Monday Sep 23
An early start to do some photographs before I drop back my Peugeot 2008 test car and fly out to Munich in order to attend the international launch of the Citroen C4 Grand Picasso that kicks off on Tuesday. The afternoon flight is a welcome change and unusually there's no hectic itinerary for the first night, so I spend a relaxing evening having dinner with some colleagues and Citroen's marketing manager. Also sampled what the Kepinski Munich call the 'Dessert of the Year'.
Tuesday Sep 24
The benefit of Munich being such a hub for car launches means that our press cars happen to be just a 50-metre walk from the hotel - handy! Initial thoughts on the Grand C4 Picasso are that of an impressive car, certainly based on looks. The 300 or so kilometre drive will help decide how good it is to pilot.
Wednesday Sep 25
Another early start this morning as we head back towards Munich via Salzburg, but our first port of call is a drive up to the Eagle's Nest, which overlooks our hotel - and was once the holiday home of a certain infamous German leader. The long motorway haul back to the airport gives me a chance to test out the Citroen's 'lounge seats'. A quick flight back to Dublin and I set off to collect the SsangYong Korando that I'm testing this week courtesy of colleague Bob Flavin, which also gives me an opportunity to check out the new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Estate that he's driving. Pick up my very orange SsangYong and get home long with just enough time to dump my suitcase and grab a very quick snack before heading into the recording studio for the 52nd Engine Room Show.
Thursday Sep 26
Spent much of the morning finally getting through a deluge of various work-related emails before dividing my time up across a few different projects that are on-going. A quick trip into town for a coffee break included my weekly stroll into Easons. Picked up the new copy of BMW Car, which had its cover dedicated to a piece I wrote on the BMW M4 (which CompleteCar.ie took a passenger ride in last week). A truly exciting car, it looks like it'll remain a proper driver's car too. Phew!
Friday Sep 27
Spent a good bit of time this morning behind the wheel of the SsangYong Korando that I've had on test this week. I won't say too much about it until the full review goes live, but it reminds me a lot of where Kia were a few years ago. In my travels, I stopped by the family home, as my dad always likes to see what I'm testing, and in doing so spotted their neighbour's very cool old Saab. Another brand I wish had been saved.