That was me!
It ended up being a good day, when the sun came out and dried everywhere. Early on, it was very wet and muddy with cars getting stuck all over the place. Grenadier didn’t notice the conditions and just drove straight through.
Car got a lot of attention, with people wanting to have a look and ask about it. The most interesting visitor was a guy who came over as soon as we parked up. He was one of the original INEOS designers and he came over as he hadn’t seen a production version on the road, and wanted to have a look. He explained a few things and why they had chosen the options they did:
1. Split rear doors were used to allow the euro pallet to be loaded. They couldn’t make it work with a single door and still be strong enough.
2. Jim R originally wanted the car to be narrower, but they couldn’t achieve this due to the size of the engine and gearbox.
3. The chassis was the strongest he had ever seen. It has been designed to allow the whole weight of the car being pulled from any one of the four recovery points, from a bogged field, without any impact to the chassis.
4. The “V” incorporated into the front grill is a message to the Government! It was originally supposed to be an “A” from the middle letter of Grenadier, as per other branding. However, because of the many issues they identified with trying to build the car in South Wales, and zero help from Government to get them sorted, he changed the ’A” to a “V”. Apparently he likes to think each Grenadier now has a special message to the Government - F**k Off. May be that story is common knowledge, but it was new to me.
Sadly I didn’t realise Gearmate were at Badminton. I didn’t spend too much time in the shopping area because, I hate shopping and it was so muddy underfoot in that area.
I can report that the front bumper makes an excellent shelf/table for a picnic!
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Finally, just a comment on the software and related issues.
1. I have zero vibrations in any gear or rpm.
2. My spurious software warnings appear to have settled down. I now switch the ignition on, leave the car for 30 seconds, then start it. So far, after 300 miles with this procedure, the messages have gone. (I realise it could be coincidence)
3. I don’t think my internal temperature sensor is working , as putting the Climate Control to auto results in freezing cold air blasting through, irrespective of how high you turn the dial up. My theory is the sensor is sending back false readings and so the car is trying to cool everything down. My workaround is to put the temperature dial to neutral (12.00 o clock) and leave it for a few minutes, then make small changes (one click) up or down, and it seemed to control the temperature without the wild fluctuations I had on Saturday.
Still enjoying it. 23 mpg (UK) on Saturday on mostly motorway. 27 mpg yesterday on A and B roads
