Quartermaster VS The Ice

Ivalo, Finland

Test bed

Lapland. Known for the Northern Lights, for reindeer, and for endless pine forests. Icy, snowy terrain. Sub-zero temperatures. Perfect for putting our new Quartermaster double-cab pick-up through its paces. How would its extended wheelbase, longer chassis and different cabin cope with the extreme conditions? Our team of engineers spent 14 days finding out during full vehicle testing.

ON-ROAD ON TEST

First, we had to reach this proving ground. All the way from Graz, in Austria to Ivalo, Finland. The perfect opportunity to assess how our off-road-focussed pick-up performed on-road. Passenger comfort. Steering. Road noise. Tested, evaluated and optimised.

COLD START

Snowfall. Low temperatures. Strong winds. As if these weren’t extreme enough, we subjected the Quartermaster to -35 degrees Celsius temperatures using over-night climate chambers. Come morning. Started up, no problems. Everything checked. Every moving part, still moving. Every function, still working. And a great test of the cabin’s heating and climate control.

DRIFT ICE

How would the Quartermaster handle, compared to the Station Wagon? We tested tweaks to the electronic stability control system. Scrutinised how the longer wheelbase affected handling in the toughest conditions. The Quartermaster passed with flying colours. Delivering grip, traction and control. Even letting us have some drifting fun, despite its size.

FROM SNOW TO GRAZ

Three prototypes – two petrol, one diesel. Each driven hard for 1,000km across the snow and ice. High expectations met. Room for improvements noted. To inform final adjustments made back in Austria. Readying the Quartermaster for customers around the world.

The verdict: passed with flying colours. Watch the film to see the action.

120 - 600m

Altitude

4,500 km

Per vehicle

14

Days of Testing

-35°C

Sub-zero

Quartermaster VS The Ice

TEST FOCUS

Customer Functions Tests

Acoustic evaluation

Thermal Comfort Measuring

Build your Grenadier

A testing programme built on purpose

Grenadier VS The Task Ahead

Grenadier VS The Desert

Grenadier VS The Heat

Grenadier VS The Mountains

Grenadier VS The Arctic

When you need the Grenadier to work, it works. That’s because we test it beyond industry standards and everyday demands.

Starting in February 2021, our testing and development program took us to 15 countries around the world on the toughest terrains and in the worst of weathers. With our team of engineers analyzing and recalibrating every part and function of the vehicle. And now we’re ready to share it.

We’ll be taking you inside our program with insights from the engineers as they put 130 vehicles through 1.1 million miles of testing and development. We’ll be bringing you regular episodes in five distinct locations and environments: Sweden, Austria, Granada, Kosovo and Morocco.

Grenadier VS The Rockies To The Pacific

USA

Touchdown

Europe. Australia. South Africa. Our 2B prototypes certainly racked up the miles. And our Versus series also followed them through Sweden, Austria, Morocco, Spain, and Kosovo. Now we're adding to the series with 4,000 miles of testing in the epic landscapes of North America. And with good reason. We know the demands facing an off-roader in the US. So we put our efforts into specific testing to make sure the Grenadier can tackle every one of them head on.

New Kid On The Block

Early prototypes were stripped back, raw, functional. They proved our choice of full box-sectioned ladder frame and beam axles. Helped fine tune the performance of the engines and permanent four-wheel drive system. And explored how all these components work together.

With orders opening in North America soon, we’re doing final proving of the latest phase of our prototypes, called Production Try Outs (PTO). A new generation of Grenadiers that showcases what we’ve learned and implemented over the last five years. As we ramp up to building customer vehicles, the vast, unforgiving terrain of the Rockies is where we applied these finishing touches.

Ain't No Mountain High Enough

Our early prototypes tested the powertrain’s capability in the high altitude of the Sierra Nevada, in Spain. These new PTOs tackled extensive runs in climate chambers. But no simulation can beat real world trials. So we hit Colorado roads at serious altitude. Dusty, shale trails. Long, winding climbs. Extended plateaus and prolonged descents. Plus fast-changing weather. The sudden downpours on Mount Evans worked demisters and heaters hard. They kept occupants warm and windows mist-free for a clear view ahead.

