AutoArt 1:18 2006 BMW 320i Si WTCC Team Germany #43 D. Muller

Historically, Touring Cars has been BMW's most successful racing category. The 320si was no exception. After winning the 2004 European Touring Car Championship, Andy Priaulx took first place as the FIA World Touring Car Champion the following year and, with Dirk Müller's Team Deutschland second place finish, gave the manufacturer's title to BMW.

This hot little sedan was perfect for street-based circuits. With sufficient but hardly overwhelming horsepower from its 2 liter hand built 4 cylinder from the Coventry engine plant, it was the front engined rear wheel drive configuration that made this car virtually unstoppable, despite weight penalties imposed to try to level the playing field. To comply with FIA homologation rules, 2600 320si street models were built for the 2006 model year.

AUTOart has released a stunning model of this race car in 1/18th scale. It features the usual quality of design and build with a fit and finish that belies its midrange pricepoint. The quality of this model is manifested in features like full crystal clear glazing, realistic scuffed tires mounted on delicate 14-spoked BBS wheels and phenomenally realistic front and rear light groups. The Germanic red, yellow and black livery as well as the sponsor logos are crisp bright and on register and really make this stark white model pop. AUTOart have always been a master of using low cost materials to simulate more exotic and expensive materials. This quality is evident in components ranging from the carbon fiber valve covers that are the signature of that race variant engine to the simulated aluminum panels that support the interior of the front door panels. Panel hardware provides positive operations with tight even shutlines. The articulated hood hinges with telescoping supports provide the same sinuous range of motion as the 1:1.

One thing that I always appreciate about AUTOart's racing models is that they are dedicated models and not reworked stock car models. When seats, carpeting and the like are deleted, the proper stamped metal patterns, drain plugs, welds and fasteners are all modeled which really gives the effect of a stripped down racer instead of a stripped down model.

Once again, the parts count seems to always be utilized where it has the greatest effect. While this model may not have the bells and whistles of working suspension and turning drive shaft, small separate castings like the cotter pin secured tiedowns and the cloisonné BMW badging really give a museum quality look to the model. In areas where visibility is rather difficult such as the interior, AUTOart uses a combination of paint detailing and textured plastic to simulate components like the 5-point restraint system and some dash hardware.

If you are a BMW aficionado, this model of a true champion is a must have. Although Andy Priaulx's championship model is also available from Aa, I chose the more Germanic looking of the two cars. It just seemed more fitting.

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