INEOS Confirms Production of the Grenadier Game Viewer, Bringing a Purpose-Built Safari 4×4 to Market in 2026

INEOS Automotive has announced that production of the Grenadier Game Viewer — a dedicated safari-spec variant of its rugged 4×4 — will begin in early 2026. Developed and built by INEOS Kavango in Botswana, the Game Viewer transforms the Grenadier platform into a fully configurable, professionally engineered vehicle tailored for safari operators, conservation work and luxury lodges across Africa and beyond.

First shown as a prototype at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Travel Indaba and We Are Africa, the concept captured widespread interest from game reserves and outdoor operators in Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as ranches and estates in the US, Middle East and Southeast Asia. With demand now formalised, INEOS Kavango will produce the Game Viewer in volume for clients seeking a durable, factory-backed alternative to improvised conversions.

A Factory-Engineered Safari Vehicle with Full Warranty Support

Long- and extra-long-wheelbase Grenadiers will arrive at INEOS Kavango’s Maun facility in a partial-build state — minus paint, glazing, roof skin, tailgates, interior trim, and non-essential electrics — ready for bespoke conversion. The Game Viewer retains the original ladder-frame chassis with no structural modifications, preserving the Grenadier’s core strength and durability. Depending on configuration, the vehicle can accommodate between four and nine rear passengers in tiered seating layouts optimised for wildlife viewing.

In a significant industry first, the Game Viewer is fully supported under a manufacturer-backed warranty, provided approved procedures and components are used. Operators may choose to maintain the vehicles themselves without voiding coverage, and INEOS Kavango will provide training, tooling, spares and preferential service plans through local Grenadier workshops. Full component traceability ensures every part meets INEOS’s quality standards — a major advantage for safari operations where vehicle reliability is essential.

A Botswana-Born Program with Deep Regional Roots

The Game Viewer traces its origins to 2022, when Kavango Engineering — a respected southern African conversion specialist — built a safari-ready prototype from a pre-production Grenadier. Modifications were minimal: raised suspension, a lightweight canvas roof replacing the Station Wagon’s steel top, a foldable windscreen and the classic multi-tiered seating arrangement. The success of this prototype, combined with strong regional demand, prompted INEOS Automotive to acquire the business in 2023 and relaunch it as INEOS Kavango.

Today, the Maun facility spans 5,000m² and employs a 70-person team capable of completing around 200 ground-up conversions annually. Situated at the gateway to the Okavango Delta, the operation supports safari, anti-poaching, veterinary, healthcare and film-production fleets, and works closely with Botswana’s government to ensure sustainable growth in the years ahead.

INEOS Automotive CEO Lynn Calder highlighted the significance of the new model: “This is the Grenadier coming full circle.” The original inspiration for the Grenadier — conceived by Sir Jim Ratcliffe nearly a decade ago on safari in Botswana — now returns to its birthplace as a dedicated production vehicle designed for exactly that environment.

Proof of Concept: Early Units Enter Service at Hiddn Lodge

Ahead of full production, four Grenadier-based Game Viewer vehicles will enter service at Hiddn Lodge, an ultra-luxury retreat near Gqeberha in South Africa’s Eastern Cape. Although built before the official start of the model line, these vehicles function as fully serviceable conversions and served as real-world validation as INEOS Kavango refined its processes for the 2026 rollout.

For Tailored Driver readers, the Game Viewer project represents the evolution of the Grenadier story — from a safari-inspired idea to a global 4×4, and now to a purpose-built vehicle returning to its roots with factory engineering, bespoke configurability and the reliability required for demanding terrain. It is not just another conversion; it is a specialised tool shaped by the environment that inspired the entire brand.