Welly 1:24 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

When the Gallardo first came out in 2004 I was unimpressed with the baby Murcielago styling that look rather odd, and quite frankly cheap, on this car.  When the Gallardo got a mid-cycle update in 2009 that all changed with sharper styling that was more richer in quality and more power.  Also on that front was the increase of diecast replica Gallardo's.  Hot Wheels was one of the famous models, along with Maisto, and now this Welly version.  It is interesting to note that there are two of these black Gallardo's in 1:24 offered right now: Welly and Maisto.  Let's see why I chose Welly.

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The Gallardo was Lamborghini's first attempt to make a smaller Lamborghini to sell worldwide.  For years the brand has stumbled on a few attempts that didn't work out, like Jalpa, and none of them were ever sold in the U.S.!  The Gallardo finally achieve success thanks in part to VW/Audi's ownership of the Lamborghini brand.  This partnership brought most of the best Audi parts in the bin from electronics to even the Quattro all-wheel drive system to make the Lambo's finally be driven fast on the track without consequence.  The Gallardo shares its platform with the Audi R8, finally giving Audi their first mid-engine supercar after years of unsuccessful attempts.  The engine is the 5.2L DOHC V-10 that now features direct fuel injection for an increase in power and efficiency.  The output is 552 hp and 398 Ib-ft of torque through a 6-speed automated manual transmission.  0-60 takes 3.2 seconds with a top speed of 2020 mph.

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The jet black look of this Gallardo looks good on this car and Welly did a nice job with it.  The front is smooth yet sharp with headlights that have the detailed lenses and Y-shaped LED running lights and chisled lower bumper scoops.  On the sides the mirrors are properly done and the front corner windows are integrated seamlessly without the messy attachment points that was found on the Maisot version.  The clean, but chisled look continues with the side intake scoops along with the upper rear fenders scoops.  The LP560-4 badges are on the rear fenders, and even if the 5-spoke wheels are not grayed out like the Maisto version it does have independent spinning wheels with highly-detailed slotted rotors and brake calipers (note the parking brake separate caliper on the rear wheels).  At the rear are trianglar-shaped LED's inside the taillights, lower grille vent, and those large quad chrome exhaust tips.  Very nicely done.

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There are some trade-offs, like the base shows a few suspension and engine details, but that's a given on today's modern exotic cars.  Also the rear engine bay area does not open up like the Maisto does, but on the other hand you have a large rear window to view the dual intake runners and most of what you'll see if the rear hatch was open.  Oddly Welly went for the opening front trunk and its minimal space.  The doors open up naturally (not scissors like the larger Lambo does) to an interior that is nicely done.  The front seats are nicely done with the mesh pattern and a floating headrests.  Behind the seats there are nets and just enough space to carry whatever the small trunk up front could not.  The 3-spoke steering wheel is small and looks proper for a sports car, though the paddle shifters behind it are a bit small.  There's a mesh pattern below the steering column, detailed gauges, and silver pedals.  The center stack is where you'll find the auxiliary gauges on top, navigation system, HVAC system, and in between are a nice row of toggle switches in silver.  The lower console has a parking brake and a silver pad for the transmission controls.

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Overall I chose the Welly over the Maisto for more proper details and the fact that the car looks like a high-quality finished product and not a product that is geared more for the kids to play with than the adult collector to display with.

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