** UPDATE ** Just to provide everyone with an update: there is currently a PayPal case open for the model referenced above. This will likely result in us being banned by the seller, which is unfortunate but not entirely unexpected. Frankly, it’s frustrating dealing with sellers who refuse to take ownership of quality issues. In the past, we allowed QC problems from this particular seller to slide, but a model priced at $500 is a different matter and warrants a higher standard of accountability.

** EDIT ** AR did respond to our email.  We have not received answers to our questions.  The team is back to normal after the Chinese New Year’s vacation and the local Beijing store opening.  More to come!

Regarding Almost Real, we have received no response so far. It has been five days since our last outreach, which is disappointing. At this point, it feels as though we may have upset someone along the way. Our email was very targeted and focused on two key questions:

– Has there been an increase in QC issues with this specific model, and are you aware of them?

– Does Almost Real sell models that do not pass final quality control as defective units through the Chinese market?

The Pagani Zonda Tricolore was created in 2010 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Frecce Tricolori, the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic team. While originally planned as a one-off, Pagani ultimately produced three units, making it one of the rarest Zonda variants. The car is easily identified by its blue-tinted, clear-coated carbon fibre body and the green, white, and red stripes of the Italian flag. It also features unique aviation-inspired touches, such as a vertical fin on the engine cover and small “pitot tubes” on the nose that resemble those used on jets to measure airspeed.

Technically, the Tricolore is based on the Zonda Cinque, utilizing a 7.3-litre Mercedes-AMG V12 engine that produces 670 horsepower. This allows for a 0-100 km/h time of 3.4 seconds and a top speed of roughly 350 km/h (217 mph). The chassis is constructed from a lightweight carbo-titanium weave, keeping the dry weight down to just 1,210 kg. Inside, the cabin continues the tribute with blue and white leather seating and an exclusive dashboard, blending high-performance engineering with the specific aesthetic of the Italian flight patrol.

As for the model itself, the execution is nothing short of exceptional. As noted in previous reviews of the Pagani Huayra Dinastia Yazi and the Zonda Cinque Roadster, Almost Real has mastered the art of replicating Pagani’s complex DNA in scale. The level of detail is often puzzling in its intricacy; when every panel is opened, the model transforms into a mechanical “butterfly,” a sight that is incredible to behold.

The Blue Carbon exterior is a masterclass in subtlety—rendered with a depth and hue reminiscent of a perfectly aged pair of favourite blue jeans. True to the brand, the “under-the-skin” detailing is where the model earns its keep. The sheer layering of individual components, particularly within the engine bay and suspension assembly, goes a long way toward justifying its $500 CAD price tag.

The interior is equally well-appointed, though it invites a surprising comparison: dare I say, the LCD Lamborghini Revuelto may actually surpass this Pagani, specifically in the realism and variety of its interior textures.

However, the ownership experience was not without its hurdles. Quality Control (QC) remains a glaring concern; it took three attempts to find an acceptable unit. The first two examples provided by the retailer exhibited significant defects, and even this “best of the three” arrived with a flaw that shouldn’t exist at this price point: the rear middle fin has a slight, perceptible pitch to one side, and the front windscreen doesn’t seem to be fully locked in place, passenger (thank you, Tom).  While the rest of the model arrived in good order, these manufacturing oversights are a tough pill to swallow for a premium collectible.  Enjoy the pics!