Here, all of the dynamics systems stay as they were: the ABS, the stability and traction control, hill descent control, the works. The wheel speed sensors read from the right cog, and everything stays hunky-dory as per factory specification.
The suspension, for 90% of owners who need more ground clearance, can stay the same too, though it doesn’t have to. Ineos already fits seven different kinds of spring and damper depending on engine variant, body variant, or even if the car is specced with an on-board winch, and how the customer wants to use the vehicle.
A similar deal applies now. If you want to pootle around town thinking you look hard, you could leave well alone. If you’re the German off-road fire and rescue service and you plan to cross moorland with several hundred litres of water and specialist lifting, cutting and rescue kit in the back, you’ll be wanting something beefier.
You can spec KW shocks with adjustable compression and rebound, coil springs that have air springs within them, and dampers that even have external oil coolers.
But “the standard suspension is really not bad”, says Hans-Peter Pessler, Ineos Automotive’s chief operating officer. “For 90% of people, standard is fine. But you can really use these in heavy-duty conditions.”
Whatever you do, the increase in off-road performance is marked. “We have a really nice capability and ramp angle,” says Lennartz. “It’s all about ground clearance.”
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