lambodiecast

I have been collecting Kyosho 1/18 scale models for quite a few years by now, I remember getting their Countach and Miura models back in those days, followed by the Urraco, but at some point Kyosho wasn't releasing diecast models anymore, and they started partnering up with other companies to release 'new' models, one of those was GT Spirit which were sealed models, at that time GTS would release the model in one color and do another color inside a re-branded Kyosho box, usually a little more expensive, and most sold in the Far East.

But what many collectors might not know is that Kyosho tried their hand at the high-end sealed model market too, I think it was around 2015 or 2016 when we got two shades on the then-new Lamborghini Huracán LP610-4 from Kyosho, a Giallo one and a Grigio one, fitted onto a leather plinth, complete with a plexiglass display cover and it came inside a black box, inspired by MR I guess.

But in 2017 Kyosho released a third model in this series, the Lamborghini Veneno, both the two Huracán and this Veneno were built by FrontiArt as an exclusive for Kyosho, and I've been told these are very, very limited indeed, and you rarely see them listed for sale.

These rare FrontiArt/Kyosho models are not to be confused with the Kyosho Ousia series models, which also includes the Lamborghini Veneno in this exact Rosso spec, while the Ousia models were around €99 when new, these resin models were once sold at €499, fortunately, prices have dropped a little over time, and I managed to locate this specific Lamborghini Veneno in a local shop for a lot less.

From what I know there were only three models made in this collaboration between Kyosho and FrontiArt, and I now own all three of them, a very nice collection indeed, and I have to admit Kyosho got some details on this Lamborghini Veneno even better than MR did at that time, now I don't own the MR-made 1/18 scale Veneno at this time, but I do know it comes with red taillights, which is a mistake, as the real car comes with white transparent taillights, over all the details on this almost ten-year-old model are really nice.

The carbon fiber decals on the exterior are very nice, they don't show any flaws as far as I can see, the wheels are nicely detailed, complete with the carbon fiber 'ring' and Pirelli P-Zero scripting in red on the tires, as this is the Veneno Ross version, just like the presentation model unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, finished in Metalluro, just like all three Veneno in real life, this one having the red details.

Also, the interior looks very nice, with detailed carbon fiber where needed, the very special sports seats fitted with black padding, nice red stitching, and even a red Lamborghini script on the seatbelts, while the steering wheel has a red center marking, all-in-all a very nice model indeed.

So yes, it is an expensive, sealed resin model, but it is still a lot cheaper than the MR version, and from what I can see, it's probably just as nice a the MR one, more importantly, I now have all three Kyosho/FrontiArt models in my collection.

Originally released in July 2017.

our RATING

Exterior		9/10
Interior		8/10
Engine	Not visible
Accuracy		9/10
Overall rating		9/10

Original price on March 2, 2024 : € 325