New models from Slot.It have a way of generating interest among enthusiasts that few other companies can emulate. We know the mechanical parts are high quality and well proven, and we know that previous cars have been nicely detailed, high performance models. So expectations are high for this latest model, the McLaren F1 GTR.

The McLaren F1 GTR is the evolution model of the famous Le Mans winning McLaren F1. The GTR was developed, with its distinctive long tail for enhanced aerodynamics, to meet the challenge of cars like the Porsche GT1 98 and Mercedes CLK LM.

Race liveries are promised, but this first release is modelled on a race spec car converted for road use, seen at the 2006 Goodwood Festival of Speed.

Although the colour may not appeal to everyone, it's a very nice-looking model. The overall shape looks accurate and the whole car look crisp and sharp. The short, steeply-raked nose has numerous vents and intakes, all of which are accurately represented. Detailing is just as thorough on the rest of the car - crisp panel lines, more vents (including four tiny holes in each side window), twin fuel fillers and quadruple exhausts to name a few, along with a rubberised aerial and mirrors with proper reflective surfaces. Most of the detail is very sharp, but the front edge of the roof vent on my car is a little rough. 

The paint finish is good overall, I think the car looks good in its coat of Papaya orange. But it's not perfect - my car has a blob of over-spray on one rear corner, and a couple of the small vents are partly clogged with paint. The colour isn't quite consistent at the rear of the car either.

Personally I'm not too concerned by what I see as a couple of very minor flaws, but it's probably worth taking a close look if you're thinking of buying one.

The chassis set-up is familiar and follows the usual Slot.it pattern. Each model has a unique chassis which carries a HRS motor-mount, in this case the offset inline mount. By changing the motor mount you can choose between inline, sidewinder and angle-winder motor configurations. To use the angle-winder option you need to remove two small pieces from the chassis (they clip into place so you can replace them if you revert to inline or sidewinder). 

The motor is the new V12/3 rated at 21,500 rpm, gears are the usual Slot.It precision items (9:26 ratio) along with hardened axles. The rear wheels are alloy, the fronts are push-on plastic items. The rear wheels and crown gear are all secured with grub screws, so you will need an allen key (not supplied) to remove or adjust them.

Ok, so it looks nice and it's got all the right parts, but what's it like on the track? 

The answer is that it's everything we've come to expect - fast, quiet and smooth. The new motor has plenty of punch, acceleration and braking are almost instant, and it doesn't seem to lose out on the straights compared to earlier cars with the 25k V12/2.

Handling is predictable - the McLaren has plenty of grip but if you push too hard the tail will let go. But it slides without drama and even a ham-fisted driver like me can catch and control it most of the time.

So far I've mainly run this car on my routed track. It's a bit too powerful for my small figure of eight Scalextric Sport test track, motor power easily overcoming the (fairly strong) magnet.

So the McLaren is quick, but we would more or less take that for granted. But how does it stack up against the opposition?

I ran the F1 against three of my quickest cars - the Ninco Mosler, Slot.It Porsche 956 and Nissan R390. The Mosler has a chassis brace, motor glued in etc, the Nissan and Porsche are box-stock except for Slot.It P3 tyres. The Nissan also has the offset motor mount and is the current lap-record holder. The McLaren also got a set of P3s. Tyres were trued and cleaned regularly.

Each car ran about 150 laps - roughly 50-60 un-timed practice laps, and three sets of 30 timed laps. Best laps were-

Mosler - 9.76sec

Porsche - 9.61sec

McLaren - 9.16sec

Nissan - 9.12sec

So it's not quite the runaway leader, but the F1 certainly seems to have potential! 

It would be difficult to dislike this car. Aside from a couple of minor paint flaws it's a very, very good car. It looks great - well modelled and detailed, but not overdone. The HRS motor mount system gives a lot of flexibility and allows you to set the car up as you want it. And it seems like it's going to be almost instantly competitive too.

Hard to resist!

PS: The first of the race-liveried cars will be the Fina livery, due in July. If you can wait that long....

Bigger pics in the Gallery