Jaguar XK Coupe (Autoart 1:18)

[karansharma8783]

Bought this one from Modelart Bangalore. One of the two last pieces they had in stock. A plus point was this one was priced at Rs. 4200 as compared to newer stock Autoart's priced at Rs. 5500.

I just love this car. It's just got a sublime elegant feel to it and it looks best in silver in my opinion. Welly also have made this one in 1:18 but the paint finish is quite not at par with the Autoart one. But this is just by judging from the pics of the Welly one found on the internet.

It's after a really long time I'm trying to write a review of a premium brand model and it's a tough job criticising something so well done. I found reviewing my previous budget models a lot easier since they had almost equal measures of pros and cons. Not the same case for Autoart I would say. Anyway, here goes:

PROS:

1. Proportions - Splendidly proportioned, the XK is a sight to behold and this 1:18 model is no exception. It's got the stance, the proportions and the curves bang on. While from the front, the car looks sportingly elegant, the slight bulge on the rear fender and the hood gives the car also a slightly muscular feel. Gotta love those Jaguar designers!!

2. Paintwork - Fabulous to say the least with nice even metallic finish all over. No glitches anywhere as far as I could discern from a fair distance. Silver is probably the best colour for the XK.

3. Interiors - Major point of difference between budget and premium brands. Seats are nicely modelled. Dashboard is finely detailed with grooved AC vents and great-looking dials. I particularly loved the chromy gear stick. Also, the door interiors are so well done complete with stereo speakers.

4. Engine - Pretty well done but not really a sight to behold. With most of the components pretty much closed under, it's not something extraordinary but atleast it's not a big bundled up lump of plastic that you would normally associate with Maisto.

5. Miscellaneous - Both the headllights and the taillights have been really well done with good attention to detail. Exhaust tips are finely bored through and give a realistic feel. "Jaguar" has been etched finely on the silver strip above the rear number plate section. Wheels are a work of art but I feel that in a car like this, it would have looked better with slightly smaller rims.

6. X Factor - Movable wiper on windscreen!!! How cool is this!! This is something that Autoart must have offered only in this particular model. I noticed this after more than a month of getting the model. Although only one of the wipers are movable across the screen, yet still a definite a wow factor for the model.

CONS:

1. The bonnet becomes a problem after some time. When I bought the model, it used to open up nice and easy. However, after taking the model out of the box nearly a month after getting it, the bonnet now becomes stuck on the front fascia and does not come up smoothly. I have to now slightly press down the front fascia so that it doesn't obstruct the opening up of the bonnet. Wonder why this happened.

2. The doors, although open and close smoothly, yet are slightly loose and the hinges are not rigid because of which they move slightly up or down when you open them up so that while closing them back in, they have to be slightly nudged back into locking position.

3. The XK has a huge boot space but Autoart have not done something special with it. Maybe, they could have made the floor of the boot removable to reveal some spare tyre or tools lying beneath it.

And that's it. I can't really find any other major flaws with this great model. A great rendition of a great looking car from one of the greatest model makers currently out there. Thanks for reading

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[Diecast]

Good Model for good price..congrats and great review..

[Guggga]

Beautiful car Karan! Congratulations. Great to read another well written review by you.
Its high on my list of things to get as well!

[Petrolhead]

This is another AutoArt that keeps slipping through my fingers.All four variants of it.Really hate you for having this and that yellow 1:18 Lotus Espirit V8.
This is really an awesome car.Very well-made by AutoArt.I love the wheels.And the shape.And the colour.And the price you got it for!!
Great pick,Karan.

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And that's a great review!!

[groundforce]

(09-27-2011 11:45 PM)Petrolhead Wrote:  This is another AutoArt that keeps slipping through my fingers.

And through mine.

Good review, K2. I love her proportions, and that raw, almost sleeper-wood-like surface you've perched her on.

[Diecast]

(09-27-2011 11:45 PM)Petrolhead Wrote:  This is another AutoArt that keeps slipping through my fingers.All four variants of it.Really hate you for having this and that yellow 1:18 Lotus Espirit V8.
This is really an awesome car.Very well-made by AutoArt.I love the wheels.And the shape.And the colour.And the price you got it for!!
Great pick,Karan.

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And that's a great review!!

If you are looking for Jaguar best time is now ..i seen they are going really cheap on ebay for max 30$ but minus the XFR which still expensive.

[amarkatira]

congrats karan,
nice model and as usual great review.

[channabasanna]

Great pics Karan, i like the sequence in which the position of wiper is changed to show the movement of it. Never tried it on my R34 (will probably try that )
The rear boot space is huge in this one. Love the way the doors wide open.

[srinjayray]

Great to read a review from you after ages Karan. Autoarts are dream to me, I love them in any form. Congratulate you one acquiring one \m/

[model collector]

Good work and great model! Congrats! I wonder why they didn't manage to do the previous XKR at 1:18. In 1:43 they allready make it....