The Ineos Grenadier starts at $71,500. (Ineos)
The result is a hard top four-door SUV that is just a little larger than a Jeep Wrangler or Ford Bronco and very much a truck.
The Grenadier can be equipped with an air intake snorkel. (Ineos)
The interior is just as utilitarian and features a central panel of physical buttons and switches that are easily operated with gloves on, a design element Ratcliffe was involved in. Along with visits to both the North and South Poles, he often goes off-road driving in places like Iceland, and the trucks have been tested at Ineos facilities around the world. A second set of auxiliary controls mounted on the ceiling between twin sunroofs comes on some models.
Some models feature a ceiling panel with additional controls. (Ineos)
The trucks provided for the test drive were prototypes and not registered for U.S. roads, but I was able to take one for a ride on several miles on muddy and rocky trails that were as difficult as 95% of the people who buy one of these will likely encounter.
The Grenadier seats five and comes standard with water and stain resistant upholstery. (Ineos)
It definitely has a truck-like feel, with that solid front axle and stout steering that requires nearly four turns lock to lock, but that can be welcome on a trail with jarring obstacles. The 282 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque provided by the smooth turbocharged inline-six-cylinder more than up to the challenge of moving its roughly 6,000 pounds through the woods with refinement.
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Rather than trying to be fancy, Ineos chose the award-winning BMW engine for both its performance and commonality. Versions of it have been used in a variety of vehicles ranging from the BMW X-series SUVs to the current Toyota Supra, which means parts and service for it are widely available.
The Grenadier pub in London is one of Jim Ratcliffe's favorite haunts. (Ian West/PA Images via Getty Images)
All the best ideas come over beers, right?
Gary Gastelu is Fox News Digital's automotive editor.