lambodiecast

It has been anticipated for a long time, the announcement by AutoArt had been made months in advance, so hopes were set very high right from the start, the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce was to become to swansong for this Raging Bull model.

Introduced at the 2009 Geneva Auto Show in stunning Giallo Orion, the Super Veloce became an instant hit on the market, only 350 real cars would be built, and an even more exclusive version for the Chinese market was later unveiled, aptly called the China Edition.

As usual MR was among the first to offer a 1/18 scale model of this amazing looking Lamborghini, and at the end of 2009 I already managed to get hold of a nice glossy white version, but at a price naturally, and the fact MR only makes sealed models in this large 1/18 scale doesn’t help either, so when AutoArt announced they would be producing a 1/18 model of their own the scale car collecting community was putting in pre-orders by the hundreds.

AutoArt would release several shades on this new Lamborghini flagship : matte black, matte white, yellow, orange, turquoise, green, red but also the grey China Edition … this first one to hit the shelves was this amazing looking black one seen on this page, truly a stunning shade on this intimidating Raging Bull.

After the first models of this new AutoArt Lamborghini model arrived at the collectors things started to get awkward, most owners started calling this one of the best AutoArt models ever, and I must admit it sure looks very nice in this matte shade, but still there are a few issues on the model, some minor, but some serious to be honest.

So let’s take an honest look around this $149 scale model of the magnificent Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4  finished in Nero Nemesis … or matte black in English, a stunning shade on this ‘uber’ Lamborghini I admit.

Let’s start with the good things first, this is a very, very nice looking model, all the details are there, AutoArt really made an effort on this one, and I can honestly state it is the best Lamborghini Murcielago model made by AutoArt, much better compared to the original 6.2 version or the Roadsters, the attention to detail is at a very high level on the Super Veloce, everything just fits like it should.

The model stands on some of the best wheels and tires ever seen on a 1/18 scale model in this price range, note that this black shade doesn’t roll on the regular glossy black wheels but received dark titanium tinted wheels which nicely offset against the matte black bodywork … the yellow brake calipers (an option on the real car)- just finish the look perfectly.

Also the stance of the car is spot on, not too high on it’s axle, not too low to be a low rider, but just perfect, the wheel arches are nicely filled with near perfect scale renditions of the Pirelli tires found on the Alcoa wheels, and that massive, carbon fiber rear wing makes a perfect companion for the special front spoiler mounted on the Super Veloce version, all part of the package to make this specific Lamborghini Murcielago edition look like a race car that has left the track straight onto the open road … the four point racing harness including Raging Bull logos doesn’t hide it’s purpose either … track day fun for road use would describe an LP670-4 Super Veloce to the letter I guess.

The proportions of the matte black bodywork look spot one too by the way, it just looks like a real car in the photographs, but there is no ignition key, so keep those feet on the ground, the large air intakes in the front spoiler are covered with a perfect grille, the air outlets on top of the fenders are also ‘open’ and not just painted black, the shoulder mounted air intakes can be opened (but sadly on my sample they don’t stay open) and if you look closely at the massive air outlets at the rear you will discover the fans on the radiators …the attention to detail is so nice on this AutoArt model.

And as this is a diecast model it all opens up too, the front hood opens, unveiling a nice, albeit small luggage compartment that has been carpeted throughout (those who own a real SV mostly have a Range Rover with their luggage trailing anyway …). The doors open in true Lamborghini style to unveil the awesome interior (more on that later) and the engine cover with the very special trio of hexagon glass sections opens to allow us to admire that amazing V12 engine pumping out 670 BHP in the real deal.

The 1/18 scale engine looks really nice, sure there are a few cast lines in the plastic parts, but other than that it is so close to the real car you could mistake it for an actual V12, the grille mesh at the back is there, the plug wires are nicely done and the Lamborghini scripting on the covers is even better than on the more expensive MR model, which is a very nice plus on the AutoArt version for me.

Opening the doors almost makes you want to take a seat in those dark grey racing units with four point seat belts, they looks so great, also the dashboard is near perfectly finished, featuring some of the best carbon fiber decal I’ve ever seen, just like on the central console and the lower part of the steering wheel … carbon fiber is use at multiple areas inside this car. The inner door panel is completely made of this lightweight carbon fiber, only a small section at the corner shows alcantara and the legendary SV script, all scaled down to perfection on this model.

So is this the perfect 1/18 model of the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce ?
Well … almost, there are a few imperfections to be noted however.

One of them are the exterior rear view mirrors … on this Nero Nemesis model they are matte black … I’ve seen three Nero Nemesis SV’s in real life, and all had glossy mirror housings, so I checked with the local distributor. Turned out Lamborghini does not deliver matte black mirror housing straight from the factory … all SV’s left Sant’Agata with glossy black ones.
Now getting the wrapped afterwards isn’t an issue, so I’m almost sure there is actually an SV in this shade that does have the matte mirror housings, so I’m not going to be whining about it … might be an oversight, might be they still based this on a real car out there.

But what really got me looking twice was the fact the engine cover, the cover over the inner exhaust and the entire ‘high downforce’ rear wing is done in glossy carbon fiber ! That’s just wrong, plain and simple. The real Lamborghini LP670-4 Super Veloce has satin finished carbon fiber parts here, not glossy, so as much as I like this AutoArt model, this one is going to cost them some serious points in the end.

Some people have complained about the exhaust pipe … being a blue shade. Well that is actually correct to be honest, the rear car also has a kind of steel blue, satin finished exhaust tip (of you can call this massive pipe a tip) that holds two round tubes further down the pipe, so no, this isn’t a mistake on the part of AutoArt, it is actually correct and just like the real car (MR didn’t get this steel blue shade right if you are wondering).

The big SV logo on the side … you either love it or hate it. It was an option on the real car, and on the three real SV’s I saw in this shade only one had this large logo. I’m not sure about it on most other shades, but on this intimidating matte black shade that large white SV looks right to me … and parked next to the original Diablo SV in black made by AutoArt it looks perfect, so for me this one is just right.

Bottom line : actually there is only one answer here … if you are looking to add a 1/18 model of the Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce to your collection, the AutoArt model is the one to go for, sure it isn’t the cheapest out there (Norev is just around the corner releasing their version for probably half the price of this AutoArt) but take a look at what the MR made SV’s are going for these days … outrageous if you ask me, so at an MSRP of $149 (but it can be found cheaper online) this is THE model to add, no question about it !

our RATING

Overall rating

8/10

Original price : € 105