Mattel Brick Shop and Audi Collaborate on Two Legendary Models, But Assembly Is Required
Mattel has created a new way for Audi fans to celebrate two of the carmaker's most sought-after vehicles with a pair of models.
There are two vehicles that helped define Audi besides the iconic Quattro. The Avant RS2 and R8 LMS were demonstrations of what modern-day Audi engineers could create for the street and racetrack, respectively. Despite both being out of production for quite a while now, collectors and enthusiasts still clamor for this pair of era-defining vehicles of the late 1990s and early 2010s. Satisfyingly, Mattel Brick Shop has collaborated with Audi to bring these cars to the masses with a 1:32-scale Avant RS2 and 1:16-scale R8 LMS race car. Assembly is required, adding to the fun.
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The Avant RS2 was the first Audi vehicle to wear the RS—for Rennsport—name and was built between 1994–96. In that short time, the company made only 2,891 examples, none of which were sold in the U.S. What made the Avant RS2 special? It was a collaboration with Porsche, the latter taking the 80 Avant Quattro and breathing new life into it with a six-speed gearbox, 17-inch wheels, a new front bumper, Porsche 993 mirrors, brakes from the Porsche 928, and stiffer suspension. Those weren’t the only parts that made the Avant RS2 special. Sitting under the hood was a Porsche-tuned version of the Audi S2 2.2-liter turbocharged I-5 that added a larger turbocharger, improved airbox, better intake and exhaust manifolds, and a new ECU calibration to match the new engine parts. What resulted was one of the most impressive sounding engines Audi produced and which spat out 315 hp and 302 lb-ft of torque like there was nothing to it. From there, the RS line of Audis has stood for high-performance street cars from the German marque.
The Mattel Brick Shop version of the Avant RS2 can be built to look as factory-stock as you want, but Mattel also includes a set of Toyo Proxes R888R tires, unique decals, and aerodisc-style wheels. Another unique feature for this model is that it’s the first 1:32-scale Brick Shop model to offer opening front and rear windshields. It also has four opening doors, and you can remove the roof for interior access.
The Audi R8 LMS boasts a very different story. While the R8 had been in production, the LMS was produced during its second generation and stood to be a testament of Audi's racing heritage. The Audi Sport team was already well known to 24 Hours of Le Mans fans thanks to its efforts in the LMP1 prototype class with its diesel-powered R10 TDI and V-12 engine. While that race car was eventually replaced by the R15, it was around this time that there was interest in building a GT3-spec car out of the R8 road machine. Arriving in 2009, the Audi R8 LMS was delivered to Audi Sport Italia, while the Abt Sportsline and Phoenix race teams operated four of them in the 24 Hours of the Nürburgring. The one we see recreated by the Mattel Brick Shop is from the 2015–24 era and one that many race teams continue to race to the present day, showing just how well-engineered the R8 LMS was from the start. This version of the R8 LMS also has multiple FIA GT3-based championships to its credit, and while its outings in the 2009 24 Hours of the Nürburgring weren’t notably successful, the R8 LMS eventually claimed seven overall wins at the historic German endurance race.
This Brick Shop version of the R8 LMS is made in 1:16-scale, much larger than the Avant RS2, but also features an easily removable roof so you can touch the functional steering wheel and move the front tires. It also offers a removable engine cover so you can see the scaled version of the V-10 powerplant. You’ll be able to personalize your Brick Shop R8 LMS with unique decals, different splitters, spoilers, and a different set of metal wheel covers. Both the Brick Shop R8 LMS and Avant RS2 models will come with a Hot Wheels signature metal plate and will be available to buy on October 4th. You can also get an up-close look at the models during the final stop of the Hot Wheels Legends Tour in El Segundo, California, on the same day as the release. The Brick Shop 1:16 Audi R8 LMS is priced at $49.99, while the 1:32 Avant RS2 retails for $19.99.
Having experience in many forms of the automotive industry, Justin Banner has done more than just write about cars. For more than 15 years, he's had experience working as an automotive service technician—including a stint as a Virginia State Inspector—service advisor, parts sales, and aftermarket parts technical advisor (a fancy way of saying he helped you on the phone when you had trouble fitting your brakes over your aftermarket wheels and the like). Prior to his tenure as a full-time editor, Justin worked as a freelance writer and photographer for various publications and as an automotive content creator on YouTube. He’s also covered multiple forms of motorsports ranging from Formula Drift, drag racing, and time attack, to NASCAR, short course off-roading, and open desert racing. He's best known for breaking down complex technical concepts so a layperson can more easily understand why technologies, repairs, and parts should matter to them. At MotorTrend, Justin is part of the news team covering breaking news and topics while also working as a judge for MotorTrend Of the Year events and other major comparison tests.
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