Vehicle reports

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Audi R8 LMS 'Audi Sport Team'

Item No.: 20030770


The color red…
... adorns the second design variant of the newly designed Audi R8 LMS. The original vehicle competed in the VLN in 2015 and was driven by Christopher Mies and Nico Müller, known from the DTM.
Which version you choose is a matter of taste; personally, I like the red design better than the silver one.
For further details, I refer you to the test report for 30769. In terms of performance, the model fits very well into the existing GT3 fleet.

CoMod Chris

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 365 P2 "North American Racing Team, No.18"
Item No.: 20030774

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Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari 365 P2 "No.01", winner Kyalami 9h 1965
Item No.: 20030775

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The 9 Hours of Kyalami
were the central race of the South African Springbok Trophy Series from 1965 to 1974.
On November 6, 1965, David Piper and Richard Attwood covered the winning distance of 1,240.729 km in their Ferrari 365 P2. Converting that to a 1:32 scale, you get just under 39 km... Converted to a standard 8-meter-wide track, that was 4,875 laps... quite a challenge for slot car enthusiasts and slot car enthusiasts.
The Ferrari 365 P2 presented here is the further developed customer version of the successful 275/330 P2 Ferraris. Subsequently, the Ferrari 330 P3/P4, which we know from Carrera in 1:24 scale, was also created.
I think the model's implementation is generally accurate. I used my wife's uncalibrated tape measure to measure the vehicle's length, width, and wheelbase, and compared them with the original data I had. Even though the model is slightly larger than the original in all dimensions, the ratio between length and width, in particular, is pretty accurate.
The rims are true to the original, but could have been stamped a little deeper.
The driver figure and other attachments are true to the original and perfectly executed.
I'm torn about the shade of green. The green generally fits the 1960s, but when you look at photos—unfortunately, they don't always truly capture the true colors—or see a car from the David Piper collection in person... he has some real gems like a Porsche 9170, Lolo T70, and Ferrari 250 LM... the color seems off to me.
The low weight of 83 grams is very noticeable in operation. It's really fun to drive this little racer around the track. The front wheels have independent suspension, allowing them to spin freely and easily. The tires have good grip; all in all, it's a fun car that can be driven historically accurately against the Shelby Cobra and the Porsche 904 GTS.

CoMod JoergW


If you tell a car fan about a Ferrari 365, they usually have a specific car in mind: the legendary 365 GTB/4 “Daytona” or the 365 GTS/4 (the convertible from Miami Vice).
Relatively unknown, however, is the 365 P2 sports prototype. The car was a further development of the 250 LM, the last Ferrari to win the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Equipped with a 4.4-liter engine, this 12-cylinder produced approximately 380 hp. The car was released as a customer car in 1965. Ferrari did not operate its own factory team at the time, but anyone who could afford it could buy a car for racing.
One of these wealthy customers was Luigi Chinetti, an Italian-born American Ferrari dealer and racing driver who founded the North American Racing Team in 1957. The team's purpose was, among other things, to promote the Ferrari brand and vehicle sales through racing successes in the USA. The team's greatest success was the aforementioned Le Mans victory in a 250 LM, driven by Jochen Rindt and Masten Gregory.

The CARRERA model is visually very well executed, and the faithfulness of the printing and paintwork is unequalled. Since there are also a few original color photos of the car, comparisons are easy. The little red speedster weighs very little, which makes it very fast in the takeoff and nimbly around corners. In a direct comparison with the Porsche 904, it cuts a good figure; in my opinion, the Shelby Cobra is a bit more unstable on the track.
All in all, a very nice vehicle that enriches the 1960s starting field.

Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Mercedes-AMG GT3 "No.2", 24h of Dubai
Item No.: 20030768

Technical data

Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 108 grams
Weight (body): 36 grams
Length including spoiler: 150 mm
Wheelbase: 83.5 mm
Track width (front axle): 63 mm
Track width (rear axle): 63 mm


The AMG GT3 is the successor to the equally popular and successful SLS GT3. While it lacks gullwing doors, it's still visually impressive. Carrera is launching two designs for this model: the 30767 is more understated, in dark gray with a yellow stripe. The 30768, the version from the 24-hour race in Dubai, is significantly more colorful and therefore my personal favorite. Once again, the rims, with their suggested brake discs, are very finely detailed, as is the driver's helmet.
Technically, everything remains the same as before; the E200 motor delivers power to the rear wheels via an inline magnet arrangement. The magnetic grip can be adjusted to your liking, from "very strong" to "medium" to "no force at all." The lighting is implemented all around with SMD LEDs, with some diffused light emerging from the side wheel arches at the front.
At 108 grams, the car is no lightweight, but it rides very firmly and also very neutrally on the track. Equipped only with a center magnet, it moves very quickly and without any annoying magnetic stickiness. I may have gotten a model with a particularly good engine, because the handling and lap times are better than those of similarly designed GT3 cars of recent times (the Audi R8 LMS and the Lamborghini Huracan).

CoMod Chris


<< SHOP NOW FOR EUR 68.90 in the ONLINE STORE >>

Carrera Digital 124: Club model 2016 - BMW M1
Zero sample photos

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Chevrolet Camaro 2007 'Sheriff'
Item no.: 20030756

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Audi R8 LMS 'Audi Sport Team'
Item no.: 20030769


Technical data:

Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 108 grams
Weight (body): 36 grams
Length including spoiler: 147 mm
Wheelbase: 85 mm
Track width (front axle): 62 mm
Track width (rear axle): 61 mm


Variants
The announcement of this car was no real surprise. The predecessor model of the same name was widely represented in both GT series worldwide and the Carrera range, so the implementation of the successor is only logical. Initially, two "Audi Sport" versions have been announced for 2016: this one in silver and another in red.

Optics/Body:
The basic shape of the body is still unmistakably an Audi R8, but the details have become significantly more striking and angular. The model impresses with its accurate reproduction of the original; the rims with their suggested brake discs and the headlights are particularly rich in detail. The same applies to the paint job, although the silver-black color scheme seems a bit underwhelming to me personally.

