The Smoking Tire Podcast: "We Almost Rolled the INEOS Wagon"
Release Date: Feb 3, 2026
Hosts: Matt Farah & Zack Klapman
Episode Overview
In this episode, Matt and Zack recount their eventful off-roading adventure in the 2026 INEOS Grenadier, discussing the vehicle’s quirks, capability, and design decisions—especially a harrowing moment that nearly ended in a rollover. The conversation spirals into broader car culture topics: modern SUV steering systems, the evolving enthusiast car market, automotive ergonomics, Tesla’s departure from car-making, and even an unexpected tangent on the National Mall possibly becoming a racing venue. The episode captures classic Smoking Tire banter—deep gearhead analysis mixed with candid, sometimes comedic, real-life anecdotes.
Key Discussion Points
1. INEOS Grenadier Review: Off-Road Adventure
Steering and Driving Dynamics
- Design Philosophy: The Grenadier is built to be a true off-roader, featuring old-school ladder-frame construction, solid axles, and recirculating ball steering.
- “Possibly the truckiest feeling SUV on the market today. It’s ladder frame. It’s body-on-frame, solid axles, old school.” – Matt [06:46]
- Steering System: Recirculating ball feels odd in modern context—heavy with substantial dead-zone, non-self-centering, feels almost comedic on the street but makes sense off-road.
- “The steering wheel is like almost a sports car sized steering wheel... two spokes at 9 and 3... kind of tough to tell which way is up...” – Matt [09:18]
- “If you make a 90-degree right turn, the wheel will...effectively stay there. It does not self-center.” – Matt [10:45]
Off-Road Capabilities & Near-Accident
- Trail Conditions: The “Rower” trail north of LA was eroded and as difficult as the hosts have ever encountered, with exposed rocks and deep ruts after recent rains.
- “This trail was as eroded...as I’ve ever seen it.” – Matt [11:30]
- “Some of the rocks...the rain revealed a lot more of them.” – Zack [11:50]
- The Almost-Rollover: Matt pushed the Grenadier to its limit, causing intense axle articulation and nearly tipping the car.
- “The front left tire is about 3ft in the air...had I fallen, I absolutely would have rolled the vehicle.” – Matt [17:14]
- “I ran around the car and probably did nothing, but my instinct was push on the other fender.” – Zack [18:28]
- Lack of Modern Off-Road Aids: No electronic sway bar disconnects make articulation more limited than in some rivals like Wrangler or Bronco.
- “This highlighted for me is the advantage of electronic sway bars...that makes a massive difference.” – Zack [19:17]
Interior & Ergonomics
- Controls & Layout: While analog controls and toggle switches provide a welcome change, the learning curve is steep—helped by a handy quick reference placard in the press car.
- “The off-road controls aren’t fully as intuitive as they maybe should be... but there is a nice quick handy reference guide card.” – Matt [22:41]
- Frustrating Tech: ADAS (advanced driver assistance systems) must be disabled through a lengthy multi-tap touchscreen process every startup; lane-keep assist is notably intrusive.
- “To turn off the fucking ADAS in this thing, you have to...that’s your best case scenario for every time you start the car.” – Matt [25:21]
- “The force of correction on the wheel was so abrupt...I thought you were avoiding something about to hit.” – Zack [26:10]
- Comfort Issues for Price: At ~$95k as tested, missing elements like lumbar support and a more adjustable back seat feel out of place.
- “I don’t mind manual seats, but we need lumbar support... for $95,000, 100 grand.” – Matt [31:54]
Build Quality & Road Manners
- Quality: Vehicle feels solid and free of rattles, with only the keychain making noise during rough terrain.
- “It felt really, really solid...the only wiggle sound in the entire car was the keychain.” – Zack [35:16]
- Powertrain: BMW inline-6 turbo engine and ZF transmission are modern and generally suit the vehicle, though low-range power application can be abrupt compared to electrified rivals like the Rivian or new electric G-Wagen.
- “BMW powertrain...for the most part fits the character of this thing very well.” – Matt [29:59]
Verdict on the Grenadier
- For Enthusiasts: Ideal if you want old Defender vibes and practicality; not for those seeking technological convenience or urban comfort.
- “Skip all of that (old overpriced Defenders). Just get one of these. If you think you want a Defender, I can almost guarantee you actually want this instead.” – Matt [38:01]
- Name Confusion: The product line naming scheme (Grenadier, Quartermaster, Trialmaster, Fieldmaster) is convoluted and mocked.
- “Trial Master...Quartermaster Trial Master...must have had Infinity’s people on the name. That’s just crazy.” – Matt [37:42]
2. Automotive Industry News & Other Cars
Tesla News & EVs
- Model S/X Discontinuation: Surprised by Tesla abruptly ending Model S/X production with no successor, indicating a pivot to autonomous/robotics instead of core car business.
- “They’re just canceling these cars...not replacing them with other cars... What are we doing?” – Matt [106:17]
- “They don’t really have any next-gen plans for Model Y or Model 3 either. I guess they don’t want to build cars anymore.” – Matt [106:54]
- Market Implications: Discussion on how automaker priorities are shifting, and the uncertain future for Tesla consumers.