In the snow, at heights above 14,000 feet, the thin air left the crew breathless. But the Grenadier sailed on regardless, with air intake capabilities and engine performance remaining reliably consistent. So, the vehicle did too.

See for yourself.

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Grenadier VS The Task Ahead

Kosovo

TACKLING HUMANITARIAN TASKS.

The minefields of Kosovo. Tough terrain where our official development partners, The HALO Trust, do a difficult and dangerous job. Their mission is clearing the landmines and other unexploded ordnance left behind by conflict and war. We couldn't pass up the chance to join them. So that’s where we headed for Episode 5 in our ‘Versus’ series. Taking along a Grenadier prototype to discover exactly what HALO demands from its fleet. And if there were any tweaks we could feedback to our engineering team to benefit both HALO, and future drivers like you.

FROM WAR TO HOPE

At the end of the conflict in Kosovo in 1999, huge numbers of unexploded landmines and cluster bombs were left across wide-ranging terrain, including in many remote, inaccessible places. Places HALO continue to clear. HALO started working in Kosovo immediately after the fighting stopped, clearing over 3.8mi² of minefields so far. It was great to get a Grenadier prototype involved.

Another 14,763 feet of rocky, muddy and loose limestone ascents under the belt.

GETTING TO WORK

On joining their program, our Grenadier prototype spent three days ferrying crew and equipment over 124mi in the mountainous border country between Albania and Kosovo. A great test of our rugged 4X4’s capability in all weathers. And over everything from rocks and dry, loose shale tracks to wet, muddy, rutted off-road terrain. Demining this vast area requires lots of gear and vehicles with a large cargo capacity. The 4.1 foot-wide 30/70 rear doors helped speed up loading and unloading equipment. While the practicality of over 35.3 cubic feet of stowage space behind the second row of seats more than proved its worth.

ESSENTIAL IN EMERGENCIES

For The HALO Trust fleet, durability, capability and reliability can mean the difference between life and death. When called upon, HALO’s vehicles need to double as ambulances. That’s where the Grenadier’s smooth, coil-sprung ride, low-range box, and power and torque could help. Getting casualties to the medical care they need as comfortably, quickly and safely as possible. Our prototype proved its ability to make the transition from rutted rural tracks to road-cruising effortlessly.

MINIMAL MAINTENANCE

HALO has projects all over the world. This can mean limited access to servicing and maintenance. So, their vehicles need to be not only tough but also simple to work on. Feedback from Kosovo backed up our decision for minimal ECUs and using mechanical, analog design wherever possible. This ensures both rugged reliability but also familiarity for technicians servicing the vehicle in the workshop. With our comprehensive, step-by-step Workshop Manual and easily accessible components, HALO can depend on local mechanics, with no prior Grenadier knowledge or experience, to maintain their fleet for optimal operational efficiency.

It’s straightforward. Minimizing downtime keeps the Grenadier moving and working.

A GOOD FIT

Taking full advantage of our trip to Kosovo, this final test of our 2B vehicle reinforced our understanding of the needs of a true humanitarian organization. The HALO Trust demands safe, reliable, capable vehicles and can only exist with the support of purposeful 4X4s. Exactly what the Grenadier is engineered to be. Day in, day out.

Initial vehicle testing complete. Now onto the next phase of Prototype development.

Field Trials: Testing the Grenadier’s capabilities on an active HALO program
Terrain: Rock, rutted mud and loose shale 124mi off-road
Altitude: Up to 4,593ft Climb total 14,763ft
Weather: All seasons in one day

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Grenadier VS The Desert

Sahara Desert, Morocco

TAKING ON THE SAHARA.

The Sahara Desert in Morocco. Location of Episode 4 in our ‘Grenadier VS’ series. With scorching heat, rock, dust, and deep sand, it felt like the perfect place to continue testing our rugged 4X4. This time, focusing on how the Grenadier’s powertrain and suspension setup perform in this extreme environment.

