Majorette 2017: 2017 Audi R8, Lamborghini Huracan Avio, Porsche 718 Spyder, and 2016 Subaru Impreza WRX Sti

Last year Majorette finally returned to the U.S. with distribution of three different lines in three different releases at Toys R Us and so far they have been doing just fine with the exception of store distribution causing a delay in the third release (now just starting to arrive into stores) and now Toys R Us planning to close stores in the wake of bankruptcy.  Still these four are ones that I have found here in the U.S. and also represent the newest castings for the brand last year.

2017 Audi R8 and Lamborghini Huracan Avio

First up is the two platform mates from Audi and Lamborghini that are on their second-generation and are also on their second run in the Majorette line.  The R8 got redesigned for 2017 with a more evolutionary approach that now has crisper lines, larger front grilles, and the side blades are now separate from each other.  The interior houses Audi’s new driver information center that combines the normal infortainment functions located on a center screen into the digital gauge cluster, freeing up space in the center for a more sleeker, low-approach dashboard design.  The engine is a 5.2L DOHC V-10 that produces 533 horsepower through a 7-speed automated manual transmission (no pure manual is offered anymore) and through all four wheels with Audi’s quattro all-wheel drive system.  The Huracan is the spin-off of the Gallardo with more edgier styling that works quite well with this car and ends in large quad exhaust tips at the rear.  The interior takes cues from the Aventador with most controls along the rising center console, including the engine start button, while the gauges are now digital and sit behind a 3-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters.  The engine is also a 5.2L V-10 like the Audi, but produces 602 horsepower through a 7-speed automated manual transmission and through all four wheels.  The Avio edition is a special paint package inspired by the Italian Army fighter jets and limited to 250 copies.

My last review of the Majorette Audi R8 was disappointment as it lacked any opening doors, the interior sank too low, and the quality was very cheap and not up to par with the proper Matchbox version.  For the second act there is no other competition and Majorette fixed most of the flaws of the original even if it still lacks any opening parts.  The flat blue with silver side scoops is the low production version of release 1 and it looks better with a thicker beltline and slightly higher ground clearance with multi-spoke wheels that also have a working suspension.  The front has headlights that are part of the window trim, larger side grilles, and a larger center grille with Audi rings (adding detailing to the headlights helps separate this car from the previous R8), while the sides have side scoops, V10 badges, and smaller exterior mirrors.  The rear has rectangular taillights that match with the rear exhaust vents and a lower diffuser that is now visible and the exhausts on the sides of it are now square.  The interior now sits up at a proper level with detailed front seats, dashboard, and center console and the engine in the rear still shows off the intake manifold of the V-10 motor.

Over at Lamborghini the Huracan takes it to the next level with an opening rear window to show off its V10 motor, though not as wide as the Audi’s engine bay.  The primer green looks good on this car and has the same higher ride height to accommidate the working suspension and blacked-out 5-spoke wheels, while the front has headlights that are part of the window trim, edgier bumper lines with separate grille scoops, and a red stripe that spans the top of the car.  The sides add edgier side vents, larger exterior mirrors, and gill slants along the sides of the rear window, while the rear has thin LED taillights, black grille below them, and large quad exhaust tips.  The interior has detailed front seats, dashboard design, and center console, though there is one problem that affects a lot of new Majorette castings recently: the working suspension design causes the spring to cut into the front floorboards and even the front seats.  While the Audi is vastly improved, the Huracan is much better and sharper looking of the two.

Porsche 718 Spyder

One surprising intro is the 718 Spyder, formerly the Porsche Boxster Spyder.  Majorette has done the Boxster concept car in the 1990’s so technically this is their first production Boxster Spyder casting.  The Boxster was Porsche’s new small sports car to compliment the 911 in 1998 and since then has contributed to Porsche’s growth, survival, and the addition of more practical models in the Porsche line.  For the third-generation the Boxster name hides behind the new 718 insignia to trace back to the mid-engine Porsches of the 1950’s and thus uses a new engine: a 2.5L DOHC turbocharged flat-4 that produces 345 horsepower through a six-speed manual or 7-speed PDK transmission, still situated behind the rear seats and accessible only when the vehicle is on a lift.  Styling is evolutionary from the previous-generation except for a taller black bar behind the permanent rear spoiler.  The interior has cleaned up over the years combining the gauges into two pods and a digital center info center and radio and HVAC controls moved to a new touchscreen and rising center console from the Panamerica.

