Hello fellow Hiveans! Sorry for being so quiet this week, but we've been rather busy...
This is the new 2 Series Active Tourer from BMW, and it has been our first press vehicle for April, and it's coincided with a car event!
Each year, the SMMT (The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders) hold a test day for automotive journalists. Held each Spring at Millbrook Proving Ground, it's a day where we get to "Drive and learn more about a wide range of vehicles from most U.K. manufacturers and importers"
Now, the idea of heading anywhere has been a daunting task since Ben and I came down with the dreaded lurgy Covid, and although we are now both negative for infection, we are not yet fully well. This meant that on top of completing a full review for this BMW, we would have to travel a fair old distance (a good 230 miles one way) and attend a full day! Phew...even typing it seems like a lot.
So, we headed daaaaan saaaaf down South on Monday, as this would give us time to rest a bit before heading to Millbrook Proving Ground first thing on Tuesday. Normally, we would review around a half a dozen cars, and catch up with as many manufacturers as we could. This time? Nowhere near, lol 馃槒
Our first review was a scheduled one - rare for SMMT, as normally, it's a first come, first served scenario. This year held something new, as Working Vehicles were available to test drive for the first time. So we were scheduled to test drive a Unimog. (Now, you may be asking yourself what this is, and in short, it's a large, all terrain vehicle built by Mercedes Benz. It started out life as a tractor, until someone realised how versatile it was, and started using them as fire engines as well as ploughing fields)
We then had a go in a Renault e-TECH electric van, after which, we headed back to the main area held for cars, where we headed out to go and catch up with some of our favourite manufacturers - a great idea, but flippin' painful for me, as yes, you guessed it, I still don't have my voice back (sigh)
After lots of pointing and exaggerated mouthing of words, I managed to actually communicate with quite a few of them - yay.
By lunchtime, it was time to get together with our peers from the NGMW (Northern Group of Motoring Writers) and have the group photo taken.
It was supposed to happen at 10AM, but it's like herding cats with us lot, lol! Now this is just a few members, as not all of them attended this test day, what with it not being in the North!
By this time, both Ben and I were flagging rather badly, as even a small amount of exertion was still leaving us completely wiped out, so we ended up having to take a nap in the car!
At least it gave us enough energy to get back out there, and catch up with the rest. It also gave us the opportunity to treat ourselves a little bit...
As the test day is so big, many of the manufacturers bring goodies to give away and this year, we made a new friend - thanks, MG!
Some manufacturers provide sustenance too - noodle bars, coffee outlets, waffles - and our favourite this year - ice cream! As you can see, this was more than your standard '99...soooo delicious....
Sadly, neither Ben nor I felt safe enough to even try and test drive any more cars. Luckily for us, we can book some new models in...when I get my voice back, lol.
Thank you all, and enjoy!
Annabelle 馃槉
