Monday, January 16, 2017

One Cool Cat: The AUTOart 1/18 Jaguar XKR-S


The XKR-S is Jaguar's high-performance take on a car better known for its styling and luxury than for going fast. Even with a few minor tweaks, it still does not boast the feline quickness of its competitors, but it certainly stands out visually with an aggressive bodykit that changes the personality of the XK from purr-ty to cool. The XKR-S is also available in the always-gorgeous French Racing Blue color, a welcome departure from the traditional British Racing Green that Jaguars are best recognized with.


AUTOart's model is equally as visually appealing as the real deal. I had zero issues with the exterior, from the accuracy to the detailing to the overall execution. The badges throughout the car are nicely done, the carbon fiber work is there, and all the minor details are recreated with individually crafted pieces. It's about as eye candy as it gets, particularly with the blue paint, which is the option that I would recommend.


Cost-cutting is apparent when you open up the compartments to reveal the oft-criticized dogleg hinges on the hood and the rear hatch. With AUTOart, you're used to seeing a glorious series of struts and linkages fastened together with tiny screws, but this particular model doesn't have that kind of craftsmanship. It's a non-issue for the most part because these cars are typically displayed fully closed, and it's understandable given that the XKR-S sits on the low end of AUTOart pricing.


As far as the interior and the engine bay go, there's not a whole lot to see. Basically, lots of black plastic everywhere, with few contrasting colors to make it pop. Again, not a problem for me, and I would gladly take fewer interior details at a lower cost if that's the way to go.


There aren't a whole lot of cars I'd want 1/18 models of from Jaguar, but the XKR-S was certainly at the top of the list. If somebody would like to tackle the XFR-S, I would be ecstatic.














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