1:18 Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG

[Petrolhead]

This is a 1:18 Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG (R171) by Hot Works Racing Factory.
Never really liked the standard Mercedes Benz SLK.I always found it a bit girly and tame.The AMG version,however,is an entirely different story.I quite like the sharp muscular styling and the fact that the SLR McLaren inspired F1-style nose is a bit bonkers.
62 mph comes up in 4.9 seconds according to Mercedes Benz.It did it in 4.3 seconds during testing though.
And now...Picture time!


Since this isn't the most common of 1:18 scale-models,I guess a bit of a review is in order here.This model is nowhere near AutoArt or Kyosho quality.It appears to be of the same build-quality as the 1:18 Mercedes Benz E-Class (W212),R-Class and GLK-Class by Minichamps.But if I'm honest,those three are the most disappointing Minichamps models I've come across.Minichamps makes the standard SLK-Class (R171) but I've never seen it in the metal so I don't know if this is as good as that.What I'm quite sure of though is that this is the best SLK55 AMG model out there.

While the stance and shape are well replicated,I think those wheels are too big.Makes it look like those wheel-arches are having a real hard time containing those enormous wheels.

Head-lamps are very neat and detailed.The tail-lamps,however,feature black attachment stubs which nobody likes.Ugly mold line appears on rear bumper.Not great.


Interior detailing,however,is quite good.See for yourself.


Rims and brake calipers are also nicely detailed.

Shut lines could have been neater.

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Paint finish is nice on the metal body.Not quite the same on the plastic bits like the bumpers and skirts but not too bad at all.


5439cc V8 churns out 355 horsepower for some pretty brisk performance.Hot Works has done a decent job miniaturizing it.


Now I would have liked nothing better than to show you some photos of the working metal roof in action at this point.But this is where the plasticy build-quality lets this model down.I will forgive all the other minor flaws because this model looks great on the shelf and costs no more than the cheapest Minichamps or priciest Norev 1:18 models which is exactly how good it is.But the folding roof mechanism is so brittle and gets stuck so hard and so often that after wrestling with the thing for a full ten minutes,I decided to leave the model as it was before I ended up breaking something.
Wanna learn how to make smooth folding metal roofs for 1:18 scale-models,Hot Works?Just take a look at one of those Kyosho Bimmers.

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And now for this model's USP.All Hot Works models come with a seperately packed 'bolt-on' kit.This 1:18 Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG comes with a Carlsson kit as you can see below.I want a standard silver SLK55 AMG in my collection so I don't think I'll be carrying out this mod job.But I wouldn't mind picking up another Hot Works 1:18 Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG someday and converting that to Carlsson CM55K Version because I did such a conversion once before turning my 1:18 Porsche 911 (996) Turbo by Hot Works into a TechArt Street XL GT Version and it was awesome fun!
If you don't like the Carlsson kit,you can also go for versions of this model that come with a Brabus or a Lorinser set.



I suppose I should point out that Hot Works went under recently and it may be a while before the company resurfaces and that is if it bounces back at all.

[Slix.Salakshya]

The rear wheels looks like a guy wearing high-ankle sneakers with a pair of baggy jeans on. I like those bulky wheels.

And Sid, whats with that teaser? Just do the conversion already. Am not talking bout the Carlsson kit, the roof, it folds up, right?

[Petrolhead]

Read my comments above that photo of the roof stowed away in the boot.I tried but the thing is too jammed up and fragile.I didn't want to yank on it too hard for fear of breaking it.It's a shame because I like the look of this car even more with the roof up.

[scalemodels]

The wheels may be big but they are surely good looking.
The interiors compared to the overall build quality is far better.
Overall it is quite a addition to your incredible line up some hot AMG's.

[Slix.Salakshya]

Oh yea, was so excited to see the covertible in action that I missed reading that portion. It ain't the first time it got stuck?

[Guggga]

Not my favorite design, but the model is nicely done and comes with a lot of nice touches. That kit looks interesting

[abhi_c]

I liked the interior the most. It's truly well done. Specially, I think I noticed a bluish tinge on the speedometer & odometer. If it is so, then I must say they have put a good effort to put the meter lights effect.

[Petrolhead]

Thanks for looking,guys!
Slix,the model had come with the roof up.But the roof mechanism pretty much jammed after I folded it away the first time.I guess if I tug at it a bit more when I have time someday,I'll get it working again.And then I'll post photos of my success.

[Guggga]

^^ A drop of Usha Machine oil, before you tug, should do the trick.

[Petrolhead]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks!