The WOW Chevrolet Drive Day

One of the most popular events on the calendar of any motoring enthusiast, the WOW/Chevrolet reader days have become exceptionally popular, with the event typically sold out within 24 hours.

The 2012 event was no different – and the WOW readers and members of the media expected an exhilarating day when they descended on the Radisson Blu Hotel in Granger Bay for breakfast. They were not disappointed.

The day commenced with breakfast and guests feasted on a wide selection of foods from cereals, milk and yoghurt to freshly baked bread rolls; a selection of muffins, croissants and Danish pastries (served with jam, butter, marmalade and honey) to crackers and savoury biscuits with orange, guava, granadilla, pineapple and mango juice or a freshly brewed house coffee and tea selection – all of this while overlooking the azure ocean.

Then it was time to depart for Franschhoek in a convoy of Chevrolet vehicles. Twenty-three vehicles were parked outside and in our groups of 3-4 we hopped into different cars and drove off to our first swop stop.

Considered a budget buy, the compact Spark is big on features and safety and still continues to set the tone for the brand.

Those who drove the Lumina Ute will tell you that this beaut is not your ordinary single cab ‘bakkie’. This do-anything, go-anywhere Chevy performs like a workhorse but handles like a racehorse.

When it comes to the interior, the popular Captiva did not disappoint. Its luxurious interior makes one feel dazzled and the bowtie brigade makes you want to give it a big hug.

Compact hatches generally appeal to the young and young-at-heart, and the Sonic hatch meets this mandate with seductive aplomb. At first glance one might think that this car is a three-door, but take a closer look and you’ll soon realise that it’s still a five-door. Now it’s more trendy, but just as sexy, with a diesel engine. The sophisticated version of this small-sized city car, the Sonic sedan, is slick and comes complete with a neat boot.

The guests drove to the Franschhoek Motor Museum, where they were afforded the opportunity to look back at more than 100 years of motoring history – vehicles, motorcycles, bicycles and memorabilia – in the magnificent setting of L’Ormarins. A guided tour of all the vehicles, including some magnificent Chevrolets, was provided.

Then it was off to Grande Provence to indulge in a three-course lunch. For starters, guests had a choice of either a Cajun spiced soft shell crab served with red pepper aioli and a soft-boiled yolk; risotto of Tom Yum Goong or an open tomato with olive and aubergine tartlet. The main course was mouth watering as the chef spoiled everyone with a choice of either a slow braised pork belly, apricot and apple crumble, spiced butternut; a bone marrow chicken ballotine, served with morel mushrooms and Japanese truffle or a ragout of fresh mushrooms with port soaked baby onions, truffle spume and beetroot. To finish the meal off, guests either had a chocolate self-saucing pudding served with peanut butter ice cream and salted caramel, chocolate cream or a pistachio pannacotta with raspberry and champagne sorbet for desert.

Finally, it was a case of hopping into the funky Chevrolets and heading back to the Radisson Blu for canapés and sun-downers, overlooking a private marina and the historic Robben Island in the distance.

Amidst all the fun of driving different cars and requesting songs from 2oceansvibe radio via Twitter, readers also got a chance to win great prizes, from Polaroid Eyewear valued at R599 each to one-night stay at Radisson Blu, including breakfast, valued at R4000. Thanks to Chevrolet, Radisson Blu hotel, 2oceansvibe radio, our official radio station for the day, Polaroid, Grande Provence and the Motor Museum.