Ineos Fusilier promises character and capability
Aerodynamics and approachability were key areas for the design team when creating the new Ineos Automotive Fusilier
Ineos Automotive has revealed its new Fusilier SUV. Following the launch of its first model, the Grenadier in 2022 and the Quartermaster pick-up in 2023, the Fusilier is expected to go on sale in 2027.
It will be the company’s first electrified model and will be produced by Magna Steyr in Austria in the same plant as the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Smaller than the Grenadier, it will be based on a skateboard platform and will be available as both a fully electric model and as a range-extender electric, although more details on powertrains will only be revealed later in 2024.
The move to electric meant that group head of design, Toby Ecuyer had to look differently at aerodynamics compared to the Grenadier.
“We’ve got a different set of factors with the Fusilier,” he says. “It’s a lot more aerodynamic with more time spent with the aero guys getting as much range out of it as we can. But then there are still elements that we felt were important, like you can still see the door hinges that just sneak out, so it doesn’t feel like a robot. It’s a very similar approach to Grenadier, but with a slightly different brief.”
You can actually see how it goes together, there’s a kind of openness about it
It’s still utilitarian in its design, but Ecuyer and the team have created chamfered edges and corners to give it slightly softer styling, which of course assists with the aerodynamics. It still retains the same bold frontal look as the Grenadier with large seven-inch circular LED headlights and a high bonnet line, but it has more of an urban appeal about it.
“The approach was exactly the same as the Grenadier,” he says. “We had a good list of points that we wanted to respect. It still needed to be practical and still needed to be easily read and understood, which we think makes it look a little bit more approachable. One of the big bits of feedback on the Grenadier was that you can actually see how it goes together, there’s a kind of openness about it.”
Ineos hasn’t revealed images of the interior, but Ecuyer says it will follow a similar design to that of the Grenadier. That means reliance more on switches than touchscreens, the latter being something Sir Jim Ratcliffe, chairman of Ineos Group, is not a fan of, although there will still be one.
What will also be present is the overhead switch panel which adds an element of aviation interest.
“That’s part of it being fun and engaging to drive – and it’s not just for the driver, it’s for your co-driver too,” says Ecuyer. “It’s a similar approach on the interior as well.”
The Fusilier stands with an assured posture
Being a small and new team means it is easy to make changes and Sir Jim often sits in and provides his input.
“Getting the right people in the room at the right time makes you very agile as a designer,” says Ecuyer. “Then Sir Jim changes his mind and you have to do it again. That’s the whole point though, you can sit back and say I was convinced that was going to work, now I’m looking at it, I’m not so sure.”
There is definitely plenty of time for exterior and interior design elements to change, with the decision to include a range-extender powertrain meaning the launch has been put back from 2026 to 2027.
“Because we’ve stepped back a bit, thinking about this range extender, it will probably be early or mid ’27 by the time it’s out there on the road,” says Sir Jim. “You can see the design of the car, a lot of the internal engineering design is finished, but you’ve got this whole long process of homologation, which takes time.”
When it does make it to market, Ecuyer is confident that it will reflect the core values of Ineos Automotive, to be practical with no nonsense and deliver solid off-road performance.
“The Fusilier stands with an assured posture and meaningful attitude, aerodynamically tuned to maximise efficiency without compromising its purpose,” he says. “Softer lines, a curved, raked windscreen and underbody profiling, it is defiant of the homogenous norm, but stands approachable, adventurous and understood.”
That all sounds as though the new Fusilier will be as characterful as the Suzuki Jimny while being as capable as the famous Gelandewagen. If that’s the case, then it certainly could be quite fun.
