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Nuremberg 2019 - Carrera
Although they had moved to a different location, the CARRERA stand had not got any smaller. As usual it was guarded by a real racing car, this time the Porsche RSR Rothmans car from Le Mans 2018, one of the heritage liveried cars that we hoped to see inside. Although "Carrera Man" was in attendance, we were slightly disappointed to find just a single "Carrera Girl" at the entrance.
We began our tour round the stand with the 1/24 Digital cars. Three new toolings were obvious, firstly the Callaway Corvette C7R which has many changes from the normal Corvette C7R. Sadly no actual pre-production car was available, but the picture shows it to be lower and wider.
Next brand new model was the Mercedes AMG C63 DTM car which will be released in 2 versions, and the finished samples looked and felt solid but very well decorated. Finally we came to the one we had been looking forward to - the Porsche 911 RSR LM18 in heritage liveries. We weren't disappointed, both the Rothmans and Pink Pig models are in the catalogue, no doubt making racers in the larger scale very happy.
Other 1/24 Digital cars are a mixture of modern and classic cars. The contemporary Ford GT-E looks familiar but now with metallic paintwork which does lift it above previous releases.
There are 2 classic Porsches, a 917K and a Carrera 6, but to be honest neither looked very inspiring given the choice of authentic liveries available. Naturally, there are new versions of DTM and GT3 cars, plus the Zakspeed Capri and BMW M1 with a couple of sets of new clothes each. These are obviously good sellers for CARRERA, or they would not be producing these instead of more Ferraris for which they have the exclusive licence.
The final 1/24 Digital car that we looked at is a "Racing Police" version of the Audi R8 LMS, very noticeable on track with a profusion of working lights.
Moving across to the 1/32 range, we looked at the analogue cars first as these are the principal sellers in the UK, and immediately spotted the brand new toolings. The McLaren 720S will be available in a bronze colour for analogue, and an as-yet unknown different scheme for the digital version. As a stablemate for the McLaren, CARRERAare producing the Ferrari FXX Evoluzione, the main talking point of which is the 1050hp engine - quite a pleasing aspect because the car itself is definitely not pretty. You will be able to have it in red if you want the analogue model, or black as well if you race digital.
CARRERA are producing the BMW 3.5 CSL for 2019, the analogue model is in traditional BMW M-Sport colours, and the digital car will also be released in the green livery of Quester & Nilsson. These will make good competition for the Zakspeed Capri, which also receives a new coat this year.
Another new period 1970s car is the Porsche 935 K3, two versions for digital with the green Vaillant car and the Black Interscope car, but only the Vaillant model will be available as an analogue version.
Finally we came to the new Porsche 911 RSR LM18 cars - and our hopes and expectations fell flat immediately. The Rothmans car will be available, but it has been teamed with the rather bland # 93 car instead of the hoped-for Pink Pig. No - the Pink Pig will NOT be available in 1/32 scale as either analogue or digital cars. We tried to find out why, and the best response we could get was the "corporate shrug", not even a hint that it may be held back for a future release. Very disappointing.
On to the rest of the 2019 releases, and a little bit of artistic licence with the Ford GT-E which will have a paint job based on the 1967 Le Mans Ford MK4.
If you want something bright to follow around the track you can choose between a bright pinky-purple Lamborghini Huracan and a Porsche 918 Spyder in yellow with red flames, both an assault on the eyes but unlikely to be confused with any other cars you are racing with.
Once again there are 2 classic Porsches in 1/32 scale, a 917K and a 904. Once again, not very inspiring decorations given the choices available on the 1:1 cars. At this point we put a question to no less than 3 CARRERA personnel from different departments - "Why is there no Ferrari such as the 512S (available in 1/24 scale) or 312P to race against the Porsche 917K in 1/32 scale ?". As CARRERA have the exclusive Ferrari licence this is something that demands no thought at all, but they all seemed surprised by the question and could not come up with an answer. Maybe it will be raised at a planning meeting after Nuremberg..........
As is usual with CARRERA, there are more cars available as 1/32 digital versions than in the analogue range. For the UK, the digital cars are all special orders, so we have listed them for your advance orders which we will be happy to supply, but we won't be able to have any spare additional cars. Please make sure you order the digital versions as early as possible please.
Walking around the CARRERA stand, we were able to use the big demonstration track. Cars of all sizes were available to try, and this is where we came across something very interesting. Not listed for production yet, we were able to test a 1/24 scale camera car. Based on a very LMP-looking car that is not in the catalogue, it points the way towards what CARRERA are likely to be releasing next year.
The camera is mounted on the chassis in the cockpit. The prototype had a removeable screen and roof section allowing the camera to film the track, which we assume would have clear glass if and when it goes into production. Transmitting in real time, you can view the car going around the track from a drivers eye view on a big screen. But, it doesn't stop there because you can also wear a headset similar to a virtual reality viewer and have the drivers view right in your own eyes. The camera streaming was smooth and clear, as much to do with the digital processing as the quality of the camera lens, and we are sure it will be reliably functional when it reaches the shops.
Although CARRERA is an Austrian company, they have a traditional base in Nuremberg, and this is where the CARRERA WORLD facility is located. Purpose built, the first section you enter is a big shop with all items available, not just the slot cars but also the radio control and toy ranges. The main attraction is of course slot racing though, and a huge 6-Lane centrepiece track is surrounded by several other smaller tracks, all available to have a go on.
It is a hospitality venue, as can be seen by the comfortable bar areas and lounges. During the Nuremberg Toyfair many tables are laid out for guests to enjoy the excellent buffet food and drinks. There are a few real racing cars on display, but a historic collection of CARRERA slot cars through the ages are in illuminated cabinets to jog the memory and remind you how long they have been established as the leading slot car brand in central northern Europe.
Many thinks to Pete Binger of Hobbyco, and Bernd Hausler and Albert Foz of Carrera for access to the Carrera stand, Carrera World, and lots of interesting "behind the scenes" information. |
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ResponderEliminarGreg Prosmushkin