01/27/2012

One of the hottest releases from Carrera just arrived at my front door. This model has had a lot of enthusiasts waiting for it and for good reasons. Great pricing and drop dead good looks are just a couple that come to mind. So without delay let us get started shall we?

Reviewing a model like this can be very difficult. I just want to crack open the case and get right to the fun part: Racing it! However, in the world of slot car reviewing that is taboo. Photos of the car need to be taken first. If you play with it first there is that chance you will scuff it, or even worse: break it. And then what am I to do?

But what the heck. What is life without a little challenge right? Right.

Here is a quick video on converting digital to analog with the chipset still installed.

DIGITAL to ANALOG CONVERSION VIDEO

Straight from the case to the track. I even bypassed the plastic track and went directly to the place it will really call home: MIDMO Speedway! One thing about testing on a wood track is that it really tells you if you have a decent model to start with or one that will need a lot of work. Granted, most times they will not perform very well but it will tell you if you have a slot car that shows promise.

Well this car has promise by the car load. What a smooth running model. Other than a slight amount of wheel hop which sanding will almost always cure, this hot rod ran just fine. Acceleration and braking were good enough for my style of racing and although the tires are not ideal for my track surface, I felt optimistic this could be one great car with some tuning.

Underneath we see a standard inline design which is fine by me. I like inline models and I like compatibility with other models even more. Having this configuration the same as other "GT" models in the line just makes sense.

The front end is a little high on this car causing the guide to ride high. The front wheels are just supporting more weight than I like but I am hoping we can cure this rather easily.

With the digital versions still retaining the lights front and rear, the appeal of the car is increased for me. I like lights. Not all of you do and that is fine, but for me a car like this is just incomplete without them.

Other enthusiasts are already commenting on nicely done the model is in scale. Looking at prototype photos tells me all I need to know. Other than the Le Mans logo decal being omitted, this car is about as spot on as you can ask for in our hobby.

Placement of the markings along with the paint and very clean clear coat just makes one great looking model. Overall body shape looks very good as well. Again the front appears to be on the high side but that is related to the front axle placement. For the average home enthusiast this will not mean much but I must mention it.

Looking around this car it draws you in with the high gloss finish and small details.

Side mirrors are not very flexible but there is a SPARE SET in the back of the case. Thank you Carrera for adding these. Little things like this seem so trivial, until you break one and the look of the car is ruined.

Driver detail is good too. Helmet is in multi colors and even the switches on the panel are colored. Not bad for a half tray interior.

Wheels and tires are done well enough and are very round and true. We sometimes see a bad wheel here and there but my model has very straight wheels.

The rubber compound is an odd one. They feel sticky and softer than prior models, or at least at first glance. They do not seem to hook up any better on my track surface. Again, that is fine as I will just change them out.

After removing the 4 screws that mount the body we get our close up of the inside. Gearing is standard with a 9 tooth pinion and 27 tooth crown gear. Digital chip is here of course along with the needed wiring and light boards. I am going to leave all of this alone. I have no reason to change it out and with some of my friends racing digital, it would be nice to keep a car or two ready for action.

The only thing most advanced racers will want to address is the front end ride height. Carrera might need to look at how to place the guide system in the future. If it was molded just a few mils lower we would not be talking about this.  But because it is recessed too high in the chassis, the front axle and wheels support the front too much for my liking. This means the front wheels are suspending the entire front of the car higher than it needs to be. A good portion of the guide is not even in the slot where it needs to be. Why have all of this guide and not use it? The only cure I see is to raise the front axle. Doing it will not be a quick fix either. Perhaps there is another method so I am going to spend more time with it and see what can be accomplished.

Then again this is a simple toy and sometimes we are too critical, myself being one of them. I need to realize Carrera makes toy cars for a large home market for their own plastic track, not for my wood track. Advanced enthusiasts have always found ways to make a car run like they think it should and they will do it here as well.

In the end this car has a lot more good than bad in my eyes. It looks fantastic and just on these looks alone I can see these becoming a very popular choice for many. Then there is the price point. I am seeing DIGITAL versions priced under the $50.00 mark which is lower than other brands in analog form. Analog cars are even LOWER in price. Carrera has realized we need affordable toys and are proving it with these prices. While I watch the higher end "club cars" skyrocket over $100.00 it makes me very happy to see simple home racing not being ignored.

You owe yourself to take a closer look at adding this model to your collection. Nothing is perfect but I cannot see too many being disappointed. This car has a lot going for it and offers both the beginner and advanced enthusiasts an affordable, fun slot car. I like it a lot and will add others as they become available.

- Harry

Thanks Go To Carrera of America For Sponsoring This Review!

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