New releases from Minichamps this week feature a couple of metal and opening examples in 1:18 scale. One model that grinds our gears is the pricing for their new Porsche Cayman GT4 RS (200+ euros). Essentially, this is the Norev release, but at almost double the price. Come on, Minichamps, how dumb do you think this community is? We recommend that you read the reviews and view the photo gallery entries to learn more.
BMW M3 CS – 2023 – GREY METALLIC
ORACLE RED BULL RACING RB20 – MAX VERSTAPPEN – LAS VEGAS GP 2024 – WORLD CHAMPION
PORSCHE 911 (992.2) CARRERA COUPE – 2024 – YELLOW METALLIC
PORSCHE CAYMAN GT4 RS – 2024 -RED W/ WEISSACH PACKAGE
Product# 110023501 / 110242201 / 155064021 / 110062120
The Minichamps and Norev GT4 RS aren’t the same. But as with their respective GT3 RS models, the Minichamps doesn’t look quite right – the wheel/tyre/wheelarch proportions are obviously wrong on the Minichamps, and the wheel face is too flat.
Some suggested the Minichamps GT3 RS had better hinges etc and I guess if that’s what you prioritise then fair enough. For me, priority #1 is the overall shape and proportions of the model, and for both GT3 RS and GT4 RS the errors stand out so badly to me that I couldn’t contemplate buying the Minichamps.
Also, what’s going on with that 911? It has no panel lines around the door!
I like the Norev’s version very much and I’m not going to upgrade it with this one. The Norev’s interior is just amazing, and the overall value in terms of features and quality to price ratio is very high.
If, however, I did not have the Norev’s version already, I would prefer the Minichamps version because it has more Pros than Cons.
Cons:
– high price;
– not as refined interior as the Norev’s one.
Pros:
– better perforated grilles: the meshes are smaller that looks more correct to the scale;
– better front lights with better front lights cover;
– better frunk hinges, plus supports;strut
– the (rear) engine door has supports, plus additional strut bars above the engine itself;
– the tyre profiles look more correct to the scale: Norev tends to use thicker tyre profiles that make the front wheels to hardly turn in one or both directions. In the same time, there is also a Con here: Minichamps’ tyres are not branded, while Norev’s are.
Definitely a nod on the access panel engineering. Are you taking in these observations from the above photos alone?