I loved it! This was the second time I have driven a Grenadier and my first experience of the petrol variant.
The vehicle was a PTO2, (Production test build, iteration 2), Petrol N1 with 5 seats, leather, safari windows, compass, extended electrics, steel wheels and K02 tyres, so fairly close to final production but they were strict about no under bonnet shots and would not allow video of the dash while in motion. There were bings and bongs of error messages as the softwear is still not finalised, but I thought the dash and instruments were very promising and the build seemed excellent.
I took a friend who got to drive the Grenadier, which he enjoyed. He is not an off-roader, he used to work for Rover/BMW, so it was rather novel and I was interested to hear his feedback. He was greatly impressed by the build quality and by the power available, but he found the steering a little numb and had some issues with overdriving the vehicle in the ruts. The dash gives the steering angle, so you can see clearly when the wheel is off centre, (the marker on the wheel is also a clue!), so a regular off road driver is likely to give different feedback there.
Once we had got to the offroad site, the minder/driver pressed the off-road button and told us it turned off the seat belt warnings, the parking sensors and changed the dash to include the inclination displays, steering angles and the diff lock settings.
After adding a little but more mud onto the vehicle
Tow gear, but no idea of the standard electrics fitted.
I thought it drove beautifully. The test track was not particularly daunting, wet grass, soft mud and ruts, damaged concrete, but the vehicle was easy to control and modulate the power, (my friend did spin the wheels in places), it was comfortable and even sitting in the back, I was happy to stay a while, (this being the commercial variant, the rear seats are about 6cm closer to the fronts and slightly more upright) . I asked our driver/minder if he had done much road mileage in a Grenadier and he replied he had and found it both comfortable and relaxing. The on-road ride he considered to be well controlled and reassuring, even on the K02 tyres, (the road-biased tyres are quieter).
All in all, a good way to spend a morning. All I need now is a contract to sign!
