Well, I've been posting a few replies on this particular model, and not all evenly positive. Time for a review then.
Let's start with some background of the 1:1. The 918 Spyder is the spiritual follower of the legendary Carrera GT. As a concept, it came as a complete surprise when Porsche launched it at the Geneva Motorshow in 2010. It was one of the three hybrid Porsche-models at that show (the others being the Cayenne S Hybrid and the 911 GT3 Hybrid), but it as the most interesting. It features a 3.4-litre V8 petrol engine producing 500 bhp, which is combined with two electric motors which produce a combined power of 218 bhp. This makes the 918 Spyder one of the fastest cars Porsche has ever built.
After Porsche confirmed that the 918 Spyder will go into production, Minichamps jumped on the bandwagon with their 1:18-version of the concept car.
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I've never seen the real one myself, but the images and videos Porsche provided made this an instant-buy. And at the exterior-front, it's was worth the buy. The overall stance is captured absolutely brilliantly. It's as low as it should be (very low in fact) and I especially like the shape of the front splitter, which is shaped squarer then the bumper. Because it's a concept, it's not cluttered by any number plates, so you can enjoy the glorious shape without those ugly signs on it. And enjoy it you will because Minichamps has absolutely done it's best on the shapes. The light bounces off it as it should and the shut lines are even, although not everywhere as straight. The door on the driver's side doesn't shut straight for instance, it floats a bit above the rear fender. A small point which isn't really noticeable when you shut it a bit more careful than I do. As far as I can tell, tehre are only two visible connectors; one in each headlamp, but they are only visible when viewing the model from above.
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A special mention is required for the paint. It's by far the most beautiful paint I've ever come across on a diecast. It's richly applied, the color is amazing and the soft-metallic shine make the color one of the best features on the model. The brilliant green details help in accentuating the brilliance of the grey paint. Forget gun-metal or mat black. This is the business!
The car feels very solid and, although not as heavy as for instance the BMW M3 GTR, the weight seems to be right. Unfortunately the big rear spoiler squeaks quite a lot when you touch it, but that's the only complaint I have concerning the build quality. It's as decent and solid as you would expect from a Minichamps.
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The wheels are a bit of an issue for me. I've created a separate topic about them because I'm still not sure about them. On the initial Porsche press-pictures the wheels seem to have plastic fenders. The model doesn't have them, which I at first thought was a huge mistake. DCX-member S40 prove me rightly wrong, but I'm still not happy with Minichamps not putting them on. Aside of all the production-issues, all perfectly understandable, it would definitely complete the total image of the model. Together with tyre-branding off course, which still doesn't get much attention from model makers.
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Then we have to touch on the features. This model offers almost none. That's no problem concerning the base car is a concept and Porsche doesn't give much of the technical stuff away, but all the awesome stuff you could have done with it, are also skipped. Off course the doors open and shut, but that's it. The wheels should steer, the mechanism is fitted, but at my model, I can't turn them more then 3 degrees each (actually measured...). That's not all. The concept had these great black air vents, which pop out of the bonnet when you're driving. The model doesn't have that and nor does it have a working rear spoiler. I'm sorry but AUTOart and Kyosho would've fitted these at this price tag.
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The interior is really nicely done. I love the way Porsche has updated the centre-console of the Carrera GT and made the rest of the interior really driver-oriented. Every shape and curve flows around the driver's seat. Minichamps has a reputation on interiors and they've really liven up to their fame with the 918. I can't find any fault or criticism. The instruments look great and are finished with a set of the tiniest stickers ever. Maybe the central display could've been finished nicer, but I can't see how on earth they could do that concerning the size and place of the display. The seats are pure eye candy. They're made out of horribly cheap plastic, but you only notice that when you touch them, which you never will. The black of the chairs pair fantastically with the green finish. Minichamps even branded the headrests with 918-logo's. The seatbelts are fixed, but look good and the carbon-finish of the rest of the interior looks right. Enough words, it's just superb.
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Car: Porsche 918 Spyder concept
Manufacturer: Minichamps
Scale: 1/18
Price: $143 (99 euro at ck-modelcars)
So after all of my negative comments and whining, what do I really think of it? To be honest, I like it very much, but I still have the feeling that Minichamps could have made it a lot better that it is now. It simply lacks awesome features for the price, but it has and amazing paint and great interior to make up for that. And most of all; it looks brilliant in the showcase. Put it next to any model you can imagine, and it'll still look brilliant. And isn't that all you want from a diecast?
