[woodcote]

   

I have a sense of déjà vu... it's only a week ago that I was looking at the new Racer Sideways McLaren 720S GT3 - and now I'm reporting the announcement of an NSR model. Of course, Carrera had a 720S GT3 in their 2019 catalogue - although it looks like Scalextric (who have a long-term licensing arrangement with McLaren) have passed on the GT3 racing version. Choice is always a good thing, but three McLarens might be enough.

NSR have published some very polished graphics of the 3D rendering, but it's the shots of the printed prototype that interest me...

       

The shape and stance of the 720S GT3 does lend itself to a low, wide and sleek slot racing GT car - you wouldn't expect NSR to make a Bentley Continental. The Carrera model - with is pretty much to scale - has a wheelbase of 84mm, a rear track of 63mm and a height of 38mm. So it won't take much of a stretch and a squash to get that width out to NSR's favoured 64mm and a couple of mms off the height...

       

A 3D-printed prototype is never the finished article - but some of those lines do look quite chunky, especially compared with the Sideways model. I hope those front wheel arches are being sorted out and I'm really not sure about the windscreen and roof line. But as I said, a prototype is only one step towards the end product. And it's the performance on the track that really matters - I expect the 720S to be right up there with the benchmark AMG GT3. There are plenty of liveries available too, starting - I suspect - with the orange presentation car...

   

NSR expect the first model to be available in February 2022 - so watch out for more news in the next few weeks.

[Nonfractal]

If the 720S has 

- The same guide length as the Mercedes
- A non-droparm chassis like the Mercedes
- A two  body post design with adjuster set screws 

Then, for the club racer, it will be (yet another) "must have" by NSR. 

I'm a fan of the C7R but could not bring myself to buy the MercAMG. 
It's just too chunky for me.

One thing we can say is likely?
NSRs recent release timelines have met expectations so March will be a realistic time frame, not pie in the sky.
Leveraging their in house Italian design AND manufacture allows NSR to keep on top of delivery dates, unlike some who manufacture in China.

NSR are now well past the design quality dip that occurred when Gjovanni left to form ThunderSlot,
However, the NSR triangular 3 point suspension pod is now looking a bit dated (compared to the more recent "BlackArrow long arm 4 point" and "Thunderslot 5 point" suspension pod designs). 
The motor mount is due for an update.


AlanW

[woodcote]

   

The McLaren rightly takes pride of place in the 2022 NSR catalogue. The new model will be available in kit form (moulded in white, red, green, yellow & blue), four painted and assembled 'test car' liveries (white, grey, red & yellow), plus these four authentic liveries...

   

That's two British privateer Optimum Motosport cars from the 2022 International GT Open championship...

   

And the two 2018 official McLaren works cars...

   

The #03 presentation car and the race car from the 720S GT3's first competitive race at the 2018 Gulf 12 Hours in Abu Dhabi.

Although not 100% clear in the catalogue, the chassis is - as Alan hoped - similar to the AMG GT3... no drop-arm, two body posts. As usual, all the livery variations are available in either Anglewinder (21.4k King Evo 3)  or Sidewinder (Shark 25 Evo) motor configuration.

Expect the kits and test cars 'soon' - hopefully within the next 4-6 weeks - and then the liveries a bit later in the year. No pre-order info at the moment, but that shouldn't be far off.

[Savage GT]

A 720S GT3 should float my boat, not this one. From what I have seen so far, the Sideways looks a closer representation IMO.

[Nonfractal]

A 720S GT3 should float my boat, not this one. From what I have seen so far, the Sideways looks a closer representation IMO.

For me the chassis and Motor mount is more important 
I'm not a big fan of the slot.IT 4 point mount, much preferring motor mounts with a front centre line pivot.
The sideways Huracan was a bit of a disappointment for me.
I throw everything I know at it but can not get it to be a match for an equivalent NSR.
The NSR inline mounts also allow the crown to run left and right hand so opening the option to run the motor in the direction it prefers

However, I love the group five sideways cars. A really nice, balanced set of cars with great liveries. 
AlanW

[anddelanyno20]

Finally someone else who knows that the sideways huracan is a dog,I thought it was just me,at last sanity prevails

[woodcote]

   

The four test livery cars are on their way to distributors - and it's not even March yet...

       

       

Some 'breaking' news...

   

The wing is apparently a standard part, not an upgrade.

Although these cars should be in European customers hands in the next week, I wouldn't hold your breath if you're in the UK.

[Tibbs]

I'm going to get one of Pendels Audi R8 kits and give it Valentino Rossi's livery, I can't believe Scalextric aren't bringing one out with his retiring from bikes. He has a massive following.

[tatter06]

Arrived today, slightly wider, taller and longer than the Corvette but not much in it. The cab/interior is significantly further forward so I wonder is a different centre point will make it handle differently. I don't have a sideways 720s to compare it to but happy with the detail compared to the Corvette, familiar nsr style but slightly more detailed.

   
   

[woodcote]

Four McLarens have been announced (so far) for the British GT Championship this year…

   

Food for thought for a white kit.