Review by CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera Evolution / DIGITAL 132 Renault R28 (27275 / 30456)
Everything is so colorful here!
Still advertised in the catalog as a Renault R27, the box lettering reveals the car to be a current Renault R28. Like the Ferrari F2007 and McLaren-Mercedes, the original Renault also features several delicate aerodynamic elements. These are, of course, also found on the model. Caution is advised in daily driving reports if these small parts are to be preserved undamaged.
The bright color scheme is, of course, a pleasant standout. The combination of white, yellow, and orange provides a welcome splash of color in the red-silver surroundings. Personally, I like the Renault's looks the best, even ahead of Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW-Sauber.
There's little to say about the chassis itself; I refer you to my review of the Ferrari F2007. Essentially, the chassis and individual modules are identical; only the outer contours and, where appropriate, the wheelbase have been adapted to the respective body shapes. This approach provides good conditions for as comparable handling characteristics as possible. The flat engine is used as the powerplant, and the keel unit is identical. Unlike the Ferrari, the Renault doesn't have wheel covers, but this is certainly not a disadvantage on a smaller scale.
The insights from the Ferrari test were immediately incorporated into the road test: the rear magnet was removed and the center magnet was adjusted with spacers. The handling was then very similar to the Ferrari F2007, although with slight advantages for the Renault. I attribute these slight differences to the usual tolerances of the motors, magnets, and tire grip. Generally speaking, the Renault R28 is also very quiet, smooth, and lively. However, fast cornering is, in the truest sense of the word, a bit easier than with the Ferrari.
Conclusion: The Renault R28 fits well into the F1 starting field. With Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, and Sauber-BMW, the four top teams of recent years are on the grid – providing a diverse color scheme on both the analog and digital tracks. The uniform technical concept largely ensures equal opportunities. For 2009, further rounding out the starting field with the same technical basis would be desirable, for example, a Red Bull F1 car with Sebastian Vettel or a Toyota.
CoMod Carrera124
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Test report by CoMod Lotus for the Carrera Evolution / DIGITAL 132 Renault R28 (27275 / 30456)
Back to the top with the R28?
On January 31, the new Renault R28 Formula 1 car was unveiled in Paris. It's Fernando Alonso's company car, which returns to the Renault team after one season. It features a Renault RS27 2.4 V8 engine under a carbon fiber hood mounted on a newly developed R28 chassis. The entire car, including driver, camera, and ballast, weighs 605 kg. But before this becomes a mere list of specs: Anyone wanting even more information about the original should visit the very informative and well-designed website of the ING Renault Formula 1 Team: www.ing-renaultf1.com
Let's get to the model: I'm honestly not a big fan of Formula 1 cars; as a collector of variants, I've had to buy too many. But: For me, the Renault, along with the Torro Rosso, is the most beautiful Formula 1 car! The original color scheme is superbly implemented on the model, especially the very fine printing. I'm always amazed at what's technically possible these days.
First, the entire car is disassembled; I've been doing this since my UNIVERSAL days. While there were always things to repair and derust on the UNI cars, thankfully that's no longer the case with the new ones. Due to its design, the Renault has a very narrow chassis, so the cables, connectors, and circuit boards are housed in a very tight space. Be careful when reassembling so that you don't pinch any of the cables in the body. If you pull the cables a little further forward, the guide keel also has a bit more slack. But be careful, as I said: it's very tight in there!
On the circuit, the Renault is very comfortable and quiet to drive. The French car corners well, slightly better than the BMW and McLaren, and comparable to the Ferrari. However, the differences in handling between the new Formula 1 cars are, in my opinion, marginal; the cars all handle very well and are therefore also very suitable for children.
The Renault R28 and its driver have proven that they're capable with their third-place finish in the 2008 season. Now it's up to us to prove how it performs on its home track: Let's go for it!
CoMod Lotus
Everything is so colorful here!
Still advertised in the catalog as a Renault R27, the box lettering reveals the car to be a current Renault R28. Like the Ferrari F2007 and McLaren-Mercedes, the original Renault also features several delicate aerodynamic elements. These are, of course, also found on the model. Caution is advised in daily driving reports if these small parts are to be preserved undamaged.
The bright color scheme is, of course, a pleasant standout. The combination of white, yellow, and orange provides a welcome splash of color in the red-silver surroundings. Personally, I like the Renault's looks the best, even ahead of Ferrari, McLaren, and BMW-Sauber.
There's little to say about the chassis itself; I refer you to my review of the Ferrari F2007. Essentially, the chassis and individual modules are identical; only the outer contours and, where appropriate, the wheelbase have been adapted to the respective body shapes. This approach provides good conditions for as comparable handling characteristics as possible. The flat engine is used as the powerplant, and the keel unit is identical. Unlike the Ferrari, the Renault doesn't have wheel covers, but this is certainly not a disadvantage on a smaller scale.
The insights from the Ferrari test were immediately incorporated into the road test: the rear magnet was removed and the center magnet was adjusted with spacers. The handling was then very similar to the Ferrari F2007, although with slight advantages for the Renault. I attribute these slight differences to the usual tolerances of the motors, magnets, and tire grip. Generally speaking, the Renault R28 is also very quiet, smooth, and lively. However, fast cornering is, in the truest sense of the word, a bit easier than with the Ferrari.
Conclusion: The Renault R28 fits well into the F1 starting field. With Ferrari, McLaren, Renault, and Sauber-BMW, the four top teams of recent years are on the grid – providing a diverse color scheme on both the analog and digital tracks. The uniform technical concept largely ensures equal opportunities. For 2009, further rounding out the starting field with the same technical basis would be desirable, for example, a Red Bull F1 car with Sebastian Vettel or a Toyota.
CoMod Carrera124
--------------------------------------------------------
Test report by CoMod Lotus for the Carrera Evolution / DIGITAL 132 Renault R28 (27275 / 30456)
Back to the top with the R28?
On January 31, the new Renault R28 Formula 1 car was unveiled in Paris. It's Fernando Alonso's company car, which returns to the Renault team after one season. It features a Renault RS27 2.4 V8 engine under a carbon fiber hood mounted on a newly developed R28 chassis. The entire car, including driver, camera, and ballast, weighs 605 kg. But before this becomes a mere list of specs: Anyone wanting even more information about the original should visit the very informative and well-designed website of the ING Renault Formula 1 Team: www.ing-renaultf1.com
Let's get to the model: I'm honestly not a big fan of Formula 1 cars; as a collector of variants, I've had to buy too many. But: For me, the Renault, along with the Torro Rosso, is the most beautiful Formula 1 car! The original color scheme is superbly implemented on the model, especially the very fine printing. I'm always amazed at what's technically possible these days.
First, the entire car is disassembled; I've been doing this since my UNIVERSAL days. While there were always things to repair and derust on the UNI cars, thankfully that's no longer the case with the new ones. Due to its design, the Renault has a very narrow chassis, so the cables, connectors, and circuit boards are housed in a very tight space. Be careful when reassembling so that you don't pinch any of the cables in the body. If you pull the cables a little further forward, the guide keel also has a bit more slack. But be careful, as I said: it's very tight in there!
On the circuit, the Renault is very comfortable and quiet to drive. The French car corners well, slightly better than the BMW and McLaren, and comparable to the Ferrari. However, the differences in handling between the new Formula 1 cars are, in my opinion, marginal; the cars all handle very well and are therefore also very suitable for children.
The Renault R28 and its driver have proven that they're capable with their third-place finish in the 2008 season. Now it's up to us to prove how it performs on its home track: Let's go for it!
CoMod Lotus