Audi R8 

Audi R8
Model Description
Supercars Collection
Scale: 1:18
Material: Die-Cast Metal & Plastic Parts
Manufacturer:
First Impression
This model has translated well from the real to the model. Picking it up and carefully looking around, it shows a model that has been crafted well and done in such a way that even the smallest element is the exact copy of the original.
The Body
Picking it up and looking at the model, one can feel the weight of the die-cast metal used in this one. The paintwork is good, with no cracks or spreads and no bubbling on any part of the body. There are 4 opening parts. First are the doors. They open reasonably wide, though could have been assembled to open wider. Secondly, the boot or trunk, whatever name you call it, opens and closes well with a good fit. Since this is located in the front, the detail is less detailed. And finally, the bonnet. This opens reasonably, but could be opened further, but because of the weight caused by it being die-cast metal, requires the addition of a pole to keep it open. Looking at all the decals and badges, everything is right where it should be and in correct order. The attachments, such as the external mirrors and window wipers, also incorporate the fuel cap with the etching like the real one.
All the lighting as on the real one has been placed right, with no differences, and that includes the smallest. So the final item to look at is the wheels. With the mag wheels, the addition of the Audi logo in the middle, shows just how good the die makers are. The front wheels can be turned using the steering wheel.
The Interior
Open the doors, and again you can see the time spent doing the dies. This shows the time taken, and shows even the smallest details of all the interior. Let's look at the seats. Even though they are plastic, they show the use of the plastic to show that they are in fact leather like the real car. But here you can see the cut of the seats, right down to the stitching on them.
We now look at the centre console between the seats, where we can see the hand brake, as well as a small panel switch is probably used for the seat's control. The gear shift show class. We see it has been done, the exact way it’s done in the actual car itself. Done in silver with the addition of the brown shows the end result cannot be faulted. The steering wheel shows the centre section is bulky, showing it has the airbag. The steering wheel can be turned, allowing the front wheel to move.
We now look at the main console. The air vents can be clearly seen, with their controls above the gear shift. The instrument panel itself, even small as it is, you notice the individual dials, including the details. Finally, let's look at the windscreen. Again with the details. The curved windscreen includes the rear view mirror, and if you look at the top of each door, they have added the top of the glass in the doors.
The Engine.
Now we lift the bonnet. The bonnet fits snugly with little gaps. And being what is termed a mid engine car, again its cover could have been made to open better. The engine itself is presented well, despite being the scale it is, with all main components to be seen. The inclusion of the Audi markings, as well as the silver and the few white parts, at least give the engine some merit.
The Conclusion
I like it. Yes, it has weak points, but one needs to take in the features of the model. I love the colour. That grey paint work suits it, and with the black which shows the carbon fibre parts. The amount of fine detail is all over the car, from the cleanness of the body, attention to the finest detail, this is a collectable model. It is a good model to show, but if you do, put it in a dust proof container. This model was one we got as a job lot. Whereas the others were in their original boxes, this model had no box. Luckily, nothing was broken or missing, so with a good dusting, we will give it a new box, until we need to display it. Overall, a 4.5/5.0 Robin Finlay 03/07/24.