Today I'll brake the monotony. Enough with the exotics, classics or muscle cars reviewed in my articles, now is the right time for something new. A race car model! Not deep inside into my collecting preferences, but deserves a try. I have few racing models in my collection, all of them classic, bought not for the racing passion, almost not when is about collecting, but for their insane details. Not the case now, because I just received a still fresh released model, a replica of a modern racer, the McLaren MP4 12C GT3 from AutoArt. I couldn't miss the opportunity, so I'll give it a chance.
The car was announced in December 2010 in a very limited series, designed to compete in the FIA Group GT3. Its start into the racing began in 2012, being the first race car on the track after the F1 GTR. With less power than the road car, due to homologation, provides a lot of technology, expensive materials and maintenance in house for every single exemplar.
The car was announced in December 2010 in a very limited series, designed to compete in the FIA Group GT3. Its start into the racing began in 2012, being the first race car on the track after the F1 GTR. With less power than the road car, due to homologation, provides a lot of technology, expensive materials and maintenance in house for every single exemplar.
Back to our business now, AutoArt chose to produce the model replica under the Signature line, after a good period of time since their road car was released. We have many variations from the plain body to the diverse racing livery. It appears in a moment when, few other manufacturers already replicated the car, but of resin. At this moment and for sure for a very long time ahead the AutoArt version remains the only one made by metal casting with functional parts.
From outside nothing new, just the classic Signature box, containing the model, a certificate, because this is a limited edition, an opening tool and a soft cloth to clean your precious acquisition. The front bonnet and the external antenna come separately. I have the model painted in the Gulf colors without sponsors, just by chance, wasn't my decision since the model isn't a priority for me, but I already prefer it to the racing livery versions, because the body lines can be easily observed. Out of its styrofoam shell, the model feels very solid, is nothing too fragile there to be concerned about. The front bonnet is kept in place by two magnets, strong enough to maintain it on position when the model is managed. Be careful, though.
From outside nothing new, just the classic Signature box, containing the model, a certificate, because this is a limited edition, an opening tool and a soft cloth to clean your precious acquisition. The front bonnet and the external antenna come separately. I have the model painted in the Gulf colors without sponsors, just by chance, wasn't my decision since the model isn't a priority for me, but I already prefer it to the racing livery versions, because the body lines can be easily observed. Out of its styrofoam shell, the model feels very solid, is nothing too fragile there to be concerned about. The front bonnet is kept in place by two magnets, strong enough to maintain it on position when the model is managed. Be careful, though.
I have no doubt about the proportion, everything is spot on here, the stance is great and the model looks wonderful on a flat surface. A real little racer having the right presence. The paint job is flawless, too, deep, glossy enough for a race car, without imperfections on the edge areas. From its construction the body keeps simple lines, maybe a little more effort was put in replicating the lateral air intakes, where the central „blade” is metallic. I like the little lateral aerodynamic wings, made of metal and fixed under the body with 2 screws, each. All the air intakes provide real mesh or are cut through for a great realism. One single logo on the front bonnet was replicated as a decal, the other are painted. Clean job for the front and minimal rear lights, a tow hook for both sides and a massive spoiler, secured on its metallic support with delicate screws, that's all what can be cataloged as details outside. I'll mention separately, the front lip including its delicate and nice replicated stands and a half textured surface to replicate the carbon pattern. Around fuel gaps the carbon fiber was detailed better and proper for a Signature model by a printed decal.
Both doors are opening wide and remain on position helped by a strut, the same as on the road version. The interior is tipically for a race car, based only on functionality. Again, the carbon pattern is replicated by a textured material, not the right job that I want here and not so many details as probably expected can be seen inside. We have a complete roll cage, few hoses and cooling pipes, visible better from the „passenger” side, even a tank of whom I don't know many things. On the driver's side, the head's protection at impact is at its place, modeled in a soft rubber. What is special in matter of detailing here: the unusual steering wheel having all switches modeled and marked individually and the seat. Both are covered in a rough material to replicate the real Alcantara and the Kevlar on its back is really good looking. The racing seat belts are fabric made and are asking for metallic photo etched buckles, instead of the plastic ones. A pair of magnets ensure that the doors will remain closed.
The wheels are looking nice with slick tires, made of soft rubber and feeling good. Are bigger on the rear and keep a marked side wall. Having a simple design, the rims are beautiful finished in glossy black paint and reveals trough their spokes a complete brake system. The disks are covered by a metallic part and are dimpled. Nice details too, for the rotors and calipers. The front wheels are steering, but not enough in my opinion.
Under the detachable front hood I can't say the details are missing. But is still a problem. The way are looking. I want to say that I have in front of mine a 2015 release, but the detailing level remained somewhere behind with many years. The same plumbing for example, is visible on models released 6 years ago. The pieces are developed as single parts, right, but still keep molding lines on their surface. This is the problem that technicians there don't want to understand. For the actual price, every collector wants better detailing and finishing. Looking at that radiator, I see only a huge piece of plastic. I don't ask for the one that Exoto made 10 years ago, but at least a metallic photo etched part could do the job better. The same discussion when we arrive at the engine level: a lot of pieces, but finished poorly. I'll mention however the engine's lid, replicated in glossy plastic, having the air vents cut through and sustained by a pair of struts and thin metallic hinges. When is closed is fixed by two metallic pines.
Underneath we have a flat surface keeping the rivet's heads molded on and the big rear air diffuser. All the surface is textured to replicate the carbon from the real thing. Only the suspension arms can be seen as an important detail, but are too plasticky looking. Every model is individually numbered.
Let's have some conclusions now. The manufacturer excelled in playing the body form and all the details. No doubt about this, AutoArt is known for its good job on this part. But, from a new model I was expected for much more quality and better finish for the small parts. As you already know the price for this model is high and I must say you don't get what you pay. Is still a model detailed in a old manner and sold for a lot of money. I have models bought for a half of its price and are stunning! The model itself is simple, has no intriguing parts to replicate and when you're using the same old technology to replicate the details under the hood, your price can't be legitimate. Is a model for racing lovers and passionate, a model for the wistful still dreaming at the period when F1 GTR was the king of the track.
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