There is a photo that has surfaced on the Internet as of late. It compares the engine of the recent release of AUTOart McLaren P1 and the engine of the AUTOart Nissan R390 GT1, which set sail 8ish years ago… Both are considered flag ship investments, but as the eye can see the level of detail is dramatically different between the two. Which one would you choose?
It seems the focus and passion of AUTOart has changed over the years, along with that the level of detail. Don’t get us wrong; the McLaren in our opinion is the best available 1:18 scale model today, but our biggest gripe under the microscope was the lack luster attention to detail on the motor. Folks we’re speaking about cars and scale. Would you not want the upmost focus on overall body-lines, MOTOR, and wheels? We think so.
AUTOart has teased us over the years with some GREAT examples. Some that come to mind are the Mazda race 787B and the various Pagani Zonda variants. Truly awesome pieces! With the ever present danger of being stagnant and lifeless, we think the team should focus more on the details. We all know the emergence of Almost Real last year, and their attention to detail. There will be some strong competition in the race and supercar arena this year. We wonder if AUTOart is up to the task? Thanks to Diego Villavicencio for posting this photo.
We like to hear what you have to say. WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS?
I assume you meant fLag ship and not fag ship ? Just a little typo I noticed.
Apart from that, it’s kinda sad to see. AutoArt still makes great models, but the composite measures paired together with poorer overall Engine retail AND higher prices leaves a bad taste…
Almost real is a good competitor, yes. But I think at their current pace of releasing cars Autoart doesn’t have to worry YET. Would be nice if the competition forced AA to step up their game again though.
LOL, yes. We’re gender neutral here at DS!
Thats why we go with ALMOST REAL models! :)
Clearly AutoArt ask MORE MONEY FOR LESS…….
I believe you also meant “lackluster” attention to detail.
Yes, I’m rather “off” AA’s due to lower detail and much higher cost. I’ll leave the recent E-type issue alone.
What was wrong with the E-Type? I have one of the first Series I’s they came out with a few years back and don’t have any problems.
Autoart , learn the market like any other company and see that buyer don’t mind to pay a lot of money to limited resin model that many of them lack the basic details, run to other model maker won’t solve it Autoart can make amazing model with any materials and composite could be perfect combo this not the issue we need to demand and stay way from company’s that sale models that lack basic thing in very high price , i don’t mind resin also but when you see many blank things this not collector item sorry.
Alas, this is due to the increase in workers ‘ wages, it is no longer possible to demand quality products for a few cents. In the future, we expect a drop in the level of detail and an increase in prices for the model. For example, the” new Subaru Impreza wrc ” – a few new details and a doubling of the price compared to the release of the early two-thousand years.
But other manufacturers prove that that’s not completely thru though. Almost Real, Schuco, even my CMC porsche 901 costs less than the typical AutoArt release. Even some Welly FX models are very nice, for less that 20 % of the AutoArt pricetag, fully die-cast, not plastic.
Sure, it gets more expensive, but I can’t help thinking we get screwed over by AutoArt. It either gets more expensice, or less detailed, but not both.
If you call production of CMC cheap models, it will be a lie-they are always more expensive analogs, sometimes 2-3 times (you can compare the price on 901 from CMC and Porsche 911 1964 from Autoart). Schuco and Welly FX are divisions of firms producing toys, so that part of the cost is compensated by this. Almost Real are just entering the market, it will take a few more years to find out how much their models will cost for the present, while they are dumping to take their place.
The most precise and realistic answer to date in this whole column. Well said.
Don’t start comparing any Welly, including the FX range to Autoart… I also have a lot of both! The finish on a Welly does not hold a candle to the Autoart just yet, and I don’t think that will happen anytime soon, made from metal or plastic. I have metal cars that are eating through their paint because of questionable quality material and I’m not talking about your regular Maisto or Bburago, GMP, Highway 61 and Kyosho are heavily plagued by this cancer. We’ll see how plastic fares with old age, but I’m betting plastic will win in the long run in this department. And those who give up on opening and operating feature I say you’re encouraging even more laziness from manufacturers. “What? we don’t put ANY effort in engineering working features and those dummies still buy our stuff! So why would we put any more work into them?” They said, laughing all the way to the bank. Rant over.
