SCX CORVETTE C6-R

Review by Taxi

After the recent release of the SCX Aston Martin DBR9, it only seems right that hot on its heels should be the Chevrolet Corvette C6R. It's also closely following the Carrera C6R, but fortunately they are not duplicating liveries. The Carrera car is number 3 from the ALMS/IMSA series, whereas the SCX car is number 64 from Le Mans '05.

I was really pleased with the Aston's appearance, and the 'Vette is another great looking car. SCX have really upped their game, and these cars are sharp, attractive models.

The finish is excellent - paint and tampo are about as good as possible. No visible blemishes, just a smooth solid finish. 

The body detailing is very good as well. We've come to expect that the numerous air intakes and vents of modern race cars will be faithfully reproduced, and this car doesn't disappoint. The bonnet vent doesn't look quite right (perhaps compromised by the need for space for SCX's digital system?) but you only really notice this if you're looking directly down on the car.   

There's some really nice extra detailing around the Vette's glazing. Open vents in the 'glass', framed in black and even the rivets are picked out in silver (no, I didn't count them!). The rear screen is darkened, again with rivets and hinge details. All this adds nothing to the car's performance, but it certainly makes for an attractive model.

The interior is a bit plain by comparison. It's a shallow tray with some unpainted detail moulded in. Gearshift, dashboard and steering wheel are present but that's about all. A full roll cage is fitted, even extending under the blacked-out rear screen, which would seem to suggest that other liveries will be available in the future. The driver is nicely painted, especially his crash helmet. 

The chassis will be familiar to any SCX owners - a fairly sturdy main chassis and 'rocking' motor pod. Brass contact strip take power to the motor and the LED head- and tail-lights. The motor is a RX42 and it drives the rear axle via 9:27 gearing. Both motor and axle are securely fitted with only a tiny amount of play in the gearing. The guide is a 'quick-fit' with a nicely weighted centering spring. The front axle runs in nylon bearings, but is about 2mm too long. The magnet is SCX's usual medium strength item, fitted in an adjustable holder. 

Like the Aston, the Vette is very smooth and quiet out of the box. Surprisingly quick too, although the higher-revving Mabuchi motors used by Scalextric have a slight advantage. But the Vette will circulate at a good rate, and it's very smooth to drive. 

Racing with magnets on a plastic track, a Scalextric car will usually have the advantage. The SCX car corners very well, but the stronger magnets fitted to Scalextric cars will give them the edge. But then the Scalex car will have to haul that extra magnetic force along the straights, sapping power. SCX motors seem to get stronger with running, so I expect them to get closer still.

On my routed track the Vette really shines. The tyres really hook up well on the track with only a light sanding and the car can really be pushed hard. Robbed of their magnetic advantage, most Scalextric cars are still quicker down the straights but aren't as sure-footed through the corners (using stock tyres). 

The Vette is a joy to drive on the routed track, quick enough (just!) on the straights, really impressive when tackling the curves. The smooth power delivery makes it an easy car to control. It's the sort of car that you can push lap after lap. Sure, you'll get a twitch here and a small slide there, but it's solid and stable and predictable.

Overall I'm very impressed with this car, but there's one disappointment - the lights. The headlights failed after only a few laps of my Scalextric-powered track. The SCX track system runs at a lower voltage than Scalextric and the light circuit is not robust enough to survive the higher voltage. It seems mad that SCX have not accounted this, but they haven't, so be warned! But it's not all doom and gloom (excuse the pun!) there is a way to protect or fix the lights - take a look here.

It's a shame because this is an otherwise excellent car. The lights are a weakness, but the C6R looks great and performs really well on the track, smooth and fun to drive.