Packaging - 50 points max.
Ideally, the packaging provides best possible protection from
damage. Nevertheless, unpacking the
vehicle should not at all be a problem.
Apart from that, we expect high information content because customers should know as much as possible about the product and its
manufacturer.
Visual overall impression - 350 points max.
Besides accurate measurement and careful examination of the model vehicle, its overall appearance is very important. Usually it
is the ‘first impression‘ that counts, so recognisability of the real vehicle is a very important point. Especially when a car
is fitted into a diorama very few people will pull out their magnifying glasses at once to explore it carefully. The majority
however will judge its closeness to scale by just looking at it. Of course, any modelling product should
be in perfect condition, intactness of the vehicle should not
be an issue at all. Fitting accuracy must not give any reason for criticism
either and a flawless assembly should be self-evident.
Most people will get a subjective impression of the model quality from its
'look-and-feel', so our test objects can score in this
respect as well. Wealth of detail and the manufacturer’s
attention to detail will help to create a perfect overall impression, too.
Modern production methods allow copying even tiniest details, and this high-tech manufacturing should result in an amazing
fineness
of detail. Lights, wheels and tyres should look just like the ones of a real
vehicle. Finally, in terms of
harmony of colours, the model must not disappoint with a combination of colours
that every sales executive would have advised his
customer against.
Vehicle body - 200 points max.
Closeness to scale:
Measuring has to prove that the tested vehicle is a perfectly scaled down
reproduction of the original. If every manufacturer keeps exactly to the same
scale you will not have any problems putting different models
side by side on your layout. Otherwise some vehicles might appear too big or too
small compared to others. Regarding wealth of detail / attention to
detail, we expect from a perfect reproduction that it shows all characteristic and
important details of the original. Fineness of detail is
essential, too, and only vehicles made according to highest production standards
will score in this respect. We also have a closer look at the colour
quality of the plastic and, if applicable, the paintwork quality. We
don't want to see any streaks in the plastic nor discolourations. Metallic paint
should be glossy, like in reality, and the metallic particles should be as tiny
as possible. Other applications of paint - prints or enhancements with a fine
brush (usually found on more expensive special editions) - must be of high
quality: accurate and precise as well as properly covering. Chrome applications
have to be evenly applied and shiny. Therefore, manufacturers can only score for
the quality of prints, colour and chrome applications if their
work exceptionally pleases the eye of the demanding customer. Finally, the model
vehicle should not only show all the interior and exterior mirrors
but these important features should look absolutely realistic as well.
Lights - 150 points max.
They usually give a car its characteristic look, so we always check for
completeness / presence of all lights. Attention to detail
is just as important in this respect. One of the biggest challenges for any
model vehicle manufacturer is to get the colour of the lights right. Especially
with dark body colours, they often look dull and not realistic at all;
nevertheless our tests have proven so far that some companies do 'have the hang
of it'. So closeness to reality in terms of colouring is
another important test criterion.
Interior / Dashboard / Seats - 100 points max.
This chapter is important when testing convertibles but also deserves some
attention regarding the possibility of reconstructing or modifying model vehicles according
to your own notions. Talking about wealth of detail / attention to detail, we expect from a perfect reproduction that it shows all characteristic and
important details of the original. Modern high-tech manufacturing allows copying
even tiniest details, therefore points will be deducted if the model interior
lacks fineness of detail. In this context, alas, the steering wheel is an often
neglected feature.
Wheels - 150 points max.
Regarding closeness to scale, wealth of detail, attention to detail and fineness
of detail, the same criteria apply as for the chapter 'overall visual
impression'. The colour quality of the rims influences the appearance of the
entire vehicle and therefore contributes to the total points score as
well.
Overall evaluation
|
|
1000 - 950 |
|
|
949 - 880 |
|
|
879 - 810 |
|
|
809 - 740 |
|
|
739 - 670 |
|
|
669 - 600 |
|
|
599 - 0 |
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