- “Either it’s spectacularly successful and regular people are deeply fucked, or it goes spectacularly wrong and regular people get to laugh for five minutes before realizing... we’re all deeply fucked.” – Matt [109:06]
US Racing in D.C.
- IndyCar Race on the National Mall: Reports that politicians (specifically referencing “Herr Fuhrer”) want to host an IndyCar race in Washington D.C.
- “First they want to do UFC on the White House lawn, now...IndyCar race in Washington D.C. ...the Freedom 250 around the National Mall.” – Matt [44:50]
- Discussion of the absurdity, political climate, but conditional praise for the spectacle if well executed.
Car Market Trends & Collectibility
- Collector Car Realities: Depreciation patterns discussed—what holds vs. loses value and why (examples: STIs, Corvettes). Most enthusiast models settle at a “floor,” but true investment grade is rare.
- “They appear to be fun cars to drive...they’re just not investment grade cars, which is okay. It means buy, drive and enjoy.” – Matt [93:48]
- Affordability Crisis: The limited options for affordable enthusiast cars vs. proliferation of high-end exotics—a reversal of how it “should be.”
- “There should be 30 different options for the masses...instead, there’s five cars for everybody and 30 different choices if you can spend one to six million dollars.” – Matt [67:31]
3. Broader Car Culture and Listener Q&A
Mechanical & Daily-Driver Musings
- Denim “Science”: Banter over how often to wash jeans, the ‘freezer trick’ for odor control, and the oddity of “hard” no-stretch jeans. [03:15–04:18]
- Gas Stations, Road Trip Routines: Preferred chains (none in particular), and why Matt always preps with a “safety poop” before a long drive. [112:12]
- Rear-View Cameras vs. Mirrors: Modern mirrors/screens vs. old-school glass debate; Matt prefers clarity of real mirrors but concedes some digital advantages. [117:18]
Most Enthusiast-Nerd Magnet Cars
- Unexpected Magnets: Nissan Skylines attract endless male attention (“It’s just dudes... giving thumbs up and stuff.” – Zack [76:59]), DeLorean is more expected, NSX unexpectedly popular.
Oddball Moments & Quotes
- “Had I fallen (back into the rut), I absolutely would have rolled the vehicle... It was deep enough.” – Matt, on the Grenadier [17:14]
- “If you make a 90-degree right turn, the wheel will...effectively stay there. It does not self-center.” – Matt [10:45]
- “Speaking of which: ADAS. ...To turn off the fucking ADAS in this thing, you have to...that’s your best case scenario for every time you start the car.” – Matt [25:21]
- “I wish it was more convenient... If you forget and now you’re driving... now it goes to like 15 button taps while you’re driving, right? This is like crazy town.” – Matt [26:32]
- “If you think you want a Defender, I can almost guarantee you actually want this instead.” – Matt [38:01]
Notable Timestamps
INEOS Grenadier Test and Discussion:
- Introduction to Grenadier and off-road trail plans [04:54–06:18]
- Steering system (recirculating ball vs. rack & pinion) [07:16–10:47]
- Off-road conditions and articulation/near-rollover story [11:29–19:17]
- How simplification (or not) defines Grenadier ethos [19:57–21:59]
- Control ergonomics & quick reference placard praise [22:41–23:19]
- Frustrations with ADAS and interface [25:21–27:55]
- Build quality and interior quirks [31:54–35:37]
Car Culture and Industry News:
- Tesla Model S/X discontinuation and market musings [106:17–109:06]
- Discussing IndyCar race idea at National Mall [44:50–47:22]
Listener Q&A & Car Culture Chatter:
- Why old Subarus depreciate as they do [91:56–93:48]
- Best “snow car” for $35k (Crosstrek/Outback with snow tires) [102:19–103:19]
- Cars that are too easy to drive at the limit (GTR, Golf R, Miata) [103:46–104:26]
- Collectible cars with bad value-to-horsepower ratio (VW bus, veteran race cars) [119:15]
Memorable Moments
- The “Almost Rolled It” Photo: They share a photo of the Grenadier moments before it could have tumbled—a signature adventure and learning point on off-road limitations.
- Name-Game Riffs: Extended riffing on INEOS’s confusing product names and jokes about future models (Quartermaster Trial Master, Fieldmaster, Fusilier).
- Tesla/Cybertruck/Edsels Comparison: Matt likens Cybertruck sales to 1958 Edsel’s flop in context—evoking a deep industry burn.
Tone and Style
The podcast features a blend of detailed, technical analysis with irreverent, often explicit humor and candid, relatable storytelling. Matt and Zack don’t shy away from criticism—of products, industry figures, or sometimes even themselves—creating an atmosphere that’s both informative and unfiltered.
Summary for Listeners
If you missed this episode, you’ll be up to speed on:
- What sets the INEOS Grenadier apart (and its old-school quirks).
- The story (with photos) of how Matt almost rolled it during tough testing.
- Why analog simplicity is a double-edged sword in modern off-roaders.
- ADAS (lane-keep, etc.) is still mostly a mess, especially on "analog-aspiring" vehicles.
- Broader car trends: Tesla’s retreat, racing in D.C., collector car realities.
- Which cars attract the most “nerd” attention, and everyday car comfort hacks.
- Witty banter, gearhead rants, and detailed Q&A worth your drive time.
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