The 4WD You WANT for Alpine Conditions

Driving from Melbourne to Buller (and back) this winter in an INEOS Grenadier vehicle had it all. The grunt to brave 4 lanes of city freeway, maneuverability to quickly change from lane to lane in an uncertain city, weave our way along country roads past very stunning scenery in complete comfort. Our phones could be charged very easily, our music was blasting and our butts kept super warm with heated seats as we wound our way up and down the treacherous and slippery one way mountain road in the mist.

This very premium, highly engineered vehicle really did bring together features you’d expect of a modern vehicle, including a key button to the left of the steering wheel with a traditional look and style that feels sleek and fancy.

For a 4 x 4, it drove really smoothly, I was surprised. Coming from a Landcruiser 79 series with lots of grunt and clunk and noise and brakes you have to push hard to the floor, this was certainly a luxurious upgrade with all the bells and whistles. I didn’t have my usual concerns driving a 4 by 4, it was waaay easier to drive than most.

It would have been fun coming up with ideas to elevate this vehicle to what it is now. A great engine, solid beam axels and super strong chassis. Growing up on the North Coast we drove an old jeep with a canvas canopy to the beach, it was a jarring, noisy experience. This thing (Grenadier) would be a dream to go around Australia in and very solid on snow underfoot. Grip of the Bridgestone All Terrain tyres had us feeling very comfortable in the precipitation slick on the asphalt and built up snow on Mt Buller’s incline areas.

The Grenadier is a natural in the mountains so it’s little wonder they’ve partnered with Search and Rescue Avalanche Dogs (SARDA) New Zealand to be used in all NZ’s major ski areas responding to emergency search and rescue operations. The vehicles are fitted with secure dog kennels to keep the dogs chilled and relaxed in between tasks. Alongside a WiFi communications hub.

Justin Hocevar, Head of Region, Asia Pacific INEOS Automotive says, “The Grenadier has undergone extensive testing in some of the world’s toughest environments, so it’s the ideal support vehicle for such challenging terrain. SARDA performs a vital role in exceptional circumstances, and we are very proud to be providing this support for its life saving operations this winter season, and beyond.” 

Karyn Robertson, National Coordinator of SARDA NZ, added: “Avalanche dogs have been used in NZ for more than 30 years but SARDA is just one year old. With 19 dog teams across NZ having access to the Grenadiers will make a huge difference to our rescue operations. In the event of an avalanche, the vehicle can deploy handlers and dogs quickly but safely to help sweep the area. With numerous unsealed roads and various terrains, robust 4X4 vehicles are the best and safest choice.”

Find out more about INEOS Grenadier here or call for a test drive today.