Technology/Body:
The chassis is also a new design compared to the previous model, but retains all the familiar features: the E200 engine, two removable magnets, a digital circuit board, and SMD lighting. The front axle is rigid, but due to the solid and extensive construction, the model is by no means lightweight.

Driving test:
The flat and wide basic shape and the comparatively high weight result in a relatively plush and neutral handling. The Lamborghini Huracan GT3 is a good comparison car. My DTM cars achieve slightly better lap times, but that shouldn't stand in the way of the little R8's future success.


CoMod Chris

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Mercedes-Benz AMG GT3 'No. 16'
Item No.: 2003767

Following its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March 2015, the new Mercedes-AMG GT3 achieved a remarkable second place in its second race outing in the VLN Endurance Championship at the Nürburgring in autumn 2015. Overall victory was only denied by a time penalty shortly before the end of the race. The new AMG GT3, the successor to the retired SLS GT3, was driven by three AMG test and development drivers: Bernd Schneider, Thomas Jäger, and Jan Seyffarth. All three drivers also played a key role in the development of the race car. A total of more than 12,000 test kilometers were completed with the Mercedes-AMG GT3 during its development.

A few brief comments on the model:
The car is a familiar face, having been in the 1:32 scale range since 2013. There's nothing to criticize about the overall appearance. The paint job is very clean and detailed. It's recommended to remove the exterior mirrors while driving (otherwise, they'll fly off after a few laps upon contact with the enemy). As is typical of this model, acceleration is good, as is the top speed; very good lap times can be achieved with the car.


Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 132 BMW Z4 GT3 'Schubert Motorsport - Blancpain 2014'
Item no.: 20030744

Item No. 30744, the new BMW Z4 GT3 of the "Schubert Motorsport" racing team with starting number 20, is, in my opinion, one of the visual highlights of this year's CARRERA program.
The BMW was used in this livery in the 2015 ADAC GT Masters series. The car stands out from any field thanks to its blue and orange livery. No, it's not a GULF livery, but this color combination is one of the most beautiful possible on a race car. And what we want to see on our racetracks are race cars, not production vehicles.
The "Schubert Motorsport" team has existed since 2007 and is based in Oschersleben at the Motor Sport Arena Oschersleben. Its founder is former autocross and German Touring Car Challenge driver Torsten Schubert. Mr. Schubert also operates eight BMW dealerships on the side (or full-time?).


Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 132 GreenGT H2 'Paul Ricard 2015'
Item No.: 20030750

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Chevrolet Corvette Sting Ray 427 'No. 8'
Item No. 20030757

From the road to the racetrack

That was the concept that the big American companies pursued in the sixties when the first sports cars were developed: the Corvette from Chevrolet, the Mustang from Ford.
Let's take a look at Chevrolet, whose latest CARRERA racing car I have here in front of me: item number 30757, a Corvette Sting Ray 427 with starting number 8 in the classic blue, white, and red (American) livery.
The Corvette itself is a truly old-timer, having first been released in 2001. In real life, something like that would actually be considered a modern classic… However, this model continues to enjoy uninterrupted popularity across the Atlantic, which is why it's only available in the US. Collectors, of course, know how to get their hands on this model.

As I said, the basic design is now 15 years old.
The handling is also correspondingly poor, and the technology is no longer necessarily up to the latest standards. However, you have to make compromises with this car anyway, as it's not comparable to modern racing cars. Narrow tires, a narrow track, and crashes if you drive too aggressively are practically inevitable. However, if you compare the car with its direct competitors from the CARRERA range, it can easily keep up. One should always be aware that converting a car from the 1950s or 1960s to the slot car racetrack naturally also means that the slot racer handles like a classic car. Anyone who has ever driven a real car from that era knows what I mean.

But actually I wanted to write a few more sentences about the Corvette Grand Sport program.
The first Corvettes were used in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1960, one of which even won the largest GT displacement class and finished 8th overall.
In 1962, Zora Arkus-Duntov, the first chief engineer of the Chevrolet Corvette, built the first Grand Sport racing cars for the 1963 Le Mans race. The plan was to build 125 ultra-light, high-performance cars, but General Motors ended its racing sponsorship after only five cars had been built. The Grand Sport program ended before the first cars even entered the race. Despite the racing ban, the aforementioned chief engineer gave the original vehicles to private racers (including Roger Penske and Jim Hall) in order to gain the hoped-for information from racing for further series development. Arkus-Duntov developed high-performance brakes and larger fuel tanks so that series cars could be used in racing. He was also responsible for the famous Big Block engine. Thus, motorsport successes were achieved in the following years, but always only by private individuals, as General Motors still did not operate an official racing team. It wasn't until 1999 that CORVETTE RACING celebrated its return to international motorsport with the C5-R.



Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ford Torino Talladega 'Benny Parsons'
Item No. 20030755


Technical data:

Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 112 grams
Weight (body): 40 grams
Length including spoiler: 163mm
Wheelbase: 92mm
Track width (front axle): 55mm
Track width (rear axle): 56mm
Other: no lighting



Shortly after the first version, "Wendell Scott," the second version, "Benny Parsons," was released. I can't report anything substantially new about the technology or handling, so I refer you to the first Test report of vehicle 30754.
It's relatively unusual for two new designs to be released from an old mold. On the other hand, it also provides a suitable opponent vehicle, as most of the older models in this series have long been out of print. For the US, both Ford Torinos will be released in a basic package called "30194 Ford Fastbacks."

CoMod Chris

Carrera DIGITAL 124 BMW M1 Procar 'Daytona 1981'
Item No.: 20023833

The Procar starting field is filling up!

The M1 of the Canadian team 'David Deacon Racing' – which clearly inspired the design – unfortunately didn't reach the finish line at the 1981 24 Hours of Daytona. Let's hope it fares better on the domestic Carrera circuit.

A black car on a black track is a bit critical depending on the lighting and the size of the track - the bright yellow-red livery of the sponsor CAM2 sets visible accents.

