Vehicle reports

In the new test reports section you will now find a selection of preview images of the new Carrera products!

Here are the pictures of the following Carrera novelties!

1. Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Lola T222 Orwell SuperSports Cup, "No.4"
(Art. No. 30549/27351) and Lola T222 "No.51", Laguna Seca '71 (Art. No. 30550/27352)
2. Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Ferrari 512 BB LM NART "No.68", Daytona '79 (Art. No. 30576/27371)
3. Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 512 BB LM Bellancauto "No.79", 1980 (Item No. 30577)


The reviews of our CoMods will follow shortly after the pictures!

Test report by CoMod Carrera124 for the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evo Porsche 935/78 PPG Industries No.09, Riverside '83 and Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche 935/78 Joest Racing 'No.66', DRM Nürburgring '81 (Item No. 30578/27372 and 30579)

Technical data:
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 100 grams
Weight (body): 31 grams
Length including spoiler: 158 mm
Wheelbase: 72 mm
Track width (front axle): 57 mm
Track width (rear axle): 62 mm

Optics:
The shape is well-known, having been in our product range – with interruptions – since 2006. Nevertheless, our designer has created two extremely attractive design variants. The 'PPG Industries' version is available in both the digital and analog versions and features the color combination 'white and blue'. The blue rims, in particular, are unusual and make the design stand out from the crowd. The 'Joest Racing' version is available exclusively in the digital version and features a simple white finish.

Technology:
As already anticipated by the 2010 Club Model, the 935/78 features a newly designed chassis of the current generation. The overall weight of 100 grams is acceptable, and the digital versions also feature lighting. This is very well implemented at the front, whereas the taillights are barely visible due to the long rear end. This was also the case with the older, analog versions, and is practically unavoidable.

Driving test:
In the standard configuration, both Porsche 935/78 cars deliver a consistent performance: good acceleration, very high cornering speeds, but no cornering limits. Removing the rear magnet significantly improves cornering performance. However, the center magnet's grip is still comparatively strong, which is certainly partly due to the short wheelbase. For digital operation, this setup seems most suitable to me; for analog operation, depending on personal preference, you can easily do without the magnets altogether.

Conclusion:
While it's not a complete innovation, the facelift in the form of the digital chassis has done this classic a lot of good.

CoMod Carrera124

Test report by Dave Kennedy - Carrera of America - for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Cevrolet Bel Air '57 Coupé Race II (30584)

The '57 Chevy Bel Air is an icon in America. The release of the new "Sammy's Garage" race version of this classic is the second in the series of racing Bel Air's. A distinctive and true-to-the-era decoration makes this model jump to your attention. The sponsor is a fictional racing shop, "Sammy's Garage", the engine is a Chevy small block with 283 horse power and fuel injection!

The slot cars (both digital and analog) feature the power from the standard Carrera "E200" motor and adjustable magnets under the chassis. Sticky rubber tires give the driver good grip on Carrera track as well as solid performance without the traction magnets in place on high-grip wood tracks.

The DIGITAL132 car features working tail lights, with braking "flash" when the driver lets off the throttle. And with a flip of the polarity switch under the car and three pulls of the controller trigger the DIGITAL132 car can go from racing on your DIGITAL track to racing on an analog track with NO modification! The polarity switch on the bottom of the car also gives the driver the option to race in the opposite direction on an analog track.

Details around the car compliment the color scheme, a yellow shirted driver in a silver interior with black roll bars and silver exterior trim highlight this model.

Carrera's second racing Bel Air joins a long list of vintage stock cars that include the previous race version of the '57, along with the '60 Fury and more recent Superbirds and Roadrunners. All of which are unique to Carrera and to the North American market.

Best regards,
Dave

Test report by CoMod Lotus on the D132/Evo Audi R8 Safety Car Le Mans 2010 (30591/27385)

'Nice fire engine!' That was my wife's comment after she took a quick look at the new Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Audi R8 sitting on my desk. She somehow didn't understand my outrage. Oh well, whatever.

Because the newest Audi R8 from the 2011 Carrera lineup is anything but a fire engine! We've got what's probably the hottest safety car of recent years as a Carrera model in 1:32 scale. And I don't mean the 525 hp V10 engine.

If you enter the search term 'Safety Car' in Google Image Search , you'll get hundreds of hits. And with very few exceptions, the cars are all silver. I can still remember when the silver Audi R8 came onto the market in 2009: years of prayers from Carrera Club members were finally answered. Then in 2010, the next highlight came: the Mercedes SLS with a light bar on the roof. In silver, of course, but who cared?!

And then in 2011: the red Audi R8 from the 24 Hours of Le Mans! Actually, three of these cars actually raced at Le Mans. The current Carrera model is based on the famous production R8 from 2008. Since I had the Audi R8 LMS United Autosports to test at the same time, it was extremely interesting for me to be able to compare the old and new chassis again, both in terms of construction and in the road test. The LMS already has the new, smooth chassis, while the Safety Car still has the old chassis with its separate engine compartment. Performance-wise, there's not much difference between the two cars, but the new chassis does handle the track better. The tires on the 'old' R8 appear more delicate, not as beefy. The light bar is great, but could be a bit brighter for my taste.

All in all, the Audi is a real asset to the racetrack, especially when racing against Formula 1 or LMP cars.

CoMod Lotus

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Test report by CoMod Carrera 124 on the D132/Evo Audi R8 Safety Car Le Mans 2010 (30591/27385)

Safety first

Audi has now clinched nine victories at the storied 24 Hours of Le Mans. It's therefore not surprising that an Audi safety car is also being used: the Audi R8.

Carrera already offers this vehicle as the DTM Safety Car in a silver-gray color scheme. With a red paint scheme and matching lettering, it now becomes the Le Mans Safety Car. The color of the indicator lights on the roof has also been changed, faithfully redesigned to a transparent dark green. Unfortunately, this faithfulness to the original means that the indicator lights aren't as bright as one would expect, compared to previously released Safety Cars.

The digital vehicle uses a special decoder that allows all conceivable combinations of headlights and indicators to be switched on or off. The analog vehicle lacks the standard headlights; the lights on the roof flash while driving, depending on the control setting.

The landing gear is a familiar design from the 2007-2008 generation, with the familiar advantages and disadvantages: the magnets are relatively easy to remove or adjust from underneath. This is offset by only average performance, primarily due to the small rudder angle.

Conclusion: Visually very appealing, making it a great addition to the range, especially for owners of a racetrack with a pit lane and appropriate decorations. However, for racing, I prefer a vehicle with the newer chassis generation.

CoMod Carrera124

Review by CoMod Lotus of the Carrera D132/Evo McLaren M20 'No.3' Interserie, '74 (30587/27380)

The Felder Racing Team, one of the many racing teams that very few of us have heard of until now – except for die-hard racing fans.

Until Carrera brings the Felder team's car with the number 3 from the 1974 Interserie onto the market as the latest design variant of the racing door wedge McLaren M20.

The McLaren is a familiar model: released in 2010 in two versions with the 917/30 as the rival car (I'll come back to that later!), it has since proven itself on the racetrack. Personally, it's one of my favorite cars, as I was and still am a huge fan of this racing series. It's not easy to drive without a magnet; you have to grind the tires completely flat, otherwise you won't get enough grip. With a magnet, it's driveable without any problems. However, it tends to skid when approaching corners too quickly, as the bodywork places a lot of weight on the rear axle.

