Test report by CoMod JoergW on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Auto Union Type C Streamline (Art.No. 30557/27355) and Mercedes Benz W125 Streamline (Art.No. 30558/27356)
...not the song of the same name, but the Silver Arrows in 1:32 scale, I mean. Since everything has already been said about the real-life models in 1:24 scale, let's get straight to the practical side! When the vehicles were announced at the end of 2010, I was initially surprised. I hadn't expected that the vehicles, which had already been released twice in 1:24 scale, would experience a rebirth and be thrown onto the rather competitive 1:32 market.
Optics:
Both models are more closely proportioned to the originals than the 1:24 models. The 1:32 models appear slimmer and longer, somehow more harmonious. Compared to other 1:32 models, however, they seem a little unusual to me. Since I couldn't find exact dimensions of the originals, and they were also constantly being rebuilt and adapted, I can't verify this.
The paintwork is clean and flawless. It could have looked just like the original. The same goes for the delicate spoked wheels with their quick-release fasteners. Only on the Mercedes' driver's head does the white appear to be incompletely opaque.
Manufacturing quality and execution:
Both chassis are installed stress-free and not warped. While the chassis is narrow, its length allows for enough space to balance it. The only noticeable feature is some slight mold burrs on the lower edge of the removable wheel covers. These are much more noticeable and visible on the Audi than on the Mercedes. Certainly not a major issue, but they do detract from the overall quality.
The tires have a pleasant, perfectly adequate grip. Because the tires are "stretched over" the rims, they have only a very thin contact surface. This could quickly become problematic when sanding. So, be very careful when sanding. I think gluing the tires is advisable if you plan to drive the cars in high-speed drifts. The rims are properly centered, and the axles are straight. The front axle needs a little lubrication to extend its tracking.
Driving folds:
Especially with vintage cars, I find the magnetic, almost digital, driving style unrealistic. With magnets, the vehicles are only likely to be thrown off course, unless intentionally, due to their narrow width and the relatively large distance between the guide keel and the magnet. The alternative without magnets is significantly more challenging to drive and, in my opinion, more fun.
Conclusion:
The vehicles are built true to the original without lights. While this makes digital driving more difficult, it remains possible. Since meaningful digital play is only possible with more than two vehicles, either bare metal vehicles are available through the club or, similar to the 1:24 scale, different starting numbering and slight design variations for 2012 would be possible.
CoMod JoergW
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Test report by CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Auto Union Type C Streamline (Art.No. 30557/27355) and Mercedes Benz W125 Streamline (Art.No. 30558/27356)
Technical data (Auto Union):
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 100 grams
Weight (body): 28 grams
Length including spoiler: 179 mm
Wheelbase: 92 mm
Track width (front axle): 52 mm
Track width (rear axle): 54 mm
Technical data (Mercedes):
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 90 grams
Weight (body): 23 grams
Length including spoiler: 167 mm
Wheelbase: 88 mm
Track width (front axle): 52 mm
Track width (rear axle): 51 mm
Optics:
These are actually old acquaintances: on the road in the large 1:24 scale since 1999, and since 2010 as a reissue with digital chassis. Now the streamlined classics are also rolling down the track in the smaller 1:32 scale. Since no compromises were made in the body design regarding banked cornering, they appear significantly longer and more elegant than their larger brothers. The removable wheel covers have been retained. Removing them reveals the finely crafted spoked rims.
Contrary to what was announced in the 2011 catalog, the starting numbers have changed: the Auto Union has the number 33, the Mercedes the number 35. I don't think the driver heads are as well done: while they look realistically modeled, they simply seem too small to me.
Technology:
The chassis of both vehicles are similar, but with subtle differences. The first thing you'll notice are the huge wheels: the diameter is 25 mm at the front and 28 mm at the rear. However, they are significantly narrower, 5 mm at the rear and just 4 mm at the front.
The technical concept remains the same – the E200 engine is positioned as an inline motor directly in front of the rear axle, and – true to the original – there are no lights. Due to its larger dimensions, the Auto Union is noticeably heavier than the Mercedes. However, it has a slightly wider rear track, which in turn benefits driving stability.
Driving test:
In the standard configuration, the familiar and usual picture emerges: the two holding magnets keep the vehicles firmly and securely in their lane. In this configuration, the Auto Union still has a small margin for correcting driving errors, but the Mercedes is no longer forgiving. Due to the large diameter and rolling circumference of the rear wheels, acceleration is somewhat sluggish.
This changes as soon as you remove the rear magnets. Acceleration becomes noticeably better, the cornering limit is significantly wider, and the handling is overall more harmonious. The achievable cornering speeds are still high, but driving errors no longer lead to an immediate crash.
Also worth mentioning is the tire grip: despite their narrow dimensions, it's absolutely sufficient, even better than some modern-day vehicles. When driving without magnets, you should at least equip the Mercedes with trim weights; the Auto Union has plenty of its own weight.
Conclusion:
My expectations for the streamlined cars were rather low, so I was all the more amazed by their truly excellent performance and smooth handling. The bodies are smooth, making them robust, and have almost no small parts that can be damaged during rigorous racing. Therefore, they seem to me to be ideal fun vehicles for occasional use. Organizing a racing series with only two car types would be difficult.
