An INEOS Grenadier 4X4 test vehicle has been put to work underground at the K+S potash plant in Zielitz
The trial in Germany was part of an extended programme aiming to prove the vehicle’s durability and capabilities in such challenging and inhospitable environments as the salt-rich mine at Zielitz.
Around 45,000 tons of raw salt are mined every day in the facility, which reaches up to 1300m below the earth’s surface. The trials will put the vehicle’s underbody protection, which includes front and rear guards and a fuel tank guard as well as corrosion protection, complete electrocoating, wax sealing in the cavities and powder coating on the outside.
During development, the car has already undergone over 1.1 million miles of testing, including conditions of minus 35-degree Celsius and altitudes of over 2500 metres. Now, it is being tested in a real application environment to verify the development testing.
“Extreme testing conditions are not new to the Grenadier as we really put it through its paces during development, but it’s great to work with partners around the world to showcase its capabilities in such and extreme environment,” Lynn Calder, CEO, INEOS Automotive, concludes.
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