Hadag travelled all the way to the beautiful country of South Africa to experience the new INEOS Quartermaster out in the wild.
Year after year, Hadag scours the market to find the very best motorcars available to the public. We spend time with these quality vehicles, inspecting every inch and putting them through their paces so we can report our findings to our loyal readers. However, every once in a while, we get to have an entirely new experience.
Recently, thanks to the team at Adamas Motors, Hadag went on an adventure of a lifetime to the resplendent Republic of South Africa to take part in a unique 4×4 experience in the outstanding INEOS Quartermaster.
CAPE TOWN, WESTERN CAPE
As we approached Cape Town International Airport for landing, we were already taken by the beauty of the country. Greeted by the sites of Table Mountain, Lion’s Head and Devil’s Peak, along with all the greenery and beautiful beaches one could hope for, we knew we were arriving in a version of paradise.
Picked up and chauffeured to our accommodation, The Radisson Red Hotel, at the world-famous V&A Waterfront, we had a quick team gathering in the lobby before heading out to a fabulous welcome dinner at Granary Café in The Silo Hotel. Soon after, we headed to bed to get a full night’s sleep in preparation for our long day ahead.
GQEBERHA, EASTERN CAPE
The following morning, we were up early and on the road again to Cape Town International Airport. This time our destination was to be the city of Gqeberha in the Eastern Cape Province. Formerly known as Port Elizabeth, this busy coastal hub, known locally as ‘the windy city’, was to be the launch point from which we made our way to Quartermaster Basecamp.
After touching down at Chief Dawid Stuurman International Airport, we were welcomed by the INEOS team who allocated each pair a vehicle and conducted a short vehicle briefing.
RUGGED EXTERIOR
The moment our INEOS Quartermaster vehicle came into view, we knew we were in for a real treat.
You get 4×4 vehicles, then you get truly rugged, ready for anything, drive you up the side of a mountain while towing another vehicle 4x4s. The Quartermaster is certainly the latter.
As rugged as 4x4s get, the exterior of our five-seater Quartermaster double cab pick-up immediately revealed its offroad intentions with its galvanised steel body, full box-sectioned ladder frame, front and rear skid plates, towing eyes at the front and rear, along with roof rails and roof protection strips.
The overall design was dictated by the purpose of the vehicle, with no superficial styling, just a clear, simple and straightforward beast.
As we made our way around the pick-up, it was clear that this 4×4 not only means business out on the trails but also when transporting bulky items. Some members of the team were fully equipped for kayaking, and their sporting equipment was safely and effortlessly stored and carried by the appointed vehicle.
“From inclines to declines, from dry to wet, from sand to rock, it made little difference to this devourer of trails”
Along with the ability to transport five adults comfortably, the Quartermaster also has a payload of up to 835kgs, can carry a standard 1,200mm x 800mm Euro pallet with ease and boasts a 3,500kg-towing capacity. The designers have also included four tie-down rings in the loadspace to ensure cargo is always secure, as well as a 1,280mm wide tailgate for ease of loading. This tailgate itself can hold up to 225kg when open. An integrated mounting bar has also been fitted.
The more we inspected the exterior, the more obvious it became that this vehicle was created to withstand any terrain while showcasing a design that is easy on the eye.
PRACTICAL INTERIOR
Soon we were slipping inside the vehicle, ready to head out into the wilderness towards the remote base camp, some 200 kilometres away. We were greeted by a no-frills interior designed with a dedicated purpose in mind, to provide what is necessary to be able to drive anywhere, in any weather, at any time.
INEOS Automotive has gone back to basics to create a functional, intuitive and comfortable interior environment. The controls have been kept analogue and mechanical wherever possible, and we appreciated the clearly labelled and well-spaced buttons and chunky dials.
The standard seating upholstery was a combination of hard-wearing, tough cloth and vinyl that is stain-, dirt- and water-resistant and very easy to clean.
We also discovered that one of the vehicles in our convoy featured Safari windows that are situated above the driver and co-driver ensuring optimal views of the terrain and road ahead. It was explained that these innovative windows allow plenty of natural light and fresh air into the cabin and can also be safely removed and stored in a dedicated storage bag.
As we set off, taking turns to drive to the base camp, we agreed that all controls were optimally placed and found the car to be very responsive. It wasn’t long before we developed a high level of on-road confidence as the kilometres rolled effortlessly by.
BAVIAANSKLOOF
As we made our way along the 200km trail bounded by two mountain ranges, the Baviaanskloof Mountains on the north and the Kouga mountains on the southern side, we were able to take in the stunning views on offer. This area is a protected reserve in South Africa, as it is home to a remarkable 58 mammal species. These include 46 medium- and large-sized mammals such as the reintroduced zebra, black rhinoceros, red hartebeest, buffalo and eland, which coexist with indigenous species like the bush pig, klipspringer, grysbok, grey rhebok, bushbuck, mountain reedbuck and duiker.
