If you followed me over the years, you know I have a deep affinity and passion for sport and supercars in general. These autos are always pushing the limits and fuelling my personal desire towards cars in general and this great hobby we all love. I recently caught wind of a new manufacturer named AUTOCRAFT. Their first production replica is the 1:18 scale diecast version of W Motors, the Lykan HyperSport. From what I gather, AUTOCRAFT is a German based company. Officially, the model is manufactured and engineered using their own in house design team and after approval by licensee the project is brought over to one of their OEM factories for production.
If you’re not familiar with the Lykan HyperSport, I will provide a short synopsis of the car. The company was founded in 2002, a Lebanese limited production vehicle by W Motors. The car itself has gained fame via video games, word of mouth, and in recent times, an appearance in the Fast and the Furious series. The Lykan HyperSport is powered by a 3.7 litre twin-turbocharged flat-six engine developed by RUF. It produces 780 hp and 708 lb·ft of torque. Where the car wins the pissing contest against its competitors is the incredible top speed of 395 km/h (245 mph) and acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (0 to 62 mph) in 2.8 seconds. Some people call it over the top, I call it poetry in motion.
Until the AUTOCRAFT release, there wasn’t much available replica wise of the Lykan HyperSport other than the opening price point model from Jada (which was in the shopping cart @ CK Modelcars at time of purchase), and a few higher priced resin versions from TOP Marques and Fronti-Art – more than I was willing to spend. It has been customary here at DiecastSociety.com to highlight the box of any new manufacturer featured in its first review, so we start with the exterior packaging.
The exterior box is made of cardboard. It features logos of W Motors and AUTOCRAFT. One thing you’ll notice off the top is the familiarity of their font type to that of AUTOart, which is surely intentional LOL. Also note the side red sticker, a good indication that future colours are coming. Inside, the model is housed in a styrofoam shell with a secondary plastic cover to keep the precious cargo safe.
At first glance I was shocked by how good the model in fact is. At $99US I wasn’t expecting miracles, but AUTOCRAFT proved me wrong. Overall lines are true to the original car. Panel gaps and shutlines are surprisingly good throughout – this model allows access to the front storage, interior and motor. It also comes equipped with a full functioning rear spoiler. This is a far cry from the toy-like replica offered by Jada.
Exterior paint isn’t the best I’ve seen; in my opinion, it is somewhat dull and lifeless. I have not seen any notable defects in the paint, though some have reported chips and what not. My model is consistent throughout.
The front of the Lykan HyperSport features perforated grilles, which allow view to the detail behind. The emblems, front and side are crafted in photo etch metal. Headlight detail is average at best. Carbon fibre detailing is good. Access to the storage is available and operation is flawless. AUTOCRAFT even used strut supports to add to the realism. Well done!
The rear is much like the front, perforated grilles are front and centre – there are also metal grilles on each side that provide cooling to the motor. Metal decals and a full functional spoiler are the icing on the cake. Remember folks, retail on this model is $99US!
Top centre of the motor area features a sculpture like carbon fibre entity – execution is very good. Motor access is available with a forward to back up-sweep. Again AUTOCRAFT excels in detail with full strut supports. Engine detail is sparse, most is covered. Suspension components do take front and centre. Overall detail is very good, something more commanding of $175+ model. Wow!
Wheels on the Lykan HyperSport are finished in Black. Along side the ceramic discs and yellow calipers which feature the company name, the package is executed well. If this wasn’t enough, AUTOCRAFT actually provides script on the side wall of the tires, very impressive!
Inside, the detail carries on; first, I need to mention the correct opening motion of the doors. AUTOCRAFT again amazes with the level of engineering at this price point. Operation is flawless and both doors will stay in the open position. There are struts and magnets that complete the package. Doors cards are nicely detailed too.
The cockpit is fully detailed – two tone interior is nicely appointed. Fabric seat-belts are present, logo etched in seat top and side. There isn’t any carpeting found within the interior, though I’m not sure if the original car does. Anyone?
I was very skeptical when I first saw the AUTOCRAFT Lykan HyperSport, how good could this model be for $99? Well, all scepticism and doubt are gone, and I’m a believer. The model is remarkable for what it offers, along with being made of diecast metal and providing a host of others goodies, the level of execution is there and on par with the likes of AUTOart and Kyosho. Though not perfect, the model excels well beyond its $99 price. Now this begs the question, are we as collectors being hosed by the other brands? Are we paying too much? I think so.
