Xiaoguang Model definitely has the Aston Martin bug. Their latest effort features another Aston Martin, this time one featured in the James Bond classic No Time to Die. This full metal exterior and opening feature replica is set to arrive in August 2026.
Product# TBD
Another scanned Autoart? It’s the third attempt at this car in opening diecast 1/18 and a third time something’s wrong. V8 Vantage curse?
Yes, possibly.
I have to disagree with myself here, it’s an earlier version so definitely not a scanned Aa. Shape-wise it looks pretty good but the panel fitment and gaps, not to mention the right door that doesn’t seem to be able to sit flush at all don’t inspire confidence.
If we are lucky, they will do the DB9 derived Bond DBS from Casino Royale. Wasn’t that announced by someone?
To my eyes this is a great model of an Aston Martin V8 Vantage and I am very much tempted to buy one if I can get one delivered to Europe.
The AA model and this one represent different versions of a V8 Vantage. The AA model has the full Vantage spec front end and the bonnet bulge of a later model. Where the XiaoGuang model has more of a “Prince of Wales” front. Which seems to be correct for a “no time to die” model.
Compared to the AA model the overall proportions look about right for me. And all the details look quite nice to me.
Although I nearly bought the AA model. There was something in the proportions that held me off all the time.
It was the roof line that looked too low for me. Having compared the AA model to some pictures of the real car and did some messurements, I did come to the conclusion that the roof is about 5 percent too low on the AA model.
This model ticks all the right boxes for me and maybe I’ll add it to my collection some day ;-)
I think that it looks good to me as well. I ordered one and paid $119 US plus shipping from China. It’s still in transit so I have no constructive criticism to offer. XiaoGuang did a great job with their Aston Martin DB12, which, despite not having doors that tilt slightly upward when opened, is a very beautiful model. There will doubtlessly be critics of this car, as well as of the new releases from Stirling, just as there was of AUTOart’s effort way back when. Perhaps some intrepid collector will post a three car comparison, which would be very interesting to see. Happy collecting!
Post your thoughts once the model arrives. TIA.
I received this model today. I am very pleased with the fit and finish, the stance, and the overall shape. I was concerned that the grill might have been blanked out in the manner of the X-Pack versions – it was hard for me to tell from the available on line images. The grill does show a textured element, but it is not perforated, and I am fine with that. I’ll defer to the Bond experts as to the accuracy of this model relative to the movie car, as I am only a casual 007 fan and have never seen The Living Daylights. I was looking for a decent Vantage V8 model ( in die cast metal with full openings) at a reasonable price ($119 US + shipping) and this car satisfies.
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I hope we will see the V8 from The Living Daylights, which in the loose continuity of the Bond film series is somewhat the basis for the No Time To Die version. It just makes sense to leverage the molds. And just like with slot car maker Scalextric (which along with Corgi is owned by Hornby who seems to have the Bond license) the NTTD version was released first and about a year later followed by the TLD because strategically the LTD version is the more popular being the original. Apart from a lighter color the main physical difference is the sunroof cover.
Better still, I’d love to see either XiaoGuang and/or Autoart do the Aston Martin V8 Vantage w/operable gadgets in fully opening 1/18.
IMO the following Aston Martins are overdue for fully opening 1/18 diecast or composite:
Valhalla
Valkyrie AMR Pro
Heart of Racing Valkyrie LMH
Heart of Racing Vantage GT3
AMR 22
Vantage F1 Safety Car