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The Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce China Edition is one of those cars that needs a big sign if you want to have the name listed next to it, hence most of the time it is just called the China Edition in fact.

This name depicts one of the more rare Lamborghini made in recent years, towards the end of the Murcielago production Automobili Lamborghini SpA unveiled the most powerful flagship model of the range, the LP670-4 Super Veloce … but they limited production to only 350 units, which subsequently sold out rather quickly … to make things even more interesting there are a few customer cars driving round with 000/350 sign between the seats … I just love those Italians.

But then came the Chinese market in their sights … and this was quickly becoming one of the most important booming super car markets in the world, but there was one big issue, the Murcielago range was finished with the Super Veloce, only the LP650 Roadster was still available, albeit only on very special order, so other than the Gallardo, Automobili Lamborghini SpA didn't have a model to offer to all those Chinese people with money to spend … no problem, just make an even more limited edition that will only be available in China … and let's call it the China Edition with a production of only 20 units … problem solved !

So a total of 20 units were built at Sant'Agata, all finished in Grigio Telesto, rolling on glossy black wheels over orange brake callipers and featuring a full length orange stripe concealed between two black stripes and a big SV decal on the side, colour coded to the stripe and brake callipers … in flashy orange.

So on the one hand we get a rather timid fighter grey bodywork and on the other hand we make it stand out of the crowd with orange titbits … much like the LP650-4 Roadster remember, similar colour scheme … perhaps not to everyone's taste, but who cares, it's a Lamborghini.

The orange rage doesn't end on the outside however, also for the interior this shade has been applied, on the gear levers behind the steering wheel, on the e-Gear selection switch mounted on the central console, add to this a very nice looking dark grey alcantara upholstery, naturally with contrasting orange stitching, and orange ‘arrows' on the carpets and you have a very special looking Raging Bull.

I for one haven't seen one in real life yet, as they were normally only available in China (don't know if any were subsequently sold to other countries after delivery) and at least one has been involved in a serious crash shortly after taking it onto the road, so in these parts of the world they remain unseen … until we buy a scale model naturally.

And because this China Edition is part of the Lamborghini heritage I bought a 1/18 model the minute MR released it … and waited for it to arrive for a few months as usual, but it was worth it, I really liked the model, paid a lot for it being an MR, and despite being a sealed model I had it prominently on display for a long time … only to learn AutoArt would be building it too.

So when pre-ordering became available on the AutoArt version I made a down payment for both the Giallo Orion one (being the press release and show car shade) and this China Edition, which was priced a bit more expensive compared to the other shades (between €10 and €20 depending on the shop) … never did understand why actually.

And the long wait began … it took several months for AutoArt to finally release their Super Veloce model, and to make things worse they started with a matte black shade, after that a matte white shade … while my yellow one and this China Edition would arrive weeks, if not months later on … and frankly patience isn't my biggest virtue when I'm waiting for a new scale model.

So it came down to me getting nearly all shades AutoArt produced on this Lamborghini, the China Edition being the fifth one to arrive together with the Arancio version … only to be followed shortly thereafter by the amazing looking Rosso Targa metallic shade, so for now I have six AutoArt made 1/18 Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce models … don't tell my wife please …

As this is the sixth Super Veloce in a row I guess all has been said about the quality of the AutoArt mode, sure they used too much flat black paint, but this can be easily solved yourself with a little nail polish remover and a lot of patience, and yes the carbon fiber used at the back should be satin finished instead of high gloss … but really this doesn't make this AutoArt any less magnificent and you should at least get one of the shades available for your collection.

The AutoArt made Lamborghini Murcielago LP670-4 Super Veloce is a masterpiece in the diecast world, sure it isn't cheap, but nothing in life is, so don't think about it and go for it while stocks last … the latest I heard is that production has run out and at this moment there are no plans for a new production run any time soon. AutoArt is now working on the Murcielago LP640 in four different shades and the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera, also in various shades, while if all goes according to plan we will be seeing an Aventador LP700-4 next year too, also in different shades, one of them being matte black I hope.

And if that doesn't make you happy, AutoArt is about to release a Countach LP400 and the 25th Anniversary edition next year too, I think I've red somewhere a Quattrovalvole version was also on the books but the LP400S was cancelled … I do hope they will reconsider as the hand made master showed a nice white model on the early Bravo style wheels without the rear wing … something Kyosho never made.

So back to this 1/18 China Edition … should you get it ? I can wholeheartedly say YES to this, you should at least get one shade of the Super Veloce model, s why not this outrageous China Edition ? The Murcielago Super Veloce screams power and speed from every air intake and outlet, even in matte black this car looks ready to tear the road ahead to pieces, add an orange stripe running from front to back and a large orange SV on the side and there is no way this model will be passed over looking at your collection.

Sure the Arancio looks impressive and I must admit the Rosso Targa is so beautiful while Giallo Orion is a must have for a Lamborghini collector … and matte white is so right on this car while matte black makes it look even more menacing … but this Grigio Telesto shade is such an understatement on the China Edition you just can't resist it.

I know I left out the Turquoise and Verde Sandag shades in my list above, for one I personally didn't like the Turquoise version, but that's just me, there are lots of people out there that really like it, and the Verde Sandag I would really like to see in real life before I spend another €105. This green shade does look amazing in some shots, but in other photos it looks too pale for my taste, a Verde Ithaca would be a much better choice I think … but for now I'm quite happy with six shades, so I think I'll pass on the other two.

our RATING

Overall rating

10/10

Original price : € 119