Tough 4WD brand to team up with Chinese maker: Delayed Ineos range-extender off-roader to use Chery platform to speed up development: report

Ineos Automotive is reportedly in talks with Chery to set up a deal that’ll see it be able to use one of its platforms for its delayed Fusilier off-roader.

As reported by Autocar, the British multinational carmaker is eyeing a range-extender (REEV) platform from Chery’s iCar (aka. iCaur for export markets) off-road brand.

It’s expected Ineos will repurpose iCar’s upcoming V27 REEV.

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At 4.8m long and just under 2.0m tall, this off-roader is slightly larger than the original Fusilier concept, but still smaller than the existing Grenadier wagon.

The iCar V27 reportedly has a total system output of 335kW in dual-motor all-wheel form and comes with either a 22kWh or 33kWh battery pack, depending on the variant.

It uses a 1.5-litre turbocharged engine as a generator when its battery pack runs out of the charge.

The V27 can reportedly travel up to 200km on electric power alone, according to CLTC testing.

It’s unclear where Ineos will build the Fusilier if it’s based on the same platform as the iCar V27.

Chery iCar v27

It could repurpose its facility in Hambach, France, to assemble the Fusilier with iCar platforms sent over from China.

The car could also be built over in China, but if it is the case it would attract tariffs in Europe.

The original Ineos Fusilier was revealed back in early 2024 and was claimed to offer both electric and range-extender options.

2024 Ineos Grenadier Fusilier

Initially planned for a 2027 launch, Ineos pumped the brakes on development last year due to cooling demand for EVs and uncertainty around tariffs.

At this stage it has been radio silence on this front until now.

If Ineos does launch the Fusilier it will finally give it a crucial low-CO2 model that’ll see it comply with tightening emissions regulations in Europe and the UK.

2025 Ineos Quartermaster and Grenadier (Image: Tom White)

The company currently manages the regulations by selling some Grenadier models as commercial vehicles, allowing it to qualify as a low-volume manufacturer which has less strict emissions regulations.

In Australia, Ineos sells the Grenadier as a NB1 medium goods vehicle in Australia which allows it to be exempt from the recently implemented New Vehicle Emissions Standard (NVES).

It also allows it to be exempt from certain safety regulations for autonomous emergency braking and pole side impact performance.