Majorette 1:64 and Kinsmart 1:36 Mclaren 675LT




The Mclaren name is starting to get a hold of diecast manufacturers as I notice more and more low-end brands making Mclaren's now than in the past when only a select few would replicate the F1 road car.  Here are two examples of the latest Mclaren 675LT by Majorette and Kinsmart.





Click for Photo Gallery


The 675LT is the lightweight track-focused car of the 650S line, which was made by RMZ City and reviewed here on this blog last year.  More carbon fiber parts are used inside the car, the rear wing can now stand up straight to aid as an air brake, lightweight black wheels, larger rear spoiler, and a new lower front splitter.  The engine is the same 3.8L DOHC twin-turbo V8 that produces 66 horsepower and 520 Ib-ft of torque through a seven-speed automated manual transmission.  0-60 arrives in 2.9 seconds, .1 second faster than the 650S.  On the other end of the scale is the more comfort-oriented 575LT.





Click for Photo Gallery


Majorette has released their version in green with a noticeable shade different that I did not realized until I had both versions in hand:  The early one that I purchased online has a yellowish-green color, while the later one (the one also offered in the first U.S. release at Marshalls) has a typical light green color.  The styling of the car is nicely done if the front-end stance is a bit high to allow the suspension to work and the 5-spoke wheels would look much better blacked-out as on the real car.  The front has the P1's C-shaped headlights that are part of the window trim, while black details the lower scoops and splitter.  The sides show the smooth profile with large side scoops, but they lack any black detailing so I had to add them to the car.  The rear has a taller rear spoiler, LED taillights that seem to sink lower, and round dual exhaust tips.  The clear engine cover shows off the intake of the 3.8 V6 and also adds vents to the sides and more vents just after the cover.  The interior has the dual seats and typical Mclaren dashboard layout of simplicity, though the interior does tend to sink lower than normal.  Majorette did a nice job with this car, yet I wished for a few more proper detail areas, especially when the Kinsmart version arrives next.






Click for Photo Gallery


Shortly after I got the Majorette version I found the Kinsmart version.  Some confusion ensued when I kept comparing this car to the dark blue 650S that I reviewed last year, only to realize that the 650S was RMZ City.  Either way both do a good job showing the differences between the two.  Quality of the Kinsmart versions were far much better than the ones I saw with the 650S, especially in the bright colors offered.  To separate the Majorette I opted for the bright orange version that really shines well agains the black trim.  It has the correct blacked-out multi-spoke wheels and all of the black trim details are there and properly done.  The front has the detailed C-shaped headlights, lower grilles, and the sharp edges of the lower splitter alongside a 675LT plate.  The sides show the lower trim edges, the large side scoops with the carbon fiber pattern, and the carbon fiber exterior mirrors.  The door gaps do protrude a bit but not a whole lot.  At the rear the rear spoiler is better planted and stands out more than the 650S.  LED taillights are nicely integrated and hover over hidden vents.  The rear plate and reflector lights add some detail against the black decklid, and even the dual exhausts look cooler than the square ones on the 650S.





Click for Photo Gallery


The engine bay area is nicely done and I enhanced it by adding some silver trim to really make it stand out.  The vents are there, with the lower vents a separate black piece.  Another nice touch is something that has not been done at Kinsmart before: detailed slotted rotors behind the wheels.  The doors swing up in typical fashion, but unlike the Kinsmart P1 the doors only use one hinge to eliminate the crude roof hinge on the P1.  The driver and passenger are cradled by the supportive seats up front, then the driver is greeted with a nice and deep three-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters just behind and the gauge cluster.  The center stack with touch screen rides on a rising console backbone that goes down to the transmission controls.  With the larger size the Kinsmart version of the Mclaren feels just right with fast speeds, great feedback, and sharp handling; the Majorette version has some of the same qualities but felt a bit sloppier than the larger Kinsmart.





Click for Photo Gallery


No doubt the Mclaren replica's are at full swing and these latest two of the 675LT are absolutely superb.







Click for Photo Gallery

Comments