Visually, the car is faithfully reproduced. If you want to compare it with the original, the best pictures can be found on the following page: www.loosfahren.de

Relatively little is known about the team, but the driver of the M20 during the racing period is all the more famous: Helmut Kelleners, nicknamed the "Nas from Moers" (so called because of his large nose). The successful racing driver achieved 150 victories between 1961 and 1984, driving primarily BMWs but also in the large sports car class. An interesting overview of his victories with the M20 can be found here: www.racingsportscars.com

The orange and blue car not only looked good, but was also very successful.

By the way, the Felder Racing Team also fielded a 917/30. Check out the pictures on the website mentioned above. Wouldn't that be an interesting color scheme, don't you think, Slottus?

CoMod Lotus

Pictures by Dave Kennedy - Carrera of America - of the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Plymouth Superbird "No.02", Riverside '70 (Art. No. 30586)

Have fun watching the pics of those amazing cars!

Best regards,
Dave

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

******************************************

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

Review by CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evo BMW 2002 ti "Team Warsteiner", '76 & "Tuner" (Art. No. 30547/27349 & 30548/27350 - pictures only)

Technical data:
Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 92 grams
Weight (body): 28 grams
Length including spoiler: 133 mm
Wheelbase: 78 mm
Track width (front axle): 47 mm
Track width (rear axle): 47 mm
Other: Front axle with independent suspension

Overview of the color variants:
Both the gold Warsteiner version and the white tuner version are available as analog and digital vehicles. Idee+Spiel is also releasing a special silver 'Martini Racing' edition, exclusively in digital format.

Optics:
Slowly but surely, Carrera is expanding its classic car lineup. Following Opel, Ford, and Volkswagen, the BMW 2002 is now rolling out onto the track. And to be honest, I'm not entirely happy with the design. The basic body is very well-executed, but the wheel arches of the flares could be significantly rounder, in my opinion.

There's nothing to criticize about the designs, however: the Warsteiner look is classic, very familiar, and yet new territory for Carrera. The white tuner version with the Castrol look offers an appealing contrast. Instead of the blond youth, however, a driver figure with a racing helmet would have been better.

Technology:
The chassis utilizes familiar elements. The total weight is a pleasingly low 92 grams. The front wheels are independently suspended, and the proven E200 engine powers the car. The digital versions feature lighting, which is very well implemented. There's no significant amount of stray light penetrating the sides, either front or rear.

Driving test:
With the magnets fully equipped, the usual picture emerges: The BMW stays safely in lane at all times, and the relatively small wheel diameter enables good acceleration and braking values.

Removing the rear magnet gives you a noticeably wider acceleration limit. The tires offer good grip, and neither their narrow dimensions nor their narrow track width have a negative impact. In this configuration, the BMW is also hard to throw off course, but is significantly more forgiving of minor driving errors. K1s can be navigated safely and quickly.

Without magnets, the narrow track becomes noticeable, increasing the tendency to roll. Trim weights are advisable for this setup, but the landing gear offers very little space for them.

Conclusion:
I would have hoped for more in terms of design, but to compensate for this, there are three extremely attractive liveries right from the start: Warsteiner, Castrol, and Martini. The handling is impeccable. However, as a tall and comparatively narrow vehicle, the BMW is no time killer.

CoMod Carrera124

Note from the club administration: pictures of the BMW 2002 ti and tuners will follow as soon as possible!

Review by CoMod JoergW of the DIGITAL 124 Ferrari 250 GTO Second of the GTOs (Art.No. 23764)

Yes, here we have another classic in a new guise. The livery, or rather the color, is different in person than it appears online. I like it much better in person, although I'm a bit doubtful that such a metallic blue paint job was done like this back then.

Be that as it may, the paint is clean and flawless. The vehicle has the new guide keel, which, given its narrow design, definitely makes a difference in handling and drifting. The front wheels turn absolutely smoothly and track for a long time. The rear wheels, or rather the axle, are round and centered—no problems.

The tire compound isn't bad, but for operation without magnets, the tuning tire would certainly be the better choice.

The driver once again wears a white jumpsuit and a white helmet. I'd like to see a bit more variety here.

Conclusion: the GTO is still a sporty sports car for the Carrera track and the blue one looks very good among the red GTOs.

CoMod JoergW

Pictures from Dave Kennedy - Carrera of America - for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Dodge Charger Daytona "No.55", 1970 (Art.No. 30585)

Have fun watching the pics of those amazing cars!

Best regards,
Dave

Test report by CoMod Lotus for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Evolution Disney/Pixar Cars 2 "Lightning McQueen" and Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Disney/Pixar Cars 2 "Francesco Bernoulli" (30555/27353 and 30556/27354)

When the first Cars movie came out in 2006, I didn't even go to the cinema. An animated movie with cars? How could anything decent come out of that?

At some point, 'CrazyChris' convinced me to watch the movie after all during a phone call. What can I say? The film was and still is simply brilliant. The story about the arrogant NASCAR driver Lightning McQueen, who only learns the value of true friendship in the desert town of 'Radiator Springs,' captivated everyone who saw the film. The tire-changing scene with mechanic Luigi in the final race and the tractor-pushing scene with Hook are unforgettable. And of course, the romantic ending with Porsche bride Sally in the reopened 'Wheel-Wheel' restaurant.

But part 1 is history, and now the long-awaited sequel is finally hitting theaters (release date: July 28, 2011). This time, our hero, along with his friend Hook, the tow truck, embarks on a grand tour through Europe and Japan to compete in the World Grand Prix. The event is organized by former oil magnate Sir Miles Axlerod, who has since gone green and wants to use the racing series to promote his biofuel Allinol. Lightning McQueen initially refuses to participate, but changes his mind after being challenged by Italian champion Francesco Bernoulli and persuaded by Hook. Unfortunately, he becomes embroiled in a conspiracy of international proportions. We won't reveal any more here; just watch the film trailers on the Carrera website!

<< about the Carrera Disney/Pixar Cars 2 Special with cinema trailer >>

My personal favorite so far is the wasabi trailer when Hook thinks the green stuff is ice cream.

But let’s take a look at the slot cars:

The Carrera GO!!! series already includes several Cars vehicles from the first film. There will also be five vehicles from the second film. There hasn't been anything in the 1:32 scale yet. However, that's changing! The two protagonists, Lightning McQueen and Francesco Bernoulli, have recently been released for the Evolution and DIGITAL 132.

So let’s take a look at the two vehicles:

Francesco is a classic Formula 1 car, Lightning McQueen the classic NASCAR. Well, at least as classic as an animated, talking car can be. :-) Compared to the regular Formula 1 racers, Francesco has a beefier chassis: wheelbase 87mm, track width 70mm. This makes the little Italian slightly wider (7mm) and longer (15mm) than our hero Lightning McQueen. He's also lighter: Francesco weighs 86g, McQueen 94g.

