Hot Wheels BMW M2 coupe and Matchbox 2017 Honda Civic Hatchback

Here are some new castings from 2018, including a smaller version of the M2 coupe should you think the RMZ City version that I reviewed is too big and in the era of Civic Type R’s (a review on that should happen later on) Matchbox goes for a traditional Civic model.

Hot Wheels BMW M2 coupe

Matchbox got the best of luck when it introduced the 1M Coupe in 2013 in orange with fabulous details, but being at the last batch of the year meant limited distribution so the car was hard-to-find for the first release. After that the 1M coupe was more prevalient even changing the name per BMW request to M1 coupe, yet Hot Wheels got left out on this one despite introducing the first BMW M3 in the line earlier that year. For 2018 Hot Wheels now gets the opportunity to do the new M2 coupe successor, decked out in blue and red for the year. The front has detailed headlights that have the proper look, twin kidney grille, and large lower scoops on the bumpers, though the vertical fins on the ends of the bumper are barely visible so I added some detail to make them stand out. On the sides the coupe profile is cleaner with minimal flare from the wheelwells compared to the 1M coupe and a more smoother coupe roofline, while at the rear the taillights are detailed, M2 badge on the trunklid, and quad exhaust pipes. Despite being a bit too smooth compared to the sharper details on the Matchbox 1M coupe this M2 looks pretty darn good. The interior has seating for four with more bolstered front seats and rear seats that would still be a bit snug for long drives, while the dashboard has a more up-to-date look that follows other BMW models with high-mounted screen for the infortainment system, detailed controls, shifter, and steering wheel. On the track the 1M was a beast with lots of power and excellent handling thanks to the wider track, so the M2 would continue that role with the same level of performance. However, the M2 seems a bit softer compared to the edgier 1M from Matchbox, but still this is one excellent performance coupe and brings the true Ultimate Driving Machine to the brand long lost in today’s model lineup.

Specifications:

· Engine: 3.0L DOHC twin-turbo I-6 365 hp.

· Transmission: 6-speed manual

· 0-60 mph: 4.5 sec.

· Real vehicle price: $42,000 est.

Rating: 4.9 out of 5 stars

Matchbox 2017 Honda Civic hatchback

Meanwhile over at Matchbox they have decided to make another Civic hatchback after the first one was released a decade ago based on the European Type R, but this time they have decided to do the standard hatchback instead of the 2018 Type R that every other diecast manufacturer is doing right now. The tenth-generation Civic was introduced in 2016 as a sedan with a more hatchback-like roofline to add better rear seat headroom and offered fresher styling that is now shared with other Honda models currently. The hatchback was introduced in 2017 and while it looks like the sedan with a larger trunk opening in the rear, in reality the rear of the hatchback is shorter than the sedan with a slightly higher roofline, exhaust that exit in the center, and only offered as a sport model with more aggressive front and rear fascia’s. Even more interesting is the fact that this Civic, along with the Type R models, are built in England instead of Japan or in the U.S. at the Ohio plant. Starting out in Sonic Gray this Matchbox casting has potential to be a good one, but the paint is too thick, the ride height is rather tall, and the 6-spoke wheels look more at home on a truck than this car (the 5-spokes should’ve been used instead). The front has detailed headlights and the forward slant of the grille, but details are sparse so I had to finish it off and add black to the lower grille scoops to enhance the look, while the sides have exterior mirrors, a sunroof that is not part of the window trim, and I had to add black to the pillars to finish off the look. The rear has detailed taillights, Civic badges and plate, and lower bumper scoops in black, but again it looks unfinished so I added details to complete the taillights, black around the rear spoiler, and silver on the center exhaust tips. At least the base has the detailed rear independent suspension and the exhaust system layout, but the ugly truth is the location of the rear rivet: yup, it comes right down in the middle of the rear seat making this car a four-seater. The rest of the interior has the proper details like the dashboard layout and the shifter on the center console, but the dashboard smooth layout doesn’t show much in the way of knob details. On the track the Civic has potential with a turbo I-4 and 6-speed manual with peppy performance and sharp handling, but the latter is anything but as it has some body roll and not as precise as, say, the M2 coupe from Hot Wheels. This casting would’ve had great potential, maybe in a different color like red with the 5-spoke wheels, but this first release of the Civic hatchback seems rather crude on execution and exterior details.

Specifications: