Two unveils in the same day. You’re welcome.
After the unveiling of the Cadillac Elmiraj, photos have also surfaced of the Hot Wheels Tesla Model S, and like the Cadillac, we like what we see.
The Hot Wheels Tesla is at a major disadvantage, however, because it is going to be released about the same time as the Matchbox Tesla Model S. And to refresh your memory, here is what is looks like:
That is Matchbox at its best. Well-proportioned, highly detailed, and stock. You had to figure the Hot Wheels would be a little more sporty, and guess what?
It is! More flared wheel wells, a huge spoiler in the back, an aggressive stance, and some sporty PR5 wheels. No, it isn’t the stock Matchbox, but it shouldn’t be. The tampo work does leave a little to be desired, especially compared to the flawless detail on the Matchbox. But all in all, it’s fine, and it will work next to its orange-brand counterpart. It does look a little too much like the Hot Wheels Porsche Panamera though.
We have no problem with both Mattel brands releasing their versions of the same car, especially when they are different takes. And in the case of the Tesla Model S, both brands stayed true.
This is hilariously bad, even more so compared to the Matchbox. I don't think I'd be able to tell what it is without the name on the package.
What a complete piece of garbage. Once again Matchbox does a better job than Hot Wheels
I don't know why HW still try to make same models as MBX (like the Porsche Panamera)
MBX is by far better, they should spend in making another new moel in 1/64
Totally agree
Perhaps they want to reiterate the degree of incompetence (with Matchbox) when it comes to realism. We got the message, Mattel 🙂
Thank you so much Matchbox, for being what you are!
Not really impressed with this model. The MBX version is a million times better including the wheels. I really hope that those markings on the hood of the MBX won't be there when it is released.
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Why are you all jumping on the same wagon bashing the HW one? Yes, it's not as good as the MBX one but thank goodness it's not plagued with monstrous rear wheels, ridiculous tampos and an upsloped chin. As for the first commenter, SeatleO, “hilariously bad”? We've seen way worse from HW. Go on…keep putting down HW's attempt at a semi-good casting and they will unleash their fury and present us with nothing but fugly fantasy cars in the future.
Why are you all jumping on the same wagon bashing the HW one? Yes, it's not as good as the MBX one but thank goodness it's not plagued with monstrous rear wheels, ridiculous tampos and an upsloped chin. As for the first commenter, SeatleO, “hilariously bad”? We've seen way worse from HW. Go on…keep putting down HW's attempt at a semi-good casting and they will unleash their fury and present us with nothing but fugly fantasy cars in the future.
Thank you Lamley for the heads-up and for the great comparison shots. Hot Wheels has made Matchbox look like Kyosho. Yet another reason why street cars should ONLY be made by Matchbox.
Q Tran, you have obviously missed the point, and by a long way – the same company makes teh same model, and you get two completely different results, how is this possible, the matchbox one is vy far and away the best, that HW thing looks like it has not been “finished”, it has dire tampo's and as usual with HW they make it look too silly….
As an Aside, did mattel state quite clearly that the two brands would NOT do the same models, yet here we are again, with the same model, done by both brands, why make a statement like that and then lie about it – some of the recent HW's have been awesome, this “hilariously bad”, and it is, attempt, should be put in the draw marked “Tried – Failed”
Once again Matchbox does a better job than Hot Wheels!!!
Please Mattel OPEN YOUR EYES AND YOUR MIND!!!!
I also don't have any problem with Mattel brands releasing the same model with different takes.
The real problem is the fact that only one (incidentally the brand with the “sporty” approach) arrives in your country…
They wouldn't be. Those markings are codes they put on FEPs (Final Engineering Prototype).
At this point I believe that MBX should make only licensed vehicles and let Hot Wheels do the Modded/Fantasy cars. If MBX could do that then the would be direct competition to Auto World and Green Light and with a $1 price point they would win hands down. I would love to see MBX do a modern Camaro, Mustang or even a Chrysler 300.
Sure looks like the matchbox crowd is a whiny bunch. Of course if both brands made the same car they would turn up different. What were you all expecting? You guys got your MB version. Why does it matter so much about the HW version? To relentlessly bash it because you all think it's inferior seems pretty childish to me. You don't like it, move on
I agree to an extent, but you gotta admit the HW version does look a little ridiculous. Which is expected, I guess. If it has one of those upward chins, of course I'm gonna bash it.
I don't know if I should be happy that Hot Wheels gave the Tesla their own unique touch or disappointed because Hot Wheels ruined what would have been a great casting. The Matchbox version reigns supreme nevertheless.