TRACTION

Electronic Traction Control (ETC) monitors wheel slip. And selectively applies brakes to regain traction. But traditionally, ETC doesn’t cope well on sand. Overcompensating and cutting power to wheels it thinks are slipping. So we did as we always do in every testing location: drive, calibrate, repeat. Until the Grenadier’s ETC learned the constantly shifting characteristic of dunes – diff-locks engaged or not. Allowing sufficient wheel slip to maintain momentum keeping the Grenadier on top of the sand.

GRIP

We tested two tires. Our standard Bridgestone All-Terrain. And the more aggressive BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2. Testing both gave us more insight into all powertrain systems and how different tread patterns dealt with dune driving. The BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO2 proved its off-road prowess. And the bespoke Bridgestone was equally impressive in varied conditions.

TOUGH TERRAIN

Tackling both soft, rolling sand dunes and hard, rocky ground put both ends of the suspension spectrum to the test. The vehicle proved it can adjust effortlessly. Supple on rocky terrain then progressively firmer on deepening sand to reduce body roll and weight transfer. The result? A comfortable ride with less digging into the dunes. And a much safer handling experience.

GOING UP

Climbing dunes takes commitment, speed, and a square on approach. No room for hesitancy. As the vehicle hits the incline, the front suspension compresses. That’s where the Grenadier’s 35.5° approach angle and tuned springs came into their own. Proving time and again that drivers can take on the toughest dunes with confidence. Grenadier design and engineering working in harmony.

COMING DOWN

With Downhill Assist engaged the Grenadier does the work. Automatically applying the brakes to maintain the drivers selected speed. Combined with the correct gear it keeps the driver off the brake pedal, in control and focused on the ground ahead.

Sand, sand

and more sand

2,624 ft

Altitude

1,677 miles

off-road

9

days tested

Grenadier VS The Desert

TEST CONDITIONS

Powertrain and suspension setup

Build your Grenadier

Grenadier VS The Heat

Granada, Spain | July 19, 2021

NOT YOUR AVERAGE ROAD TRIP.

Three weeks in the heat, dust and high altitude of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Three test vehicles clocking up a total of 7,021 miles on and off-road. Temperatures up to 105.8°F and heights of 8,202 ft above sea level. They’re the latest tough testing challenges our Grenadier prototypes faced as we continued putting them through their paces.

VS ALTITUDE

Lack of oxygen causes naturally aspirated engines to typically lose 1% power per 328 ft of elevation. To prove our BMW engines’ ability to maintain power, we tackled the thin air found at 8,202 ft. The turbochargers help reduce power loss by supplying compressed air to the combustion chamber. And we constantly monitored the air-fuel ratio to ensure a stable output. Also, at these heights, engines tend to rev higher to maintain power. This can make the transmission shift up gears quicker. Not always welcome in the mountains! We calibrated the powertrain through iterative testing to ensure the 8-speed automatic transmission, from industry leaders ZF, always selects the correct gear. Enabling the engine to sit in the ideal rev range to deliver the right torque and power at the right time, no matter what.

VS HEAT

Temperatures up to 105.8°F allowed us to assess the complete powertrain, from fuel system to transmission durability, at high heat. This combination of heat and low air pressure can make gasoline turn into vapor, which interrupts the fuel supply. Our testing showed the Grenadiers suffered no fuel pressure issues and never stalled. We also closely monitored transmission temperature and shifting quality with the team further validating the cooling systems. Thanks to installing extra thermal protection the Grenadier’s performance remained unaffected, even in these extremes.

VS DUST

Dust can cause major performance issues when it gets into air intakes or clogs filters. The Grenadier’s air intake is positioned to combat this. Reducing the dust sucked into the filter, maintaining airflow and with it, power. No one wants dust in the cabin either. Preserving positive interior pressure helps keep it to a minimum, but full-width doors or tailgates are often a weak link. The design of the Grenadier’s 30/70 split rear doors proved to cut down excess lateral movement. The result? A serious sealing surface and minimal dust ingress.

VS DISCOMFORT

These conditions can be grueling for passengers too. During this testing our Recaro seats proved their worth, providing excellent support and comfort while the simple, minimal central control system and overhead control panel helps our light and spacious cabin remain a pleasant place to be.