On the track, Bernoulli is slightly faster than the NASCAR. The different values ​​barely affect roadholding; both cars stick to the track like glue thanks to the magnets, and the wide track prevents them from being thrown off.

All in all, two cars that are fun to drive and will surely be among the favorites of the younger generation. If only the McMissile were to come out as a model...


CoMod Lotus

Test report from CoMod JoergW on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evo Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 Risi Competizione "No.062", 2011 and Ferrari 458 Italia GT2 Hankook Team Farnbacher "No. 123", 2011 (Art. No. 30553/30554)

Yes, one doesn't really know where the GT2 class is headed. The vehicles are supposed to
They may not be as complex and expensive as the GT1, but they may also not have homologation, or they may be quite close to the production version, like the GT3 class. While the vehicle's basic design remains the same, the individual modifications, sometimes barely noticeable from the outside, require considerable effort to implement. A GT2 car can easily be €100,000-150,000 more expensive than a comparable GT3 model based on the same starting point.

At the end of the year, Carrera will once again be releasing two purebred 1:32 scale race cars, whose relationship to the rather staid "standard" Ferrari 458 is only apparent at second glance. In reality, the Ferrari 458GTCs compete alongside the Corvette C6R and the RSR versions of the Porsche 997 in the endurance classic, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the best-placed Ferrari achieved a very respectable 13th place. The Corvette C6R was the only faster GT car to score points, finishing 11th. The Ferrari 458 GT3s can also be found in the ADAC GT Masters series alongside the BMW Z4 GT3, Audi R8 LMS, Porsche 911, and Mercedes-Benz SLS. So, if you don't take it to the extreme and don't interpret the distinction between GT2 and GT3 narrowly, you can put a realistic and very descriptive starting field of Carrera vehicles in 1:32 on the track.

Optics:
The models are very well painted, the lettering is clean and clearly defined. The selection of the first two models is, in my opinion, well done, in addition to the
classic Ferrari in red, was joined by the black-white-red vehicle of the Farnbacher-
Teams are involved. Both vehicles appear to be faithfully reproduced, and the low-profile tires look great. However, there's a bit too much space in the wheel arch area overall, if you look at the pictures of the originals.

The elongated yellow headlight sections look very good illuminated in the dark. The vehicle also looks realistic, except for a small amount of translucence in the front axle area. In the taillight area, black covers are mounted under the red LEDs to prevent them from shining through. The rims with brake discs are true to the original. For a drivable 1:32 model, I think the overall look is very well executed.

Production:
The axles are straight and have a fair amount of lateral play. The front wheel runs well.
The drive wheel runs smoothly in the transmission. The edges of the rather thin, low-profile tires still need to be carefully ground; vigorous sanding isn't required here, but rather delicate refinishing.

The body is flawlessly crafted, but creaks a little in the front area when you
the hand. This area is not continuous due to the air intakes in the hood
which is likely to cause the creaking. This affects the play and
Showcase operation does not have this.

Driving behavior:
The GTs move quickly and the construction responds well to the push button.
With a magnet, the limit zone comes almost without warning, the rear magnet is
Some people would rather do without. Those who prefer to drive without magnets will find enough space in the chassis for thin, narrow pieces of lead.

Have fun with the cars,

CoMod JoergW

PS http://www.risicompetizione.net/articles/ocmx_gallery/12-hours-of-sebring-practice-2

In the new test reports section you will now find a selection of preview images of the new Carrera products!

Here are the pictures of the following Carrera novelties!

1.Carrera DIGITAL 132 Mercedes SLS AMG "F1™ Safety Car" (Item No. 30592)
2. Carrera DIGITAL 124 Porsche GT3 RSR Team Falken (Art. No. 23759)
3. Carrera DIGITAL 124 Bill Thomas Cheetah (Item No. 23760)
4. Carrera DIGITAL 132 Chevrolet Corvette C6R Corvette Racing "No.3", 2007 (Item No. 30581)

The reviews of our CoMods will follow shortly after the pictures!

Review by CoMod long on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Audi R8 GT LMS United Autosports, No. 23 (Art. No. 30569/27365)

The Audi R8 LMS of the British-American team United Autosports looks great just to look at; this is what real Super GTs should look like!


Optics:
The truly superb attention to detail is immediately noticeable in both vehicles. The wheels fit perfectly and faithfully in the wheel arches, and the color scheme suits the R8 very well!

Technology:
The axle play, or trueness, of the axles is as desired in the test versions. There's obviously a bit more space in the Evolution than in the DIGITAL 132 due to the missing light unit, but it should be noted that the look is much better with the lights. The front-mounted rudder section features the new, significantly increased swivel range, which naturally has a very positive effect on the handling – a true racer, in fact.

Processing:
The paintwork and printing are very good, and the two test versions show no other defects. The axles turn smoothly and easily, and the tires offer sufficient grip, regardless of which setup you choose.

Driving behavior:
In terms of handling, you get what you expect and desire: a GT-class super sports car that can always be driven at its limits, regardless of the setup or speed. Top marks, including a star, from me!


Conclusion:
It was about the 132 Audi R8 LMS, but as a fan of the 124s, I would like to mention that these vehicles in 1:24 are now more than overdue#1

CoMod Long

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Test report from CoMod JoergW on the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Audi R8 GT LMS Phoenix-Racing, ADAC GT Masters 2009, No.14 (Item No. 30570)

The new model of the Audi R8 LMS is the car of the Phoenix Racing Team, as it was used in the 2009 ADAC GT Masters.

For just under 260,000 euros, the racing car, built on a series basis, is equipped with the internal
The R16 designation is almost a bargain for a car with GT3 regulations. The Carrera model, with its highly visible silver-black look, is cleanly painted and
assembled. Even with the decals and small add-on parts there is no reason for
Criticism. Only, on the left mirror of this model there is a little of the
yellow varnish not opaque.

Basically, the Audi has very good lighting, but
Unfortunately, the right rear light doesn't work on my model. The driving characteristics of the Audi R8 LMS are well known. I find the car very pleasant to drive, but it's not exactly the quietest.

See you then, CoMod joergW

Review by CoMod JoergW of the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 599XX Nürburgring 201, No. 97 and Ferrari 599XX Paul Ricard 2010, No. 20 (30563/30564)

Unfortunately, I can't really tell you anything new about the vehicle. First presentation and the The addition to the 1:24 model is probably too detailed.

The yellow version looks quite tame, no more, but also no less, than a typical Ferrari in 'soft racing trim.' The yellow is, of course, easy to see on the track, especially in combination with the bright lights.

The gray , or better, the matte anthracite, almost carbon-colored Ferrari, on the other hand, looks more impressive. Sure, it's almost camouflaged on the track, but it looks mean… really mean and fast. I like the lighting on the dark version a bit better than on the yellow Ferrari.

The decals and printing are clean and very detailed. I particularly like the horses on the rear and in the radiator grille: not stickers, but rather a raised embossing. That's not a given at this scale.

Otherwise, both models are well-made. The tires sit well on the rims, but the edges could use some sanding. The axles and rims don't pose any problems on either model, and the handling is familiar.

Conclusion: nice variety in the driver field and near-production GT vehicles can be combined well with other vehicle types, just like in the 24-hour race at the Nürburgring!

