1:32 scale pullback vehicles from China: 2017 Audi RS6 Avant and Bentley Bentayga SUV

What I will be into in the next few articles is looking at some interesting pullback vehicles made in China from Chinese diecast manufacturers. These vehicles are 1:32 scale in size, offer lots of detail, opening doors, hood, and trunk/hatch, and even offer sound and lights to them. So if these are so nicely done why aren’t they offered in the U.S.? Well it stems on a few reasons: one being able to not pass U.S. safety inspection for all toys (made after the lead scare on Chinese-made toys about a decade ago), and two, and one of the biggest reasons, these castings do not have copyright permissions. If these vehicles were sold in U.S. stores the first thing that would happen is automakers would be asking for money in order to grant these rights to sell these models. In result these models are sold in China and a few other countries, yet you can still buy them from online sources like Ebay. For the first round here are a German wagon and British SUV.

2017 Audi RS6 Avant

While wagons are not as popular in the U.S. they are still popular in Europe and when you’re a company like Audi it was only a matter of time before the RS performance brand would embrace the Avant wagons. After a popular launch with the A6 Avant-based RS6 in 2003 the legend still continues with this 2017 example. Sporting a sharp light blue color this RS6 has some attitude with a front grille that is a separate piece, has depth, and even the Quattro badge below the front plate area. Headlights have the complex detail of the LED light setup and larger lower grille scoops add to the RS6 aggression. The sides show a sleek Avant wagon profile with silver chrome trim around the windows and mirror and silver split 5-spokes with detailed brake rotors, though those rotors do not stay stationary as the wheels move. At the rear is a clean hatch design with detailed taillights and dual tip exhaust. That hatch opens to a cargo area that is unobstructed by the pullback motor (it is a clean, flush design) and offers plenty of space and even detail of the cargo cover, while the rest of the interior offers seating for five with supportive bolsters for the front seats. The dashboard has the correct A6 layout with flat-bottom steering wheel and shifter on the center console, though detail on the gauges and infortainment controls are a bit on the short side as is the base where there is little detail with visible speaker and battery port for the working lights and sound. The hood opens up to show a detailed engine bay with silver engine cover to show off the twin-turbo 4.0L V8 that makes 553 horsepower to all four wheels by a 8-speed automatic. It is one fast and spacious wagon that defy the odds that wagons are boring.

Specifications:

Engine: 4.0L DOHC twin-turbo V8 553 hp.
Transmission: 8-speed automatic
0-60 mph: 3.8 sec.
Real vehicle price: $75,000 est.

Rating: 4.7 out of 5 stars

Bentley Bentayga

Now for something completely different and unexpected: an SUV from a prestige luxury brand Bentley. This is the Bentayga, their first SUV and one that shares its platform with German counterparts like Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne. You do see some of those other SUV profiles from the sides, but other than that the rest of the SUV looks more in-line with other Bentley models including the Continental GT. The bronze orange paint job looks really good on this model and has some very smooth surfaces around the body, especially around the fenders. The front has quad round lights with detailed LED rings inside, silver mesh grille pattern on the grille and lower grille ducts, and the Bentley badge just above the grille. On the sides the smoothness continues for the beltline with additional chrome trim and 5-spoke wheels that look like they can be on any SUV for thousands less than this Bentley. At the rear is large round taillights, round dual tip exhaust, and more chrome trim for the rear hatch design, while the rear hatch opens up to lots of space and a clean design even it if forfeits the third row seat. Additional details include brake rotors behind the wheels and a panoramic sunroof where only the front part is part of the clear glass. The interior does not spark up the style of a Bentley with its all-black look, though with the right amount of detail with a Sharpie I was able to bring some excitement back to the interior. For starters both front and rear passengers get captain’s chairs with a center console, the one for the rear controlling the radio and HVAC controls for rear passengers. The dashboard has that twin-pod design of other Bentley models with a sharp 3-spoke steering wheel and modern conveniences like a touchscreen infortainment system in the center of the dash. Also not the use of an orange sharpie with the silver sharpie applied first give off some tasteful woodgrain detail to the dashboard and center console. The hood opens up to show off the engine cover with detailed silver trim and W-12 badge for the 6.0L twin-turbo W-12 motor producing 600 horsepower to all four wheels by an eight-speed automatic transmission. While other replicas of the Bentayga are starting to come out this 1:32 version was one of the first and probably the most affordable one for a while.

Specifications: