Test report by CoMod JoergW on the Carrera Evo/D132 AMG Mercedes C-Class 2007 vehicles
(27234, 27235, 27236, 30432 and 30433)
The DTM weekend is over... You think the season is over? Well, the real one is, but the Carrera season has just begun, both analog and digital. I had a test drive with the digital and analog versions of the Mercedes and Audi last weekend and would like to write down my impressions of the Mercedes cars for the club.
Optics:
I was simply astounded here, especially the chrome-colored Schneider Mercedes shows what's possible. The printing and body details are very accurate and cleanly executed. I couldn't really find any weaknesses in any of the vehicles. Even the often rather critical white print covers very well. All vehicles are faithfully executed, no question. Otherwise, the vehicle manufacturers probably wouldn't issue any approvals today... the "wild 90s" are over, at least for one or two manufacturers ;-)
Technology:
Nothing new, really. The swivel range of the keel is okay, and the return spring isn't too strong.
Processing:
The delicate mirrors are quite tight, but can be removed easily (which I would highly recommend for racing). The race suitability of the small additional spoilers, especially in the rear and side areas, remains to be seen. Even in the real DTM, there's a lot of "colorful plastic" on the tracks... it certainly won't be that bad in the 1:32 scale model racing range, but that's also the price to pay for the very high level of detail we strive for.
Driving behavior:
The Mercedes drive very well in all configurations, but without any magnets and without trimming with lead, etc., the tire weaknesses become noticeable. This should definitely be improved; tuning tires would be a viable option here as well. Otherwise, I'd grind and test them, but I haven't gotten around to it yet (my grinder needs a new V-belt). With all magnets, or at least with the center magnet, the DTM Mercedes drives quickly and safely. The "average buyer" will find vehicles here whose performance will provide them with long-lasting enjoyment. The Audis were a bit faster, at least on my home track.
Conclusion:
These vehicles will certainly have a wide range of applications in Europe and especially in Germany.
It should appeal to a wider audience and be economically viable. I'm only referring to the sales figures themselves... I don't know what the additional costs for sponsors and vehicle manufacturers are. I would also like to see this series in 1:24 scale...at least in the club, I'm sure I'm not alone in this wish.
CoMod JoergW
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Review by CoMod Lotus on the Carrera Evo/D132 AMG Mercedes C-Class 2007 vehicles
(27234, 27235, 27236, 30432 and 30433)
This was actually supposed to be a general club report on the new C-Class DTM Mercedes from Carrera, but then I decided to pick the ORIGINAL-TEILE Benz from veteran Bernd Schneider because I like the car so much. Sure, Jamie Green's SALZGITTER and Gary Paffett's STERN are also pretty good and look great on the track thanks to their bright colors alone, but I think the paint job on BERND SCHNEIDER'S ORIGINAL-TEILE is simply brilliant. The printing on the hood demonstrates once again how high the bar is set today in model making. What Ninco started a few years ago is now state of the art; Carrera accepted the challenge back then and, over the years, has raised the bar even higher.
The car in which the 44-year-old from Saarland won the Nürburgring race in 2008 and finished fifth overall in the drivers' standings is visually the 2008 version, but the bodywork is the 2007 model of the AMG Mercedes. Just like the Audi, the Benzes come with a number of small additional spoilers. Whether they survive the occasional crash remains to be seen; in any case, it's advisable to remove the attached mirrors and possibly also the rear spoiler beforehand to avoid these parts becoming victims of the competition (and subsequently the vacuum cleaner).
The chassis is our old favorite with the removable axle unit. Some body parts are attached to the chassis; to disassemble the car, you need to loosen the central screw at the rear and two more at the front. Then carefully detach the body from the rest of the vehicle. Reassembly is the same, but first thread the front section in place because of the front light board.
In terms of driving technique, the old DTM cars were already among the best Carrera had to offer, and the current cars are also among the best in my opinion. The wide tires give the Swabian car good roadholding, and thanks to the center magnets, it remains easy to control even for beginners and inexperienced drivers. All in all, a car that's really fun to drive!
CoMod Lotus
(27234, 27235, 27236, 30432 and 30433)
The DTM weekend is over... You think the season is over? Well, the real one is, but the Carrera season has just begun, both analog and digital. I had a test drive with the digital and analog versions of the Mercedes and Audi last weekend and would like to write down my impressions of the Mercedes cars for the club.
Optics:
I was simply astounded here, especially the chrome-colored Schneider Mercedes shows what's possible. The printing and body details are very accurate and cleanly executed. I couldn't really find any weaknesses in any of the vehicles. Even the often rather critical white print covers very well. All vehicles are faithfully executed, no question. Otherwise, the vehicle manufacturers probably wouldn't issue any approvals today... the "wild 90s" are over, at least for one or two manufacturers ;-)
Technology:
Nothing new, really. The swivel range of the keel is okay, and the return spring isn't too strong.
Processing:
The delicate mirrors are quite tight, but can be removed easily (which I would highly recommend for racing). The race suitability of the small additional spoilers, especially in the rear and side areas, remains to be seen. Even in the real DTM, there's a lot of "colorful plastic" on the tracks... it certainly won't be that bad in the 1:32 scale model racing range, but that's also the price to pay for the very high level of detail we strive for.
Driving behavior:
The Mercedes drive very well in all configurations, but without any magnets and without trimming with lead, etc., the tire weaknesses become noticeable. This should definitely be improved; tuning tires would be a viable option here as well. Otherwise, I'd grind and test them, but I haven't gotten around to it yet (my grinder needs a new V-belt). With all magnets, or at least with the center magnet, the DTM Mercedes drives quickly and safely. The "average buyer" will find vehicles here whose performance will provide them with long-lasting enjoyment. The Audis were a bit faster, at least on my home track.
Conclusion:
These vehicles will certainly have a wide range of applications in Europe and especially in Germany.
It should appeal to a wider audience and be economically viable. I'm only referring to the sales figures themselves... I don't know what the additional costs for sponsors and vehicle manufacturers are. I would also like to see this series in 1:24 scale...at least in the club, I'm sure I'm not alone in this wish.
CoMod JoergW
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Review by CoMod Lotus on the Carrera Evo/D132 AMG Mercedes C-Class 2007 vehicles
(27234, 27235, 27236, 30432 and 30433)
This was actually supposed to be a general club report on the new C-Class DTM Mercedes from Carrera, but then I decided to pick the ORIGINAL-TEILE Benz from veteran Bernd Schneider because I like the car so much. Sure, Jamie Green's SALZGITTER and Gary Paffett's STERN are also pretty good and look great on the track thanks to their bright colors alone, but I think the paint job on BERND SCHNEIDER'S ORIGINAL-TEILE is simply brilliant. The printing on the hood demonstrates once again how high the bar is set today in model making. What Ninco started a few years ago is now state of the art; Carrera accepted the challenge back then and, over the years, has raised the bar even higher.
The car in which the 44-year-old from Saarland won the Nürburgring race in 2008 and finished fifth overall in the drivers' standings is visually the 2008 version, but the bodywork is the 2007 model of the AMG Mercedes. Just like the Audi, the Benzes come with a number of small additional spoilers. Whether they survive the occasional crash remains to be seen; in any case, it's advisable to remove the attached mirrors and possibly also the rear spoiler beforehand to avoid these parts becoming victims of the competition (and subsequently the vacuum cleaner).
The chassis is our old favorite with the removable axle unit. Some body parts are attached to the chassis; to disassemble the car, you need to loosen the central screw at the rear and two more at the front. Then carefully detach the body from the rest of the vehicle. Reassembly is the same, but first thread the front section in place because of the front light board.
In terms of driving technique, the old DTM cars were already among the best Carrera had to offer, and the current cars are also among the best in my opinion. The wide tires give the Swabian car good roadholding, and thanks to the center magnets, it remains easy to control even for beginners and inexperienced drivers. All in all, a car that's really fun to drive!
CoMod Lotus
