Audi R8 2001 #1 by Maisto
Race/Series: Le Mans 24 Hours 2001
Result: Overall Winner, 321 laps
Drivers: Frank Biela (D)/Tom Kristensen (DK)/Emanuele Pirro (I)
The Audi R8 is one of the most successful sports cars ever made, with five outright wins at the Le Mans 24 hours amongst it's accolades so far. In 1999, Audi entered both closed cockpit and open cars in the Le Mans 24 hours. The open R8Rs showed potential, finishing 3rd and 4th, but the closed R8Cs both failed to finish. However, it was in 2000 that the Audi R8 in it's dominant form was born, and it instantly crushed the competition with a 1-2-3 finish at Le Mans, as well as taking the drivers and constructors titles in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). The R8 boasted a wealth of technology to ensure it's superiority, including Audi's FSI fuel injection system, which improved performance and economy. Furthermore, until it was outlawed, the entire rear end mechanicals of the R8 could be changed in minutes, making the rare mechanical failures it suffered no more than a 15 or 20 minute job for the team to repair.
Aside from small technical changes enforced by regulations designed to prevent the Audis being so far ahead of the competition, the R8 remained largely unchanged from 2000 onwards, and went on to take Le Mans wins in 2001 and 2002 with the factory team, and a further two outright victories in 2004 and 2005 in the hands of privateer teams. The R8 also held onto it's titles in the ALMS for an outstanding 6 seasons from 2000 to 2005, along with titles in the European Le Mans Series (ELMS), making it without a doubt one of the most dominant and feared prototype racers ever to be built.
This model is a Maisto in 1:18 scale, of the 2001 Le Mans winning car, but Maisto also make the 2000 and 2002 winners, as well as the 2002 3rd placed car, the 1999 R8R and the #77 car that raced in the quite unique 'Crocodile' livery. They retailed around the £20-£25 price range, and come in a window box.
Exterior
Maisto have captured the shape and stance of the R8 very well, and the scale is spot on. The mold has undergone the correct alterations from the similar but not identical 2000 car. There is only one panel gap, around the engine cover, and this is done relatively neatly. It is not as tight as panel gaps on a road car, but this is often the case on models of Le Mans prototypes, even ones costing much more than this Maisto. The louvres on the front wings are perforated, though a little roughly, as are the gaps in the engine cover. However, the grille under the nose is solid, and I assume it was open on the real car. The air scoops on the engine cover appear to be open at least part of the way down. The headlights do have attachment stubs, thought they are better concealed than on some models, and do not let the appearance down too much. The clear plastic lenses over the top of the bulbs are not a perfect fit on my model, and move around a little. They are held in place with some rather unrealistic plastic stubs, as are the lenses on the rear lights, which again are an average fit. There is not much to the rear bulbs, just small shapes painted in the same silver as the rest of the bodywork, but they look acceptable unless examined up close. The exhausts are hollow part of the way down, but the end can only be seen up close and on the right angle. They are clearly from a budget model though, with obvious molding seems giving a slightly crude look. The same applies to small details such as the tow hooks, 'windshield' and mirrors, but at least they are modelled, and accurately done. One other little complaint is that some of the bodywork is plastic - especially the air scoops on the engine cover, which should really be all one seamless part, and are very obviously not. Nevertheless, these criticisms should not be taken to mean that this is a poor exterior - far from it. In fact, as budget models go this one looks really very good overall.
Score: 6/10
Paint
The silver paint on this model has some pros and some cons. The colour itself is very good, with very small metallic flakes and very little obvious difference from metal parts to plastic ones. However, the application is not the best, with some flaws on my model. The finish is not as smooth as it might be, and some edges are quite rough (as can be seen around the wheelarch on the close up photo of the wheel below). Perhaps the most obvious flaw is that on some of the recessed and inner edges, the paint seems so thin that there is a speckled effect, as if the paint has only partially covered the metal. This lets the appearance down somewhat, even from a little distance. Fortunately, it only seems to affect the areas that are a little difficult to get into, and thus not that visible most of the time.
Score: 5/10
Tampo/Decals
Impressively, most of the livery appears to be tampo painted, which should give much greater longevity than decals. All sponsors and badging appears to be very accurately replicated and positioned on the car, and there are no mistakes such as using parts of the livery from different races. Fine details such as the driver names are very nicely done, and joins across the engine cover gap are dealt with well enough. The only downside I can find is that in a few places - particularly the "Le Mans" and class stickers - is that the different layers of paint are not quite aligned correctly, so that red and blue overlap when they shouldn't. Also, the catches for releasing the engine cover are only pained unfortunately, though this is not a flaw with the tampo painting itself. On the whole though, the quality and accuracy of the livery really helps to enhance the appearance of the exterior. A very good effort.
