Let there be light: Kyosho MOTN Nismo 400R

(Check the official list of Kyosho distributors on the Kyosho website to find your nearest stockist and check out the Kyosho MOTN selection and past 1/64 range on Ebay)

In the gloom of a British winter, my diecast content becomes just that bit harder to create. I’m someone who flourishes in light, and I feel I take my best photographs when I can actually take advantage of the scenery in my area. But at this time of year more often than not I’m penned in by rain, snow, sleet, more rain and a prevailing wind that finds all the gaps in doors, windows and clothing. Lacking a dedicated camera (or a clue what I am doing) or indeed a computer with editing software, I need daylight and/or good lighting to cover up my lack of talent.

But what if there was a way to take a little bit of light with me? Well thanks to Kyosho, at least there will be something bright for me to focus on amongst the murk.

That’s thanks to the “MOTN” (“Middle Of The Night”) range that the brand introduced late last year, which uses a powered display plinth on which collectors can mount a range of compatible cars equipped with a proximity/magnetic switch buried inside. Once placed on the plinth, the lights on the car will illuminate.

The MOTN plinth is ridged to allow a Kyosho display base to sit on top of it perfectly, and the system is also designed specifically to work through display mats and thin, non-metal diorama bases (up to 3mm thick) allowing a multitude of display options.

It uses a USB-C to AC cable to power it which means it can run from a wall socket or a power bank, which is handy for those like me who like to venture outdoors for their diecast photography. There’s no plug sockets at the top of England’s Kirkstone Pass, but a power bank will fit in my pocket. So I took one with me on a recent walk to see just what I could achieve with the first of Kyosho’s MOTN compatible cars, the Nismo 400R.

The Nismo 400R is perhaps one of the most well known Japanese tuner cars of all time. The R33 model of Nissan’s legendary Skyline GT-R is a little overlooked compared to it’s R32 and R34 siblings, but the 400R is anything but.

Introduced in 1997 to commemorate Nissan’s participation with the R33 at the 1995 & 1996 Le Mans 25 Hours, the 400R is one of the rarest Skylines of any generation. Built by Nissan’s motorsport arm Nismo, it came equipped with a bored and stroked RB26DETT built by tuners REIMAX (formerly REINIK). The new 2771cc engine also featured a healthy amount of forged internals as well as an increased rev limit of 9000rpm, up from 8000rpm on the regular car. The powerplant was christened the RB-X GT2 and gave a healthy 400bhp and 350 Ib-ft of torque, enough to propel the 400R from 0-60mph in 4 seconds on toward a top speed in excess of 185mph. Nismo had forecast sales of 100 examples but only 44 were sold before the R33 was phased out in 1998.

And Kyosho are probably one of the best brands to replicate it. They’ve been around since the 1960s, and built up an impressive history in remote control models before entering the diecast world in 1992. Their 1/18 scale models are amongst the industry’s best, and they have a vast 1/64 back catalogue of unique and varied models ranging from the usual Japanese hero cars, JGTC, Super GT and Le Mans racers, Italian supercars etc through to subjects lesser seen in 1/64 like the Alfa Romeo Montreal, Jaguar XJR-15, Maserati Khamsin and Lotus Seven. So it’s safe to say they know what they are doing.

Quality is generally high and Kyosho cars are normally put together very well and the MOTN 400R is no exception. The fit and finish are top notch and the small amount of decals present are sharp and placed accurately. It’s a very well built miniature. And in the light of day it looks superb.

The Lightning Yellow paint is striking; there’s a real depth to it that makes it almost glow in the right light. Nismo only built one 400R in this shade, and still own it to this day.

Some of my older 1/64 Kyosho had issues with rolling due to misshapen tyres, but this rolls perfectly on superbly replicated Nismo LM GT1 wheels. This is a fine 1/64 even if you’re not going to be utilising the MOTN system.

The MOTN range currently consists of two colours of 400R: Lightning Yellow and Super Clear Red II. The Super Clear Red was initially available only to visitors of the 2024 Tokyo Auto Salon, but now both colours are on general release.

Kyosho will add more MOTN cars to the catalogue in 2025 including the Suzuki Jimny and Nissan GT-R so rest assured there’ll be something to catch your eye even if the 400R isn’t quite your thing. But this is a strong start for a clever product, and I’m excited to see what else appears in the future.

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