TERRY SMITH goes through the exciting new items due out this year.
It’s hard to know where to begin, such is the volume and diversity of the release programme from Margate this year; but while I am not a betting man, the huge seller this year has to be the Batmobile. This is not some weird vehicle from a new movie based on the Caped Crusader, but the original George Barris design from the cult TV series of 1966. Who knows why it has taken so long for this popular model to have come out, but I guess we must thank Hornby’s tie-in with Warner Brothers and the DC Comics franchise for its release. The model C4175 is due out in the first quarter which means soon, so if you want one get it on pre-order with us now to avoid disappointment.
Another model well overdue, but never released before, is the Jaguar XJS. I have championed for Scalextric to produce this car for years. While a few years back its image became one of a typical pub landlord’s car, the racing heritage of the XJS is impressive, with it winning the ETCC in 1984. C4261 is due in the second quarter and is the TWR car from Spa in 1982.
Another new tooling for 2021, and bang up to date, is the latest incarnation of America’s favourite sports car - the Chevrolet Corvette. The mid-engined C8R Corvette will be released as a pair of race versions, C4240 and C4246 both from Daytona 2020 and will be available from the 3rd Quarter onwards. American car fans will also be pleased to see the 1970 Plymouth Barracuda and the 1980 Camaro Z/28, which are both new tools for this year.
Another pair of cars which we are sure are going to be popular and warrant placing on pre-order are two different versions of Lotus F1 cars driven by the Brazilian legend Ayrton Senna. C4234 is the JPS Lotus 97T from the 1985 season is due in the third quarter, with a 1987 Camel liveried 99T C4251 arriving in the fourth quarter. Scalextric will also be offering us a pair of cars from the current Formula E grid. Lovers of classic Sports cars are catered for with a pair of Porsche 911 RSRs, including one in the iconic Jägermeister livery. Meanwhile, the Lotus Esprit finally gets its first ever showing as a slot car.
While perhaps not having quite the same cult status as the Batmobile, we will be getting KITT, or as many will know it, Knight Rider. The TV car was based on the then new 1982 Pontiac Firebird and C4226 and will be with us in the fourth quarter.
A pair of Pagani Supercars complete the new tools for this year but there is so much more in the form of new liveries. Highlights we’ve spotted are the 1977 Tyrrell P34 in First National Bank livery, two new liveries for the BTCC Ford Capris, and another DeLorean - this time from the sequel Back to the Future II (sadly the model doesn't fly - Ed). There is definitely something for everyone this year.
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