At the time of going to print last week, the stage was already set, all the logistics taken care of and invitations sent to the selected few of the potential first-in-line consumers of what is arguably the long-awaited motor vehicle in as far my memory as a motoring scribe can recall.
At the time and according to NMI Botswana, formerly Barloworld Motor Retail and the licensed or authenticated custodians of this all-new road resource, it was all systems go and all the launch preparations had gained full traction.
The official launch was to be segmented into a three-day experience with the first two dedicated to the right public and the last day reserved for the community of media personnel.
The media launch and driving experience was held at the Lion Park on Sunday, October 29. The Business Weekly & Review was officially invited, and duly represented. As expected, the launch had all the hallmarks of the saying that quality is never an accident; it is always the result of high intention, sincere effort, intelligent direction and skillful execution.
After a brief introduction, it was time to do what all under the professionally set gazebo, fully adorned with proper Ineos regalia had been itching for, the Grenadier driving experience. The task was taken in turns under the guardianship of Grenadier technical staff from South Africa who were to support a friendly and knowledgeable team consisting of Kamogelo Radipati, Kitso Motsage, Anthony Kappa, Clement Matswagothata and a team of men and women not only from NMI Botswana but a friendly frontline operators of Grenadier Botswana.
Our turn came and leading from the front was the reliable, friendly and Ineos Grenadier educated François. The man knew his stuff and made what could have taken even a seasoned motoring scribe a week and a half to explain all the technical makeovers of the car to his/her audience look like a whole 15-episode compressed into a single paragraph report.
The Grenadier’s combat readiness was put to the test along some twisty, bumpy and gravel roads within the park, including some parts of the river cutting across the iconic Lion Park, and the car proved beyond reasonable doubt that it indeed was here to demolish everything and anything claiming the off-road throne. It found some of the peaceful and quiet terrains in a friendly mode and left them heavily discoloured. The question now is, if this car can stick to gravel like glue to paper, how about on the tarmac?
When it was pronounced, just after midday, that the little big boy had just successfully passed a late fitness test and was ready to conquer the streets of the motherland by some of the media house present, it wasn’t fake news but authentic update coming straight from the horse’s mouth.
Now that the cat has been let out of the bag, it is now up to the public to bite and Das Motorist has been reliably informed by officials from 36 West Avenue, Gaborone International Commerce Park that order books are officially open and all wishing to book a test drive are invited to contact NMI Botswana at 3656000.
