A Knightsbridge quartet
Stephen Paul Hardy dips into the GT Spirit range to sample automotive exotica that evokes impressions of the Belgravia street scene.
GT Spirit car mag-style group test, by Stephen Paul Hardy.
After immersing myself in the ambience and music at BCC Proms concerts over the years, I would then, on the fast track walk back to main line rail, revel in a totally different ambience and world of sound. That visual and audible automotive experience almost unique to London’s West End - and Kensington High Street in particular.
The GT Spirit catalogue of 1/18 and 1/12 resincast models has a focus on the exotic end of the automotive spectrum and, in particular, but not exclusively, it has an accent on more modern machinery. Delving into that catalogue to assemble a group test quartet in the fashion of the leading automotive magazines just seemed like a diversionary enjoyment. After all, something at less that 1:1 is as close as most of us are going to get to ownership of most of the cars in that catalogue. But wallowing in a dream occasionally is good for the soul. Indulging in adding something exotic to the display cabinet keeps those dreams alive - and is good for the collection.
BRABUS 800 (GT807)
I have always felt there is some sort of incongruity - a sort of diametrically opposed functionality disharmony - with automotive fashion and ownership needs when it comes to recent chapters of the Mercedes-Benz G series production history. After all, the G series - Geländewagen - was essentially a functional all-terrain vehicle, as the name indicates.
With a manufacturing history that commenced in 1979, it has become one of the longest production runs of a vehicle to carry the famous three-pointed star logo. More recently, as if to stand witness to wildly diversifying fashions, the G-Wagen has found itself carrying the badging (and in some cases ostentatious bling) of the low volume, high value, luxury and tuning industries. Setting those issues aside, though, and taking a dispassionate view, the sheer brute power output that the attentions of AMG and others have breathed into the G series is significant and curiously interesting from a point of view of automotive development.The attention to trim, fittings and equipment leads off into another world entirely.
This recent release is but one of a series of derivatives that have been modelled by GT Spirit of AMG, Brabus and Maybach variations on the G-Wagen theme and which, so far, has included: G63 AMG (GT035), G 63 AMG 6×6 (GT100), G500 4×42 (GT142), Brabus 500 4×42 (GT143), Maybach G650 Landaulet (GT174), Brabus 850 (GT196), Brabus 500 4×42 (GT199) and G65 AMG (GT715).
Based on the Mercedes-AMG G 63 the Brabus 800 takes its model number from its 800hp engine output and black and gold edition trim is reputed to command a price tag in excess of 440,000 €. In 1/18, modelled by GT Spirit, it is an exceptionally
well-detailed and finished record of a very particular facet of the Mercedes-Benz story.
AUDI RS 7 SPORTBACK (GT302)
Moving down one (body) size in our group test comes the latest Audi offering in the GT Spirit catalogue. Resplendent in Glacier White, with black accenting, and flouting Audi Sport detailing, this is yet another example of what were traditionally referred to as “sleepers”. Unassuming (if the muscle that is the RS 7 Sportback could be described as that) in its saloon body, it is capable of delivering a breathtaking punch from its twin-turboV8 with road-holding to match. Audi as a marque, and as a collector’s theme is now very big with most 1/18 resin cast manufacturers.As such, fans have a lot on offer to tempt them. And don’t let that “unassuming” first impression fool you, the detailing is superb.
AUDI R8 DECENNIUM (GT251)
Stepping back to a release from late 2019 that hit the market in early 2020, in some ways it got overshadowed by the evolving pandemic, is this gorgeous model of the R8 series mated with Audi’s V10 engine to celebrate the power plant’s 10th anniversary. Just one of the R8 series produced so far by GT Spirit, it looks absolutely stunning in its superbly-replicated exclusive matte Daytona Grey and carbon fibre finish.
Other back-catalogue R8 stablemates include Audi R8 Spyder (GT256), in Kemora Grey, and the dramatic Audi R8 Performance Parts (GT254) in blue.
MCLAREN GT (GT299)
Keeping with the modern exotic GT theme, we move on to the last, but certainly not least, fourth car of our group test. Now I have to be bluntly honest, the modern exotic GT is not an automotive theme that particularly attracts me, but by the same token, and as equally blunt, as a model this is a stunner. I love it.
There is something about it that demands attention and a longing gaze.The Burnished Copper paint finish just looks so good with the off-white interior and overall black detailing.There is something also about the way the lines, with so many sharp edges to the panel work, the authentic small details and that attention grabbing panoramic roof glazing all gel together that, in my view, make this a gem of a display and conversation piece. I am guessing that GT Spirit reckon this is a winner also because a follow-up blue version (GT818) should have been released by the time you are reading this.
All four models are superb in their own right, but in group test tradition I must declare a winner. Well for me it was a very close thing between the Audi R8 Decennium (GT251) and the McLaren GT (GT299), but it was the British car that took the winners flag from me.