Perhaps next year there will be a follow-up in the form of a third vehicle type.
CoMod Carrera124
...not the song of the same name, but the Silver Arrows in 1:32 scale, I mean. Since everything has already been said about the real-life models in 1:24 scale, let's get straight to the practical side! When the vehicles were announced at the end of 2010, I was initially surprised. I hadn't expected that the vehicles, which had already been released twice in 1:24 scale, would experience a rebirth and be thrown onto the rather competitive 1:32 market.
Optics:
Both models are more closely proportioned to the originals than the 1:24 models. The 1:32 models appear slimmer and longer, somehow more harmonious. Compared to other 1:32 models, however, they seem a little unusual to me. Since I couldn't find exact dimensions of the originals, and they were also constantly being rebuilt and adapted, I can't verify this.
The paintwork is clean and flawless. It could have looked just like the original. The same goes for the delicate spoked wheels with their quick-release fasteners. Only on the Mercedes' driver's head does the white appear to be incompletely opaque.
Manufacturing quality and execution:
Both chassis are installed stress-free and not warped. While the chassis is narrow, its length allows for enough space to balance it. The only noticeable feature is some slight mold burrs on the lower edge of the removable wheel covers. These are much more noticeable and visible on the Audi than on the Mercedes. Certainly not a major issue, but they do detract from the overall quality.
The tires have a pleasant, perfectly adequate grip. Because the tires are "stretched over" the rims, they have only a very thin contact surface. This could quickly become problematic when sanding. So, be very careful when sanding. I think gluing the tires is advisable if you plan to drive the cars in high-speed drifts. The rims are properly centered, and the axles are straight. The front axle needs a little lubrication to extend its tracking.
Driving folds:
Especially with vintage cars, I find the magnetic, almost digital, driving style unrealistic. With magnets, the vehicles are only likely to be thrown off course, unless intentionally, due to their narrow width and the relatively large distance between the guide keel and the magnet. The alternative without magnets is significantly more challenging to drive and, in my opinion, more fun.
Conclusion:
The vehicles are built true to the original without lights. While this makes digital driving more difficult, it remains possible. Since meaningful digital play is only possible with more than two vehicles, either bare metal vehicles are available through the club or, similar to the 1:24 scale, different starting numbering and slight design variations for 2012 would be possible.
CoMod JoergW
******************************************
Test report by CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Auto Union Type C Streamline (Art.No. 30557/27355) and Mercedes Benz W125 Streamline (Art.No. 30558/27356)
Technical data (Auto Union):
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 100 grams
Weight (body): 28 grams
Length including spoiler: 179 mm
Wheelbase: 92 mm
Track width (front axle): 52 mm
Track width (rear axle): 54 mm
Technical data (Mercedes):
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 90 grams
Weight (body): 23 grams
Length including spoiler: 167 mm
Wheelbase: 88 mm
Track width (front axle): 52 mm
Track width (rear axle): 51 mm
Optics:
These are actually old acquaintances: on the road in the large 1:24 scale since 1999, and since 2010 as a reissue with digital chassis. Now the streamlined classics are also rolling down the track in the smaller 1:32 scale. Since no compromises were made in the body design regarding banked cornering, they appear significantly longer and more elegant than their larger brothers. The removable wheel covers have been retained. Removing them reveals the finely crafted spoked rims.
Contrary to what was announced in the 2011 catalog, the starting numbers have changed: the Auto Union has the number 33, the Mercedes the number 35. I don't think the driver heads are as well done: while they look realistically modeled, they simply seem too small to me.
Technology:
The chassis of both vehicles are similar, but with subtle differences. The first thing you'll notice are the huge wheels: the diameter is 25 mm at the front and 28 mm at the rear. However, they are significantly narrower, 5 mm at the rear and just 4 mm at the front.
The technical concept remains the same – the E200 engine is positioned as an inline motor directly in front of the rear axle, and – true to the original – there are no lights. Due to its larger dimensions, the Auto Union is noticeably heavier than the Mercedes. However, it has a slightly wider rear track, which in turn benefits driving stability.
Driving test:
In the standard configuration, the familiar and usual picture emerges: the two holding magnets keep the vehicles firmly and securely in their lane. In this configuration, the Auto Union still has a small margin for correcting driving errors, but the Mercedes is no longer forgiving. Due to the large diameter and rolling circumference of the rear wheels, acceleration is somewhat sluggish.
This changes as soon as you remove the rear magnets. Acceleration becomes noticeably better, the cornering limit is significantly wider, and the handling is overall more harmonious. The achievable cornering speeds are still high, but driving errors no longer lead to an immediate crash.
Also worth mentioning is the tire grip: despite their narrow dimensions, it's absolutely sufficient, even better than some modern-day vehicles. When driving without magnets, you should at least equip the Mercedes with trim weights; the Auto Union has plenty of its own weight.
Conclusion:
My expectations for the streamlined cars were rather low, so I was all the more amazed by their truly excellent performance and smooth handling. The bodies are smooth, making them robust, and have almost no small parts that can be damaged during rigorous racing. Therefore, they seem to me to be ideal fun vehicles for occasional use. Organizing a racing series with only two car types would be difficult.
Perhaps next year there will be a follow-up in the form of a third vehicle type.
CoMod Carrera124