Folks buy this model it’s worth it! I for one am looking forward to more models from AUTOCRAFT. Definitely a breath of fresh air amongst all the resin and inflated retail prices of the last few years. Well AUTOCRAFT, well done. Enjoy the pics!
Great review, this car is growing on me……
Woah! All of this for just 99$!!! That’s incredible! Hope they have other model cars planned.
BTW, good job with the review.
AWESOME Review!! I also noticed the red color indicator on the box..so, I’m hoping for Blue as your review has sold me on it :) Also, I hope that Autocraft will make the W Motor Fenyr soon as well. Thanks for sharing! Cheers!
Thanks for the review waiting for mine :) I have it in resin as well.
Now you’re talking! Beautiful in every way! AND it opens! Very impressive, “Autocraft” huh, I’ll remember that.
Is it available online?
Yes, purchased here. Tell them DS sent ya!
http://www.megamo.hk/118-Autocraft-WMOTORS-LYKAN-HyperSport-red-Diecast-Full-Open-model_p_779.html
If you ask me, after the cool craftsmanship of Autocraft doing the Lykan Hypersport, they should do the following in 1/18 in the future. W/OPENING PARTS OF COURSE:
Zenvo ST-1-Denmark
Mastretta MXT-Mexico
any Spykers-Netherlands
Pontiac G8-USA
Tushek Renovatio-Slovenia
Bricklin SV1-Canada
KTM X-Bow-Austria
Rimac Concept 1-Croatia
Asterio Roadster-Portugal
Korres Project 4-Greece
Arrinera Hussarya-Poland
Donto P1-Argentina
Rossin-Bertin Vorax-Brazil
That would be nice! I’m in, sign me up!!
Hm, I´ve got the TOP MARQUES one in white. Nice, pricey and … those gorgeous doors don´t open. If AUTOCARFT are German, why can´t I find them in the German market? Neither CK Model Cars nor any others have it.
Will it be available in Europe ? I don’t want to pay customs fees for a package from Hong Kong :-(
So, our team was contacted by AUTOCRAFT. It seems Welly had no play whatsoever with this model. Here is an excerpt from the email we received.
“Autocraft never had or has any relationship to Welly Diecast and we have no idea how you can get this information – it definitely is wrong. We are using or own design team and after approval by licensee we hand over the project in this case to one of our OEM factory – which Definitely is not Welly. So please make sure this point in your review.”
If you have their e-mail, can you ask them if this model will be available in Europe ? Many thanks !
They have confided the model is set to sold in Europe in 2017.
Thanks ! A very good news !
If theirs a company that’s hosing people its minichamps. It started with an F1 Red bull model in 43rd. To get it in 18th scale we had to pay in advance. 2 years later there was a price increase. They couldn’t ask for more money so they reduced the level of detail. plastic looking shiny tires, wheels that didn’t turn and so on. So here’s your 2008 model to 1998’s level of detail.
Is this model going to be distributed in the US? I am not terribly in love with this car, but I feel compelled to support this new company making quality diecast supercar models for under $100! It looks to be a really good model!
Especially if it means making more new models of cars that have yet to be made in 1/18. Particularly with all opening parts, rolling and steering wheels. It’s a shame we’ve heard nothing new from Autocraft recently
There seems to be a big ask these days about having carpeted interior. Is that so in the Autocraft one?
No. As per the review:
“There isn’t any carpeting found within the interior, though I’m not sure if the original car does. Anyone?”
I heard now that there’s a new 1/18 adaptation of the car by a company called Keng Fai Toys. What I don’t know is the detailed difference between that version and the AutoCraft Lykan. It’s also a shame that there’s nothing new from AutoCraft at this time.
Late to the party, but I’ve just ordered one on the basis of this review alone! Thanks
Well, I bought it after this review. And what I got is just 99$ model, with no “value added”. The carbon fiber effect on side skirts is terrible. It is just a thin foil glued over plastic and first of all, foil is not cut/bend as precisely as it should and secondly they are glued loosely to the plastic surface, so they peel off. Carbon fiber effect on engine cover is fine though.
Sorry to hear the model doesn’t meet your standards. It is still brilliant based on what it provides.
I agree – much better than Jada (got it, mine has horrible dried paint drops on corners…) or all those Frontiart or Top Marques sealed resin jokes. But unfortunately execution is not consistent between all pieces.
Anyone knows if they (Autocraft) released anything else than this model? Does anyone know their website or got contact to them?