The outstanding driving characteristics of the M1 are now well known and described.



Let’s be curious about what other color variations we can look forward to.

Have fun with the car
Martin

Carrera DIGITAL 124 BMW M1 Procar 'Sauber Racing - Norisring 1980'
Item No.: 20023828


Pooh…


What at first sounds like a sigh or the name of a honey-licking bear is the main sponsor of the new BMW M1 in 1:24 scale, the original driven by Marc Surer in 1980 at the Norisring.
Okay, POOH is a jeans brand, as you can tell from the flawless print on the model. But even though it's age-appropriate for my era, I've never heard of a jeans brand called POOH... so my curiosity piqued, I searched the internet.


Even after a long search, I could only find Disney-style clothing. The jeans brand POOH doesn't seem to have made it from the 809s onto the internet... perhaps one of you can find out more about the company (I'd be interested to know, by the way).


The design of the vehicle, with its light blue and white color scheme and yellow zipper, looks successful, and its proportions and layout fit the vehicle well. Everything in the model is faithfully reproduced and executed flawlessly. I particularly like MARC, the understated driver figure. All in all, it's an asset to the series, easily recognizable and distinguishable on the track.
The 1:24 scale BMW M1 exhibits no technical imperfections, defects, or other issues. It's well known from our reports and our own experiences that it's fun to drive – unfortunately, due to the gear ratio, only in a dedicated BMW M1 series. But that gives hope for many more models in the years to come.


Perhaps the next version should be the BMW M1, which Christian Danner, Manfred Schurti, and Manfred Winkelhock drove in 1980... It has a HIS advertisement; I still remember the jeans brand ;-)


Have fun with the vehicle
joergW

Carrera DIGITAL 124 Audi R8 LMS 'Yaco Racing - 2015'
Item No. 20023826

An old acquaintance

The Audi R8 LMS in 1:24 scale is a familiar face on the Carrera racetrack. The first large R8 appeared in the range in 2012, and the car has been available in 1:32 for some time.
I don't need to say much more about the handling of this year's color variant of the Audi; just check out the reviews from previous years. The build quality and, above all, the true-to-scale paint job on the Audi leave nothing to be desired.

The current item number 23826 is the 2015 race car from the YACO Racing team from the Vogtland region. The motorsport team was founded in 2001 by rally driver Uwe Geipel.
https://www.facebook.com/Yaco-Racing-269218073239895/?ref=page_internal
In 2006, YACO started in the ADAC Procar racing series for the first time, since 2012 they have been driving in the ADAC GT Masters series, and since 2013 YACO has been driving an Audi R8:
http://www.motorsport-bbr.de/index.php/adac-gtm/130-yaco-racing-mit-neuem-audi-und-geipel-frey-im-adac-gt-masters

If you take a closer look at the car, you'll notice that Rahel Frey is listed as the second driver alongside Philip Geipel. The attractive blonde has been driving for the Plauen-based racing team since 2014; the Swiss driver previously competed in the DTM.
http://www.rahelfrey.ch/



Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 124 Ferrari 458 GT3 'AF Corse - Blancpain Endurance 2015'
Item No.: 20023824

Ferrari with built-in virus scanner?

Well, almost. Kaspersky, the well-known security software manufacturer, is the main sponsor of this Ferrari 458 Italia GT3, driven by the AF Corse racing team from Piacenza.
The Blancpain Endurance Series is a motor racing series for GT3 Gran Turismo cars, with the season highlight being the 24 Hours of Spa-Francorchamps. The series also features endurance races lasting 3 and 6 hours.
The main and title sponsor of the series is the Swiss watch company Blancpain.
There is not much more to say about the model vehicle ( see also my report).
The design is excellently chosen, it almost turns the Ferrari's otherwise rather beefy and aggressive front look into a "friendly face" and, with its color scheme, is very easy to recognize on the track and distinguish from other vehicles.
The driver figure is very well executed and fits the vehicle perfectly. I already mentioned the very well-made imitation engine in my last report, but I always enjoy seeing details like this.
There's nothing to complain about when it comes to the technical design of the vehicle; it can go straight onto the track—well, depending on the situation, you just remove the magnets, but otherwise everything is race-ready.
If you take a closer look at the paintwork, it's almost a shame to subject it to harsh racing conditions - but even if it looks like it, it's not a static model and dents and paint chips are somehow inevitable on a real racing car.

Have fun with the vehicle
joergW

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ferrari SF15 T 'Sebastian Vettel', No. 5
Item No. 2003763

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche 911 Carrera S Cabriolet
Art. No. 20030772 and 20030773

Women's car?


There are cars about which a lot has been written and about which a lot will still be written.
So if you have to write a report about such a vehicle, you as a lay writer simply can't compete with the professionals.
The Porsche 911 Cabriolet is one such car. Much loved, but clichéd...
But before I attempt anything, I would like to refer you to an article by Margit Stoffels, production assistant at ZEIT-Magazin, who wrote a wonderful homage to the Porsche Cabriolet in ZEIT-ONLINE-Magazin in 2010:
http://www.zeit.de/2010/34/Auto-Porsche-911-Carrera-Cabrio
There's really nothing more to say about it.

So, the dentist/lawyer/housewife/etc. etc. etc. Porsche (enough clichés?) has recently been available for the CARRERA track in 1:32 scale.
In the exciting colors silver and red. Soon also in white. Black is still missing, but you never know what will come. There's nothing wrong with the new model's appearance; the workmanship is of the highest quality, as usual, and the paintwork leaves nothing to be desired. The shape is meticulously reproduced, just like the wonderful original vehicle, and the proportions are just right.
As with previous Porsche convertibles from CARRERA, a male driver sits in the cockpit; personally, I would also like to see a female driver for the car.
The convertible's handling leaves nothing to be desired; the Porsche has a quick acceleration, thanks in part to the good grip of the tires.
Thanks to the wide tires, relatively short wheelbase, and wide track, the car can be easily maneuvered through corners without immediately pushing the limits. This makes it suitable even for inexperienced drivers (or wives) (cliché alert!!!)—you can't go wrong with a convertible.

Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche 917K "JW Automotive Engineering, No.01",
Daytona 24 Hours 1970
Item no. 20030749

Just one word: Gulf

It's a Porsche 917K, and it comes with the Gulf livery. This article could really end there, because both of these factors will ensure that this model will sell well.
Even if the 1:32 scale doesn't quite match the level of detail of its larger brothers, the model still turns out to be a very attractive slot model. To achieve this visual finesse, a small compromise had to be made on the technical side: instead of the standard engine, a flatter engine from the Formula cars was used. While this achieves high revs, it also has a somewhat sharper characteristic and, in my opinion, is therefore not as smooth to control. Thus, while the little Porsche 917K is very fast, it is not exactly easy to drive. In addition, the body makes a very loud roaring noise. This won't deter true 917 fans, but my favorites remain the cars based on slightly more recent models.

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ford Torino Talladega “Wendell Scott”
Item No. 20030754

An old acquaintance with new technology

Technical data:

Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 112 grams
Weight (body): 40 grams
Length including spoiler: 163mm
Wheelbase: 92mm
Track width (front axle): 55mm
Track width (rear axle): 56mm
Other: no lighting


Variants:
The announcement of this vehicle was one of the biggest surprises of 2016 for me. The Ford Torino Talladega first appeared in the Evolution lineup in 2004, and over the following years, a total of five different design variants appeared. Digitally upgradeable versions were already announced in the US catalogs in 2010 and 2011, but in both cases, they were never realized and were dropped from the lineup. But now, the time has finally come.

Optics/Body:
Even though the body shape is more than 10 years old, it still accurately reflects the original. The body's walls are thick enough, which increases the weight but also ensures stability. The red color scheme is rather simple, but the oversized starting numbers and chrome bumpers prevent it from becoming visually boring.

Technology/Body:
The chassis is almost identical to that of the digital Dodge Charger Daytona or Plymouth Roadrunner/Superbird, except that the front floor plate is slightly tapered. Apart from that, all the familiar elements are on board: a digital circuit board with a direction switch, two removable magnets, and the standard E200 engine.

Driving test:
Given the high overall weight and the rather narrow and tall shape, no miracles can be expected in terms of handling. However, the saying "length matters" proves true once again: the Torino handles very smoothly, but without the rear magnet, it becomes a bit of a tail spinner. However, even in tight corners, skids are still relatively rare. The fat tires result in a very quiet and pleasant ride.

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Lamborghini Huracán GT3
Item No. 20030765
<< Shop now >>

Technical data:

Weight (complete vehicle with magnets): 107 grams
Weight (body): 36 grams
Length including spoiler: 148 mm
Wheelbase: 83 mm
Track width (front axle): 62 mm
Track width (rear axle): 62 mm


Cars from the GT3 series are extremely popular with Carrera Digital 132 drivers, and the feedback upon the announcement of this model was correspondingly positive. It's also the first new model of the year.

The real model was presented in a bright green livery with the starting number 63, and with minor cosmetic tweaks, the Lambo then took to the real racetrack. Carrera accordingly chose this design, which had already been familiarized through the media.

Technically, the model meets the usual standards: a continuous front axle ensures stable roadholding, SMD LEDs provide powerful illumination, and the E200 engine delivers powerful acceleration. Overall, the handling is most comparable to that of the DTM cars: the Lamborghini sits firmly on the track, and good lap times are easily achieved. As always, the behavior at the limit can be adjusted via the magnet configuration.

Carrera DIGITAL 124 Porsche 911 GT3 RSR 'Team Mamerow - STT 2015'
Item No. 20023827

Fresh 911 from Mamerow Racing

Mamerow Racing is a German racing team based in the Ruhr region. Father: Peter Mamerow
began participating in the VW Golf Cup in 1982 and his son Christian
competed successfully in the BFGoodrich Endurance Championship from 2009. The team
is competing with Audi and Mercedes, but also frequently with Porsche.
the team in the Special Touring Car Trophy H&R Cup, from which the present
model comes from.

Optics:
The vehicle with the strong blue color scheme is very good on the track
I personally like the design somewhat, as the basic
diagonal-striped design is similar to the Falken Porsche and the
Felbermayr Porsche can be found.

Technology:
Familiar technology is used, nothing new here.

Processing:
Painting/printing everything OK, thumbs up. No defects.
and reprimand.
The front axle turns smoothly, the rear axle could use a drop of oil. Tires have good grip and can be broken in on the track.

Driving behavior:
As usual, the Porsches are agile, but because of the ratio
Width/height also a bit sensitive.

Conclusion:
a nice, if not spectacular, addition to the Porsche/GT field

Carrera DIGITAL 124 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 'Martini Hankook - Zandvoort'
Item no. 20023825

Martini goes Mercedes

Racing cars in the classic white/silver-blue-red design of the Martini brand are
since the 70s on the race tracks of the world and the Carrera tracks in the good
Rooms. Whether in Formula 1, rallying, the various GT classes, Le
Mans or even in motorcycle races, Martini as a sponsor has been out of the racing scene since
It has been indispensable for decades.
I am all the more pleased that there is again a 1:24 model from a current series in the
Martini look made it to the racetrack.

Optics:
The white Mercedes in the Martini look is of course very easily recognizable on the track and
looks really good … the white paint with the colorful decals underlines the
The Mercedes's beefy and aggressive shape... the model is perfectly executed. I personally like it
especially the rims and the brakes.
Some molded or suggested details in the vehicle interior round off the overall impression.

Technology:
Basically, all familiar components. The headlights are white, bright enough, and suitable for night racing. The taillights are bright, and the brake lights are clearly visible. The tires have grip, but, true to the scale model, they're quite thin, so dragging is only possible with caution.

Processing:
The paint and clear coat are cleanly applied. All other
Components such as decals and technical parts are flawless and cleanly assembled.
Wheels and axles turn easily and run smoothly, no problems.

