We have some exciting news to share on the Almost Real brand. First off, their new, 1:18 scale, 360 access and diecast metal Land Rover Defender 110 with Roof Pack 2020 in Pangea Green is officially released. This example in scale has definitely raised the bar. Our team will present a full in-depth review, our sample is in the mail!
More exciting than the above news, there is an introduction of a new sub-brand for Almost Real, it is called AR+, and the plus is exactly what you would think, all levels of their scale representations are elevated this includes model and packaging. The first of the series will feature various Pagani examples. What we’ve seen so far is great! Now the question is where does the price point begin? Also, as collectors, and serious collectors the focus in on the model. Should the team reconsider the fancy box and base? As recently announced by TopSpeed they are parting ways with the extra fluff. All this extra packing detail will add cube and weight, this equates to higher prices. Are you willing to pay for this? We’ve reached out to Almost Real for more information. We’ll post more as soon as we receive it! In the meantime, we suggest you rethink your future Pagani purchase!
Product# 810804
Finally a high end Zonda! Any word on colours? It’d be a shame for all that tooling to be only used on a bland grey and white variants only.
Sorry, we’re short on details at this time.
Release the freakin Zonda already AR! Stop messing around with those, imo, unnecessary packaging hype.
Yes. About 420$
Sounds like an excuse to charge more money. That being said, I want a Zonda yesterday!!
Based on the level of detail of both model and packaging these will definitely exceed pre AR+ retail.
“Should the team reconsider the fancy box and base? ” In one word: YES!
“Are you willing to pay for this?” In one word: NO!
All my models aren´t kept in boxes and are displayed without bases, so why would I care about this fancy stuff? My hobby is to collect models, not packaging! I stow the boxes away out of sight.
IF Almost Real really want to go ahead with this, they ought to do it like BBR with their diecast: You CAN buy the LaFerrari with a fancy base at added cost, but you can also have it without it.
A real PLUS would be to deliver on what has been announced. It´s now four years since I pre-ordered my dirty Camel Trophy 110 … Where the f… is it???
Almost Real keep raising the bar … But they hardly ever JUMP!
“IF Almost Real really want to go ahead with this, they ought to do it like BBR with their diecast: You CAN buy the LaFerrari with a fancy base at added cost, but you can also have it without it.”
Great point!
I agree. And include a display with the base, not that useless ‘’suit case’’.
I too agree. the box looks pretty, but i have no use for it when displaying my model. it goes out of sight and into the closet for safe keeping.
If the prices are lower id buy one in all the colors they have to offer.
“Almost Real keep raising the bar … But they hardly ever JUMP!”
Very well said. Made me chuckle and it’s true.
I totally agree with Karsten. Almost real should pay more effort on their quality, not packaging. Their production quality is not really good.
I heard that BBR and Almost real use same production line. And BBR’s fxx-k evo had many defects on their quality and here in my country everybody’s saying that BBR’s fxx-k evo has low qaulity in paiting, assembly, decal etc. I hope that Almost real will pay attention to real consumer’s voice.
BBR and AR do share the same production line. Sadly, the owners of AR is kind of arrogant. They think quote: ” AR has the same quilty as CMC in my ways.” Actually they have a Weibo account( Chinese version of twitter). If you say something negative about AR in the common section, they will block you immediately. AR has a really bad reputation in China because of its low quality. Its product price will drop by at least 30% in the second-hand market in China. The owner also sad quote:” AR is Rare boutique”, which often be mentioned as an irony in the Chinese model car community.
Please, let’s keep the conversion on topic. Our team has had numerous conversations with AR, never once did we leave feeling any sense of arrogance or egostism.
So, in other words, Jake: You tell DS and its reviewers including myself that we are completely clueless about quality? Reviews here more often than not come to the conclusion that AR models have been excellent quality for money – so far – and superior to many competitors. We have not hesitated to point out issues. If AR have a bad reputation in China (and I think, you have said this elsewhere before), where are all the “good” quality models? Do they keep them all to themselves in the domestic market? What would you name as an example? Will you provide evidence of what you say? Can I please buy some of the pre-owned AR models in circulation with 30% off their original price (while they double and triple in other markets)?
As for the alleged arrogance of AR, in fact I am in touch with them too and have always been treated with the utmost respect, cordially even, with a very open ear and mind for my thoughts. I was always made to feel that my input is extremely welcome. In fact some of the correspondence expressed concern for my health and shared private matters of my contact. Not arrogance in my book.
This is the biggest Chinese model car community( around 272K members in total):
http://c.tieba.baidu.com/f?ie=utf-8&kw=%E6%B1%BD%E8%BD%A6%E6%A8%A1%E5%9E%8B&fr=search
Ask anyone there. I’m sure you will get the same responses.
PS: I didn’t mention anything about DS. I’m just talking about AR and give you guys another perspective. That’s it. End of the story.
I heard that many collectors in China criticized ar for its high price and poor product quality！
Poor product quality??? What??? Are we talking about the same models reviewed here on DS? If they are “poor quality”, what’s Welly, Norev, Maisto, Burago then, and what is “good quality” then in your book? Start answering that, for god’s sake! Either they must have models we’ve never seen, or they must be completely mad!
No it’s not the end of the story! Where is my 200 Euro pre-owned Camel Trophy Defender 110? Where are all the twice as good as AR models?
I have been told that the Pagani’s will be released October (ish)
I think they are really looking awesome! Especially with the cloth cover! But I promised my self to not go over 300€ incl. sipping with a 1/18 Modell… I hope they will release them soon!
Oh my. I’ve wanted a Zonda for over two years now, but I’ve been thinking that I’ll overlook that fact if they do a really good job with it. These look promising. Those little straps and buckles that hold the engine bonnet down show attention to detail, but they also have “this will break the first time you touch it” written all over them.
I like that they went with a more elaborate color scheme on that green Huayra Roadster. AUTOart and LCD used some off-the-board colors on theirs, but they were still fairly simple color schemes,
I have been waiting so long for these models and was told normal pricing. To suddenly double the price (as rumored) because of some fancy packaging is just sad.
Oh, that’s a normal experience happening without fancy packaging these days: You pre-order something and prices are higher on delivery. Was the same for AUTOart. But I can see your point. Prices are high enough niw for models as it is WITHOUT fancy packaging. So adding something that does nothing for the model itself but raises costs and prices further becomes the last straw that breaks the camels back.
Come on, AR! Give us the Jaguars you promised already please
We second that!
Third that…..We’ve been waiting for 2-3 years now…WTH???
It won’t happen in at least the next two years. The factory will focus on BBR diecast products( Enzo and F430), AR SUVs, and luxury cars.
How do you know? Any sources for that inside knowledge?
Hi there,
Which model is the black huyria shot from above? I believe it’s a matte black Huyria roadster, can you confirm? I’m photos #5 and #8. I can’t find it anywhere, would love a response… thank you!!!
Not sure if released yet or was a BBR limited release for the Asian market. Check with BBR.
Hmmmm, I reached out. They said it was just the sample car and no plans of it being made :( very sad. I wonder where the sample car ended up. Would love to have this exact one…. Thanks!