Score: 8/10
Tyres and Wheels
The wheels of this model are another strong point, with the 15 spoke wheels being accurately crafted. Shape and size look good, and they are even marked with O Z Racing. Wheel nuts are neatly done. Molding lines are visible on the slick racing tyres, but general appearance is good, with the correct Michelin markings on the sidewalls. Another strong area for this model
Score: 8/10
Brakes
Brakes never seem to be one of Maisto's best areas, and that is the case here unfortunately. Discs and calipers are all molded in one piece, and so the discs are inevitably static. They are modelled in a rather unrealistic chrome effect plastic. Not only does this fail to replicate metal, but I believe the R8 actually had carbon fibre brake discs, which would obviously not have a metallic and/or shiny appearance. Finally, the rear discs and calipers (not pictured) appear to be recessed far too much, leaving them a huge distance back from the wheel rim. I doubt very much whether this an accurate feature. So, a bit of a disappointment here unfortunately.
Score: 4/10
The wheels of this model are another strong point, with the 15 spoke wheels being accurately crafted. Shape and size look good, and they are even marked with O Z Racing. Wheel nuts are neatly done. Molding lines are visible on the slick racing tyres, but general appearance is good, with the correct Michelin markings on the sidewalls. Another strong area for this model
Score: 8/10
Brakes
Brakes never seem to be one of Maisto's best areas, and that is the case here unfortunately. Discs and calipers are all molded in one piece, and so the discs are inevitably static. They are modelled in a rather unrealistic chrome effect plastic. Not only does this fail to replicate metal, but I believe the R8 actually had carbon fibre brake discs, which would obviously not have a metallic and/or shiny appearance. Finally, the rear discs and calipers (not pictured) appear to be recessed far too much, leaving them a huge distance back from the wheel rim. I doubt very much whether this an accurate feature. So, a bit of a disappointment here unfortunately.
Score: 4/10
Engine
The engine cover on this model clips firmly in place, and takes a strong tug to remove it. The first thing that strikes you about the engine in this model is the very plastic appearance. Although Maisto have tried to replicate as much of the fine detail as possible, they have still molded the entire engine bay out of only a few pieces, with painted and molded detail rather than separate parts. They faced a huge challenge, as the real engine is a mass of wiring, plumbing and lots of little parts. The end result therefore can only be described as a fair interpretation of the real thing, but in Maisto's defence even a very high end maker would have struggled to replicate the R8 engine in full. Perhaps the most important thing here is that Maisto have replicated all the major elements of the engine and accompanying systems quite accurately, and the engine even features some slightly crude wiring, an impressive addition to a budget model. It is impossible to assess every little aspect of the engine, and the picture does a far better job. One little point of interest is that in labelling the engine, Maisto appear to have used the wrong lettering and called it a VB BITURBO rather than a V8!! Overall though, you do get a pretty good engine bay by budget standards, even though it is far from perfect.
Score: 6/10
The engine cover on this model clips firmly in place, and takes a strong tug to remove it. The first thing that strikes you about the engine in this model is the very plastic appearance. Although Maisto have tried to replicate as much of the fine detail as possible, they have still molded the entire engine bay out of only a few pieces, with painted and molded detail rather than separate parts. They faced a huge challenge, as the real engine is a mass of wiring, plumbing and lots of little parts. The end result therefore can only be described as a fair interpretation of the real thing, but in Maisto's defence even a very high end maker would have struggled to replicate the R8 engine in full. Perhaps the most important thing here is that Maisto have replicated all the major elements of the engine and accompanying systems quite accurately, and the engine even features some slightly crude wiring, an impressive addition to a budget model. It is impossible to assess every little aspect of the engine, and the picture does a far better job. One little point of interest is that in labelling the engine, Maisto appear to have used the wrong lettering and called it a VB BITURBO rather than a V8!! Overall though, you do get a pretty good engine bay by budget standards, even though it is far from perfect.
Score: 6/10
Interior
The cockpit of this car is obviously pretty spartan in real life, and so there is not a huge amount to comment on. The bulk of the cockpit is molded in black plastic with details painted on, and is what could be expected from a budget model. Most importantly, everything seems to be accurately modelled and positioned, and seatbelts are separate pieces, though plastic. There is little else to say here, as there is not much to this part of the model. Note once more the rough paint finish along the right hand edge of the cockpit. Once again though, Maisto have done an admirable job given the cost of this model.
Score: 6/10
The cockpit of this car is obviously pretty spartan in real life, and so there is not a huge amount to comment on. The bulk of the cockpit is molded in black plastic with details painted on, and is what could be expected from a budget model. Most importantly, everything seems to be accurately modelled and positioned, and seatbelts are separate pieces, though plastic. There is little else to say here, as there is not much to this part of the model. Note once more the rough paint finish along the right hand edge of the cockpit. Once again though, Maisto have done an admirable job given the cost of this model.
Score: 6/10
Overall, this model's average score is a fair reflection on what you are receiving. It will never compete with higher end manufacturers, but then it was never intended to. For the money these models sell for, what this model does do is to offer superb value for money. As with all budget models it has its weaker areas, and there are still some crude parts that give away it's true price range. However, this model is a favourite of mine and indeed of many other collectors, and is not to be passed up by sports car fans or even more general collectors, especially as Maisto make the only models currently available of the Le Mans winning Joest Audis. A great effort.
Overall Score: 6.1/10
Overall Score: 6.1/10