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Lifestyle SKODA OCTAVIA VRS 230 ESTATE First Drive! FACTS AT A GLANCE Skoda Octavia vRS 230, from €35,995 Engine: 2.0-litre petrol unit producing 227bhp and 258lb.ft of torque Transmission: Six-speed manual gearbox driving the front wheels Performance: Top speed 152mph, 0- 62mph in 6.9 seconds Economy: 44.8mpg combined Emissions: 143g/km of CO2 What’s new? There’s a lot to love about the Octavia vRS as we know it. The spacious and good value mid-sized offering can be had in petrol or diesel forms, in hatchback or estate and with manual or slick DSG gearboxes, all of which are blessed with impressive performance and handling. But now there’s a 230 model to make choosing even more difficult. In petrol-only 230 form, the power output has been bumped by 10PS to give 230 in total, or 227bhp in old money, while underneath it also benefits from the clever electronic differential as standard. Marking out the 230 model from a regular vRS are the 19-inch alloy wheels, black detailing on the door mirrors, grille and roof rails on the estate, as well as unique instrument displays. Looks and image They may be subtle differences to the regular hot Octavia, but the vRS 230 is even better looking. The black detailing around the exterior gives it a little more menace, although it is far from a boy racer’s hack; Skoda has always managed to produce sporty cars that look good, but won’t attract the wrong kind of attention, which is one reason why they’ve proved so popular. There’s also the added cache of owning the 230 model over the standard car, which might well prompt a few people to trade up. SKODA OCTAVIA VRS 230 ESTATE Space and practicality The other reason the Octavia vRS is so popular is that you can have it as an estate, which makes it far easier to justify as a family wagon. As with the standard Octavia, the boot space is excellent; a yawning 610 litres with the rear seats in place and up to 1,740 litres if you fold them. It’s sensibly shaped too, with storage areas and lashing eyes for bigger stuff. In the cabin, there’s plenty of space too, and unless you need the vast legroom of the bigger Superb, you’ll be able to fit adults in all five seats. Behind the wheel Upping the performance factor hasn’t diminished the core Octavia qualities of being undemanding and easy to get on with. There’s a brief burble from the 2.0-litre turbocharged unit when you fire it up, but the clutch is light and the gearshift easy and slick. The extra 10PS doesn’t transform the vRS 230 from hot into scorching, but it’s welcome nonetheless. It’s a joyously flexible unit that has lots of low-down torque but is also keen to rev, with strong acceleration right around the dial. The standard sports exhaust adds a little more to the vocals too, although it’s far from raucous. It also blends ride and handling prowess in a well-judged fashion. The electronic differential means you can accelerate harder and earlier, and it helps to pull the vRS through bends with alacrity. It’s sufficiently good fun to be entertaining, but not so hyperactive it will drive you crazy on the motorway. Value for money The vRS 230 costs an additional €2,500 over the standard car in manual estate form, but for that you get electric sports seats, the extra power, electronic differential and all the visual enhancements including 19-inch alloy wheels as standard, which is considerably cheaper than those extras added on top. Who would buy one? If you can afford the extra outlay, there’s no reason not to choose the vRS 230 over the standard vRS. The extra power and grip are welcome as are those heated leather seats and it looks smarter too. Happily the Octavia in any guise is a purchase you don’t have to justify; good value, spacious, practical, easy to live with and sturdily built, it can play the role of family car and daily driver whilst still raising a smile. This car summed up in a single word Polished. If this car was a School pupil it would undoubtedly be the class swot. 78 | health matters | spring 2016
Win a midWeek break With afternoon tea Farnham EstatE GolF and spa rEsort The stunning Farnham Estate Golf and Spa Resort in County Cavan is offering a lucky reader the chance to win a luxurious midweek break to truly get away from it all. Located in the heart of a magnificent estate just 3km from Cavan town, the Radisson Blu Farnham Estate is a contemporary and stylish hotel, full of country charm and character, surrounded by natural beauty among acres of rolling countryside. You and a guest will spend two relaxed days enjoying the elegant surrounds of Farnham Estate. Included in the prize is Afternoon Tea for two served in the handsome period rooms in the original main house, the Music Room and middle Drawing Room are the venue for this leisurely tradition that you will savour with your guest. Relax even further with complimentary access to the Health Spa, where you will enjoy the indoor/outdoor infinity pool, Water Mint Thermal Suite, Relaxation Room and gym. Radisson Blu Farnham Estate Golf and Spa Resort brings centuries of the very best of traditions of hospitality and natural beauty and blends them with contemporary comfort and service, creating a destination unlike any other in Ireland. For more information visit www.farnhamestate.ie or call 049 4377700. For your chance to win, simply email your answer to the following question... In WHAT CounTY IS THE RADISSon BLu FARnHAM ESTATE LoCATED? Email your answer to competition@celticmediagroup.com with ‘Farnham Estate Golf and Spa Resort’ as the subject, along with your name, address and contact number. Competition deadline is 31st May 2016. TERMS AnD ConDITIonS: Valid for 12 months from when the winner is announced. Subject to availability. Voucher can not be redeemed in part or in full cash. Voucher must be used in full and there is no exchange for services not listed in the prize details. R a d i s s o n B l u F a r n h a m E s t a t e G o l f R e s o r t a n d S p a , F a r n h a m E s t a t e , C a v a n , I r e l a n d T + 3 5 3 ( 0 ) 4 9 4 3 7 7 7 0 0 F + 3 5 3 ( 0 ) 4 9 4 3 7 7 7 0 1 E : i n f o . f a r n h a m @ r a d i s s o n b l u . c o m
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HEALTH MATTERS WINTER 2015 64 onlin
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The communication passport is a mea
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Dublin North City Mental Health Ser
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Limerick cancer survivors take ‘S
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37-year-old mum of three Sinead Hay
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Mental Health Nurse receives Nation
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