Plastic models + less details + toy interior = FAIL.
I gave up on AutoArt after a _plastic_ part had broken in 1:18 McLaren F1. I wrote them an e-mail, describing the situation, and AutoArt’s response to that was, I am quoting, “Thank you for your advice”. My next e-mail was unanswered at all.
Well, they´ll have to learn the hard way then.
That’s why I buy more resin pieces now, cheaper than Autoart with openings but with poor details
There is no doubt that there was much more quality before
I also like when there is working suspension. Does anyone know is there any composite model with working suspension? I have no experience with composite series at all
Yes, Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG 6×6
willing buyer, willing seller. as long as Autoart has sufficient buyers, they can continue producing models with lesser details which cost more and more. likewise for GT Spirit, they can continue to increase prices, and they do not have many details to begin with. be it composite or resin, it’s a normal business cycle. just like how GT Spirit took away a lot of Autoart’s previous market share, there will always be a new competitor who will start with lower prices to win fans. Then the price increases will come.
That’s right. Until buyers don’t stop AA making more and more simple models, they will make them. They can earn more money on a model that’s cheaper to build.
I don’t collect AAs (sadly they don’t make Ferraris) but actually this P1 engine is not much more detailed than a Bburago engine and is far behind my resin BBR LaFerrari with removable engine hood. Not to mention the 6+ years old BBR, GMP diecasts and Hot Wheels Super Elites.
Agree
What I don’t get is that they not only raised the price but also started making models in full plastic, so they are definitely on their profit range as usual, so why on earth also reduce details? What’s the excuse there when they’re already saving costs by making plastic models plus raising the price? That P1 engine is crap. I can’t wait for Almost Real Models
Enjoy the Almost Real models while you can. This will go the same route as all the other quality diecasts simply because quality hand-built models cannot be profitably achieved at low wages. Nobody has been able to reconcile the two. AA, CMC, nobody. Exoto doesn’t even produce anything new, short of different paint schemes.
Almost Real will make some nice models for a short time, but it will follow the established history of all the others.
In this case we have to disagree. A few reasons… One, Almost Real is based in China. That allows them quick access to the Chinese labor market channels. Second, they are sub-brand/company of Sums Models. They have been manufacturing models for a number of other brands for years. So, I think it would be safe to assume they know how to source the raw materials, keep labour cost on par or lower than their competitors, and know one of two things about manufacturing models with profit. What they need to focus on is speed to market and distribution.
AutoArt isn’t worth it at all anymore. None of their current or upcoming lineup really excites me knowing they will be cheaply replicated and sold for ridiculous prices. I own a few AutoArt models, 2 of my favourites are the Zonda Revolucion in black and the Murcielago SV in yellow. Those models are fantastic in detail and replication. But looking at recent releases, the detail and quality has DEFINITELY gone down, with the prices going ridiculously high for these cheap looking plastic composite models. Better off saving money and buying a Welly, GT Spirit or Burago model which are decent. Or spending abit more and getting a nice CMC, Look Smart or BBR model with superior detail and quality where you get what you pay for.
Folks, let me introduce myself. I’m 66 and I’v been collecting 1:18 diecast cars for more than 30 years. In my opinion Autoart is one of the greatest manufactures, however, quality and details are not the same as they were 10 years ago. I most admit I prefer Classic cars than super exotics, but anyway even Autoart is not the same. Almost Real is what Kyosho used to be 10 years ago….
Flag ship not fag ship :)
Vote with your dollars! If AUTOart wants to produce garbage and charge top dollar hit ’em where it hurts. They’ll be forced to change their tune.
I am not a big “motorsports clever clogs” and I don’t analyze images of engines of all the real cars that are produced, so I am just asking:
Isn’t it also caused by change in motorsport technology and how engines look today? The general technology direction is that everything is sealed, monoblocked, etc – mechanics, electronics. In other words – I hope you all guys saw the real R390 engine and the real P1 engine and you are sure, that lack of details in P1 is not just recreation of reality?