Hardcore hybrid and electric Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series fighter not axed, just waiting for the right moment as Ineos faces tough new emissions laws in Australia

Speaking to CarsGuide at the launch of the Grenadier Quartermaster, Ineos Automotive’s head of Asia Pacific Justin Hocevar reiterated that the Grenadier’s smaller sibling wasn’t dead, just waiting for the right time.

“It’s a program which is still alive and well within the organisation” he said when queried about the model’s future.

“It’s an issue of what we’re building, when we were building and where we were building it and the project cost, etcetera. We just needed to pause at a pointed time where there’s a lot of change going on.”

“The surge toward BEV has, let’s say, tapered off, that trajectory doesn’t look the same anymore, a lot of jurisdictions around the world are rethinking their mobility emissions programs. We’ve taken this moment to pause with a full commitment to re-birthing that project in the not too distant future.”

Originally, the second Ineos model was due to debut in 2026, sporting either a fully electric or, curiously, a range extender hybrid powertrain, and was to be built by contract manufacturer Magna, which previously assisted with the development of the Grenadier, in its Austrian factory.

It is said to be on an all-new platform for Ineos, using a skateboard-style skeleton underneath to support battery infrastructure for the EV version, although little detail was initially given on either powertrain.

On the topic of powertrains, Ineos Automotive founder Sir Jim Ratcliffe said “As we developed this vehicle, we quickly concluded that in order to move towards decarbonisation but continue making cars that consumers want to drive, we need a mix of powertrain technologies.”

2024 Ineos Fusilier

“BEVs are perfect for certain uses: shorter trips and urban deliveries, but industry and governments need to have realistic expectations around other technologies that can help accelerate the necessary pace of change. That is the reason we are offering an additional powertrain for the Fusilier, one that dramatically reduces emissions but has the range and refuelling capabilities needed.”

Shorter in length and lower in height, this second model still maintains the design cues of its larger sibling through the use of ‘chamfered’ edges and corners for maximum off-road visibility.

A very near production looking prototype was even shown in London in February of this year, prior to news of its delay.

However, it is likely Ineos will need to introduce the model before long, as tough new emissions laws bite, not just in Europe, but here in Australia.

2024 Ineos Fusilier

The new vehicle efficiency standard, which places increasingly strict C02 budgets on automaker fleets, is set to shake up the powertrain mix of both cars and heavier vehicles over the next few years.

The targets, while negotiated down for ladder frame vehicles like the Grenadier, place a heavy burden on niche brands like Ineos and Isuzu, which market just one or two models and are less able to pull from a global powertrain mix to bring down their emissions.

While Ineos uses a larger engine than most, a 3.0-litre turbo petrol or turbo diesel engine, the BMW-sourced units used in the Grenadier are already Euro 6 compliant, which brings them in-line with at least the first few stages of NVES legislation.

Hocevar says a “trajectory of development” will be followed towards next-generation Euro 7 regulations with BMW powertrains, which he noted would mean the introduction of mild hybrid powertrains before long.

2024 Ineos Fusilier

Beyond that, Ineos will need to build the lower-emissions Fusilier (and actually sell them) if it wants to avoid penalties. The Grenadier was also shown in 2023 with an experimental hydrogen fuel cell (FCEV) powertrain of which Hocevar said the company was confident could be scaled to production when the time and infrastructure is right.

Interestingly, in 2024 the company also showed off a V8 prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, which used a 6.2-lire GM-sourced engine in place of the standard BMW straight-six engines.

While it seems a good fit to fill the V8 void left by the discontinuation of the previous 70-Series LandCruiser (which has switched to a four-cylinder HiLux-sourced engine), Hocevar warned it might take quite some effort to bring it to market given the current environment.

“Yeah, it'd have to be something pretty next-level and special to warrant going there right now. But never say never. It certainly got a lot of people excited about the concept.” He told CarsGuide earlier this year.