The RX-8

MOTORING
The perfect travel
companion
Portable
Navigation
nuvi 350
£549
The Nuvi 350 carries full
European mapping while the 300
is UK only. Aside from this, and
the text-to-speech facility on the
350, both units are very similar.
Text-to-speech allows full road
names to be announced so, rather
than the usual, "Turn left", you
will hear, "Turn left on to the
B1365". The downside is that the
voice is rather 'robotic' and can be
difficult to understand to some
people.
Packed into its diminutive
dimensions (3.87" W x 2.91" H x
0.87" D, 5.1 ounces) it is a
portable GPS navigator, Audio
Book Player, traveller's reference,
and MP3 player. Yes, it can do
many other things besides
navigate you from A to B, and it
runs CitySelect V8, supporting full
7 digit postcodes for the UK (at
last).
Sporting a 320 x 240 pixels (3.5"
diagonal) 64k TFT touch screen
display, the Nüvi's built in SiRF III
GPS provides automatic routing,
turn-by-turn voice directions, and
touch screen control, but that’s
just for starters…
70
Discrete &
distinctive...
The new VW Jetta
By Nick Pointing
It’s funny how the little things mean so much.
The process of road testing was delivered by the
dealership with care and courteously but not
over stated, relaxed and not intimidating,
allowing me to focus on what was important -
the car, the new Jetta from VW.
Concealed within the remote control the key
springs out on the touch of a button, this was
incredibly tactile and it was released and closed
too many times to mention, almost forgetting
what I had come for! Although the winter air was
biting I stood for a while to appreciate the ascetics
– discrete and distinctive spring to mind – what a
contradiction!
From side profile, the lines are grown up and
mature with its fashionable high waistband there
is attention to detail giving an expensive feel to
an affordable car.
The 1.6 is responsive, escorting the entry model
through all six gears. The handling is confidence
building and soon allows the national speed limit
through some of the Island’s more challenging
roads.
Brighstone, Brook and onto Compton where here I
pull in and evaluate the interior which I find full
of ergonomics and is intuitive. Everything is at
hand and the cabin is full of refinement, although
a sea of black and grey, it is all with purpose and
again there is attention to detail.
Travelling West the road widens, and here I find
the opportunity to exploit the Jettas potential, the
ride is comfortable, reassuring and given the
chance motorway miles would be a breeze.
I never did confirm the claimed top speed of
120 mph rising to 146 mph for the 2 litre
sports model but I guess I will just have to take
their word for it.
As with many manufacturers, there are endless
optional extras and a variety of paint, trim and
engine sizes to choose from; however the entry
model packs a pretty good deal. As standard,
you can expect alloy wheels, rear electric
windows, ESP, rain sensors, dusk sensors, auto
dimming rear view mirror and a multifunctional
computer.
Superbly positioned within the VW range I
found the Jetta to be excellent value for money
and a pleasant comfortable drive, with more
than enough comforts to keep me happy.
For further details:
Esplanade Ltd
Medina Ave
Newport
Isle of Wight
(01983) 523232
www.esplanade.co.uk
Island Life - www.islandlifemagazine.net