The rise of old-school new 4WDs

What's old is new again. Sure, it's a well-worn saying, but it's used often for a reason … because it contains at least some truth.

We're seeing it now in the rise of new 4WDs that have been engineered to contemporary standards but are steeped in traditional off-roading spirit – I call them old-school new 4WDs.

A real 4WD with a full ladder-frame chassis and rigid axles front and rear has always been much loved and admired by many and those in the know, but now, in the midst of a seemingly overwhelming onslaught of sophisticated high-tech driver-assist aids and terrain-targeting modes, these new traditional-style 4WDs are having a definite – and defining – moment.

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The British-made Ineos Grenadier and its ute stablemate, the Quartermaster, are spearheading this new wave of old-school-style 4WDs, but they're joining an already established and esteemed line-up of purpose-built 4WDs that have already built huge fanbases around the world.

I'm talking about off-roaders like the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon, Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, Land Rover Defender, Suzuki Jimny, and even the Mercedes-Benz G-Class (aka G-Wagen).

So, what is it about retro-style 4WDs that we're so enamoured with? And are they as good as they're hyped up to be?

Grab yourself a glass of Happy Water and read on.

There’s been plenty of hype about the Grenadier.

Old-school new 4WDs appeal to our sense of nostalgia

The Ineos Grenadier is a not-so-subtle nod and a wink to the Land Rover Defender – in fact, for some it's a too-close-for-comfort homage. But there's also obvious styling nods to the likes of the Mercedes-Benz G-Wagen, the Land Rover Discovery, and even with a tip of the hat to Suzuki Jimny and Mitsubishi Pajero.

There's been plenty of hype about the Grenadier but it follows in the footsteps (tyre treads) of those vehicles mentioned above that each appeals to the masses so very much due to equal parts nostalgia, practicality and simple down-and-dirty efficacy.

The Ineos Grenadier is a not-so-subtle nod and a wink to the Land Rover Defender.

The boxy Brit off-roader certainly looks retro cool, but underneath that chunky appearance is plenty of substance, after all this traditional-looking 4WD has a ladder frame chassis, live axles front and rear, permanent four-wheel drive, and front, centre and rear locking differentials.

So, real-world 4WD capability, not Insta-melodramatics – but more about that soon.

The Grenadier shares the upright squared-off look of the Toyota LandCruiser 70 Series, Land Rover Defender, and Suzuki Jimny, but it's exactly that simple straight-forward appeal to our sense of yesteryear that draws us in, whether we're gazing through rose-coloured glasses at past times or not.

The British-made Ineos Grenadier and its ute stablemate, the Quartermaster, are spearheading this new wave of old-school-style 4WDs.

Old-school new 4WDs offer the illusion of simplicity giving us a sense, a feeling, of the good ol' days when these off-roaders are mostly just as complicated and well-equipped – yes, even the 70 Series now – as any other contemporary vehicle.

Old-school new 4WDs are just effective

But beyond the hype and the retro looks, do these old-school new 4WDs offer anything substantial? Well, of course they do.

Underneath the Ineos Grenadier's chunky appearance is plenty of substance, after all this boxy traditional-looking 4WD has a ladder-frame chassis, live axles front and rear, permanent four-wheel drive, and front, centre and rear locking differentials.

This Defender substitute is powered by either a 3.0-litre BMW-sourced straight-six petrol (210kW/450Nm) or diesel (185kW/550Nm) engine, paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission.

Beyond the hype and the retro looks, do these old-school new 4WDs offer anything substantial?

The Quartermaster will be similarly off-road-capable and will be powered by a 3.0L straight-six turbo-petrol or a 3.0L straight-six twin-turbo diesel, teamed with an eight-speed ZF auto.

So, 4WD capability seems to have been baked into both of these Ineos models so they have definite potential as work trucks, hardcore off-road touring vehicles and/or recreational towing platforms.

You do however pay for the privilege.

it’s exactly that simple straight-forward appeal to our sense of yesteryear that draws us in, whether we’re gazing through rose-coloured glasses at past times or not.

The entry-level Grenadiers – the two-seat Utility wagon and the five-seat Station wagon – cost from $109,000 and $110,000 respectively (excluding on-roads).

The high-spec Trialmaster (trial NOT trail) and Fieldmaster cost $109,525 (excluding on-roads).

The entry-level Grenadier ute, the Quartermaster, is tipped to cost $110,000 (excluding on-road costs), while the Quartermaster Trialmaster edition (off-road grade) and a luxury Fieldmaster edition are expected to cost from $122,000 (excluding on-roads) and $123,000 (excluding on-roads) respectively.

The Quartermaster will be similarly off-road-capable and will be powered by a 3.0L straight-six turbo-petrol or a 3.0L straight-six twin-turbo diesel.

But it's the same story with already established traditional-style 4WDs – you pay to play with the 70 Series, the G-Wagen, and even the Jimny (three doors or five) for vehicles that don't offer much beyond their off-road efficacy. They may be boxy and have few concessions to comfort inside, but they're so damn popular because they're so damn effective and reliable off-road and they're also a hell of a lot of fun to drive in the dirt or on the sand.

What I reckon

There's nothing wrong with looking back to go forward. Afterall we learn from our past mistakes and do things better next time.

That's a large part of the reason why this new generation of old-school new 4WDs, such as the Ineos Grenadier, has captured the imagination of the 4WDing public. It and those like it are fine examples of how blending new technology and styling with the best of proven 4WD mechanicals and principles can be supremely effective.

Borrow the best from the past, look to the future, but always keep the spirit. And get good and dirty while you're doing it.

There’s nothing wrong with looking back to go forward.