CoMod JoergW

PS: the pictures for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 599XX Paul Ricard 2010, No.20 will follow shortly!

Test report from CoMod Mike... for the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto "Breadvan" 1962 Coppa Gallenga 1965, "No.482" (23755)

Another highly controversial car in the D124 range! It's been denounced as a bread oven, a hearse, or whatever! Fans of GT cars, or even other racing series not yet included in the 1:24 range, will regret that with only two new molds released each year, at least one was wasted! A similarly controversial situation may have occurred when some of Enzo Ferrari's employees parted ways with the company to ultimately compete with Ferrari! Thus, a GTO was technically and aerodynamically optimized, making it actually faster than the original.

Carrera's implementation is very detailed. Both versions also show the authentic differences between the respective versions: exhaust systems, rearview mirrors, and windshield wipers! Interestingly, Carrera has attached the driver's insert to the body with screws this time. This adds a little extra weight, but it makes for easier removal when dirty and a more secure attachment. If you unscrew the driver's insert, you can immediately see that the spare tire, visible through the rear window, is a plastic dummy for weight reasons, not rubber. The light is again well shielded by the LED caps.

The increasingly good construction of the D124 vehicles is becoming established in the handling . The change in the rim separation primarily optimizes the true running of the rims, eliminating burrs on the tread. Only those who operate without magnets or on wooden tracks must also grind out the slight imbalance from the rubber tires. The reward is a skillful drift through the curves. However, those who primarily operate digitally should at least leave the center magnets in the vehicle in case the turnout receiver LEDs are installed too close to curves, which would create a risk of the LEDs drifting past each other.

All in all, a beautiful car that's a lot of fun to drive . A diverse entry among the various Ferrari GTO versions already available in the Carrera range. Even if the front looks significantly nicer than the rear, which takes some getting used to!

CoMod Mike...

Review by CoMod JoergW on the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Bill Thomas Cheetah (23761)

Hmmm... there it is, the new big cat version from Carrera! Bright green with yellow appliqués, takes a bit of getting used to, but it's perfectly designed for the racetrack.

Even though it's a road version with Californian license plates, the genes are quite clearly recognizable. With two or three decals and starting numbers, the green model can quickly be transformed into a racing car. Even I can manage that, with my rather
little model building skills and the poisonous green stands out nicely ;-) !!

While researching online, I didn't find a picture of our model, but I did find a kind of green paint job! Yes, they actually existed.

When, in the early 1960s, the then-well-known tuner Bill Thomas developed a Chevrolet-based sports car that was intended to rival Carroll Shelby's then-dominant Cobras, professional racing was certainly already planned. 400 hp and 700 kg speak volumes. Unfortunately, due to a fire at the company and the withdrawal of engine supplier GM, the homologation requirements could not be met. 100 vehicles were not produced during this period. But even the licensed 1:1 replica is struggling to get off the ground. The market for such cars is small and difficult.

In the original, the distance from the engine to the rear axle was kept so small that
no cardan shaft was required. This not only saved weight and costs, but also
It also avoided unnecessary performance losses due to additional drive components. Of course, this can't be implemented in the Carrera range, but the 1:24 scale Carrera big cat also has powerful acceleration. The short wheelbase paired with a wide rear end and thick tires is not a bad recipe for a very agile car.

The front axle continues to rotate for a very long time. The tolerances are correct here, no unnecessary
Friction or imbalance that would slow the caster. Lateral play is present at just the right amount, and vertical play is almost undetectable (i.e., only the clearance provided by the bushings).

The paintwork is clean and sharply defined at the edges. The clear coat is
evenly and without defects.

The rear axle is straight, just like the front axle. The rims also have no
Unbalances occur. The grooves sit neatly on the rims. Without magnets, however, you should
At least rework the edges if you don't choose tuning tires. The grip is okay even without magnets, but the tuning tires allow for higher
Speeds especially in curves.

We have already talked about the special features of the Cheetah when it comes to disassembly
written. A little tip: the flap below the rear license plate can be opened ;-)

See you then, joergW

***********************

Review by CoMod Martinmm on the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Bill Thomas Cheetah (23761)

Contemporary? Contemporary!

The design of the third color variant of the Cheetah is the product of the Carrera designer's imagination. There was no real-life model for it—not even remotely.

However, this 'candy'-like color is still contemporary, in the broadest sense: in the heyday of the Cheetah and slot racing in the mid-1960s, these bright, colorful fantasy paint schemes were quite common. Mainly on the so-called "Thingies" – fantasy vehicle shapes intended to serve a more practical purpose: namely, to conceal the mechanicals and offer as little aerodynamic drag as possible. And the Cheetah's body served precisely this purpose and no other.

The paintwork of the Carrera vehicle fits very well, very well with the Cheetah and very well with the era of the original.

If that's too purist for you, you can add a little more life to the surface by applying start number decals. The rider is equipped with a helmet, creating a 'racing version'.

What I personally don't like so much is the printing on the tires of this color variant. But they can easily be flipped over.

CoMod Martinmm

Pictures by Dave Kennedy - Carrera of America - of the Carrera DIGITAL 132 and Evolution NASCAR Chevrolet Impala Stewart Haas Racing No. 14, 2011 and No. 39, 2011 (Art.No. 30590/27387 and 30589/27386)

Have fun watching the pics of those amazing cars!

Best regards,
Dave

Review by CoMod Joerg of the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Ford GT40 Mk. II "No.5", 1966 (23762)

1966 was the truly big year for the GT40 MKII, and Ford won the World Championship. But what exactly happened at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, where the real-life 7-liter V8 prototype of the golden GT40 model was driven by drivers Dick Hutcherson and Ronnie Bucknum?

This car had little to do with the actual outcome of the race, as it suffered from a faulty clutch and was 12 laps down, but it completed Ford's triple triumph. The real miraculous transformation from water to wine... err... from second to first, was achieved by Henry Ford's team management. He had the two leading cars cross the finish line almost simultaneously, neck and neck. And all for a great publicity photo. This was done, however, in the knowledge that there could be no dead heat (i.e., two cars could be counted as winners). This caused confusion after the checkered flag, as each of the two teams considered themselves the winner. According to the regulations, however, the second team to cross the finish line at the same time was counted as the winner. Both cars had the same average speed, but the car of Bruce McLaren and Chris Amon had started at a distance of 20 m from the GT40 with starting number 1, according to its starting number 2, and had therefore completed 360 laps + 20 m in the 24 hours!

That was a bad move, because the runner-up, Ken Miles, could have won all 24-hour races of the 1966 World Championship.

Optics:
I already wrote extensively about the actual model in the article about the new release of the mold. So, here's a brief summary: The car appears true to the original and is detailed. I particularly like the gold paintwork with the pink and red identification markings much better in person than in various online pictures.

Technology:
In the guide keel and pickup area, the modified guide keel with the extended rotation angle is installed in the “old chassis”.

Driving behavior:
The new guide keel significantly improves handling. Tight corners, in particular, are less daunting, as the vehicle is no longer as likely to lock up due to the guide keel. Smooth and fast driving is truly enjoyable with this vehicle.

