|
|
|
|
London Toy Fair 2007 |
 |
This year's toy fair held no real surprises, and had less for slot addicts than previous years: Ninco and Auto Art seemed to be absent, and SCX had a smaller stand than before. Not quite sure whether this signifies anything, and if so what. Don't expect any scoops in this report either, but there were some nice things to see.
|
|
| SCX | SCX had a nice digital layout and a simple analogue track set up. The stall was a lot smaller and less impressive than last year's, but still had an interesting car or two. The digital range is expanding nicely. |
| fuel pit stop tower
|
lap counter tower
|
|
Vectra
|
McLaren
|
|
Seat
|
chronometer
|
| Carrera | Carrera had a digital layout with pit lane set up, displaying their pit buildings and new pit babes. It was also the first time I have seen their wireless controllers, although we were told that due to conditions in the trade hall, these weren't functioning properly. If they do work well, at rrp of £55 for the Pro-X add-on remote controllers, they offer good value. There is also a set for Exclusive (analogue) - but this involves a new replacement powerbase, so is a bit more expensive. |
 |
 |
 |
Car-wise, Carrera's strategy involves expanding the street car range, with hot rods, new mustang and corvette, and Fast and Furious
licence.
|
 |
 |
 |
Carrera Go - aimed more at children - concentrates on film tie-ins, with X-Men, Spiderman, James Bond and Fast and Furious sets.
|
| Slot.it | Slot It had their some of their excellent cars and upgrade parts on show, and the pre-production Mclaren F1
longtail.
|
| Scalextric | 4 layouts (plus a small micro-scalextric track) were set up here, demonstrating SSD, Sport World, drift and standard analogue systems. |
| Most impressive was the digital layout, featuring the lane splitting 'pit lane' pieces, and the straight LCs. Using these, a course which included a very nice pit lane, and a 'rally stage' infield. It also used the new simplified 4 car powerbase, and had the separate lap counter. Not sure if this powerbase has more power than the 6 lane old/deluxe version, but the cars certainly seemed to have a lot of oomph.
|
 |
| The digital strategy for this year is for all sets to come with the basic 4 car powerbase, presumably so the sets will be available at a lower price point. The old style 6 car powerbase, with all the race modes, will be sold as a separate upgrade for around £45. An alternative upgrade would be the lapcounter at £30.
Various new cars and the art for the forthcoming boxed sets were on show
|
 |
|
Skylines
|
Note the new rally driver figures
|
| Takara cars were also on display. These Quattrox cars feature a modular digital chip and fabulous detailing on the disc brakes (the brakes do not rotate with the wheels). In Japan these will be sold as Takara, elsewhere they will be available under the scalextric brand (apart from Spain I guess...) You only get the manga pit babe with the Japanese version. |  |
|
 |
| Sport World was hosting a Worlds Biggest Race - made quite exciting as people at the show were competing against people racing from their homes, the leader board changing every few minutes. New bikes were on display too, BSB licence now secured as well as MotoGP. Finally - the sport plus range was on display. The shop display has a chart, you look up your car and the type of part you need to find the compatible options. |
 |
 |
 |
  |
Lo-Fi Version | Time is now: 20th June 2013 - 02:51 |