lambodiecast

As you know I recently added the new AUTOart release on the LB-Silhouette WORKS Huracan GT in 1:18 to the collection, some don't really like this kind of tuning, and others love it, I just admire the work that went into creating this racecar style that is fully street legal, and the fact you can use a first generation Huracan LP610-4 to create this monster, and you can even get this kit for the Spyder version (minus the vertical fin of course).

AUTOart did some amazing shades on this model, especially the Bianco and the Rosso are stunning models, but when I saw this Ivy Merit model in the famous matt 'Fighter Grey' livery, I just knew I had to get it, pricing is about the same as the AUTOart models, but an Ivy model is sealed and comes on a plinth with a display case, and believe me if I say this model is heavy, I was really surprized when I received the box, as this should be a resin model, I'm almost certain they added weight to it internally.

Ok, so we first have the 'open' vs. the 'sealed' discussion, I do prefer a model I can open the doors and hoods on, this allows for more interesting photos, but also gives you options when displaying the model on the shelve, sure, most of my models are closed when on display anyway, but I do keep several of the V12 models with the doors up, that's more impressive seeing them side by side, but somehow on a Huracan that doesn't work, as the doors open sideways, which takes up too much space anyway.

Still, having a model with the engine cover open does attract attention on the shelf, but if a certain model only exists as a sealed resin version, I don't have an issue adding it to the collection anyway, I'm easy, so I'm not too worried about the fact these Ivy Merit models are all sealed, and I already own their Aventador SVJ Novitec release, which comes with some rather odd carbon fiber decals, it's not a high-end model if you ask me, so is this more recent release from them on the Huracan an improvement?

At first glance, this is a very nice scale model of the LB-Silhouette WORKS Huracan GT, it has some sharp angles, the wheels look good, the stance is alright, and Ivy went with the new lightweight sport seats for the interior, a nice detail compared to the comfort seats on the AUTOart counterpart.

But if you start looking closer, you'll notice a few things that really shouldn't be there on a model that costs nearly €300 and is limited to just 99 pieces worldwide ... more on that later.

The first thing that really bothers me, to be honest, is the fact they use sealed grilles on the model, the large air intakes and vents at the front and rear of this LB-Silhouette WORKS Huracan GT are detailed for sure, but behind the 'grid' it's sealed shut ... that's just a big no-no if you ask me on a model in this price range, if this was a €99 or even a €150 model I would let it pass, but at nearly €300 this is just not good, sorry Ivy Merit.

And once you see that, you start to notice a few other issues as now you're looking even more closely to find what else they didn't get right, and apart from a few strange specs of paint on the otherwise rather nice matt grey paint, I have to admit this model looks decent.

So on the shelf, from a normal viewing angle, you'll hardly notice the sealed grilles anyway, the model looks good, it's impressive, the decals are nicely set and the model has its presence among its piers, but if Ivy Merit would just go that little extra mile and use open grilles, this would be a great model, now it's just a 'decent' model, but as I do like the Fighter Grey livery on these LB-Works models, I'm still happy with adding it to the collection.

Originally released in July 2023.

our RATING

Exterior		7/10
Interior		6/10
Engine	Not visible
Accuracy		8/10
Overall rating		7/10

Original price on August 27, 2023 : € 289