Until then,

CoMod Joerg

Test report by CoMod long on the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Aston Martin DBR9 Racing Jetalliance "No. 33", 2008 (Art. No. 23763)

I'm number 4 ;-)

It's finally here! The fourth color version of the DBR9, Jetalliance Variant No. 33, is once again a successful GT. A fantastic conversion of the highly successful original from the Jetalliance Racing Team, who scored 59 FIA GT points, three wins, four pole positions, and four podium finishes with the 2008 car.

There is nothing new to report on the technology, we are at the level of the 23747 model, so without edge on the engine grille and the rear magnet, nice and flat in the rear area, etc. All information about this test report can be found in the Gallery of design variants from 2010.

From the inside, the chassis looks as tidy as ever, and the reworked swing arm has a positive effect on the handling. The only thing that really bothers me is that we only got one color version this year! One can only hope this won't be the last...

CoMod Long

Test report by Dave Kennedy - Carrera of America - on the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Bill Thomas Cheetah Vintage GT Challenge, Bill Thomas Cheetah Model 2, Bill Thomas Cheetah No.46, August 1964, Bill Thomas Cheetah (Art.No. 23744/23745/23760/23761)

Carrera's model of the classic American sports car the Cheetah has ignited the passion of slot racers around the country. The Cheetah remains one of the most unique and iconic sports cars from the mid-60's era of racing. The real racing car had a short life on the track but a long history of staying in the minds of slot racing fans. Now with this fourth release of the Cheetah in the DIGITAL 124 line, Carrera offers the only version of the Cheetah approved by the family of the original designer of the original car Bill Thomas. Great attention to detail has been taken to reproduce in faithful detail this true American legend.

The Cheetah's place in slot car history is a unique one. In the 60's the car was a current sports car run against some of the true legends of racing most notable among them was the Shelby Cobra, Daytona Cobra and a fleet of crimson Ferrari sports cars. At the time it wasn't the most successful design but it was immortalized by slot companies of the time. That exposure was the key to the Cheetah staying in the minds of young slot racers of the time who now have fond memories of the car.

On the track the DIGITAL 124 Cheetah is a solid performer. With the big block power that the slot car has it will sweep through the turns and growl down the straights on your track. Fat 14mm wide tires provide the grip and the standard 18,000 rpm motor provides the power to the 10 tooth pinion and 50 tooth crown gears.

The field of four Cheetahs are at home racing against the Corvette GS previously produced by Carrera for DIGITAL 124, the Ford GT40s and the 250 GTO Ferraris as well as the "Breadvan" Ferraris as well.

Best regards,
Dave

Test report from CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera DIGITAL 132 / Evolution Ople GT Race II (30575/27370)

What do you write about a vehicle that everyone knows?

We're talking about the Opel GT. After three variants were released last year, another racing version, dubbed 'Race 2', is now being launched.

The color scheme is both classic and pleasing: a bold orange-red with black decorative stripes. It suits the small Opel perfectly. Attentive fans of the classic car will recognize the color combination: a rarer version of the Universal 132 Porsche Turbo clearly served as the inspiration.

The chassis is identical to the previously released variants: the relatively low weight is advantageous, giving the vehicle extremely aggressive acceleration. The independent front suspension is still not my cup of tea, but it doesn't have a negative impact on handling here.

The adhesive force of the magnets is extremely strong – for greater driving pleasure, it is recommended to remove at least the rear magnet.


CoMod Chris

Review by CoMod martinmm on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Porsche 917/30 'No.48' (30573/27368)

It does look a bit 'colorless' – the medium blue McLaren M20 – driven by Scooter Patrick in 1974.

Only the starting numbers, subtle silver team lettering, and two sponsor emblems adorn the vehicle. But that's just the way it is. Perhaps that's also the reason why the vehicle is otherwise rarely seen as a model.

The racing results, however, are quite impressive: Patrick took home one win and two third places with the M20 in 1974. He finished third overall, behind Jackie Oliver and George Follmer. Technically, the car is, of course, identical to the previously released Evolution and D132 variants.

A very interesting addition to the Can Am starting field, which this year is being generously expanded with another color variant of the McLaren M20, a color variant of the Porsche 917/30 and a new model.

CoMod martinmm

Test report by CoMod Carrera124 for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 / Evolution AMG-Mercedes C-DTM 2007 Deutsche Post AMG Mercedes 2010 "D.Coulthard" (30561/27359)

Former F1 drivers regularly make their way to the DTM: Jean Alesi, Mika Häkkinen, and Ralf Schumacher are just a few examples. Most recently, David Coulthard was the prominent newcomer to the field! He signed a contract with Mercedes-Benz for the 2010 season and quickly became a fan favorite.

After some initial difficulties, he gradually gained momentum, but for the fans, his placings were probably of secondary importance. Regardless of his position in the race, his car with its bright yellow paintwork was unmistakable and a vibrant splash of color. Even championship rival Audi seems to have taken a shine to the color scheme, as an Audi A4 in the yellow Post livery is also on the road this season.

So it wasn't long before the desire for David Coulthard's company car was expressed here in the club forum. A few impatient souls have already taken the initiative and painted the post-war design themselves. Anyone lacking the necessary skills can now purchase the model in regular stores.

Visually, the model lives up to its original promise: it's unmistakable on the track, making it impossible to mistake it for one of the DTM cars. The black painted or printed add-on parts and lettering provide an attractive contrast to the yellow base color.

Technically, everything remains the same: the Mercedes still has a chassis from the old suspension generation of 2007 and 2008. Compared to the suspension technology used since 2009, it doesn't perform miracles, but it's certainly sufficient for refined driving pleasure.

The rear magnet is immediately removed, and the center magnet is set to the weakest grip. Nevertheless, the grip this time is somewhat stronger than I've been used to with similar vehicles from recent years. While this is an advantage for fast cornering, it also somewhat compromises agility. It's not really a bad thing; it's more a matter of personal taste.

Overall, this car is a real asset to the DTM starting field.

CoMod Chris

****************************************


Test report by CoMod Carrera124 for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 / Evolution AMG-Mercedes C-DTM 2007 Laureus AMG Mercedes 2010 "R.Schumacher" (30562/27360)


Big names in the DTM!

Ralf Schumacher has been active in the DTM since the 2008 season. Initially with a
Last year's model, since 2009 with the current vehicles. In his first three years, however, he only managed to achieve a few highlights. His dominant pole position at the Norisring and the fastest lap remain memorable. However, a potential race win was ruined by a jump start. Ralf Schumacher also performed very well at the Norisring in 2009 and 2008; this historic street circuit clearly suits him.

This season, however, things seem to have turned around: two podium finishes in the first three races and currently fourth place in the overall standings! Hardly anyone seriously believed Ralf Schumacher was capable of that. Back to 2010: that season, his racing car was shiny chrome and adorned with the "Laureus Sports Award" logo. I don't find this design particularly exciting; it's already been released in various variations in the Carrera range: most recently in the "Original Parts" design of Bernd Schneider's car, and before that, on Mika Häkkinen's car from the 2006 season.

But I don't want to complain; after we've been presented with a truly colorful mix of DTM innovations so far, we can easily accept a comparatively bland design variant.