80/100
Let's start with some background of the 1:1. The 918 Spyder is the spiritual follower of the legendary Carrera GT. As a concept, it came as a complete surprise when Porsche launched it at the Geneva Motorshow in 2010. It was one of the three hybrid Porsche-models at that show (the others being the Cayenne S Hybrid and the 911 GT3 Hybrid), but it as the most interesting. It features a 3.4-litre V8 petrol engine producing 500 bhp, which is combined with two electric motors which produce a combined power of 218 bhp. This makes the 918 Spyder one of the fastest cars Porsche has ever built.
After Porsche confirmed that the 918 Spyder will go into production, Minichamps jumped on the bandwagon with their 1:18-version of the concept car.
I've never seen the real one myself, but the images and videos Porsche provided made this an instant-buy. And at the exterior-front, it's was worth the buy. The overall stance is captured absolutely brilliantly. It's as low as it should be (very low in fact) and I especially like the shape of the front splitter, which is shaped squarer then the bumper. Because it's a concept, it's not cluttered by any number plates, so you can enjoy the glorious shape without those ugly signs on it. And enjoy it you will because Minichamps has absolutely done it's best on the shapes. The light bounces off it as it should and the shut lines are even, although not everywhere as straight. The door on the driver's side doesn't shut straight for instance, it floats a bit above the rear fender. A small point which isn't really noticeable when you shut it a bit more careful than I do. As far as I can tell, tehre are only two visible connectors; one in each headlamp, but they are only visible when viewing the model from above.
A special mention is required for the paint. It's by far the most beautiful paint I've ever come across on a diecast. It's richly applied, the color is amazing and the soft-metallic shine make the color one of the best features on the model. The brilliant green details help in accentuating the brilliance of the grey paint. Forget gun-metal or mat black. This is the business!
The car feels very solid and, although not as heavy as for instance the BMW M3 GTR, the weight seems to be right. Unfortunately the big rear spoiler squeaks quite a lot when you touch it, but that's the only complaint I have concerning the build quality. It's as decent and solid as you would expect from a Minichamps.
The wheels are a bit of an issue for me. I've created a separate topic about them because I'm still not sure about them. On the initial Porsche press-pictures the wheels seem to have plastic fenders. The model doesn't have them, which I at first thought was a huge mistake. DCX-member S40 prove me rightly wrong, but I'm still not happy with Minichamps not putting them on. Aside of all the production-issues, all perfectly understandable, it would definitely complete the total image of the model. Together with tyre-branding off course, which still doesn't get much attention from model makers.
Then we have to touch on the features. This model offers almost none. That's no problem concerning the base car is a concept and Porsche doesn't give much of the technical stuff away, but all the awesome stuff you could have done with it, are also skipped. Off course the doors open and shut, but that's it. The wheels should steer, the mechanism is fitted, but at my model, I can't turn them more then 3 degrees each (actually measured...). That's not all. The concept had these great black air vents, which pop out of the bonnet when you're driving. The model doesn't have that and nor does it have a working rear spoiler. I'm sorry but AUTOart and Kyosho would've fitted these at this price tag.
The interior is really nicely done. I love the way Porsche has updated the centre-console of the Carrera GT and made the rest of the interior really driver-oriented. Every shape and curve flows around the driver's seat. Minichamps has a reputation on interiors and they've really liven up to their fame with the 918. I can't find any fault or criticism. The instruments look great and are finished with a set of the tiniest stickers ever. Maybe the central display could've been finished nicer, but I can't see how on earth they could do that concerning the size and place of the display. The seats are pure eye candy. They're made out of horribly cheap plastic, but you only notice that when you touch them, which you never will. The black of the chairs pair fantastically with the green finish. Minichamps even branded the headrests with 918-logo's. The seatbelts are fixed, but look good and the carbon-finish of the rest of the interior looks right. Enough words, it's just superb.
Car: Porsche 918 Spyder concept
Manufacturer: Minichamps
Scale: 1/18
Price: $143 (99 euro at ck-modelcars)
So after all of my negative comments and whining, what do I really think of it? To be honest, I like it very much, but I still have the feeling that Minichamps could have made it a lot better that it is now. It simply lacks awesome features for the price, but it has and amazing paint and great interior to make up for that. And most of all; it looks brilliant in the showcase. Put it next to any model you can imagine, and it'll still look brilliant. And isn't that all you want from a diecast?
80/100
