Special Vehicle Launch (the hard way home)

[Arkaig]

So what is everbodys guess where the "First Owners Trophy" will start?

I could imagine:

1.) Carpathians
2.) Pyrenees
3.) Northern Macedonia

Well it's not Ireland as they don't accept the 1968 IDP.

My guess: North Cape, Nordkapp.

 

[bemax]

I am sure there will be an element of vetting on how photogenic candidates are during the September suitability sessions.

in any case it’s good to see they want real owners and not celebrity buyers who had never heard of a an IG before their agent rang them.

I honestly wonder what the vehicles on the suitability days will be. Late prototype IG’s or will prospective candidates turn up to find they are driving Toyota Hilux or Landcruisers.

I do not think that the answer could be anything else than Grenadiers. Probably the last prototypes. They want some PR videos and pictures and interviews and no PR desaster. Don’t you agree?

 

[Cheshire cat]

Signed up myself a few days ago. Didn't think I was that early with my order. Vehicle's original build was estimated as December. Not sure when it will be now.

 

[Shaky]

I do not think that the answer could be anything else than Grenadiers. Probably the last prototypes. They want some PR videos and pictures and interviews and no PR desaster. Don’t you agree?

Common sense and business acumen would dictate that the vehicles will be IG’s for sure. I am sure they have enough to run several assessment drives simultaneously.

Its a certain fact if I get to that stage it will be well over 25yrs since any of my driving has been formally assessed.

 

[Jeremy996]

The only place I have had a IDP looked at was the USA. I remember being ever so grateful I got one as my first instinct was not to bother.

 

[amglounge]

I am worried a little bit. My built slot is September and I never received anything from Ineos but the video with my configuration.
In the meantime I couldn’t register to the new forum because email provider t-online doesn’t deliver confirmation mails from Ineos. I had to try 3 different email addresses before I received the mail and could log in to the forum again.
My dealer offered to ask Ineos, so I sent him the order number… no reply.
May be I was forgotten. So sad.

 

[bemax]

I am worried a little bit. My built slot is September and I never received anything from Ineos but the video with my configuration.
In the meantime I couldn’t register to the new forum because email provider t-online doesn’t deliver confirmation mails from Ineos. I had to try 3 different email addresses before I received the mail and could log in to the forum again.
My dealer offered to ask Ineos, so I sent him the order number… no reply.
May be I was forgotten. So sad.

Maybe you should try to call the Ineos Hotline or write an email to the customer service to see if everything is still ok.

 

[ECrider]

Dealer should be a bit more proactive, hope they become so. I have always had a good experience with the 'on-line chat' option which pops up on the right hand section of the Ineos website. Always had a fast reaction/phone call.

 

[emax]

So what is everbodys guess where the "First Owners Trophy" will start?

I could imagine:

1.) Carpathians
2.) Pyrenees
3.) Northern Macedonia

Scottish Highlands?

In Great Britain you have the Greenlaning organization and the tracks you'd need for a long distance off road tour.

 

[emax]

> Dealer should be a bit more proactive

Why should they? It looks very much like an Ineos event, and even worse (from a dealership point of view) they take away the dealership delivery. Though only for three customers, but they can be customers of any dealership.

 

[rovie]

> Dealer should be a bit more proactive

Why should they? It looks very much like an Ineos event, and even worse (from a dealership point of view) they take away the dealership delivery. Though only for three customers, but they can be customers of any dealership.

Emax, do you join the club of YouTuber too?

 

[emax]

?

What do you mean?

 

[rovie]

?

What do you mean?

Did you also register to pick up your Grenadier in the middle of nowhere?

 

[DCPU]

Maybe you should try to call the Ineos Hotline or write an email to the customer service to see if everything is still ok.

Yes this at the very least.

Did you want to make any changes to your spec?

 

[DCPU]

Scottish Highlands?

In Great Britain you have the Greenlaning organization and the tracks you'd need for a long distance off road tour.

I don't think we really have the rights of way in the UK to run such an event; and running any event, never mind one labelled "extreme" on public routes would be a PR disaster.

Plenty of private estate land though, and I think Sir Jim owns a fair few acres there, so easy to run it behind closed doors.

I suppose all the good routes across Iceland will be closed by the time this is to be run?

 

[emax]

Did you also register to pick up your Grenadier in the middle of nowhere?

Not yet. Depends on the order number my latest edits will be applied to. There are still some uncertainties that will hopefully be resolved soon.

I will tell a bit more once that the drama is through.

 

[bemax]

Did anybody understand if the three „winners“ will get the first cars? Or will the event be while others will pick up their cars from the dealers?

 

[DCPU]

I'd imagined that for maximum exposure, these would be the very first customer cars delivered...

 

[Shaky]

I'd imagined that for maximum exposure, these would be the very first customer cars delivered...

This brings into play another factor I would suggest. If they are to be some of the very first models off the line, it may preclude some people from being chosen.

For example Mr Smith is an ideal candidate but IA can’t get the colour he wants done in time or he ordered a winch that is currebtly out of stock etc etc.

 

[stickshifter]

Not all that many places in Europe.. Slovenia is one of them though that might fit the bill.

I saw quite a few two-door (J70) Land Cruisers in Slovenia in towns near the Julian Alps. We hiked up some challenging 4x4 roads to get to trailheads, and occasionally saw a lifted 4x4 making the trip. Our rental car would not have fared well. But Slovenia is getting crowded, maybe go somewhere else