However, a less pleasant surprise awaited us during the road test: the car initially rattled like a tractor. The cause was a poorly trimmed rear axle rim. This defect was quickly repaired with the help of a hobby knife, but it was still annoying. And despite the repair, the performance remained somewhat worse than that of the yellow Coulthard miniature, although the basic characteristics were identical.

The bottom line is that the DTM starting field in 1:32 scale has been expanded this year by four attractive and extremely varied design variants, so there should be something to suit every taste.

CoMod Chris

Test report by CoMod Long on the Carrera DIGITAL 124/ DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 599XX 'As seen at Geneva Motorshow 2009' (23756/30532)

The 599XX, unveiled at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, is a racing version of the 599 GTB. The car produces 537 kW (730 hp) at 9,000 rpm and is lightweight thanks to the use of carbon fiber body panels, special alloys in the engine block, and a ceramic brake system. A new transmission setup allows gear changes in as little as 60 milliseconds. The body and underbody are aerodynamically optimized, developing downforce of 280 kg at 200 km/h and 630 kg at 300 km/h. Furthermore, the car runs on 29/67 R19 front and 31/71 R19 rear tires mounted on 19×11J rims at the front and 19×12J rims at the rear.

The Ferrari 599XX features a new system in the trunk called Active Flow. These fans extract a portion of the air flowing beneath the vehicle before it reaches the diffuser. However, only the small portion of the airflow just before the breakaway limit is drawn in through a porous layer. Because this prevents air turbulence, the diffuser slope can now be greater than the usual 7° without the airflow breaking away, thus generating greater downforce with the same aerodynamic drag. The drawn-in air is exhausted through the dummy taillights. To reduce turbulence during the exit, the airflow is driven to an oscillation of 800 Hz by piezo-controlled membranes, which has a positive effect on the drag coefficient.

The price of the vehicle is over one million dollars and the small series is limited to 30 units, which will be given to selected customers.
(Source: http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ferrari_599)

But let's get to the model itself. The design is already familiar from its little brother, so it's not really anything new. However, it must be said that in the 124 version, the Ferrari comes across a bit differently—much more aggressive, lively, and powerful. The red body with the carbon fiber really suits it.

All unnecessary embellishments on the chassis have been omitted, something we already know from the GT3. However, we're once again dealing with a real heavyweight. The chassis weighs 173g, and the top another 65g, resulting in a total weight of approximately 238g, similar to the DBR9. The axle on the Ferrari is also neatly mounted, as it should be. The lighting is also adequate and doesn't glare from the wheel arches.

The Ferrari 599XX boasts the longest wheelbase of any modern sports car, which should actually provide excellent handling. However, due to its relatively high weight, the super sports car feels a bit sluggish and ponderous.

Personally, I don't think the 599XX really fits in with the GTs. In terms of handling, it's at a disadvantage. Therefore, I believe the 599XX will feel most comfortable among its peers. Here, the opportunities are level, and the cars are fighting in the same class.

CoMod Long

*********************************

Test report by CoMod JoergW for the Carrera DIGITAL 124/ DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 599XX 'Homestead 2010' (23757/30533)

As already described in detail in the report on the 1:32 scale model, Ferrari has produced a production-based racing car with the XX version. Instead of a lot of words, here's an invitation to take part in the record-breaking lap of the Nürburgring: Under seven minutes through the green hell!

And for those who prefer the 1:1 version, here is another source where you can purchase the Ferrari 599xx as a used vehicle with only 1500 km mileage for just over 1.3 million euros: http://www.pkwradar.de

The vehicle appears proportionally more powerful and massive in 1:24 scale than in 1:32, a real racing car. The original shape comes across well, and the model has been scaled down very attractively. Red and blue are fine as base colors. I find the metallic effect of the blue Ferrari, in particular, very realistic and not at all 'toy-like.'

The guide keel of the new swing arm rotates smoothly and far enough. Since the vehicle is unfortunately not exactly light at 240 grams, the old swivel arm would have reached its breaking point at this point at the latest. That's almost half a pound, which then pushes its mass onto the guide keel area in curves. The vehicle handles flawlessly—no sprinter, but a reliable long-distance candidate.

The lights are fine. Very bright at the front, but don't shine through, so they should also be suitable for night driving à la 24-hour races. While the car looks like a counterpart to other 1:24 GT cars, it might have slight disadvantages due to its heavy weight. As is almost always the case: it's best to race cars of the same type against each other. Maybe we'll get one or two more colors... yellow always looks good on the track ;-)

CoMod joergW

Test report by CoMod long on the Carrera DIGITAL132 and Evolution Audi A4 DTM 2008 "O. Jarvis" (30559 and 27357)

REAL MEN TRUST TABAC ORGINAL – now the 7th color variant of the Audi A4 DTM 2008.

Optics:
After removing the film, only one thing came to mind: WOW! It turned out really nice. And truly, the 1:32 scale brown Tobacco version, long requested by the CC club members, is in no way inferior to the original. It takes a while to discover all the details, be it the printing, the design of the diffuser, or the numerous spoilers and flaps.

Technology:
There is little to report here: familiar technology from previous versions.

Processing:
The Audi presents itself at its best, namely flawless. Great lettering, delicate flaps, and spoilers. While driving, the two beautiful white side mirrors should be removed, as they could easily be damaged in a crash.


Driving behavior:
Setup is a matter of taste. The Audi can be driven safely and quickly with both magnets. Without the rear magnet, a little more concentration is required, but the driver is rewarded with realistic handling. The tires had decent grip on the test track. I really liked the Audi.

Conclusion:
As a true DTM and Audi fan, you won’t be able to ignore the TABAC.

CoMod long

Test report by CoMod Lotus for the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Porsche 917/30 'No.48' (30572/27367)

It's finally on the market!

We've had to wait long enough for this version of Porsche's 1100 hp, racing door wedge. The versions released so far, the Sunoco and the CAM2, are truly beautiful cars, especially race cars. I just can't do much with road cars on a racetrack. But my absolute favorite among the 917/30s is the recently released yellow racer with the Bosch livery.

The car already existed as a slot car. The manufacturer in the 1970s was Fleischmann (yes, they also built slot cars, and not bad ones). Although that's not strictly true: the Fleischmann model was a 1972 917/10, and the Carrera car is the original 1974 Donohue/Penske Porsche, chassis number 006. In 1979, the car passed into the possession of Vasek Polak. After the death of the well-known racing driver, Porsche collector, and dealer in 1997, the American Chris Gruys bought the car and repainted it with the current Bosch livery. The yellow one was one of my favorite cars 20 years ago. To be honest, it never saw the racetrack because I simply felt it was too precious for that.

When you compare the two vehicles, you realize that the two models aren't worlds apart, but galaxies. The build quality today is a dream compared to the car of that time. It's also more stable; the "Fleischmann" (meat-makers) practically had a predetermined breaking point above the front axle, as the body was so thin there that the front end would break off after a hard crash. The Carrera forgives almost everything, which of course doesn't mean you should drive it into every wall; it's simply too beautiful for that.

Enough raving: Buy the car and put it in your own slot. Or, as in my case, in your display case.

