Ineos Automotive introduces its first vehicle to the Korean market

Justin Hocevar, head of the Asia-Pacific region at Ineos Automotive, introduces the Grenadier SUV during a press conference Wednesday in central Seoul. [CHABOT MOTORS]

London-based Ineos Automotive is making its debut in Korea with its very first vehicle, the Grenadier SUV.

The British carmaker on Wednesday unveiled the Grenadier in Korea, the first Asian country to have the off-roader.

Ineos Automotive was founded in 2017 by Jim Ratcliffe, chairman of British multinational chemical company Ineos. Ratcliffe is known to be a big fan of the original Land Rover Defender, which is no longer in production.

With an outward appearance very similar to Land Rover's old Defender, the five-seater SUV is equipped with a BMW-sourced 3.0-liter turbocharged engine. It can generate a maximum of 249 horsepower and 56.1 kilogram-meters of torque.

It can haul up to 3.5 tons and carry 2,000 liters.

Both gasoline and diesel versions will be available, with the diesel one set to arrive in Korea this year.

Sales will begin in the second half.

“Clearly these people like expert equipment here [in Korea],” said Justin Hocevar, head of Asia-Pacific region at Ineos Automotive, during a press conference Wednesday in central Seoul. “We think we should find customers here that would gravitate to that expert approach and provide them with an opportunity to use the vehicle to plan great trips and explore Korea, and perhaps beyond.”

Hocevar did not specify the sales target, but revealed that global reservations surpassed 150,000, which, he said, is “a very strong number.”

Ineos Automotive will display the Grenadier at the Seoul Mobility Show, the largest auto event in Korea which is slated to kick off on March 31 at Kintex in Gyeonggi.

Ineos is also building a showroom in Seongsu District, eastern Seoul, which is scheduled to be complete in June.

Chabot Motors is the importer of the model.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]