I wasn’t sure how this car would turn out, but luckily it looks pretty good in person and it starts with the black top that is removable to make this an open-top car, but the top does take a bit of force to pull it off of the car.  The front has clear headlights that are part of the window trim and lower grilles in the bumper with LED running lights/signal lights, while the sides have detailed side scoops, door-mounted exterior mirrors, and chrome 5-spoke wheel s with a working suspension.  The rear has taillights that are now blacked out and flow with the black trim behind the rear spoiler that has the PORSCHE letters and a single exhaust tip in the center of the rear bumper.  The interior has some nice details, if a bit on the smooth side, with detailed front seats, rising center console with shifter, 3-spoke steering wheel, and a nicely nestled top behind the two roll bars.  While not as attentive in exterior looks this car has a lot more going on in functionality and its fun performance quota.

Majorette vs. Matchbox 2016 Subaru WRX Sti

A funny thing happened as both Majorette and Matchbox released the same Subaru WRX Sti as new castings in the same year, though both did it in different terms.  The WRX sedan was born from a Subaru Impreza sedan and has been famous on the rally circuits racking up wins left and right, and in 2002 the U.S. finally got a taste of the Sti performance that others enjoyed in the 1990’s.  For 2016 the sedan returns after a few years of a five-door hatchback being offered based on the updated 2015 Impreza line and looking very sleek with large scoops, hood scoop, and tall rear wing.  The interior adds supportive Recaro front seats, 3-spoke steering wheel, and slick 6-speed manual transmission.  The engine is a 2.5L DOHC turbocharged flat-4 that produces 310 horsepower through a six-speed manual transmission.

Majorette came first and glad they did as this casting is the best out there in small scale and puts the Matchbox version to shame.  For starters it has opening doors, headlights that are part of the window trim, and gold 5-spoke wheels with a working suspension all on a body that has the proper look and stance of the real car.  A rally version with decals is offered, but the clean stock blue is just as nice with the headlights joining the front separate grille pieces with Subaru logo, lower scoops with signal and reverse lamps, and a hood scoop, while the sides offer a clean sedan look with flared front fenders and door-mounted exterior mirrors.  The rear has detailed taillights, tall rear spoiler that is part of the metal body, and a rear diffuser with dual exhaust tips.  Over at Matchbox they went for a police version with fixed roof lights that are part of the windows and the body looks squished, especially at the rear where the rear bumper is just as smooth as the rest of the rear end.  The front has a larger hood scoop, headlight tampos that are barely there, separate center grilles that are further back, and side signal lights and foglights, while the sides have 5-spoke wheels and exterior mirrors that while based on the door still attaches to the window frame thus causing a large metal are to be visible where the mirror attaches.  The rear has taillights that I had to add detail, rear diffuser with quad exhaust, and ugh that just flat rear bumper look.

Both cars have detailed interiors, but the Majorette version is the best and best accessed with opening doors.  The front seats are supportive and between them sits the parking brake and shifter for the transmission, while the dashboard has a 3-spoke steering wheel and detailed dashboard with radio and HVAC controls and even the auxiliary gauge pod on the top.  Over at Matchbox they have the same detailing, but without the finer detailing of the steering wheel and dashboard as the Majorette version and because it’s a police car adds a laptop that takes up front passenger legroom.  Finally, on the performance level the Majorette version is purely the best with great reflexes all thanks to a working suspension, while the Matchbox version suffers from a ride height that is too tall.  Overall the Majorette version is a clear winner and even it too comes in police car livery and shows a rare misstep for the Matchbox brand.