Maisto 1:24 Lamborghini Aventador Roadster and Diablo 30th JOTA

Nice, more Lamborghini's and this time it's the larger scale version, well actually 1:24, from Maisto that includes the new Aventador Roadster and while i'm at it I brought out my earlier Maisto Lamborghini along, the 30th Anniversary JOTA.

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The Diablo, Spanish for "Devil", was the long-awaited Countach replacement in 1990.  It has a more modern look while still evoking some of the Countach's iconic styling touches.  The body was smoother, more integrated and in 2001 exposed headlights finally make an appearance.  The SE in 1994 was introduced as a limited run to celebrate the company's 30th anniversary, though it would become more commonplace as it enhances the Diablo's design with the addition of a rear wing and 5-hole wheels.  Also this was the first Lamborghini to get the all-wheel drive in the VT model that would become standard in the Murcielago successor.  The SE was lighter and more powerful than the standard Diablo and was the street version of the race car Diablo.  The 5.7L DOHC V-12 received a boost to 523 hp. through a six-speed manual transmission.  Weight reduction was added in the form of plexiglass side windows, lack of radio and A/C, and racing seats with 5-point harness.  About 15 of the SE's were converted to JOTA trim that includes revised engine lid with two ducts, 595 hp. boost, and an exhaust that is unmuffled.  The purple paint was also a special extra cost color to the SE and JOTA line as well.

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The Maisto version was an easy fix, though it lacks the racing seats of the actual car.  The purple paint is an eye-catcher and looks great with a blue interior.  The front has the concealed headlights with foglights below next to the brake cooling ducts.  On the front fenders there are more cooling ducts and the windshield has one large wiper blade.  The sides has numerous flush vents to cool the rear engine and the engine cover has the dual tooth scoops.  The rear has the large rear wing, round taillights in rectangular housing, raked bumper with functional cooling passages, quad silver exhaust tips, wide rear tires, visible engine components, and the center grille with the bull logo and the 30th Anniversary logo.  It still looks good today at all angles, and to add to that is the 5-hole wheels but sadly as a consequence of an earlier Maisto product it has plastic instead of rubber tires.  The doors open up in scissors-style to show off the interior with the long, flowing dashboard  with passenger grab handle, detailed gauges, 3-spoke steering wheel, shifter, and supportive front seats.  It's basic but pretty fair for this car.  Wanna carry stuff in the front trunk?  Good luck as there is not much room, though there is a detailed suitcase to carry some items.

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Open the back hood to show off the detailed V-12 in 3-D fashion.  Silver air boxes tucked under the sails feed air to the silver intake to the engine, while the belt accessories are show just behind the engine.  Look underneath to show off the silver transmission, oil pan, suspension with detailed coil springs, control arms, and dual exhaust though the two screws cut into the exhaust tips path.  Aside from plastic tires and a steering system that does not remember centering itself this is one nicely-done replica of a rare race version of the Diablo.

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The Aventador was released in 2011 as the new successor to the Murcielago.  Styling was based on the Reventon limited production car, with improved interior materials, new door opening style, and a new engine.  The 6.5L DOHC V-12 sits lower in the chassis and has modern improvements like variable valve timing and direct fuel injection.  Output is 690 hp. and 426 Ib-ft. of torque through a 7-speed automated dual clutch manual transmission and through a Haldex all-wheel drive system standard.  The suspension is also coil-over piston rods that sit horizontally in the chassis.  The roadster was introduced in 2013 with a major contrast over other exotic convertibles: instead of a power top the top is removed by two panels as a T-top that stores behind the front seats.  This in turn gives the bodywork more edge and still allows the engine bay view to be unobstructed.

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Verde Faunus is the color of this green Aventador roadster from Maisto, apparently based on the color of lettuce!  The front has a sharp, pointed look with dual black scoops, center black spoiler, and detailed headlights with LED signal lights; the V-shaped running lights are not detailed here.  The front fenders have the same scoops as the Diablo, but reverse, and does not have an opening trunk.  The large exterior mirrors are body-colored an face blacked-out windshield and cabin surrounds to give it the two-tone look (and to conceal the black t-tops.  Large side scoops integrate into the sides, while the upper air scoops only raise up at speed.  The rear has detailed taillights with Y-shaped running lamps (I added the reverse lamp details), center brake light with camera slot below (horray!), Aventador plate between the cooling vents, central exhaust tip, and a separate low diffuser panel that is much more closely fitted than the Diablo.

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The engine bay is uncluttered with dual windows with sharp veins and the last set are functional to let hot air out of the engine bay,  Unlike the Diablo the engine is mostly an engine pan that shows the tightly-fit engine with X-brace and plastic covering all-around.  Sign of the times.  There is silver on the throttle bodies and fluid caps and the rear coil springs are visible.  Underneath is all aerodynamics as there is nothing to look at, and if you get lucky like me get the Assembly Line model kit to not only get this green color but also to get a set of blacked-out spoked wheels to really add some stealthy look to this car!

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Doors now swing up and outward to an improved interior.  Seats are supportive and have similar louvers like the engine cover in the seats.  The rear window is not clear and useless.  The long dashboard remains with a digital gauge cluster behind the 3-spoke steering wheel with paddle shifters.  The rearview mirror is a pain to install and keep in place (just as long as you don't touch it!), while the center stack has silver accents, plenty of switches for the radio, HVAC, transmission, and other functions though the center screen sits upward and can be blinded by the sun in top-down mode.  Pedals have silver accent, door panels are detailed, and I had to add red to the starter button cover.

Opps!:

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I must say it looks better as a roadster than a coupe, with the blacked-out wheels nicely matching the black roof with the green color.  May not be as highly-detailed as the Diablo and the assembly of this kit can be challenging in a few areas it is still one nicely-done Aventador Roadster.