Ineos Quartermaster Is Nearly Unstoppable With Portal Axles

The Ineos Quartermaster is a brand-new off-road pickup truck with striking retro-inspired appeal, but unlike many “soft-roaders,” it’s got the bite to back up its considerable bark. The chemical conglomerate-owned automaker recently invited journalists to Iceland, where it had a fleet of Quartermaster pickup prototypes equipped with LeTech portal axles, and the consensus is that the vehicle feels nearly unstoppable with the upgrades installed.

Portal axles increase ground clearance and off-road performance by removing traditional drive shafts and other bits that protrude downward. That moves the axles much higher, helping to eliminate low-hanging components that are easily damaged.

Although the LeTech portal axles will likely add thousands to the Quartermaster’s already-stout price tag, the upgrade will probably be worth it to many buyers. Paired with the truck’s full-time four-wheel drive and electronic-locking center differential, the axles give the truck incredible ground clearance and aggressive approach/departure angles. That said, they do alter the steering behavior, making it considerably more annoying to drive on the road.

While the portal axle setup isn’t quite ready for prime time, the Quartermaster remains one of very few old-school, dedicated off-road pickups on sale. The body-on-frame truck has a host of off-road-ready features, and its BMW-sourced powertrain performs well. Most feel that the often-demanded manual transmission isn’t needed here, either, as the eight-speed automatic feels responsive and refined.

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