Engineered to endure: BFGoodrich gives Grenadier an all-terrain upgrade

Blending old-school toughness with cutting-edge tech, the Grenadier is built for BFG’s rugged new KO3. But are they the ultimate off-road combo? We went on a Dakar-inspired challenge, to find out.

Location? That would be the scenic but punishing tracks of Château de Lastours, France — a favourite test bed of previous Paris-Dakar and WRC champions. Car? None other than INEOS’ indomitable, go-anywhere Grenadier. Tyre? It has to be one of the most extreme all-terrain offerings on the market: the new BFGoodrich KO3. 

That’s right, we’re at the launch of BFG’s latest and greatest off-road rubber, and we’ve come to answer two questions. One: Can the new KO3 move the game on from its segment-leading predecessor? And, two: is it a match for the Defender’s spiritual successor when the going gets seriously tough? Let’s take to the grueling 80km of serrated shale, coarse dust, and sidewall-smashing boulders, to see if the KO3 is still the all-terrain king.

First impressions

Standing at the driver’s briefing bathed in a soft early morning glow, it becomes immediately apparent we won’t be ambling down some farm track that wouldn’t trouble a front-wheel drive hatchback. Crammed with proper off-terminology and technical best practices, our instructor’s lecture is designed to ensure these £60,000+ machines don’t end the day belly up at the bottom of a ravine — but also strikes a little fear into the off-road novices within the group.

Jumping up and into our long-wheelbase Quartermaster spec Grenadier, we quickly soak in the hugging Recaro buckets and plush but utilitarian feel. From the rows of overhead switches to the physical handbrake and low range lever — the latter requires a hefty shove to engage — the Grenadier’s mix of digital and analogue controls are exactly what you’d want from a machine of this billing. 

Kicking things off in 4-wheel drive high mode with all the diff locks disengaged, our convoy meanders its way along some fairly benign dusty tracks as we acclimatise to the car and tyres. First thoughts are of how effortlessly the Grenadier’s silky smooth B58 3.0-litre turbocharged BMW engine and 8-speed ZF gearbox, whisk us along. Moreover, though the tracks aren’t yet arduous, the way the tyre and multi-link suspension dampen any sharp knocks from the uneven train is impressive. 

Off-road mode engaged 

Soon, we’re making the Grenadier/KO3 pairing work a little harder. As the path sharply steepens and the terrain becomes increasingly rutted, we’re instructed to start engaging the car’s off-road weapons. First, the digital assists are called upon. Hitting the chunky off-road mode button modifies the traction control to allow for more wheelspin when required, as well as switching off any on-road sensors (like the park distance control) which could distract during off-road use. 

Then the diff locks are activated (front and rear) to ensure power doesn’t go to the path of least resistance when one or even two wheels aren’t touching the ground. Finally, we engage the low range box with a satisfying metallic thunk, to complete the off-road preparations. 

And the result? Our vast 2.7-tonne machine easily hauls itself up rock faces you couldn’t climb on foot. In fact, the BFG’s new 3D sipes and serrated shoulder design find so much traction, the Grenadier rarely even spins a tyre. “So easy it feels like cheating, right?” jokes our instructor, and he’s not wrong — nothing seems to faze this car and tyre pairing.  

To make things extra challenging, we take momentum out of the equation and stop dead at the steepest point of a particularly extreme gradient. To our amazement, the Grenadier pulls away like it’s on a flat piece of tarmac, with no hint of any scrabbling for grip. Equally, coming back down the other side, and with hill descent control engaged, the Ineos smoothly manipulates the brakes for a graceful, 3-mph descent. It’s small wonder this car and tyre pairing is a firm favourite of professional off-roaders and the military — they’ll get you places other 4x4s couldn’t dream of. 

Dakar time 

With the most treacherous trails now in our rear-view mirror, we get a chance to find out how that turbocharged straight six — as found in BMW’s M340i and Toyota’s Supra — feels when you open it up.

Back in 4-high and planting the throttle, the nose lifts and we shoot forward with surprising urgency. Despite the hefty kerb weight, the Grenadier’s 281bhp and optimised torque make it much spritelier than any classic Defender. Equally, the separate coils and dampers continue to iron out the washboard surface as the speeds climb. Meanwhile, the KO3’s CoreGard Technology shrugs off the onslaught and stops any puncture or tears from derailing the fun. Whether you’re rock crawling or trail bashing at high speed, BFG’s Baja experience has culminated in a seriously tough tyre.

Conclusion 

Firstly, and most importantly, we can confidently say: yes, the new K03 does move the all-terrain game on significantly. Building upon its predecessor’s already impressive off-road skill set, during our extensive testing there was no challenge too great for BFGoodrich’s new all-terrain rubber. 

Equally striking, though, was the KO3’s indestructible feel and durability. Over five days of punishment with a range of drivers, abilities, speeds, and on some of the most ruthless surfaces imaginable for a tyre, our convoy of six test cars didn’t suffer a single puncture. If that’s not testament to BFG’s toughness claims, we don’t know what is. 

Finally, we asked if KO3’s blend of tradition and technology is a match for the mighty Ineos Grenadier? In a word: yes. Taking all the strengths of the Grenadier’s original rubber (the KO2) and adding an extra helping of traction, versatility, and durability, we can’t think of another all-terrain offering which better suits the Ineos off-roader. 

But how do the pair perform on the road? Keep your eyes peeled for our epic 1000-mile road trip feature, coming soon.

Hero image credit:  Blackcircles.com