delightedly joined in the celebrations. 'What was amusing is that we went into the Ritz hotel through one door and out of the other door, the other end, doing the conga,' Ms Woodroffe told BBC Radio 4's Today Programme in 2006. 'The extraordinary thing was that nobody seemed to take much notice. 'Then we stood outside Buckingham Palace with the crowd and we all shouted 'We want the King' with everybody else until the King and Queen came out onto the balcony.' Elizabeth, who in February 1945 at the age of 18 had undertaken National Service in the Auxiliary Transport Service, wore her ATS uniform on the day. She had been registered as No. 230873 Second Subaltern Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor and took a driving and vehicle maintenance course at Aldershot, qualifying as a driver. Margaret described the war years as 'black and gloomy', but said VE Day came as a 'wonderful sunburst of glory'. The royal family had led by example and lifted morale during the conflict. On the outbreak of hostilities, it had been suggested that Queen Elizabeth and her daughters should be evacuated to the safety of Canada or the United States. But she declared: 'The children won't go without me. I won't leave the King. And the King will never leave.' Elizabeth and Margaret moved to Windsor Castle during the war, just as the Queen did during the coronavirus pandemic. King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, later the Queen Mother, slept at Windsor but won praise for spending their days at Buckingham Palace during the Blitz. After German bombs fell at the palace, Queen Elizabeth said: 'I'm glad we've been bombed. It makes me feel I can look the east end in the face.' The east end of London was just one of the badly-hit areas the royal couple visited during the war to show support. The princess became Queen just seven years after the end of the war when her father died in 1952.
