The original Porsche 911 Carrera RS 2.7, nicknamed the “Ducktail” for obvious reasons, is an absolute classic that needs no introduction. So much of a classic it is that even toy manufacturer Playmobil has made it in addition to other classics like the Mercedes Gullwing, Ferrari 308 GTS, VW Bug, VW Van, Classic Mini, and Citroen 2CV. And of course, it has been made in 1:18 before by many manufacturers, including AUTOart themselves. However, the collector community have been complaining about various inaccuracies, so that the definitive model did not exist … until now.

A German forum member favourably compared the first colour option of the new AUTOart to the old one. So it is only fair to pay due credit to Christian, a Carrera RS enthusiast, to whose insights this review is deeply indebted. He comes to the conclusion that the new one is better in every respect. While he already had the old AUTOart (in white with green accents) and the Minichamps (in white with blue accents) (which is why he chose it in white with red accents now), for me the new AUTOart is the first rendition to enter my collection, and I went for white with green accents to join my modification of a Norev into the 992 GT3 RS Pebble Beach show car that paid tribute to this very version of the classic for its 50^th anniversary.

Improvements start with the general shape of the model, which previously posed a major complaint amongst collectors. Everything seems to be, quite literally and aptly, more rounded on the new model. So this is no milking-the-mould, but starting-from-scratch. Other improvements like greater depth of the lights, even more detail on the engine and underbody exhaust system, wheels with tire branding and valves could just have been slapped onto the old mould.

The biggest improvement is to be found under the hood. No, not the rear engine, the front end: While the old model had carpeting instead of a spare wheel and other details, the new one is the first to have the spare and a detailed fuel tank and is delivered with an extra, molded-into-shape carpet that you may or may not fit into the frunk. This being the lightweight version, it is credible for the model not to get it fitted.

You recognize it to be the more hardcore and rarer Lightweight–only 200 were ever built-and not the more creature-comfort-oriented Touring version with the bucket seats. But instead of five visible gauges on the dashboard, the clock on the very right would have to be blinded to resemble the fully stripped Lightweight.

In other words, there is hardly a definitive, ultimate model, but this is extremely close. If you haven´t already got a model of this classic in your collection, there are only two reasons for you to hesitate: #1 Minichamps will make another one soon, will have a hard time beating AUTOart this time, but yet might. #2 You find it hard to pick a colour. If the latter, a hint may help: Not all of AUTOart’s options are historically correct; the green, the blue and the yellow ones originally only came with black decals and silver rims. The Grand Prix -white ones are historically correct and were most-picked, with the green accents being historically the rarest. Plus, it’s the DiecastSociety.com signature colour. So for me, the one shown here is the perfect choice, especially alongside my GT3 RS Tribute to Carrera RS in the same colours.