If HW was the only one to make this model and they made it with ugly tampos, upsloped chin, huge rear wheels then I can understand the uproar. But here we are getting TWO to CHOOSE from. Jeez I thought the diecast collecting community was more mature than this. I for one encourage HW to make their versions. That just means more to choose from. Greenlight, Auto World, MBX makes excellent castings but you know what? They don't make the full spectrum of cars. I like auto worlds work but it's mainly domestic cars. Greenlights aren't easily accessible like HWs are, and MBX do not release tons of Non fantasy goodies like they did during the “Golden era”. So, I think we should appreciate that a semi decent HW casting of this tesla even exists.
See, that's the problem, perhaps it shouldn't even exist in the first place. Next to the Matchbox, the Hot Wheels version is not “semi decent”, it's garbage, and not because it has spoilers and performance add-ons, but because it barely resembles the car it's supposed to be. I mean, take a look at it, the shape is wrong, the proportions are off, the tooling and finishing scream cheap. You can even see where the tailight tampos cutoff so they wouldn't have to spend extra to print on the sides! Any customizer could do a better job at a “Sporty” Model S starting out with the Matchbox version.
The Hot Wheels version doesn't look like a souped up Model S, it looks like crap.
That's what eBay is for, and eBay it I will. Hot Wheels can keep their sorry attempt at a Model S.,
I couldn't care less if they did the same cars, but I fail to understand how Hot Wheels gets dozens of licensed new models a year, while Matchbox gets only a handful, when every single licensed Matchbox released recently destroys its Hot Wheels equivalent. Remember when they both released second gen Firebirds? Matchbox's Firebird Formula was far superior to Hot Wheels Firebird T/A, same as here.
Well, although I love the Model S and I liked that HW made it… I really think that this is a real……… Crap 😛 But anyway, I don't have any other options, I'll take it, 'cause I'm brazilian and Mattel don't sell MBX anymore around here and of course I don't want to pay a fortune to have the MBX's Tesla by the eBay or any other online shops :\
Well, at least it has side mirrors…
Probably has to do with the fact that HW has more releases which would proportionally mean more licensed cars.
Even if you think that the MB version is better, the licensor was always the one approving the casting and deco. The licensor in most cases probably doesn't care how stock/custom a model is.
Well these are awsome both. MB always was classier and HW always the sporty version both are great and I'll have a few of each.
It seems a version of Porsche Panamera, which is not only because you can see the base looks but has four doors, but still prefer the roadster because reminiscent of the lotus is sportier than the sedan version.
Love the Matchbox, that's how diecast should be made, HW version needs some work.
Ok, but even then licensed cars make up the majority of new models, while the two or three licensed cars Matchbox is allowed to release every year are lost in a sea of fantasy construction “unstoppable” vehicles ignored by kids and adults alike.
Mattel has been shrinking down on Matchbos because it doesn't sell well, but it's their own fault for releasing so much crap while Hot Wheels goes in ruining car after car. If it's all the same for them, why not leave the kiddie fantasy crap to Hot Wheels and give the licensed stuff to Matchbox?
This doesn't make any sense. Matchbox cannot make the current generation of the Ford Transit, just because Hot Wheels has their horrible rendition of the Transit Connect. But, apparently HW making the Tesla at the same time as Matchbox is OK.
Sure, the Tesla may be a boring car to many (including myself), but keep boring cars stock. HW should make this Tesla a one and done casting, while letting Matchbox continue with theirs.
Why? Does HW making this model somehow prevent you from buying or enjoying the MB version?
Just to clarify, the problem with Hot Wheels' Tesla, at least in my opinion, isn't that it's custom or sportier or whatever, but that it's poorly tooled, painted and decorated. It barely looks like the car it's supposed to be, and it doesn't even look like a toy car at all, just a toy that happens to be a car. Any customizer can take the Matchbox model, stick a spoiler on the back, sportier weels and paint it silver, and they'd have a better model than the Hot Wheels version. The same applies to the vast majority of models Hot Wheels has been made recently, whether they were also made by Matchbox or not.
And you can add to that the fact that Mattel has been essentially locking Matchbox out of licensing agreements in favor of Hot Wheels, then shrinks Matchbox down claiming poor sales, that's why I'm complaining.
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“and it doesn't even look like a toy car at all, just a toy that happens to be a car.”
– This pretty much is a ridiculous statement. It sure looks like a toy car to me…as does the MB. Those two statements you said are the exact SAME THING. Sheesh.
So when will these models be available in stores? Is there a set timeline? I recall seeing a 3D printed prototype a few months ago, and now this FEP a few weeks ago.
The Model S decal should be on the right side of the MBZ.
The “Model S” is on the left. The actual model like “P85D” is on the right.