Driving behavior:
The vehicle is already a heavy weight and must be driven accordingly
I find the driving behavior with and without magnet to be quite balanced and
pleasant.

JoergW

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Chevrolet Bel Air 57 "Oval Racer"
Item No.: 20030759

What is an oval racer? Or, to put it another way, what is oval track racing?
In popular terms: driving in circles.
That is the favorite argument of motorsport opponents: “they drive in circles the whole time.”
While this isn't (always) true for European racetracks, it's definitely true for American ones. The dominant racetrack type in the USA is the oval, whether NASCAR, INDY, or other racing series, whether on asphalt, concrete, or sand.
And in the 1960s, since the appearance of the legendary 327 small-block engine, the Bel Air was at home on every one of these tracks, and with great success.
I’ll spare myself the trouble of listing the data now. If you want, you can have a quick look at the following link. The section “post production popularity” is particularly interesting:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1957_Chevrolet

The new Chevrolet Bel Air (item no. 30759), which is unfortunately only available for the American market, doesn't have a specific prototype. However, the car's color scheme somehow reminds me of a NASCAR legend. In any case, the paint job is exceptionally well done; the car is a real eye-catcher.
The handling is always surprising; with the relatively narrow tires, you'd expect the car to roll more quickly in fast corners. However, thanks to its wide track and long wheelbase, the Chevy sits very firmly in its lane. The car is truly fun to drive, and the color scheme and overall look do the rest. For me personally, the design of the car is one of the highlights of the year.



CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ford Mustang 1967
Item No. 20030758

American Classic

Six special US vehicles are planned for this year, with the Chevy Bel Air and the Ford Mustang being the first two. This is a familiar model that has been in the range for many years and is regularly reissued in new designs. This time, the body is wrapped in a subtle metallic blue and bears the starting number "16." So, it's a racing version, though I haven't found any photos of the prototype. But that's okay; that shouldn't affect your purchase decision.

The body itself is very well done, but I still can't get used to the overall look of the vehicle. This is mainly due to the jacked-up rear axle and the protruding rear wheels, which give it a somewhat bulky overall impression.
The chassis – as with the previous design variants of this vehicle – still uses the first generation of digital suspension. This allows the holding magnets to be easily unscrewed from the outside without having to open the vehicle. The motor-rear axle unit can also be folded down for servicing. On the other hand, this first generation carries a certain amount of design ballast with it, which is not necessarily conducive to performance on the track. With all the magnets fitted, the handling is uncritical, but also boring. If you remove one or both holding magnets, you'll need a sensitive thumb, because the Mustang is reluctant to take tight corners, and a certain tendency to tip over is ever-present. As a result, the only suitable opponents are really the other Ford Mustangs released so far.

Carrera DIGITAL 132 BMW M4 DTM 'Timo Glock'
Item no. 20030740

Hey Mr. Postman

Deutsche Post has been a long-standing sponsor of the DTM, and David Coulthard's striking race car, for example, remains unforgettable. Timo Glock, another prominent former F1 driver in the DTM, now pilots the world's fastest postal bus.

Mike's pictures speak for themselves; the model looks exceptionally good from every perspective. The black lines and add-on parts create an attractive contrast, as do the black rims, which are typical of BMW models.

In terms of performance, the small BMW easily fits into the existing
DTM fleet: fast and easy to control, even though the car is not a lightweight.
I received an above-average number of emails and inquiries beforehand asking when this model would finally be available. Based on that, the post-M4 should be an absolute bestseller.

Carrera DIGITAL 124 Porsche 917K "Porsche Salzburg, No.17", Sebring 1970
Item No. 20023823


One of the most eagerly awaited new releases for Digital 124 in 2016 is without a doubt the 1970 Porsche 917K Daytona.
The blue Porsche with the white stripes is a visual treat. This design made it one of the classics of the CARRERA range. The car was already available in white with red stripes for the old Universal 132 and the 124, and this year it was released in white with blue stripes in the 132 scale.
The car was driven by the Porsche-Audi team, as shown by the lettering on the side of the car. The question often arises as to why there was a Porsche-Audi team, since Audi wasn't involved in racing at that time; strictly speaking, the Audi brand only existed again in 1965. During those years, Audi had absolutely nothing racing-related in its product lineup; the cars were as sporty as a 3-meter dirt track (apart from the legendary Audi 100 Coupé, which was a regular sports car and not used in races).

The name of the PORSCHE AUDI theme has historical reasons:
In the fall of 1950, the first three Porsches were exported to the USA. The importer was the legendary Max Hoffmann, an Austrian who had emigrated to the USA. Hoffmann was also an importer for Mercedes and, among other things, responsible for the production of the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. America was already Porsche's most important export market in the mid-1950s. In 1955, an independent sales network, the Porsche of America Corporation (POAC), was founded, which was dissolved again in 1969. Its responsibilities were taken over by the Porsche-Audi Division of Volkswagen of America Inc. The division's goal was, among other things, to establish a new and exclusive sales network for the Porsche and Audi brands. The PA sales company was owned 50% by Porsche and 50% by VW; the dealers had no stake in this company but were "merely" customers. This partnership between Porsche and VW was not dissolved until 1984.

The 917s that competed in Sebring were registered by the American general importer (but were serviced and maintained by the Porsche factory team in Zuffenhausen). And that's why AUDI is also on the Porsche 917.

Best regards
CoMod Lotus




Shopping link: https://shop.carrera-toys.com/Carrera-DIGITAL-124/Slotcars-Autos/Porsche-917K-Porsche-Salzburg-No-17-Sebring-1970.html?shp=2

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche 917K Sebring "No.16"
Item No.: 20030760
<< Shop online now >>

There are races that become legendary for a variety of reasons.
Due to legendary duels (e.g. Senna – Prost at the 1988 Japanese GP), accidents (Lauda at the Nürburgring), or vehicle failures (most recently: Toyota in the 24 Hours of LeMans, failure on the last lap).

