Its almost that time of year again and here we are counting 10 great gifts for the stockings of your nearest and dearest. First (and at a hefty £150 price tag) is the wonderous set from our friends at SCALEXTRIC.
They have often visited the world of 007. From its car for GOLDFINGER, through to that amazing THUNDERBALL set, all the way to the very recent Micro set for NO TIME TO DIE, they have often given Bond a run for his and our money.
Now they has gone one better with a website exclusive set that might be limited in number but not in quality.
WHATS THE STORY?
Aston Martin and James Bond go together like fish and chips! From the Aston Martin DB5, that sexy sleek beast to the Aston Martin V8, which was also sexy sleek and fierce. Together these two will go head to head, in this incredible 1:32 scale set on an epic chase to see who in the end will be the Bond car of choice for the secret agent with style. This isn’t going to be easy mind and they have to fight their way past baddies, through traps and obstacles to be crowned the best Bond Aston Martin of all time!
WHAT DO I GET?
There is a hefty 1x 15v Transformer to power it, then you get 1x Half Straight Powerbase, 2x Standard Straight, 12x Standard Curve at 45 Degrees. This all works nicely for a chase and play set up. Next you get 1x Half Straight, 2x Chicane Tracks, 1x Straight Crossover which ramp up and add levels of flexibility to track construction (although it would have been nice to have a bridge but we have one and maybe another Chicane for glides). 2x Hand Controllers (which are really well tracked, so not too sensitive and grade rather than explode the pacing), 1x Aston Martin V8 Vantage and 1x Aston Martin DB5 (more below).
So the Aston Martin V8 Vantage is not the same as the LIVING DAYLIGHTS one visually. It is more a Bond in car driving visual with the same internal elements. So that’s to say it holds well, but is a little unbalanced due to its pace not being as well stabilised due to those skies. Next it is fast. Very fast. This makes it a dream to overtake on straights but it is a little hard on breaking.
Aston Martin DB5 (pictured) is the same as the NO TIME TO DIE model (minus bullet joles). That handled well, zipping and zooming. Not aggressive in acceleration but able to handle itself. A skilled driver of each could succeed but this gets an edge because it handles better overall. Though is a slower model.
My thoughts are simple. Again SCALEXTRIC have dabbled with Bond and again have mastered the action component well. They know their stuff. Know their audience and in truth, know what works. I loved the set and think you will to. Its expensive. Rightfully so. Its a long term keeper or something that will retain value for a while to come.
