1:18 Ferrari 458 GT2: Model Review

Ferrari have always been one of the most desirable brands making some of the most breathtaking cars every year. For all of us who can not afford a real one though, there is a solution. Seen here is Hot Wheels’ 1:18th scale rendition of the Ferrari 458 GT2 in its ‘Presentation’ avatar. The Ferrari 458 GT2 is essentially the GT-Spec GT2 Class racecar that takes part in the World Endurance Championship with participation in races like the ‘24 Heures de LeMans’ amongst others. 

Hot Wheels have nailed the look and feel of the Ferrari 458 GT2 in this 1:18th scale version both in terms of stance and in terms of overall proportions. Starting from the front, the 458 GT2 gets a removable bonnet cover, which is held together with the help of two tiny magnets. The large carbon fibre splitter and huge air ducts too have been perfectly replicated with the mesh on the grille and the texture on the splitter being replicated accurately.

The bonnet also features four bonnet pins that replicate the ones on the real car. The headlights and wiper components too are spot on. Removing the bonnet cover, one sees the intricate details under the hood like the two large air intakes shrouded with carbon fibre. The most impressive detail here though are the three hydraulic fluid containers that look as real as they look in the real deal. 

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As we mentioned, the car’s stance is spot on and most of this is largely due to the highly detailed BBS GT3 wheels and Michelin racing slick tyres. The small carbon fibre mirrors and race windows too lend a realistic look to the side profile. The biggest attraction though is the large GT wing at the back, which too has been detailed in carbon fibre. The rear end of the car has a lot of smaller details that have been very well carried forward from the real car.

Little bits like the rivets that hold the bumper to the photo etched Ferrari ‘Prancing Horse’ logo and the starter motor actuator have been very well represented in the 1:18 Hot Wheels rendition. The rear bumper too has very highly finished mesh behind which one can see the exhaust chambers and other engine and transmission details. 

The 1:18 Ferrari 458 GT2 by Hot Wheels Elite gets a removable engine cover too. This plastic and metal cover is held to the car by small magnets like the bonnet cover. The engine is highly detailed with correct spec carbon fibre weaves and accurate mouldings representing the intake boxes and the firewall. From the strut bars to the vital hydraulic piping, everything that needs to be well replicated has been done so.

The interior of the Ferrari 458 GT2 too is extremely well detailed. Fromt the full race roll cage to the detailed kevlar-carbon racing seats, everything is represented in accurate colors and scale. The centrepiece of the interior is the suede lined steering wheel and the array of knobs and buttons of the centre console. In the real car, the knobs control settings like brake bias and traction control and all these litte tiny details are well replicated in the Hotwheels elite version too. 

The 458 GT2, especially in this presentation plain-body avatar is certainly one that is bound to get extremely rare soon just like the 458 coupe. The Hot Wheels Elite Ferrari 458 GT2 is most certainly a future classic.