Majorette Toyota Corolla Altis, Tomica Toyota MR2 turbo, and Tomica Toyota C-HR

In the past year a few different Toyota’s have appeared in diecast that are not the normal Corolla Trueno, 86 sports car, or 2000GT, but instead a typical Corolla, second-generation MR2 turbo, and the new C-HR small crossover.

Majorette Toyota Corolla Altis

It is odd to see a basic Corolla in the Majorette line, but then again it is not unusual for them to make such typical cars, but the real reason lies behind the use as a Thailand taxi vehicle so that would make sense.  Still this white basic sedan has some nice features alongside a typical Ferrari diecast model.  The front has a more chiseled front-end that looks much better than the U.S. corolla with clear headlights, silver grille details, and lower bumper with detailed foglights.  The side profile is typical Corolla with usual white four-door sedan profile, while the rear has detailed taillights with the same sharp corners as the front and a license plate area that serves as the bulky license plate area.  The interior is much better than the previous generation with a flat dashboard allowing for more legroom up front.  The dashboard has the correct details with 3-spoke steering wheel, radio controls in the center, and seating for five though there are no detailed door panels.  The engine is a 1.8 I-4 that seems a bit grainy and sluggish behind the CVT transmission; the 6-speed manual is a bit vague in clutch and shift linkage.  For this Majorette the handling is very good aside from the usual grooved ends of the Majorette wheels rubbing against the wheelwells.  Despite the basic appearance it is a very nice casting!

Specifications:

• Engine: 1.8L DOHC I-4 140 hp.
• Transmission: 6-speed manual, CVT
• 0-60 mph: 10.0 sec est.
• Real vehicle price: $20,000 est.

Rating:  4.5 out of 5 stars

Tomica Toyota MR2 Turbo

Usually Tomica knows when they release a new casting, mostly in two versions, and might rerelease the casting in a later multipack release, but then there are castings that somehow make a quiet and limited appearance.  This second-generation MR2 turbo is one of them as part of a 2017 Tomica event model.  The blue with flat black accents and race-car style wide tires look great on this model to emphasize the sportiness of the turbo model.  The front has the hidden headlights with lower bumper that has larger grille scoop and foglights, to the sides with Event Model on the doors and a nifty see-through T-top arrangement, while the rear has a separate rear spoiler, vented engine cover, and quad round taillights with dual exhaust system.  The casting lacks any opening features, but that allows for a detailed interior with inside door panels, right-hand drive dashboard, and a rather stubby shifter.  The hood does not open, but underneath is where you’ll find the engine and transmission details at the back for the 2.0L DOHC I-4 that is the same used in the Toyota AE86 Corolla, slanted and hooked to a turbocharger to produce 200 horsepower through a 5-speed manual.  The handling is the excellent part and in no surprise since Dan Gurney was involved in the car’s development with little to no body roll, easy to predict handling and the working suspension of this casting really makes this car feel fast on the track.  When, or if, Tomica will produced a regular release of this casting is yet to be determined and that’s a shame since this is one fantastic model!

Specifications:

• Engine: 2.0L DOHC turbo I-4, 200 hp.
• Transmission: 5-speed manual
• 0-60 mph: 6.1 sec.
• Real vehicle price: $25,000 est.

Rating:  5 out of 5 stars

Tomica Toyota C-HR

Now to Toyota’s questionable move from fun to sales gravy in the compact crossover segment with the C-HR.  Originally intended to be a Scion model before the brand was axed the C-HR provides the height and look of a crossover SUV with the compact size of a small car with coupe-like styling.  Tomica has since released a regular version with two-tone paint scheme, but this black (and silver) versions were part of a playset before the regular release.  The look is distinctive and looks great in the black with detailed headlights with sharp angles, a larger lower grille with foglights, sweeping side beltline that flows over the flared rear fenders, and sweeping taillights around the hatchback with one distinctive feature: the hybrid badge only offered in Asia and Europe (the U.S. deals with one gas I-4 and a CVT, while other countries get an added turbo and hybrid models and the 6-speed manual transmission options).  The rear hatch has a separate rear spoiler and the black does hide the metal rear window to hide the large doglegs for the rear hatch that opens, which also eats into rear seat space.  The dashboard has the similar flowing shapes as the outside with upright infortainment screen in the center of the dashboard and neat bubble textures along the headliner.  The 1.8L I-4 and electric motor hybrid powerplant makes the most of the power though the C-HR lacks the all-wheel drive found on many other small SUV’s.  Handling is surprisingly flat thanks to the new TGNA platform shared with the current Prius, Camry, 2019 RAV4, and 2020 Corolla to the point that you don’t realize this is an SUV!  Tires could be wider and more vibrant colors from the R-code two-tone package would help this casting a bit.

Specifications:

• Engine: 1.8L DOHC I-4 plus electric motor, 140 hp. est.
• Transmission: CVT
• 0-60 mph: 9.0 sec. est.
• Real vehicle price: $25,000 est.

Rating:  4 out of 5 stars

Update 1/18/20:  Here's the Toyota C-HR, now available in the regular line and part of the 2019 U.S. release, now comes with the R-code black roof on this silver model and it looks appealing.  Now if they can get the R-code 2018 only Teal color it would be even nice.

Update 1/18/20: The Majorette Toyota Corolla also gets a new color this time in orange that even though is not an accurate color it does give a bit more appeal than the basic white.