Clean and minty 1/24 VW Polo R
Until recently if anyone had asked me if I was likely to make a model of a VW Polo I'd have said they were mad. However, after a year's development VW entered the World Rally Championship in 2013 and promptly won the first event (the Monte Carlo Rally) and went on to win three world championships (2013 2014 and 2015) with lead driver Sebastien Ogier, completely trouncing the opposition, led by Citroen. In fact Citroen have elected to take a year's sabbitical in 2016 in order to develop a new car for 2017.
New rally car kits are almost as rare as hens' teeth. However, there is a new kid on the block - Belkits, who have produced five 1/24 rally cars, and this is their latest. Belkits are a Belgium based company, although the kits appear to be produced in China. The kits are well packaged and come complete with some etched details (brake discs, seat belt buckles and fasteners), window masks, rubber tyres, decals for three different drivers and a colour instruction book. The mouldings are up to Tamiya standards and instructions call out for Tamiya, Revell and Humbrol paints. I've included some pictures of the interior and underside before final assembly. Most of the detail is inside and is difficult to view when the model is complete. You might be able to see how low the co-driver sits compared to the driver, all in the interest of lowering the centre of gravity and even weight distribution. I've finished the model as seen on the Rally d'Alsace in 2013. The car is in tarmac specification, i.e. wide wheels and tyres, big brake discs and lowered suspension, and is complete with night lights. Thanks for looking, George.
10 additional images. Click to enlarge.
Craig Abrahamson said on December 13, 2015
I definitely think you've found your niche in the modeling world, George...these rally cars you keep cranking out are gorgeous.
AND...your Chinese posting woes seem to have been resolved as well.
George Williams said on December 13, 2015
Cheers, Craig, glad you like it, and, yes, the posting problems seems to have sorted themselves out as well, I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
Bryan W. Bernart said on December 13, 2015
Yes, VW has gotten it right lately. Great looking model. Are those wooden sections on the underside behind the front suspension a la F1, or some sort of composite structure?
Bryan W. Bernart said on December 13, 2015
Oops. Ahead of the rears...
George Williams said on December 13, 2015
Hi Brian, thanks for looking, they are part of the composite structure of the base of the car, probably made from a kind kevlar, hence the strange colour.
California Steve said on December 13, 2015
George, this model Rocks! I am loving this..
California Steve
George Williams said on December 13, 2015
Thanks, Steve, I know you're a car fan, too. The modern rally cars are definitely compact, it'll be interesting to see Toyota's new entry based on the Yaris as well as the new Citroen.
DE4EVER said on December 14, 2015
🙂 ... Greetings ... 🙂 :
Looks great George, well done. It has that RALLY look.
Tom Cleaver said on December 14, 2015
So, did they fake the emissions tests on this one too? Like all their others?
Lots of nice work on the model George.
Terry Schuler said on December 14, 2015
Well done George, Looks pretty close to the real thing.
Greg Kittinger said on December 14, 2015
Nice looking car!
bob mack said on December 14, 2015
looks super interesting George...an alignment nightmare and not red...smile...great job
Simon Whitney said on December 14, 2015
Nice build George, as Craig said " You have found your niche" here mate.
Well done mate.
Terry Schuler said on December 18, 2015
Really nice George, If I didn't know it was a model I would think it was the real thing.
Richard Mcstay said on December 22, 2015
Never say never! Another great rally car, those headlights must give out some candle power!
Bernd Müller said on December 27, 2015
Missed that one ! Sorry, George. Another brilliant work, seems Belkits are a coming star in the modelling scene.