Shell V-Power – Ferrari Car Collection

I know it’s been half a year since its release here in the Philippines but this was the only time I had a camera in my hand so this was the only time I’ve opened the packages to take pictures of the models. Shell and Ferrari have done it again with another set of model cars. The first was the “Collezione” series where Shell had sold one 1:18 scale Ferrari F50, a 1:24 F355 and 8 smaller cars with pullback motors. This time, they had a new set of six cars sold to the public. Welcome to my review of the latest Shell/Ferrari Collection.

So what’s new with the six cars? Well, apart from being all plastic, the set replicates the cars sold by Ferrari recently. Not only that, there’s no more 1:18 and 1:24 scale cars. And that’s it.

Here are the cars:

F2005 Formula 1

Ferrari 575 SuperAmerica

Ferrari 360 Spider

Ferrari F430

Ferrari F50

Enzo Ferrari

There are a lot of differences seen in the comparison of the first and latest batch of cars. One was the difference in the materials used. Before, Maisto was assigned to make the model lineup for the first Shell-Ferrari collection. All of the cars were made of die-cast metal and the small cars had a pull-back engine. Of course, in terms of detail, the larger cars had better detailing than smaller cars but the smaller cars’ detail is saved by its die-cast body. The new set of six cars, however, was made of pure plastic. It was Mattel/Hot wheels that made the cars which makes the cars cheaper (i think) compared to the first batch.

The trouble with using plastic in body shells is that it makes the cars have lesser details. For example, the hood scoop of 575 Superamerica and the rear air scoops of 360 and F430 have no panel lines or the dark areas to represent that those are scoops. In the die-cast ones, the panel lines were not darkened with paint as well but they are obvious enough since it was die-cast metal and the paint used makes the panel lines more obvious.

Lacking of details such as panel lines

Putting less detail may have just dictated its purpose: it is just a small child’s toy. For some, it may be a limited collection but to be honest, the cars are just toys for small children. It is an amazing collection because it is collection with a Ferrari Original seal in its package. However, putting pullback motors with Ferrari technology (2 speed pullback motor) makes the cars look like it was made for children. I have nothing against the collection. I’ve been collecting Ferrari stuff from Shell ever since its first release. However, the fact remains that this particular collection are made for children. Look, it says “Hot wheels” instead of something like “maisto”. I would have understand its model purpose if “maisto” was the manufacturer of the model cars but no, it was Hot wheels.

But the best thing about this collection is that it still retains the “Ferrari Passion” despite its lack of detail. The important details are intact, the wheels, the logos and everything else important and from far, it replicates the real cars well enough.

Best Bit: The Hidden Car

Shell also made special promos and one of these promos came with this collection: A Yellow Ferrari Enzo. But wait~! It is not as easy to get as the red ones. Here in the Philippines, you have to service your car for an oil change at any Shell station to get this car for free. Yup, free unlike the red ones that you will have to pay for the car with a certain amount of fuel purchased. It was really hard to get this car especially if you change your car’s oil by yourself to get rid of service charges or labor fee. Luckily I found one at one of the hobby stores around my place.

The only difference between the 2 Enzos sold is the color. However, I remember Ferrari giving secondary names after each color of the car. There’s a specific name given after a Yellow Enzo, as far as I can remember, but I cannot recall the exact name. And it’s yellow! I love Yellow cars. 😀

Overall the collection was great~! I know, I have criticized its physical attributes but who cares? It’s a collection with the Original seal from Ferrari which means it will not be made without quality. What’s also good about this collection is that it was easier to buy compared to previous collection’s bloody coupons. It is a great bit of plastic this collection is.