Sebring 1970 was such a race:
The Ferrari factory team was under pressure because it hadn't won at Sebring in years. They entered four Ferrari 512Ss, three of them Spyders (and a 312P Coupe from the NART team in the USA). Their main rival, Porsche, fielded everything they had to offer in the racing car sector at the time: 917Ks, 908/02s, 906s, and 911Ts. Five 917Ks were entered, of which only the No. 15 car from the GULF J. Wyer Automotive team (drivers: Joe Siffert; Leo Kinnunen; Pedro Rodriguez) finished, albeit in fourth place overall.

The two newest Porsches from the CARRERA range, however, failed to compete in the real race.

The beautiful blue 917K with white stripes of the Porsche/Audi factory team, driven by Hans Hermann and Rudi Lins, was forced to retire after just 28 laps due to engine problems. The car is available from CARRERA under item no. 23823 for the large DIGITAG 124 scale.

For fans of the EVOLUTON and DIGITAL 132, there's the Porsche factory team's other 917K for the home field, the white race car with the blue stripes driven by Vic Elford and Kurt Ahrens. In the race at the old Hendricks Army Airfield, this car also retired after 61 laps, being hit from behind, damaging the suspension and body.

Who won the race?
The #21 Ferrari 512S was driven by Nino Vaccarella, Ignazio Giunti, and Mario Andretti. After Mercario and Andretti led the race for almost the entire race in their #19 Ferrari 512S Spyder, locked in fierce battles with the J. Wyer Porsche, the car was forced to pit with transmission problems and retire. Siffert, in the Gulf Porsche, took the lead. With half an hour to go, the Ferrari team manager decided to put the experienced Mario Andretti in the cockpit of the #21 Ferrari 512S driven by Giunti and Vaccarella. Andretti then launched a daring comeback, as the Ferrari was a lap down. Siffert had to pit due to problems with the front wheel hub, which suddenly put the Porsche 908/02, driven by Peter Revson and Steve McQueen (yes, THAT Steve McQueen!!!), in first place. With four laps to go, Andretti overtook the Porsche 908 and then had to pit briefly for refueling, which allowed Revson to retake the lead in the 908. However, Mario Andretti then overtook Revson in his 908 on the final lap, virtually at the finish line, securing the victory for Ferrari in the 5-liter sports car class.

Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Item No.: 20030743
<< Shop online now >>

One of the most exciting aspects of creating a club report is always the research beforehand. You either focus on the car, or, of course, try to find out something about the racing team. Or both.

Much has already been written about the Ferrari 458 GT 2, and the Carrera car doesn't really need much commenting either. The 458 is one of the most beautiful in the current range (and that's coming from someone who doesn't really care much for modern Ferraris).
The handling of the car from Maranello is excellent, only the slightly excessive weight sometimes spoils the driving pleasure.


What was more exciting about this report was the research into the team.

AT Racing?
Behind the team is a Belarusian driver duo, father and son, who live in Mödling, Austria. The racing team is based in Vienna. Alexander Talkanitsa Senior founded the racing team in 2008. Before that, he drove for the Italian team AF Corse (which also has several Carrera models), for which he still occasionally drives today. AF CORSE is a partner of AT RACING. In 2008, AT was still racing with the Corvette C5R, but now they only drive Ferraris. Since 2010, the driver team has been strengthened by their son, Alexander Junior, who also drives for AF CORSE. And he's been quite successful, as evidenced by, among other things, his win at the 12 Hours of Mugello in 2014.

There is a really good website about the team that I can only recommend: http://www.atracing.at/

Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Test report by CoMod Alex on the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 "Safety Car"
(Art. No.: 20030746)

<< SHOP NOW >>

Somehow, I've been lucky enough lately to be able to write reviews for vehicles I can't find anything about online when researching them. In front of me are the blue Lamborghini Huracan production car and the silver Huracan safety car. The blue one is visually stunning. The color is wonderful; I've rarely seen such an intense blue on a slot car. I have tons of ideas for that car, but I'm not supposed to write about it.

But rather about the safety car. The Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 in silver with flashing lights on the roof and a Blancpain watch advertisement on the body.

And I just can't find anything about it online. At least, no information about the silver car!!! There's a video on YouTube of a white safety car being parked (who actually makes videos like that? Don't they have anything better to do?). The video is pretty good because you can clearly see the car and its indicators.

Then there's a picture of the white guy online. But that's it, so unfortunately I can't say much about the model's accuracy. The sponsor, BLANCPAIN, certainly fits. ;-)

Personally, I like the car a lot. It's well known that I'm not a big fan of production sports cars on the racetrack, so I'm always happy when "special vehicles" come out instead of road cars. The Lamborghini was a good choice, given that the "Polizia" was already on the market in 2015.

The safety car has the same flashing lights as the police car, also has no driver, and therefore has black windows, which, as we all know, is due to the circuit board inside the body. The car weighs 102 g, just 1 g more than the standard Huracan. The Lamborghini's handling is well-known: it sticks to the track like glue and glides through the corners like it's on rails.

All in all, a really nice vehicle, especially for the younger drivers among the race track drivers (my boys love vehicles with flashing lights).

Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 124 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R "Limited Edition"
Article number: 20023831
Available from October 2016
Edition: 999 copies worldwide

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R "No.50"
Item No.: 20030752

Now available in Available in the online shop!

Even though the yellow, white, and black CR7 at first glance is somewhat reminiscent of the "Bad Boys" CR6 brothers of the time, it is a new, fresh design in the 1:32 range. The paint scheme is well-suited to existing CR7 racing designs, but I haven't been able to find a photo of a 1:1 scale model. However, this in no way detracts from the successful visual implementation. The car is easily recognizable on the track and overall cuts a fine figure in the 1:32 GT environment.

The absolutely clean paintwork and printing give it a static-model feel rather than a toy-like appearance. The wheels are true to center, with no visible or noticeable offset. The tires sit tightly in the wheel wells and, with their printing and matching black rims, present a good impression.