The area’s varying elevations – from low-lying valley slopes to high grassy plateaus – provide habitats for diverse species, from kudu and bushbuck in the bushy valleys to the eland and red hartebeest in the mountainous fynbos regions. Predators like the caracal and leopard are also spotted at times, with leopard sightings being a rare but increasing occurrence.
We felt truly blessed to have the opportunity to experience such a magnificent and diverse area of flora and fauna and would have loved to have made a hundred little stops along the way.
QUARTERMASTER BASE CAMP
Once we arrived at base camp, we were allocated luxury tents and generously gifted INEOS branded jackets and beanies to help us stay warm during the southern hemisphere’s chilly winter nights.
On our first evening, we attended a delicious arrival dinner cooked over an open fire, referred to by the locals as a ‘braai’.
During this hearty meal, we were welcomed to the adventure by our gracious and friendly host, Tim Abbott, Head of Sales & Marketing for the SSA and MENA regions, who ensured we felt most welcome.
With full bellies and plenty of excitement for the next day, we headed to bed, taking in the calls of the wild as we drifted off to sleep.
A MULTITUDE OF MODERN TECH
The following morning, we enjoyed a quick warm breakfast complete with coffee and received our briefing for the day ahead.
Next was an orientation, during which it was explained to us how best to operate the vehicle when out on more rugged terrain. Aspects of the exterior and interior were highlighted, as well as the off-road capabilities. It was at this point that we spent more time taking in the model’s impressive tech.
In the new Quartermaster, all driving data is located in one place, on the Central Control System (CCS). Here we could access information on speed, gear and fuel levels, tyre pressure, maps, media, phonebook, current bearing, coordinates, steering angle, vehicle altitude and much more.
All of this is displayed on a user-friendly 12.3- inch touchscreen that has been specifically designed for INEOS Automotive. The CCS screen can be operated using either the buttons on the multifunction steering wheel, the rotary controller located on the centre console, the menu buttons on the central control interface and, of course, through the touchscreen itself.
We were most impressed by the ergonomically designed overhead control panel. Inspired by the layout of controls in aircraft cockpits, this houses all off-road switchgear and functions such as the Off-Road and Wading Modes, the (when optioned) axle differential lock buttons, Downhill Assist, as well as both standard and optional pre-wired auxiliary switches. This can be used for options or accessories such as winches or light bars.
Additionally, this rugged off-roader is equipped with an extensive range of standard safety features that include Lane Departure Warning, Automatic Hazard Warning, Intelligent Speed Assistance, Uphill Assist, Downhill Assist, Automatic Emergency Braking, Driver Drowsiness Detection, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and multiple airbags throughout, to name but a few.
THE BEST 4X4
After the briefing and inspection, we bundled into our vehicles and set off to Fang’s Lookout, yet another spectacular viewpoint from which to take in the wonderous landscape we found ourselves in. Our favourite part of the day and perhaps the entire trip was the opportunity to take the Quartermaster out on a 4×4 driving experience. Under supervision, we took the reins of this marvellous beast and set off on a challenging trail chosen to demonstrate the off-road capabilities of our ride.
Our Quartermaster housed a BMW 3.0-litre, straight-six engine coupled with an eight-speed ZF automatic transmission. This drivetrain produces 210kW of power and 450Nm of torque and has been designed and thoroughly tested for durability. As we made our way through the 4×4 trail, we were surprised at how effortlessly our vehicle managed any terrain put in front of it. From inclines to declines, from dry to wet, from sand to rock, it made little difference to this devourer of trails.
The chassis of this permanent 4×4 drive combines a five-link front and rear suspension layout, complemented by powerful Brembo brakes and an accurate recirculating ball steering system. The inclusion of Off-Road and Wading Modes and Pathfinder OffRoad Navigation means the vehicle is always prepared for challenging terrain and houses the best off-road GPS available.
Despite it being our first time on these tough 4×4 trails, the excellent performance capabilities of our Quartermaster soon instilled us with a sense of confidence and we can honestly say that we loved every minute of this exceptional 4×4 adventure.
ALL GOOD THINGS COME TO AN END
The following day it was with heavy hearts that we packed up and readied ourselves for the return journey.
After another delicious bush breakfast, we headed back along the road to Chief David Stuurman International Airport to begin our long flight back home, taking in the majestic surroundings one last time.
We want to take this opportunity to thank Adamas Motors for making this one-of-a-kind adventure possible, as well as the entire team at INEOS Grenadier Quartermaster First Drive for all of the unforgettable experiences and memories.
Please visit adamasmotors.com for further information.
@adamasmotors