Monday Oct 7
An early start this morning to catch a flight to Amsterdam for the BMW i3 launch - that of the actual production model you can go out and buy next month. This is a car we (and the rest of the world) have been waiting a long time for so I am really looking forward to the trip - will it be just another electric car or will BMW engineering nous make it different? You can read my full review here.
As I am one of the first journalists in the world to drive the full production car I also have a lot of clients to provide copy for so after driving it is time to interrogate the BMW executives about specific markets. Information gleaned it is time to start laying out the six reviews that I've to do on the car, which means a late night...
Tuesday Oct 8
More i3 driving and time for some photos. Like all manufacturers BMW supplies a host of great on-location pictures shot by their team of photographers, but some clients require bespoke pictures in locations not already used so it is a case of liaising with the team, finding a so far unused spot and letting them at it. Another client wants me to shoot some images myself, so while the pro is fiddling with the settings on his camera I fire off a round of pics.
Photography has taken a little longer than it should have so a mad dash to the airport is called for, which allows me to test out the i3's motorway manners. Safely aboard my flight home it is time to get down to work and get the i3 review done for CompleteCar.ie.
Arrive into Dublin Airport and pick up the BMW Z4 sDrive18i from Shane for a test, a change considering what I have spent two days driving. Despite the temperature dropping to single digits it is still time to get the roof down - it would be rude not to really.
Once thawed out it is time to start transferring of a whole bunch of images and writing review for Auto Express - another late night.
Wednesday Oct 9
More client work and time to catch up with my day-to-day duties on CompleteCar.ie. Just because I am busy does not mean the world of motoring stops! The embargo for the BMW i3 story lifts at 11:01pm and it gets a lot of attention on the site.
Thursday Oct 10
A short break from the computer as Shane and I travel to Mondello Park for the Citroen Podium event, which basically involves us being scared sh1tless by Citroen rally driver Keith Cronin as he makes his DS3 R3 dance through a purpose built gravel stage.
After a quick change of underwear it is onto the Mondello Park track for some time in the range proper, including the DS3 Racing and Cabrio models, DS4 and C5. The chassis of the DS4 impresses - I never noticed it was this good on the road - but (unsurprisingly) the DS3 Racing is the most fun.
Back to the office and - you guessed it - more work on i3 reviews.
Friday Oct 11
Last of the i3 client reviews due to be wrapped up today. Well I say last, but it will likely feature in too, but that is not going to print for a while so it can wait. In between I will catch up with the news, drink copious amounts of coffee and maybe even grab some much-needed sleep.