The fit and grip of the tires are good. On the CR7, you should be very careful with the sandpaper because of the thin tread... in my opinion, it's not absolutely necessary.

The assembly and fit are good, although the body creaks slightly when touched near the doors. There's some play between the body and the floor pan on the left side. The rear diffuser, along with part of the rear end, is part of the chassis.

There's very little room for trim wipers in the 1:32 scale vehicle, only around the door sills and very little in the rear near the engine. The green-yellow lighting with the auxiliary headlights looks authentic, but offers rather limited options for night driving... okay, you can see the vehicle... and you can also hear the fuel warning signals. At approximately 104 grams, the vehicle is no lightweight, but it's still fun to drive on the track. Good responsiveness, quiet running characteristics, and relatively smooth handling speak for the CR7... Whether it has a chance of winning probably depends, as almost always, on the driver ;-)

Test report for the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Audi A5 DTM "M.Molina, No.17"
Item No. 20030741

Now available in Carrera Online Shop!

Miguel Molina has been part of Audi's DTM driver lineup since the 2010 season. During this time, the Spaniard has achieved several notable achievements, most recently including a victory at the Lausitzring. However, he has yet to establish himself as a serious title contender.

His company car features sponsorship from the luxury loudspeaker manufacturer Teufel. Compared to the already released Petronas Mercedes and the still-pending post-BMW, ​​the design may not be quite as extravagant, but it's still a diverse addition, entirely in the spirit of being easily distinguishable on the track.

As is often the case with design variations, it's difficult to report anything new or even surprising about the handling. Carrera cars are notoriously heavyweights, yet the DTM models are all well-balanced designs with docile yet sufficiently fast performance. The strength of the chassis magnetization is a matter of personal preference; for completely magnet-free operation, you might want to consider using different tires.

Carrera DIGITAL124 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R "No.50", Spirit of Sebring '65
Item No. 20023829
Carrera DIGITAL132 Chevrolet Corvette C7.R "No.50", Spirit of Sebring '65
Item No. 20030745

Availability: coming soon ;-)


They look chic, the blue and white Corvettes in 1:24 and 1:32 scale.
The paint scheme is intended to commemorate the Corvette's success at the 12 Hours of Sebring.
Corvette Grand Sport even managed to reach the first place in their class (GT vehicles with more than
5-liter displacement), in the overall result the Corvette had to settle well behind partly
smaller, weaker vehicles such as the numerous Porsche 904 GTS and the
The winning vehicle, the Chaparral 2A, was defeated.

From 1963 onwards, the white-and-blue or blue-and-white racing look was popular for Corvette Stingrays. Carrera
also had a blue and white version, which was based on the current Corvette's paint scheme.
similar, in the program for 2010 and 2011. Since I've already written a report on the 1:24 model, I'll focus a bit more on the 1:32 model.

Both models have an absolutely clean paint job and printing. The paint job appears
real, not very toy-like … like the original Corvettes (unfortunately I only know similar
Photos).

The concentricity of the wheels is good, no visible or noticeable decentering. The front axle of the
The 1:32 model could use a little oil to improve smooth running. The fit and grip of the
Tires are good. On the 1:32 scale, you should use sandpaper due to the thin tread.
act very carefully… in my opinion that is not absolutely necessary.

The assembly and fit are good, the body of the 1:32 creaks in the area of ​​the doors
Light to the touch. The rear diffuser is part of the chassis, along with part of the rear end.
In the 1:32 vehicle there is very little space for trim wipes, only in the area of ​​the door sills
and very little in the rear near the engine. Trimming should be unnecessary at 1:24.

The greenish lighting with the additional headlights appears significantly brighter on the 1:24 scale. The 1:32
It looks really good with the light, but for a night ride it is quite poor. Especially
The additional headlights on the 1:32 scale receive significantly less light than on the 1:24 scale.

Both models are not lightweight (124 = 238 grams, 1:32 = 104 grams), due to their
unproblematic driving characteristics and the fairly good response to the buttons allow
but they are certainly competitive to drive … the GT class driver field is enriched by the models
every time.

Best regards,
your CoMod Jörg

Test report by CoMod Chris on the Carrera DIGITAL 132 Mercedes C-Coupe AMG DTM “Daniel Juncadella”

Item No. 20030742
http://bit.ly/25jEo5Z
Availability: Beginning of June 2016

Daniel Juncadella's company car is the fifth design variant of the Mercedes DTM Coupé. And quite frankly, this version was long overdue. Since the takeover of Brawn GP in 2010, the Petronas livery has become the hallmark of Mercedes' motorsport activities, appearing not only on Formula 1 cars but also on other vehicles. Juncadella competed in the 2015 DTM season with starting number 12, but only managed to finish 20th overall. DTM fans among the Carrera drivers won't mind, as it doesn't detract from the model's beauty. It represents another, visually diverse addition to the DTM fleet.

Technically, it's familiar fare – although the DTM cars aren't exactly lightweight, they can be maneuvered around the track quickly and, above all, with good control. Regardless of the magnet configuration you prefer, the car isn't prone to treacherous surprises or a tendency to tip over.

Now all that’s missing is the SLS GT3 in the Petronas design.

Best regards,
Christian

Carrera DIGITAL 124 Porsche 917K 'Carrera Gaisberg race 2016'
Item No. 20023834

Available from: Q2/2016 (subject to availability: June 2016)
The exact availability date will be announced in the club forum approximately 14 days before the start of sales!

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Lamborghini Huracán LP 610-4 'Safety Car'

Item No. 20030746
In the range: 2016
Available from: Q2/2016
(subject to change - end of May/beginning of June)

Somehow, I've been lucky lately to be able to write reviews for vehicles that I can't find anything about on the internet when I research them ;-)

In front of me are the blue Lamborghini Huracan production car and the silver Huracan safety car. The blue one is visually stunning. The color is wonderful; I've rarely seen such an intense blue on a slot car. I have tons of ideas for that car. It's just that I'm not supposed to write about it.