CoMod Lotus

Test report by CoMod Carrera124 for the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Porsche GT3 RSR Blackswan Racing, Test 2010 (23758)

After the GT3 was the last new model to be delivered, the third color variant is now ready to go. This is the test version of the Blackswan racing team. And, as is often the case with test versions, the car is painted matte black. Which brings us to a drawback: the car isn't always clearly visible on the black track sections. However, the white roof somewhat mitigates this effect.

Fortunately, since the car has a starting number, the design doesn't seem out of place next to the two previously released variants. Technically, there are no differences anyway; the Blackswan Racing version also features the improved 2010 chassis generation.

I skipped the test drive with magnets and instead removed all the magnets. Tire grip is average, allowing for safe driving, but still offers some room for improvement. Anyone who has already driven one of the other two GT3 design variants will not experience any surprises.

CoMod Carrera124

Test report by CoMod long on the Carrera DIGITAL 124 Porsche GT3 RSR Blackswan Racing, Test 2010 (23758)

First of all, I'd like to send a big thank you to Austria! It's calendar week 10 and the first color variants of the Porsche GT3 RSR are available! So, as far as I'm concerned, the 124s can continue at this pace.

Blackswan...well, the black swan is at least as beautiful as Natalie Portman in the film of the same name, but that's just a side note.

Once again, we're treated to a test version in black. Most people might groan and think, "Just another old test car in black!" But the matte black test version of the Porsche GT3 RSR is nothing like the previous ones. This version is characterized by contrast! Finally, a version in wicked matte black, with an aggressive look that could easily be used as a racing version. Perhaps it's the white roof, the spoiler with the stars and stripes, or the green color details and accents. Even at the presentation at the show, it was already clear that the Black Swan was very well received by everyone.

Again, I won't go into detail about all the new features of the chassis; you can find them in detail in my report on the Flying Lizard - all the same!

For me, this is another great version of the GT3 RSR. It performs very well on the track, and it's becoming increasingly difficult to pick a favorite! Definitely a must-have, and as a Porsche and GT fan, you can't ignore the Black Swan either.

I'm looking forward to the FALKEN and future designs.

CoMod long

Test report by CoMod Slotus for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, Team Black Falcon, VLN 2011, "No. 2" and Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3, HEICO Motorsport, ADAC GT Masters 2011 (Art. Nos. 30551/27381 and 30552/27382)

It's well known that I'm a fan of the gullwing SLS; you only have to read my report on the production car to see that. What I see on my desk right now is even more appealing to me: the GT3 racing version of the luxury racer from Mercedes-Benz!!!

That's exactly what I always want for the racetrack: a real racing car. Nothing against supercars, they belong in a slot car manufacturer's product range too, but what we really want is a real race car in bright colors, with lots of cool sponsor stickers and a starting number. ;-) And the Black Falcon is exactly that kind of race car!

I'll write something about the team later, but first some information about the model:
The SLS's performance is essentially the same as the production car. Its responsiveness and acceleration are excellent. Thanks to its long wheelbase and wide axles, it also corners very well. The silver, black, and red color combination has become a Mercedes classic and looks truly impressive on the track. The workmanship and paintwork are flawless; the car is faithfully reproduced. You can find several pictures of the Mercedes online. For those interested, the car represents the version used in the opening race of the 2011 VLN season on the Nordschleife (incidentally, two of the three SLS cars used finished third and fourth).

Here are some details about the BLACK FALCON team:
The Kelberg-based company 'Black Falcon GmbH & CoKG' is an international motorsport company and operates as an event service provider and sports marketing agency in motorsport. The 'Black Falcon' team fields its vehicles in the VLN Endurance Championship Nürburgring. 'BF' is one of the so-called Mercedes-AMG Customer Sport teams, which compete in the endurance championship with near-production SLS GT3s. They have been extremely successful in previous years: BLACK FALCON was the championship team in the 2008 and 2009 seasons, and in 2010, the overall VLN victory was achieved with the SLS AMG GT3. And in 2011, drivers Carsten Knechtges (Mayen), Manuel Metzger (Rickenbach-Hütten), and Tim Scheerbarth (Dormagen) once again won the championship title.

If you want to see more (results, pictures, videos, etc.), we recommend the excellent BLACK FALCON website: www.black-falcon.de

CoMod Slotus

Test report from CoMod Carrera124 on the Carrera DIGITAL 132 and Evolution Chevrolet Corvette C6R Luc Alphand Aventures 'No.72', Le Mans 2010 (30580/27373)

Technical data:

Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 100 grams
Weight (body): 30 grams
Length including spoiler: 145 mm
Wheelbase: 84 mm
Track width (front axle): 57 mm
Track width (rear axle): 60 mm

Body:
The Corvette C6R is a true long-time favorite, having been a staple in both real-world racing and Carrera cars for years. It has been available in 1:32 scale since 2006. The latest design variant comes in the form of the version of the French racing team 'Luc Alphand Aventures,' as it competed in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2010. The color scheme is predominantly black and white, even the rims are black. The lettering and lettering are accurately applied, and the green-yellow tinted headlights provide an attractive contrast. All of this combines to create a visual delight.

Chassis:
The real innovation can be found under the body: a completely redesigned chassis of the current generation, which replaces the previous chassis of the Corvette C6R (sliding magnet chassis in the analog versions, and Pro-X chassis in the digital versions). There's enough space in the front end for a rigid front axle, and the total weight is almost exactly 100 grams.

Driving test:
Even with the older suspensions, the Corvette's performance was quite good. Expectations for the new design are therefore high. With the full magnetic system, the handling is quite unspectacular: high cornering speeds are subject to an extremely narrow threshold. Driving errors are almost impossible to correct, but due to the wide and flat body, they have to be deliberately provoked.

Without the rear magnet, the handling improves noticeably: the achievable cornering speeds are lower. In return, you gain a wider limit range that forgives overconfident corners. I find this setup ideal for digital operation. The Audi R8 LMS seems most likely to be a suitable opponent. Both cars achieved similar lap times on my test track, although the Corvette subjectively handles slightly better. The chassis also offers good conditions for operation without magnets, as there is sufficient space in the sidepods for trim weights. Whether you stick with the standard tires or use other manufacturers, like Ortmann, is a decision you'll have to make for yourself.

Conclusion:
A successful rebirth, both visually and technically, the Corvette fits in very well with other current GT race cars. I hope that, in addition to the second design variant this year, more versions will follow next year.

CoMod Carrera124

Test report by CoMod Lotus for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 and Evolution Mercedes-Benz SLR Mc Laren GT TRG Motorsports 'No.71', 2009 (30567/27363)

Ever heard of TRG Motorsports? No?

Neither did I, until I started researching the latest design variant of the McLaren SLR by Carrera. On Facebook, TRG is listed under "Professional Sports Team." That's a nice euphemism for a very high-profile racing team. The team from Mooresville, North Carolina, competes in NASCAR and the Porsche GT3 Cup, among other championships.

