I notice there was no Brisbane drive day for last pre-Xmas run around. I'll throw a few comments and photos in.
All in all - I am looking forward to receiving my Grenadier! I added a few accessories after drive (bar, rear gate table for kids!!! etc).
In person, this vehicle looks better than the photos - it's actually a little less imposing than I thought it would be (size/width?) but I am so used to seeing/sitting in Y62/LC200/300/Prado etc, as a comparison. It is going to be an eye turner for the sheer fact that none many will have it and it looks like a better cross of a Def+GWagon - different, and in a good way.
This vehicle sits high, without a step (or rail) to get in, our wives might hate us!!! The test vehicle was 2050mm (?) which is fine, add a roof rack and many basements are out of the question (care!).
The internal cabin is general quite comfortable. Side Rear seats seem to have good leg room for a 177cm fella (will be tight with 3 - center rear has cramped leg space and minimal to NO foot room in front) and so will have to put feet into the side foot zone).
Driver's / Passenger's seat is very comfortable for sure, but as many know the RHD footrest is the elephant in the room (admitted or not) - simply too big, eats up all your leg space and raises the back of your leg from squab which creates a hip-pinch and a minor hip rotation that angles you off centre to the steering wheel... adjusting your seat might find a comfortable spot but I found only (1) seating position during the test drive that made the left leg comfortable, however, the position left me right foot having to stretch slightly to rest on the pedal properly as the pedal sits about 100mm forward of the LH footrest, which is odd and reeks of a Euro design error. This will be something for discussion when final versions are able to be reviewed!
Driver viewability is excellent all around really... can't complain at all. I had no issues with the visibility through driver's window, and the roof arch height over the top of door - plenty of viewing angle left from my seated position.
Arm Rests on doors are a bit high in my opinion as they create an odd elevation for your arm/shoulder, and this made it a hard stretch to steering wheel (im 177cm). It felt like this would be ok for a 6'+ person... more than likely.
Steering column tilt is ok, but reach is short... too short. Tech/Eng didnt know if the final was being changed. It needs to extend another 50mm in my opinion to bring it to a comfortable arm position. Again, for a person my size.
Cockpit look - love it. Looking forward to seeing the final build and how this area presents.
BMW shifter looks completely out of place and does not fit the theme of the interior at all - if they can do an AM on that I will 100% change it!!!
Up and down the rock track was simply eaten up by the Gren. No issues at all. Engine was very smooth as and quite as can be... little noise generated even under throttle pressure and a hill climb. Just a little stab of the throttle on the flat and response was there, seemed quick for a heavy piece of machinery too...
LR and HR was fine, easy to use shifter. Not much more to say on that.
Steering felt a little slow on the turn, but the test agent did say it was being adjusted slightly in final build? - very smooth though and doesn't suffer much if any negative feedback.
One thing I noticed most was very little body roll even in the ruts. This car sits seemingly flat over rock / in rut to 200mm (by eye).
So, all in all the vehicle was excellent in my view, and I am looking forward to this hitting the real market and my own one landing! Some photos from the day of the Gren, with a colour swatch also for all paint options. I got as many angles as I could for the colours.
All in all - I am looking forward to receiving my Grenadier! I added a few accessories after drive (bar, rear gate table for kids!!! etc).
In person, this vehicle looks better than the photos - it's actually a little less imposing than I thought it would be (size/width?) but I am so used to seeing/sitting in Y62/LC200/300/Prado etc, as a comparison. It is going to be an eye turner for the sheer fact that none many will have it and it looks like a better cross of a Def+GWagon - different, and in a good way.
This vehicle sits high, without a step (or rail) to get in, our wives might hate us!!! The test vehicle was 2050mm (?) which is fine, add a roof rack and many basements are out of the question (care!).
The internal cabin is general quite comfortable. Side Rear seats seem to have good leg room for a 177cm fella (will be tight with 3 - center rear has cramped leg space and minimal to NO foot room in front) and so will have to put feet into the side foot zone).
Driver's / Passenger's seat is very comfortable for sure, but as many know the RHD footrest is the elephant in the room (admitted or not) - simply too big, eats up all your leg space and raises the back of your leg from squab which creates a hip-pinch and a minor hip rotation that angles you off centre to the steering wheel... adjusting your seat might find a comfortable spot but I found only (1) seating position during the test drive that made the left leg comfortable, however, the position left me right foot having to stretch slightly to rest on the pedal properly as the pedal sits about 100mm forward of the LH footrest, which is odd and reeks of a Euro design error. This will be something for discussion when final versions are able to be reviewed!
Driver viewability is excellent all around really... can't complain at all. I had no issues with the visibility through driver's window, and the roof arch height over the top of door - plenty of viewing angle left from my seated position.
Arm Rests on doors are a bit high in my opinion as they create an odd elevation for your arm/shoulder, and this made it a hard stretch to steering wheel (im 177cm). It felt like this would be ok for a 6'+ person... more than likely.
Steering column tilt is ok, but reach is short... too short. Tech/Eng didnt know if the final was being changed. It needs to extend another 50mm in my opinion to bring it to a comfortable arm position. Again, for a person my size.
Cockpit look - love it. Looking forward to seeing the final build and how this area presents.
BMW shifter looks completely out of place and does not fit the theme of the interior at all - if they can do an AM on that I will 100% change it!!!
Up and down the rock track was simply eaten up by the Gren. No issues at all. Engine was very smooth as and quite as can be... little noise generated even under throttle pressure and a hill climb. Just a little stab of the throttle on the flat and response was there, seemed quick for a heavy piece of machinery too...
LR and HR was fine, easy to use shifter. Not much more to say on that.
Steering felt a little slow on the turn, but the test agent did say it was being adjusted slightly in final build? - very smooth though and doesn't suffer much if any negative feedback.
One thing I noticed most was very little body roll even in the ruts. This car sits seemingly flat over rock / in rut to 200mm (by eye).
So, all in all the vehicle was excellent in my view, and I am looking forward to this hitting the real market and my own one landing! Some photos from the day of the Gren, with a colour swatch also for all paint options. I got as many angles as I could for the colours.
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