For this review we’re taking a look at the newest model from DNA Collectibles, the Saab Aero-X. DNA Collectibles is a brand new model car brand based in Switzerland. DNA Collectibles’ philosophy is to involve passionate people in the whole process from choosing the models to sending you pictures of the production process. DNA focusses on making special, limited edition model cars no one produced yet, with high quality details. They make the models in both scale 1:18 and 1:43. Here is a list of models that are now for sale and pre-order, including their limitation and pricing. If you click on the picture of the model you will be sent through to the product page.
Scale 1:43
Scale 1:18
All of their models are chassis numbered and come with an acrylic base. The models aren’t priced that bad. The 1:43 models prices are around the price mark of Minichamps and some Spark models, which isn’t bad, the DNA models do have an acrylic display instead of a plastic display like Minichamps and Spark use. The 1:18 models are priced between Otto/ GT Spirit and Looksmart which is definitely not bad. They ship their models from Hong Kong, so it can be expensive with shipping included.
DNA ships their models worldwide.
All models they send can be tracked with a tracking code you will receive trough email. Shipping takes depending on the option you choose between 2 and 14 days. (Mine arrived in 2 days, from Hong Kong to The Netherlands) For full information about shipping costs and shipping times check their Delivery and Pre-Orders page. If you want to order this Saab Aero-X it will cost you depending on the shipping option you choose between, 208 CHF/183 EUR/164 GBP/209 USD/23165 JPY and 258 CHF/227 EUR/203 GBP/259 USD/28733 JPY. If that’s worth it? Keep on reading. Also keep on reading for a discount code for this model.
Off course this won’t be their final list of models they will make. There are lots of models in the pipeline. To keep updated check their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. Also if you are interested in one of these models check out their official website here. If you would like to see some of their video’s subscribe to their YouTube account. Click on one of the logo's below to go to their social media page.
Now let’s talk about the car we’re about to read about. The Saab Aero-X.
Some of you readers will know the Saab Aero-X, it’s the concept car with the crazy ‘’door’’. The Aero-X was a concept car built by Saab and was unveiled at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show. This car is powered by a 2.8 L twin turbocharged V6 which produces 400 bhp. It’s 0-100 km/h (62 mph) time is predicted to be 4.9 s. The top speed of this car is 255 km/h (158 mph). It has a seven speed automatic transmission which can be controlled whit use shift paddles behind the steering wheel. The car features 4wd and uses a cockpit canopy where they complete top section of the car opens so its easier to get in. The body of the car is completely made out of carbon fibre. It’s sad this is only a concept car. I really liked the futuristic looks of this car. Luckily Saab did use some parts of the front to give the Saab 9-3, 9-5 and 9-4x a new fresh look. It’s sad there are no new Saab cars being made now. Luckily for us model car collectors there were some brands made the Aero-X. Bburago, Norev, The Essence Of The Car (TEOTC) and Atlas have produced this car in scale 1:43. Until now there has never been a 1:18 scale Saab Aero-X that has been produced. But DNA Collectibles did it! Is it worth the wait? Let’s find out….
Since this brand is new to me and probably most of you collectors I will take you trough the unboxing process.
The model comes shipped in a cardbord box with some DNA Collectibles tape. When opening the box you will have a hugh box with a cloth bag around it. The cloth bag has a tag on it where you can see what model it is, the product code, the scale and their website. It also states ''This bag can be used to clean your beloved model''. Well, I have never cleaned my model with something this big. Strange... On the other side is some information telling you this is model is for adult collectors, so not for children under 14 years old. |
No it isn't! They just used as little packaging material as possible, but the good thing it works! My model arrived without damage.
If using as little packaging material as possible you have more money left to put into the model itself. |
When taking the black cloth bag off, you will see a white box with the DNA Collectibles logo on it. Around that box is a plastic bag to prevent the white box from discolouring. They didn't have that on earlier models so they changed colour very fast. The box is very big and you would expect it's packaged like a Topspeed model. But is it?
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They only thing you have to do next is remove the packaging material and 2 little protective films and there is the Saab Aero-X in it's full glory.
First impression, pretty heavy model, nice white paint with a metallic sparkle, good interior details. Let's get closer look at the model! Since most collectors will take the model off it's base we are going to do that aswell. Taking the model off it's base is very easy, with just taking off 4 screws on the underside of the base. |
Remember I said the model was heavy? Well, when you take it off the base it's very light, even lighter than an AUTOart composite model. Some collectors don't want light models that's why I mention it. For me that isn't a problem, I don't pick up models everyday I just look at their details, and this one has details!