The beautiful dark blue metallic SLR with the number 71 is a car that TRG, together with Circle B Motorcars of Texas, plans to field in the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge GT Championship. The 21 existing cars were normally only used in the SLR Trophy, a racing series for owners of the 'standard' SLR 722 and thus members of the very elite SLR Club. Anyone who's in that class certainly has plenty of spare cash. ;-)

CBR/TRG, on the other hand, wants to field the car in the World Challenge. For this, the engine, originally boosted by RML to 650 hp, will be reduced to 550 hp. TRG sees the SLR's use as a demonstration of what is technically feasible and hopes that some other owners of 'production' SLRs will take their cars to the track and not just let them gather dust in car collections. This will, of course, be under TRG's direction, given the necessary expertise and experience: 'TRG has the full capability to race and service customer SLRs as well.' (Quote from Kevin Buckler, owner of TRG Motorsports).

Let’s move on to the Carrera model:

As my colleague, CoMod Mike..., wrote in his club report about the SLR in 2009: 'TRG Motorsports, together with RML, prepared an SLR 722 GT for a Speed ​​GT race in the USA this year. I hope this isn't an isolated incident and we'll see the car more often. Perhaps even in this beautiful dark blue race version on the local Carrera track!'

Well, his wish has come true! This blue racing version is finally available for the Carrera track. I'll spare you any further praise for the looks; just take a look at the pictures; there's nothing wrong with this car. The SLR exhibits its well-known, docile handling: it runs very smoothly thanks to the long front end and the guide keel positioned far forward. With the magnet, it's almost impossible to throw the car off track; without it, gentle drifting is possible.

Let's hope that one or two more color variants of this excellent racer will come onto the market!

CoMod Lotus

**********************
Test report by CoMod JoergW on the Carrera DIGITAL 132 and Evolution Mercedes-Benz SLR Mc Laren GT TRG Motorsports 'No.71', 2009 (30567/27363)

In the fall of 2007, the SLR 722 GT was presented, a racing version of the standard 722 limited to 21 units. The British racing company RML Group reworked more than 400 parts to transform the "standard 722" into a race car for the SLR Club Trophy.

The SLR-722 special models of the SLR are intended to commemorate the victory of the British racing legend
Stirling Moss at the Italian endurance classic Mille Miglia.
The starting number of the original 300 SLR was 722, which, after the starting time at 07:22
Watch was awarded. A lot has changed not only with the original compared to its namesake. Especially with the 1:32 models from Carrera, one can literally experience the technological advances of recent years.

Since there are already several reports on this model, here is my brief impression of the
Model:


cleanly executed paintwork, corresponds to the pictures I saw of the original
(I'll probably have to wait a while longer to see a 1:1 model)
Decals and lettering clean and sharp
Tires and rims without annoying burrs (can be driven without sanding)
Landing gear geometry and rudder angle very well coordinated (it does break out at some point, but you can get it under control again)


Until then,
CoMod JoergW

Test report by CoMod Lotus for the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Ford Capri RS3100 Group 2, 1975 (30574/27369)

Among the most legendary racing cars produced by Ford's European factories, alongside the RS 200 and the Sierra XR41, is the Ford Capri RS from the first production batch. Carrera released the Capri in the RS version with the 3.1-liter engine.

Production of the RS3100 began in November 1973 and ended in January 1974 after just 248 units had been produced. The visual differences from the previously highly successful RS2600 consisted of a new front spoiler and the enormous rear spoiler known as the "ducktail." The racing versions also featured angular fender flares. The engine of the production RS produced 148 hp from 3091 cc. However, the racing versions of the Ford factory team had a 3.4-liter Cosworth engine with 415 hp. This made the RS3100 unbeatable in 1974. At the end of 1974, the Ford Motorsport team, founded only in 1969, withdrew the Capri from racing and left the field to dedicated private drivers. In the following years, the focus was on the Ford Escort. The Capri did not return to Group 5 until 1978.

So much for the general history of the 3100. Here's some more information about the green and white slot-track racer: the new design variant of the Capri from Carrera is a typical representative of the large Division 1 up to 4000 cc (better known as Group 2). The model for this car was the car of Dave Matthews' Broadspeed team from 1973, which he unfortunately destroyed in a crash at Silverstone. The car is now available again as a replica, built as an RS3100 to Group 2 specifications based on a '73 body.

CoMod Lotus

Test report from CoMod JoergW on the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Audi A4 DTM Audi Sport Team Phoenix, "A. Prémat" (30560/27358)

Another DTM, another Audi?? Yes, indeed!!! A very nice example, but first of all: Who's fast again, A. Prémat? Right, there was something there! Successes in 2007 and 2008, a top Audi driver, then collisions in 2010, trouble within the team, and premature dismissal from his duties. Team Phoenix, under Ernst Moser, didn't let the Frenchman finish the season. Even though the ending was a bit gloomy, the Frenchman has nothing but good things to say about his former racing team.

Optics:
The Carrera model's vibrant blue paint scheme with a silver roof and colorful sponsor logos looks like a real race car and is very visible on the track. As with the other cars in the DTM series, great attention was paid to small details and authenticity. Unfortunately, this isn't always possible, as sponsor stickers on models sometimes attract hefty price demands from the rights holders! And who wants to accept hefty price increases just for an XYZ sticker? Well, everything's fine with this model—no white areas.

Technology:
The technique with the old rudder angle is familiar. Essentially, nothing new to report.

Processing:
The workmanship is flawless. The axles and rims fit perfectly and are free of wear. The tires, which have good grip, could be glued on and break at the edges. However, some caution is advised here, as the material, true to the scale model, is quite thin and has a low profile. At least for home track users, occasional tire adjustment should be sufficient.

Driving behavior:
The A4 drives smoothly and very quietly. Taking the "old turning angle" into account, the car is very easy to control on all types of tracks. In the test, it ran at 14.4-14.8 volts and magnets, which most people probably drive at home. Thanks to the "old chassis," the magnets can still be easily removed without disassembling the car, which I used for a short trip without any optimization using lead, etc. What can I say? It's fun! But the drift-inhibiting rudder stop does come on quite quickly.

Miscellaneous:
To secure the rather delicate rear spoiler during transport, Carrera has designed a transparent attachment that slides on from the rear. The attachment then sits flush with the narrow side of the box, making it very effective. Unfortunately, this means that the rather stiff fastening screw cannot be installed in the most convenient, finger-friendly position.

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Test report by CoMod Carrera124 for the Carrera DIGITAL 132/Evolution Audi A4 DTM Audi Sport Team Phoenix, "A. Prémat" (30560/27358)

No, the gentian isn't blooming here. However, the light blue Audi A4 DTM of the Phoenix racing team certainly brings some color into play.

This car was originally driven by Frenchman Alexandre Premat in the 2010 season. Both gained notoriety through a horrific crash during the penultimate race at the Adria Raceway in Italy.

In this accident, the car was completely destroyed, but the driver fortunately suffered only minor injuries. After this incident, Audi and Premat parted ways, and he was replaced for the final race of the season by Chinese driver Darryl O'Young. O'Young, in turn, was unable to start the race as planned because he also severely damaged the newly rebuilt car in a practice accident.

No news on the technical side: The Audi still has the older-generation suspension, which has been used unchanged in this vehicle type since 2008. The workmanship and tire grip are flawless, only the cable to the pickups was somewhat poorly routed inside the car, which caused the guide keel to rotate a bit jerkily in one direction.

Conclusion: Color makes life colorful – and also the DTM fleet.