105.8°F

6,835 miles+

8,202 ft

altitude

Grenadier VS The Heat

TEST CONDITIONS

Overall engineering and performance

Powertrain Calibration

Build your Grenadier

Grenadier VS The Mountains

Schöckl, Austria | April 06, 2021

THE STEEPER THE BETTER.

Austria’s Schöckl Mountain is one of the world’s toughest 4X4 proving grounds, its rocky terrain a rigorous test of a vehicle’s robustness. The perfect place then to continue the testing of the Grenadier’s body, frame and overall durability.

CHASSIS & BODY CONSTRUCTION

As part of our durability testing, we drove the Grenadier up and down the mountain as fast as the trails would allow over varied conditions for nearly 6,214 miles. The chassis and frame – the main focus of the test – remained at 100%. That’s because the Grenadier’s chassis is a ladder frame design. More rigid and robust than semi box-section chassis that can bend or deform, it can tolerate much higher levels of stress. KTL dipped and powder-coated, the chassis is also protected from stone chips and corrosion. While the galvanised steel body offers structural integrity.

AXLES & SUSPENSION

The solid beam axles, developed in partnership with Carraro – with their 50 years' experience of making heavy duty axles for the likes of John Deere and Claas – are a crucial part of what makes the Grenadier so capable. Strong, robust and straightforward, when one side of the axle goes up in the air, the opposite side pushes down into the ground for better grip. The axles and suspension were put through thousands of miles over uneven rock at the Schöckl, proving their solid build, ability to withstand constantly varying forces, and successfully supporting a fully laden 7,716 lbs Grenadier.

CAPABILITY

Alongside durability we also tested the vehicle’s off-road capability. Engine, transmission, permanent four-wheel drive and ground clearance all worked together to get us up and down the tough mountain trails. The Grenadier’s 35.5° approach angle and 10.4” ground clearance proved effective when climbing gradients of up to 31°. While the 3.0L BMW diesel and gasoline engines, producing 245 and 281 horsepower and 406 and 332 lb-ft of torque respectively, were essential to firing us up the mountain. The 8-speed automatic ZF transmission (with manual override) meant we could focus on driving and steering the vehicle along the tricky trails, and let the vehicle focus on the shifting.

31°

MAX GRADIENT

4,740 FT

altitude

1,242 MILES

ENDURANCE PER VEHICLE

GRENADIER VS THE MOUNTAINS

TEST FOCUS

BODY & FRAME STRUCTURE

OVERALL ENGINEERING AND PERFORMANCE

Grenadier VS The Arctic

Arjeplog, Sweden | February 22, 2021

Going Arctic.

Located in the northernmost province of Sweden, Arjeplog is known for its subarctic climate, with record lows of -47.2°F. A tiny, remote place that boasts more lakes and reindeer than people, it’s a well-known proving ground to test winter off-road capabilities. Our engineers spent 3 weeks here testing and fine tuning the powertrain, transmission and Electronic Stability Control (ESC). As well as the day-to-day functions of the vehicle.

COLD WEATHER

With temperatures dipping down to -7.6°F, we calibrated and fine tuned the powertrain of the Grenadier to start with cold fuel and oil, and to run exactly as designed despite the conditions. Electronics of the vehicle were also tested — such as the digital screens, power windows, wipers, and defrosters. Not to mention the doors and rubber seals, which in an arctic climate tend to freeze shut. Overall, the Grenadier performed as designed, straight from a freezing cold start.

STABILITY CONTROL

We tested the Grenadier on all possible winter terrain, and calibrated the ESC accordingly, allowing it to detect a loss of traction and react immediately, preventing the tires from slipping. In winter conditions, a smart, fine-tuned ESC can be the difference between taking a corner, or ending up in a snowbank.

TIRES & TRACTION

In the winter, you’re going to need traction more than any other season. So we developed, tested and refined the Bridgestone All-Terrain Tires made bespoke for the Grenadier. The tire’s Three-Peak Mountain Snowflake certification meant they proved capable under the demanding winter conditions.

UPHILL & DOWNHILL

Getting up and down hills in snowy conditions can be a challenge. We tested and fine tuned the uphill and downhill assistance systems to be that extra helping hand. Snow, sleet or slush, these systems provide the driver with confidence and control.