HW Speed Graphics | Volkswagen Käfer Racer

02.02.2018 – Volkswagen is an iconic automotive brand that was spun off from an idea by a Nazi wanting a “People’s Car” that eventually would change its country origin and the world giving us the Volkswagen Beetle or originally known as the Volkswagen Type 1, which would continue to evolve throughout the years. There would inspire and cultivate a huge following from those who owned a beetle to those who would collect their miniature versions from toy brands. The Beetle would become part of popular culture and with that some toy brands would adopt the iconic image of the vehicle in miniature or most known in diecast form. Hot Wheels is one such brand under Mattel and they would introduce the VW Kafer Racer!

The Volkswagen Käfer Racer is an original Hot Wheels design based from the VW Beetle license design by Mark Jones and it is rare for the design team to create a car based on a real life car. The VW Käfer Racer would probably the first for the Hot Wheels design team to ever make it as their design concept.

But working out in creating the Kafer Racer they need Volkswagen’s approval for such thing to avoid ‘messing up’ what is based from a real car. There were a lot of design cues and inspiration went into the design namely the base model of the VW Beetle is from “Custom Beetle” casting that Jones would alter adding some parts to the underside and the back. Just as mentioned the design takes inspiration from existing real world cars like the Porsche 935/1978-1981 “Moby Dick race car driven by Gianpiero Moretti in the IMSA GT Series in the early 1980s.

It is also inspired from the VW Beetle Supers Saloon and other VW racing in the Fun Cup, added that Mark Jones thought process for his objective was “to find the ultimate crazy racing VW,” which would eventually become the Volkswagen Käfer Racer as the word “Käfer” is translated “Beetle” in German.

The Käfer Racer would be released as part of the 2017 Hot Wheels mainline under the HW Speed Graphics subline using a MOMO sponsored livery like its design inspiration for the above mention Porsche 935. It first was released in red with the black version as its secondary colour and a possible release a new sponsor livery for 2018. So far the casting stood out as one of the must have VWs to acquire if you’re into diecast collecting.

Personally, acquired this prior to going back to Adelaide, which was challenging to track down due to its growing popularity with its unique design along with the ‘New 2017” release red version. The black version is entirely the opposite colour combo of the red version having red tinted windows and red plastic base while sporting grey interiors for the seats and exhaust. The standout yellow accents can’t be dismissed with the MOMO brand striping that also includes the set of wheels.

Overall I like the colour combinations with shiny black paint as oppose to the red version from its initial release. The photoshoot at TAFE Regency parking lot on a fine weather in the afternoon with blue skies as the sun shines on the casting certainly make it more attractive than ever before. Rest assured Hot Wheels will make more of this casting racing inspired liveries that is a must have!