These reviews are done on my custom Carrera 1/24 Exclusiv road course layout.  

Test Drive Results - Ten Lap Sprint:

* Data does include some minor wrecks during the course of the trial run...

Test Drive Observations:

The New VW Beetle is finally here in slot car form.  You can buy the 1/24 model kit and convert it into a slot car but this is the first true production slot car of the New VW Beetle.  Scalextric has done a very nice job on this one and I think it is one of their best efforts so far.  If they release more subject matter like this one, they will certainly take back a part of the 1/32 slot car industry.  The body style closely matches the street car version but done up with a racing theme including a rear wing and racing decals.  A big plus is the full detailed driver figure and interior detail which really accents a nice exterior.

They took a different approach to this car and used a sidewinder set-up for the chassis.  The chassis has the standard Scalextric Mabuchi S can motor and treaded rubber tires.  The chassis has a round traction magnet which you can position in three different areas of the chassis.  The stock configuration from the factory has the traction magnet in the rear setting.  I think this is the best setting overall when using the stock tires.

In stock form, the car handles pretty good for being a little on the high side and a short-wheelbase.   The car has a strong straight-away speed and handles pretty well over and around the curves.  The car is a little tipsy when taking it to the limits on the curves so be a little careful or you will break off the fragile side mirrors.  Who needs them anyway?!?!  The stock rubber tires give you adequate traction in stock form but it would give you a good upgrade to go with the Indy Grip silicone tires.

With Indy Grips silicone tires on the rear wheels, this car drives great!!!  It is a nice driving experience with the stock tires but these silicones make the car handle much, much better.  You can take the turns more sharply and head into the turn deeper than before.  The car is still a little tipsy but the silicones help hold the car to the track.  This car is a highly recommended piece for anyone wishing to add it to their slot car stable.  

I can't find anything really wrong with the way the car drives or handles for being a VW Beetle.  I love it!!!  The only drawback if there is one might be the fragile mirrors but most slot cars have them.  So go out today and get yourself one of these you will not be disappointed.

Slot Car Garage Review Rating for the Scalextric 1/32 VW New Beetle:

5 out of 5 tires

Head over to the new Slot Car Garage Video Gallery for a clip of this VW Beetle wiping out on the slot car track.

RadTrax Reviews Archive:

1. 1/32 Ninco EVITA #50198 Porsche 356-A Coupe

2. 1/32 ProSlot Toyota GT1 Esso Ultron #17

3. 1/32 MRRC Chaparral 2 "White" #MC-9906

4. 1/32 FLY A73 - Porsche 911 GT1 Evo II MOBIL 1 98 Test Car #1

5. 1/32 Scalextric Caterham 7 Coldstream #C2201

Current and Past Reviews (some from Slot Car Racing on the Net):

1. Return to Main Reviews Section - Read more of my personal reviews and others of related slot car items including cars, sets, parts, etc. regarding all the scales (1/24, 1/32, HO)

2. More Slot Car Test Drive Results - Current data from testing on my Carrera 1/24 Exclusiv track.  Includes results from 1/24 and 1/32 scale slot cars.

3. Slot Car Test Drive Results - This is a run-down of the various slot cars I tested with their average, best lap times and the total time it took the car to complete the ten lap trial run.  These cars were tested on my Riggen 1/32 layout. 

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