So let's start by taking a closer look at the front of the Saab Aero-X! |
Let's start the review on the front of the model, the first thing you notice is the big middle grill which is done very nicely by DNA. It is a closed grill although it does have the chrome line and silver edge. So replication is accurate. The rest of the grills aren't metal etched, you would've expected this when paying 179 CHF for a modelcar. I can understand why they did this, the grill on the real car is hard to replicate with real mesh. I would have rather seen real mesh, luckily some of their other models do have meshed grills, like the Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible, which is an amazing modelcar.
As far as the front lights go, they look great. They feature small light bulbs and have a clear plastic cover. They have even made the grills next to the light, altough as you can see on the real car the chrome isn't on top of the grill like DNA did, little mistake you can't do everything right. ;). I really like they made the little lights on the light and right underside of the bumper, as you can see on the picture of the real car they are grey, but not all pics have them grey so here I think DNA is right. They also made the indicator lamps with a real plastic piece, not a sticker like other brands do, well done there!
Let's move over to the side of this model. The side looks exactly like the real car. The beautiful is replicated completly flawless. Featuring perfect doorlines, the black stripe and the ''blade'' wheels. The wheels should've been a little bit bigger if you scale it. But I like the look of them this way. Roof line and window's are placed on the right heigt and angle, perfect! Mirrors are shaped exactly like the real car.
Let's take a closer look at the wheels. They are made of a plastic material, like every brand does so no downside here. The wheels have 11 ''blade'' spokes just like the real car. Behind the wheels are metal brake discs with Brembo brakes. Great job there. The rear wheels feature smaller brake discs which is accurate to the real car. On the wheels they used a decal for the Saab logo, the decal is crisp and has great detail, the logo is very accurate, which is great. Wheels don't turn or steer as on all resin modelcars so nothing wrong here. Wheels are an essential part of a modelcar, you can't go wrong on them DNA defenitly did a great job on them.
Let's move over to the rear of this model. The rear is like the side and front an exact copy of the real car. Featuring the green-blue ish looking rear lights, grey exhaust, Saab and Aero-X logo and lettering. The rear grills aren't meshed just as on the front. The axhaust doesn't go very deep and stops with a little black piece. The logo and the Aero-X lettering are both metal etched. There is some glue behind the lights but is barely seen by human eye, so no problem there at all.
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Before moving on to the best part of this car, the interior I like to show you the underside of this model. It has the Chassis number on it, I always like to see what mine is so I can see if I have one of the first or last in this case one of the first, number 030. The rest of the undeside is just black except for the exhaust muffler. I would've liked to see the rest of the exhaust pipe grey. But who looks at the underside? Well, no one. The underside is made out of plastic which probably explains why the model is so light. Here we can also see some detail on the tires, well done.
Let's move over to the interior. Since this model is resin it's hard to get good pictures of it. The interior is behind plastic windows, since they are very thin the top window isn't the right shape anymore, you can't say DNA did it wrong it's because they use this material. Tip, use a bit thicker material for the windows next time. There is some glue residue on the top of the windows but barely seen by human eye.
THE BEST part of this modelcar, the interior it is beautiful! It looks exactly like the real one. They used clear plastic pieces to replicate the real middle console. All buttons are replicated steering perfectly replicated. seats have the same colour. (I had to use some extra light to get the interior right on camera that's why the colours are diffrent on the second picture) There is nothing wrong about the interior this is DNA's strong point!
Right, conclusion. This model has a great paintjob nice metallic sparkle. It is pretty light but as already told it's nothing bad to me. They have a great acrylic base plate which is meant to put your model on when displaying. Tip, maybe add an option to put a case around it later would be great. ;) Proportions are exactly right, the model doesn't have metal etched grills but ok. It does have metal etched logo's and metal etched brakes. LIght's are great both front and back. Wheels are perfect. Exhaust doesn't go very deep, and on the underside there isn't much detail, but who looks under there? Well, almost no one. Interior is great defenitly the best part of this car and makes up for no mesh and some paint residue in my opinion. So is this car worth it, defenitly! Yes, it's not perfect but even more expensive Autoart models aren't. It's a great add to Saab collectors and people who are interested in these kind of cars. CHeck out their site to buy this model and other modelcars from DNA.
Rating 8.5/10
A hugh thanks to the DNA team for giving me the ability to review on of their models, I fell in love with this new Swiss brand.
If you want to buy this model use code Diecastcars10 on their website for 10% discount
Thank you for reading this review, hope to see you back for another one.
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Cheers!
If you want to buy this model use code Diecastcars10 on their website for 10% discount
Thank you for reading this review, hope to see you back for another one.
Don't forget to follow me on instagram
www.instagram.com/diecast._cars/
Cheers!