|
|
Background:
"How does Marcus do it?" Not a few WRC fans who either love or hate "Magic" Marcus Gronholm have pondered just this question. He's known for an incredibly consistent technique that has paid off throughout his admittedly short three year career. There's no denying that Marcus is a stand-out driver. He even has a decided edge on greats like Carlos Sainz and Tommi Makinen - and that's saying alot! He has driven the Peugeot since 1999 and is quick to let you know that his car is typically 100% for the shakedown.
Exterior Features, Quality:
It's quite obvious to all who have been around the diecast model car industry for the last few years that the quality/value curve is in the collector's favor. If there's any doubts about that, this release proves it. Solid to the core, it's one tight piece of work. This model feels very dense and one look at the paint and decals makes it a must-have for most racing collectors.
The base coat of paint is an extremely fine metallic silver. There is zero overspray or masking marks - only stunning, crisp lines and perfect joints throughout. The numerous decals are barely distinguishable in texture to the paint. Don't expect to be have to attempt a reapplication of peeled up stickers. These are here to stay. There's not a letter on the model that's not readable, down to the Rally designation above the driver door.
The wheels look very realistic with the one notable exception of minimal tire tread, though having been raced in Monte Carlo, the team may have opted not to go "knee deep in tread." The entire brake assembly is extremely detailed with marked "brembo" calipers. I swear I can even see fine, rotary scratches - can it be?! Fantastic!
Wrapping up the exterior, I enjoyed the muffler and seeing the design of the exhaust system on the underside, though the tailpipe is not hollow. The mirrors are very sturdy and don't seem to have an obvious weak spot, but I don't recommend finding that out by giving in to the temptation to try to open the doors by forcing the mirrors forward. The antenna for the top center of the roof is included in the packaging. It would take a surgeon's skill and soldier's bravery to get it in place with super glue. I might try to attach it sometime later, but for now I'm just leaving it off.
Headlights and tailights are right on the money, possessing a nice, tight fit - as do the doors and hatchback - so tight in fact that I had to spend a few minutes with an Exacto blade to find a good place to pry them open. The hatchback and hood both have raised pins (non functional of course), and the Peugeot inisgnia is done quite nicely. The perforated mesh filter at the front is just perfect, with a nice contrasting '206' logo painted on in white. I was disappointed that the hood would not even try to stay up, but the engine compartments on WRC cars are so small that you can't really see much of the engineering. What's there is realistic and is certainly interesting to explore.
For me, the first impression of the exterior was a close-to-Exoto "shock and awe." I love WRC and might be biased, but it's undeniable that this is AUTOart's best exterior detail to date.
24/25
Interior Features, Quality:
In one word, the interior is 'accurate.' Accurate from front to back and top to bottom. Any car that requires a space suit to ride in and that spits its drivers out looking like those WRC guys do after a day at 110 mph in the mountains of Turkey is not about comfort and luxury - it's about performace and speed. I love the consoles and controls for the cars many communication and performance systems. The seats and stearing wheel have an incredibly life-like texture. The Sparco seatbelts look realistic but are only plastic though the shaping makes it hard to tell. Also inside is a roll cage, fire extinguisher, a tank of some sort strapped under the drivers knees with writing so small but detailed that I'm sure it would be readable under a magnifying glass. The ceiling and floor are both metal and a spare tire is strapped in the back.
The only aspect of the interior that I consider lacking is the dash detail and the hand controls leave something to be desired as well. That's with a thorough, opened-door inspection though. Peering through the windows makes the interior look perfectly scaled and textured.
23/25
Features
The Peugeot 206 features opening doors and hatchbacks, and opening engine compartment. As mentioned the engine itself appears to be a realistic 2.0-litre, 16-valve XU9J4 block with supercharger, yet is a little too "chromey" for my tastes. The Michelins are truely treaded for gravel with the authentic OZ 5-lug configuration. The "glass" is a little too reflective, but I appreciate the nicely done defroster lines on the back window. Again, I love the tight joints on all the opening doors and hatches, but wish the engine hood stayed put. No real complaint there though as the other hinges hold their place very tightly with no play at all, giving the impression of very respectable quality.
23/25
Value:
Let's face it - the mass-marketed AUTOart's are very rarely real collector's items in terms of appreciating in value. The WRC cars tend not to be in extremly high demand and the Peugeot 206 will likely be readily available for at least a couple of years, now being joined by the Peugeot 206 WRC #2 car. Personally, I tend not to let the investment variable factor into my decision of value. It simply boils down to overall quality per dollar spent. For this model my score for value was never in doubt:
25/25
Overall:
Superb paint, markings, and decals both in terms of realism and quality. Fantastic exterior and only minor shortcomings under the hood and inside the car. But come on! At less than $60, can any company out there rival AUTOart and put a similar piece on the market? I don't think so! The Exotos are clearly in another league but AUTOart has maximized overall quality to the extent possible for the price range at this time. I love the model, plain 'n simple. I look at it and start daydreaming about narrow mountain passes in Sweden being invaded by absurdly fast and completely out of control maniacal speed demons in a constant state of controlled slide, narrowly missing local wildlife (did you see the moose?!), Cyprus, and the dust storms in Turkey, the mountains above Monaco, and the speed and danger of Australia. Even if you don't live for the WRC, this is a great conversation piece and the fantastic eye candy is sure to garner some oogling from your buddies. I'm just really impressed if you can't already tell. I don't forsee anyone being disappointed with this little beauty!
95/100
|
2001 Peugeot 206 WRC
|
|
Total diecast model cars in 2001 Peugeot 206 WRC: 0
|
|
