The INEOS Grenadier Ghaf Edition was revealed to selected VIP guests and media at the historic Al-Maqta’a Museum, which was built in Abu Dhabi in 1953 and has extensive Emirati cultural significance.

For generations, the tough Ghaf tree has thrived in the extremes of the region’s deserts, surviving in conditions few species can withstand, and living for more than a century. Long before it became the UAE’s national tree, its thick leaves provided cool shade, sheltering Bedouin tribes from the desert heat, as well as being a source of nutrition and natural medicines. Now, generations later, it remains a symbol of tolerance, coexistence, peace and endurance. 

At the heart of the INEOS Ghaf Edition lies the proven, go-anywhere DNA of the INEOS Grenadier. Purpose-built for resilience and adventure, the Grenadier shares many of the qualities that have allowed the Ghaf to thrive some of the UAE’s harshest conditions. The special edition brings these two stories together, pairing the toughness of the Grenadier with one of the country’s most enduring natural symbols.

The first inspiration for the INEOS Ghaf Edition came from Al Maqta’a Museum in Abu Dhabi, where a historic Ghaf tree motif became the starting point for the project. The same motif also appears on a rifle associated with Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed the First. 

Through that inspiration, a chance meeting with Emirati entrepreneur Hanadi Al Fahim added another dimension to the project. Al Fahim is the author of The Little Ghaf Tree and a passionate advocate for nature who spearheaded a successful campaign to protect the endangered Ghaf, contributing to efforts that eventually saw it get declared as the National Tree of the UAE. 

AGMC then collaborated with Fawaz Khalid, founder of FWZ Designs, on the creation of this unique edition. The Abu Dhabi-based designer, who has a strong passion for innovation and storytelling, took inspiration from the extraordinary survival abilities of the Ghaf, creating a direct connection between its ability to withstand the UAE’s harshest elements and the durability of the Grenadier. 

Commenting on the Ghaf Edition, Dr Andreas Schaaf, Director of Albatha Automotive Group, said: “We were honoured to work on such an exciting project that celebrates the resilience and strength of the UAE. The Ghaf Tree has survived the harshest desert conditions for generations, while the INEOS Grenadier was purpose-built for rugged endurance and adventure. Bringing the two together has created a special edition that celebrates the durable characteristics of the Grenadier while telling a story that is unmistakably rooted in the UAE.”

The Ghaf Edition features unique design elements specific to this vehicle, including selected exterior trim protected by Gurcoat. Engineered with high tensile strength, Gurcoat helps protect body panels against deep rock chips and heavy debris, while providing exceptional resistance to abrasion and UV exposure with a unique finish.

The aesthetic is full of character, but never at the expense of function. The Ghaf story finds its place on a vehicle designed to venture into the kind of demanding environments in which the tree itself has survived for generations. The result is a Grenadier that remains absolutely true to its functional roots while carrying a story unique to the UAE. 

The philosophy behind the project lies in the fusion of the Ghaf’s remarkable resilience, the rugged engineering of the Grenadier and the advanced protective capabilities of Gurcoat. This fusion gives the Ghaf Edition its unique character, built around endurance, toughness and the ability to take on extreme conditions. 

Crucially, the Ghaf Edition is more than a design exercise. It brings together Emirati heritage, local creative talent and the Grenadier’s legendary abilities in a project that celebrates the strength of the UAE.