lambodiecast

A few weeks ago I received a mailing from a German based model car shop that listed a brand new model from MR, the Murcielago LP670-4 SuperVeloce China Edition ... I must admit that I was impressed with it, the price was right and I found out only 67 would be made of this edition.

So I pre-ordered it as it wasn't in stock naturally, it would be available the next month ... a week later I received a mail from them telling me the model was sold out and MR couldn't deliver it any more ... so I was very disappointed to say the least.

I turned my attention to eBay (again) and behold : I was able to find one in Hong Kong, the only one listed online, I contacted the seller (I knew him from an earlier deal) and I got the car, great, shipment went very quick, it arrived at the Customs office in only four days ... only to remain there for another two week as usual.

But it finally arrived safely at home and when I unpacked it I was even more impressed than with the white SuperVeloce I already owned from MR, this shade of gray sure looks amazing on the Murcielago LP670-4, add that stripe in the middle and you've got one awesome looking car.

All the detail we expect from such a high end hand built model is there, everything just fits, sure it's a sealed model again, no opening parts, but still it's all highly detailed on the inside and underneath the engine cover.

As this is a scale model of the China Edition there are some orange details to be found inside the car, the gear change levers behind the steering wheel are orange, the central console holds an orange setting for the transmission while other parts are covered in carbon fiber, even the SV scripting on the doors is finished in orange and the details on the seat ... all is there in this model.

On the outside you'll notice the black wheels covering the standard issue carbon ceramic disc brakes with ... what would you expect ... orange brake calipers, all the details are right, this is without a doubt one of the best 1/18 scale models available on the market today, I for one am very curious how the AutoArt model that should be available soon will compare to this MR one.

Normally I'm not a big fan of striping like this on a car, although I must admit that I do like the Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni special (I'm also waiting on the AutoArt model for this one) and honestly the orange and black stripe on this China Edition doesn't look out of place, it makes the car look even more menacing than it already is, and the contrast with the gray bodywork is simply stunning.

As the real car is only available to Chinese customers I highly doubt I will ever see one in the real life, which makes owning this highly detailed scale car even more interesting to own ... if you can find one and you can afford it, buy it, other shades from MR are built in 670 units, however this China Edition is only built 67 times, so in the long run it will make a nice investment.

Note that I've recently seen a few of the 1/18 Reventon by MR being listed for prices up to $1000 ! And they've made 500 units for this one, so imagine what this China Edition could be worth in a few years with only 67 ever built ? Naturally that isn't why I bought this model, I wanted it to complete my collection and because I simply love it ... but it is nice to know that when needed, it will fetch a decent price.

For now it's the centerpiece of my collection, it's perhaps not the most expensive model I own, but it does rank among the top ten, these MR models cost a lot, but they are worth it in my eyes, can't wait for the 1/18 Reventon Roadster to become available in September 2010 ... I for one put in my order already, we'll see when it arrives if I can actually afford it ...

our RATING

Overall rating

10/10