But about the safety car. The Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 in silver with flashing lights on the roof and a Blancpain watch advertisement on the body. And I simply can't find anything about that online. At least, not a single piece of information about the silver (!!!) car. There's a video on YouTube of a white safety car being parked (who actually makes videos like that? Don't they have anything better to do? *lol*). The video is quite good because you can clearly see the car and the flashing lights.

Then there's a picture of the white guy online. But that's it, so unfortunately I can't say much about the model's accuracy. The sponsor, BLANCPAIN, certainly fits. ;-)

Personally, I like the car a lot. It's well known that I'm not a big fan of production sports cars on the racetrack, so I'm always happy when "special vehicles" come out instead of road cars. The Lamborghini was a good choice, given that the "Polizia" was already on the market in 2015.

The safety car has the same flashing lights as the police car, also has no driver, and therefore has black windows, which, as we all know, is due to the circuit board inside the body. The car weighs 102 g, just 1 g more than the standard Huracan. The Lamborghini's handling is well-known: it sticks to the track like glue and glides through the corners like it's on rails.

All in all, a really nice vehicle, especially for the younger drivers among the race track drivers (my boys love vehicles with flashing lights).

Best regards
CoMod Lotus

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Porsche GT3 RSR Lechner Racing, No.14
Item No. 20030727
In the range: 2016
available now: http://bit.ly/1VlGVHe

How do you write a review of a vehicle that's been on sale for weeks? One that's been in the range for almost 10 years and is now available in its umpteenth design variant? Terms like "long-runner" and "classic" should be avoided whenever possible. And this model was actually supposed to be released in 2015; attentive readers of last year's spare parts list found a corresponding entry that had been accidentally left out.

The Lechner Racing Team is based in Salzburg, so creating a race car for the racetrack was a natural fit. The original car is the successor model (at least, that's the only photos I've found), so this design on the old RSR body isn't true to the original. However, this hasn't been a problem with other 911 GT3 versions, such as the 1:24 scale Hybrid. So far, every 911 GT3 model has enjoyed steady demand, as well as noticeably rising prices after it was removed from the official range. This will likely be no different with this variant.

In terms of technology, the original version of the Digital 132 chassis is still used here, recognizable by the externally removable magnets and the removable motor-rear axle unit. Personally, I prefer cars with the improved chassis generation produced since 2009; on the other hand, the 911 GT3 RSR has always been praised for its excellent handling almost everywhere (car online, Facebook, online forums), even with the old chassis.
So everything is fine.

Best regards,
CoMod Chris

Carrera DIGITAL 132 LaFerrari (aluminio opaco)
Item No. 20030748
In the range: 2016
Available from: Q2/2016

In 2013, Ferrari introduced this super sports car in a limited edition of 499 units, and we've already seen several 1:32 models from Carrera. With a combustion engine and switchable electric drive, this vehicle has approximately 950 hp and is considered the most powerful two-seater from the Ferrari brand, although it borrows some features from Formula 1, which offer even more power.

The 1:32 scale model comes in a silver, aluminum-like color scheme. A rather simple design, which certainly fascinates real customers, but for me, the appearance could be made significantly more attractive with two starting numbers and some subtle decals.

The LaFerrari is relatively heavy, but can easily compete with the Porsche 918 and the Lamborghini Huracan in a supercar race. The brake discs and fake engine are eye-catching, and the entire vehicle has a good visual appearance with its filled wheel arches and successful implementation of the 1_1 model.

The treaded tires still handle very well, at least with partial magnetization; without any magnets, the LaFerrari certainly demands the driver's attention. Build quality, freewheeling of the wheels, etc. ... everything is flawless, ready to go.

In 2013, the Handelsblatt newspaper ran the headline "Ferrari's best, not its prettiest"... at least of the Carrera LaFerrari series, I find this aluminum version to be the prettiest... tastes differ.

Best regards,
CoMod Jörg

Road-going sports cars aren't necessarily the most popular vehicles here in the club. Nevertheless, they have been part of the Carrera DNA since the earliest Universal 132 days. The latest design variant of the Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 also fits into this category.

The striking blue metallic paintwork, with its deep sheen, makes the car a real eye-catcher. The same applies to the fake engine and the interior, whereas the driver's appearance is somewhat understated.

Without the rear magnet, the vehicle weighs exactly 100 grams. So, record times aren't necessarily expected, but the small Lamborghini can be driven very smoothly and free of treacherous surprises around the track. What was striking about the test vehicle was its exceptionally smooth running and a relatively quiet, and therefore pleasant, driving noise. In addition to the design variants already released, the LaFerrari is also being considered as a suitable rival vehicle.

Conclusion: For fans of supercars in general, and Lamborghini in particular, the model is certainly worth considering. However, the vast majority will continue to wait for the announced GT3 racing version.

Best regards,
CoMod Chris

Road-going sports cars aren't necessarily the most popular vehicles here in the club. Nevertheless, they have been part of the Carrera DNA since the earliest Universal 132 days. The latest design variant of the Lamborghini Huracan LP 610-4 also fits into this category.

The striking blue metallic paintwork, with its deep sheen, makes the car a real eye-catcher. The same applies to the fake engine and the interior, whereas the driver's appearance is somewhat understated.

Without the rear magnet, the vehicle weighs exactly 100 grams. So, record times aren't necessarily expected, but the small Lamborghini can be driven very smoothly and free of treacherous surprises around the track. What was striking about the test vehicle was its exceptionally smooth running and a relatively quiet, and therefore pleasant, driving noise. In addition to the design variants already released, the LaFerrari is also being considered as a suitable rival vehicle.

Conclusion: For fans of supercars in general, and Lamborghini in particular, the model is certainly worth considering. However, the vast majority will continue to wait for the announced GT3 racing version.

Best regards,
CoMod Chris

Carrera DIGITAL 132 Ford Mustang GT "No.49" (US only)

Item No. 20030722
In the range: 2015, 2016

Info link: bit.ly/1QmKC7Y