Hot Wheels 2017 Audi RS6 Avant and 1987 Dodge D-100 pickup

Hot Wheels has released these two new castings for 2018 in two different directions: a new RS6 Avant to take over the fun Matchbox had with the 2004 RS6 Avant, and a Dodge pickup with a knack for racing.

2017 Audi RS6 Avant

With the Audi license back in full swing Hot Wheels wanted to get first dibs on the new RS6 Avant, and for good reasons why: in 2007 Matchbox did a far-left swing and created the 2004 RS6 Avant wagon, a high-performance A6 wagon from Audi that was totally unexpected and became very popular with collectors soon after.  Since then the RS6 has moved on to a new generation and so for this round Hot Wheels wanted in on the action with this 2017 model.  Lucky collectors might have the Super Treasure Hunt version in dark metallic red with rubber tires, but for everyone else they get this red version with split-5-spoke wheels.  The casting looks sharp and smooth in contrast to the fine, upright styling of the Matchbox RS6 that has flared fenders.  The front has the detailed LED headlights, a black grille with Audi rings, Euro plate, and Quattro below the plate, while the bumper has large scoops in black (missing the foglights that I added here) and lower chin spoiler.  The sides have a much cleaner look than the Matchbox version with the Avant wagon roofline still visible and sunroof now much larger, while the rear has detailed taillights, rear license plate, RS6 badges, and dual exhaust pipes.  Despite being cut off by the information in the center the base still shows off those large dual exhaust pipes leading out to the rear from the twin-turbo V8 under the hood (unlike the Matchbox RS6 the new RS6 has the turbos inside of the Vee engine block).  The interior offers plenty of room for five with a cleaner, modern cockpit layout that has 3-spoke steering wheel, digital gauge cluster, and infortainment screen in the center of the dashboard.  The rear cargo area is interrupted by the center rivet post (and, unfortunately, the Matchbox RS6 Avant that was revived for 2018 has a tooling change that places the rivet post in the cargo area as well), though Hot Wheels cleverly added the cargo cover in the closed position.  On the track the RS6 Avant is one fast wagon, just like the Matchbox version, and feels much faster and better than the Matchbox version, yet it seems to feel less sharper compared to the Matchbox version.  Sometimes being better has its merits, but still this is one fantastic Hot Wheels casting that is a nice addition to the Audi collection.

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:  4.9 out of 5 stars

1987 Dodge D-100 pickup

And now for something that turned out to be a disappointment: the 1987 Dodge D-100.  When this truck was announced I imagined it as a regular-cab, long bed pickup with a lowered stance and clean looks just like the popular 1983 Chevy Silverado and I was excited, but when the final result came out I was disappointed as Hot Wheels went for a Baja rally truck with a squatting rear and covered in tampos.  Not what I imagined!  The Dodge D-series pickup has been long-running from 1971 to 1993 virtually unchanged except for a few minor updates, the addition of the Cummins diesel motor in 1989, and the adaption of the Ram name in the 1988.  Unlike the Ford or Chevy the Dodge is less popular and even less known than the successful Ram successor in 1994, but it gets around on occasion and like any good pickup truck built to last.  This Hot Wheels version starts off with a regular cab, short bed with modified front and rear fenders (note the attachment bolts on the edges), no rear bumper or tailgate, inner bed replaced with rollbar and lights, a hood scoop, and headlight covers.  Despite the extensive race truck modifications the lines of the D-100 are still there, like up front with the headlights and signal lights below and eggcrate grille joining a tubular front bumper, while at the rear the rectangular taillights still remain.  The bed area features a hydraulic jack, toolbox, and a full-size spare secured by a ratchet strap, while inside the interior has two racing seats, a floor shifter, and a dashboard with multiple gauges and switches.  The engine is a pushrod V8 making an estimated 500 hp. To the rear wheels likely by a four-speed manual transmission, and while this is a baja style truck some of them can go off-roading with just only two wheel drive.  Acceleration is strong, and handling is brisk thanks to the shorter wheelbase, but anytime the front-end is raked up braking performance suffers and this truck is no different.  Still, it would be nice to see a stock version of this truck someday as the casting shown here is not what I had in mind.

Specifications:

·         Engine: 5.9L V8 500 hp. Est.

·         Transmission: 4-speed manual est.

·         0-60 mph: 3.0 sec. est.

·         Real vehicle price: $60,000 est.

Rating:  3.7 out of 5 stars