‘New Land Rover Defender’ Projekt Grenadier from Ineos to get BMW engines

The new Projekt Grenadier 4×4 – the mission by Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos to deliver a ‘new’ Land Rover Defender – will get BMW engines.

We may not have had any ‘new Land Rover Defender’ news from Jim Ratcliffe’s Ineos Projekt Grenadier for a few months, but things are moving on.

Having made it clear that Ineos are not building a ‘New’ Land Rover Defender, although Jim Ratcliffe describes it as “a spiritual successor to the Defender”, Ineos are now going a route Land Rover did in the past by announcing their new 4×4 will be powered by BMW.

With plans for a variety of body styles and variants for the new 4×4, and a variety of uses around the world too, Ineos need a flexible range of engines to deliver on the 4×4’s promise. And BMW seems a fit.

Ineos say the partnership with BMW will see a range of BMW TwinTurbo petrol and diesel engines on offer, which will deliver “world-class blend of durability, performance and efficiency”.

Dirk Heilmann, Ineos Automotive CEO, said:

This technology partnership is a very significant milestone for Projekt Grenadier – we are delighted BMW Group will supply engines for our new off-roader. Its reputation as a maker of extremely reliable, high performance engines that offer total durability, efficiency and quality is second to none.

Ineos are hoping to build around 25,000 units of their new 4×4 a year, with a reveal next year and on sale in 2021, and the next announcement is likely to be where it’s going to be built.

Could the new Ineos 4×4 join Aston Martin and be built in Wales?