Paying Homage: Norev's BMW M1 Hommage Concept (1/18)

Earlier this year, Norev introduced a series of models from BMW's Hommage concept car line, which are modern renditions of some of the most famed and well-loved Bimmers from the past. The 3.0 CSL. The 328. And this, the legendary M1. Concept cars are out of my collecting scope, but these are great designs that are worth a second look for any car lover. While it's not likely that any of these will reach the production stage, at least there is an opportunity to have them in miniature form.

The M1 Hommage was created solely as a design study and thus does not have any internal bits. That means as a model, it will likely fall short of expectations as there is nothing to see beyond the angular, metallic orange outer shell. No interior. No opening parts. Minimal detailing around the exterior. And that's essentially what this Norev feels like - just a shell with no substance. Can't blame them though, as the source material is limited in itself. The wheels do steer, but the cambered stance up front detracts from the model's overall look.

As a display piece, it works fine and makes for some nice photos. Overall, it's hard to recommend when priced very close to high-end models from other brands.

Norev's New BMW X6M (1/18)

The last post focused on the original, first-generation BMW X6M. Today, we have the current version, this time done by Norev in the same scale. The modern X6M has been updated with new bodywork but remains largely the same in its overall design. There are a few more kinks to the front and rear fascias, making it a little more overdone but also giving it a less aggressive look at the same time. In my opinion, it's not as attractive as the old one was, but this one wins as far as the scale model is concerned.

Shown here in Long Beach Blue Metallic, this Norev X6M is a middle-tier diecast model that looks and feels every bit as high-end as models from more expensive brands. The most obvious inaccuracy here is the ride height, which looks a bit ridiculous given that nobody drives an X6 to go off-roading, much less the ///M version. I've been told that many other Norev models have similar issues. The honeycomb lower grilles are solid plastic, but that is to be expected in this class. The wheels also look a bit off - they should be larger, and the split-spokes should be thicker and closer together.

Otherwise, there are two areas in which this model excels and are among the best I've encountered. This X6M has one of the most realistic paint jobs I've seen on a model. The metallic blue dazzles behind a thick layer of clearcoat and looks like it came off the real car. The interior, with full carpeting and neatly printed details, is A1. The inclusion of the cargo cover in the trunk is a much-appreciated added touch. Dark tan is a great interior color choice for any vehicle and gives this one more pop than the black interior from Kyosho's X6M. And for those who go by feel, the Norev is brick-like compared to the Kyosho.

Overall, very well done. Double thumbs up.

An SUV Joins the Fleet: Kyosho's BMW X6M (1/18)

Some of the coolest cars come in unexpected forms. The BMW X6, a combination of SUV and hatchback, was a controversial design when released and is still a polarizing machine today. Nonetheless, this odd vehicle type was popular enough to spawn clones from other manufacturers. The Honda Accord Crosstour, Acura ZDX, and most recently the Mercedes-Benz GLE come to mind. I didn't initially like the design of the original X6, but it has grown on me over the years. So much so that I went and got it in scale model form.

Kyosho's 1/18 BMW X6M is the subject for today. This monstrosity was once the fastest production SUV on the planet, so it can definitely go despite what looks to be an overweight and lifted hatchback. It's muscular looks undoubtedly give it road presence, and the more I look at it, the more I'm starting to actually like it. Having the model in hand also helps in that regard.

Speaking of which, this is an older Kyosho release from back when they made dealer models for BMW. I'm assuming this example is not one of the dealer edition colorways as it comes in a Kyosho-branded box. In any case, the model should be the same. Given its age, it's clearly not as exquisite as most of the high-end stuff out there today. I noticed quite a few rough edges between body panels. The Alpine White paint job isn't the best and does not help hide any of the flaws on this model. Most of all, the front wheels are noticeably cambered, a characteristic typically attributed to budget models from the likes of Maisto and Bburago (which is why I now generally avoid them altogether).

Looking past the few bugs, it's a decent model that I think captures the real car very well. As is the case with BMW's of this era, there's not much to note regarding the engine bay and interior details. Even if the tires may be a bit too thick, the wheels here look great and are the standout of this model to me.

For those who like quirky cars, this X6M may be the one for you.

The 1/18 BMW M3 (E36) Coupe, by Ottomobile

It seems that with each successive month, the releases from Otto keep getting better and better. Collectors have noticed, and new models are selling out more and more quickly, to the point where pre-ordering directly from the manufacturer has become the safest option to ensure that I get these before they're gone. The month of April brings us a recolor of one of their fan-favorite castings, the E36 M3, this time in a sunny Dakar Yellow.

This just so happens to be my favorite generation M3 paired with my favorite color for that particular car. This is also the fourth time that the E36 has been in Otto's lineup, after the lightweight CSL, the GT, and the base version in Estoril Blue. Therefore, not much has changed with regards to the qualities and the build of this model. Some would argue that this iteration could have been spiced up with some new wheels, or at least something to differentiate it from its blue twin. Like the old saying goes: if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Clearly, seeing as how the value of the Estoril Blue model has skyrocketed over the past few months, it's safe to say that Otto will be just fine.

There are some minor things you could nitpick about: the solid front grilles, the paintwork on the black trim lines, and the fact that the car does not sit perfectly flat on all four wheels. However, all of these are acceptable given the relatively low price point of these models, so take it for what it is. The detail is still very good, and the proportions are still virtually exact to the real car. Otto can do no wrong when it comes to the accuracy of the wheels and the realism of the badges, two areas which have received commendation from me since day one. Bottom line: it's still the best E36 you'll find at this scale.