Exterior Features, Quality:
The Porsche Cayenne. Deemed the most high-performance production SUV in the world, the Cayenne is still something of an oddity, especially when the automaker is a company which has made nothing but sports cars for the latter half of a century. The Turbo, the version represented here, has a twin-turbocharged 4.5-liter V-8, generating an astounding 444-hp. So, is the model as astonishing?
Well, yes and no, really. One look at the paint suggests that Maisto is doing something right. After all, it looks great, with even distribution and a rich finish. Still, body gaps are less than tight in some places, specifically the between the doors, and under the license plate. Front lights have amazing detail for the price, with no attachment stubs visible. The Porsche badge is a sticker, but it is well applied and looks fine.
The front air intakes are actually perforated which is a great new development for Maistos. The license plate decal is very well applied. The fog lights are separate pieces, but unfortunately, have visible mounting posts. Ditto for the turning signals. Still, it's nice to see Maisto turning away from using stickers. Maybe they read these reviews after all!
Wheels are very detailed, with separate visible lug nuts, and a superb Porsche crest. Also, there are brake discs and calipers which look very realistic, the red calipers signifying that this is a Turbo model. Still, the tires are not marked, which, for some reason, is becoming commonplace in Maistos, unfortunately.
The rear of the car presents some problems as well. For one, the rear lights, which weren't too detailed to begin with, are poorly attached to the body. The 'Cayenne Turbo' script on the tailgate is too faint a color to even read from a distance farther than a few inches. This is excusable because of the color, but one would think that Porsche would have darkened the script on the real cars. Lastly, the exhaust pipes (all four of them) are not hollow, making for a pretty poor rear end. So, the model looks quite nice, but when you get down to the specifics, it doesn't deliver so well.
18/25
Interior Features, Quality:
Get ready for this - the best interior on any Maisto - hands down. After looking around the exterior of the model, I wasnÕt expecting such detail. But there it is. Dark wood trim is simulated very well around the doors and near the transmission. This wood is far more realistic than that on the Autoart Maybach 57 or Kyosho BMW 745i. There is a wealth of detail on the doors, with actual window controls made out. The pedals are realistic, for once, with an accurate shape and scale. Little use of stickers (except for the gauges), and a very well replicated navigation system button interface round out some of the best points. The seats feel soft to the touch, as in all recent Maisto releases, but the floor is still without carpet covering. Overall, very nicely done.
24/25
Features
The Cayenne Turbo features an opening hood, front doors, and tailgate. The rear doors do not open, which is another huge disappointment. This is a very detailed engine by Maisto, with some simulated plumbing and wiring. It all looks very well done Ð this engine bay would look quite at home in an Autoart or UT. Front doors use the new Maisto hinges (here, they're practically invisible) which is always good. The rear tailgate opens up to reveal a large cargo area (maybe for hauling the diecast? I hope so!) which looks fairly realistic but is still hard plastic.
21/25
Value:
This model is an exclusive Porsche dealer release in Prosecco Metallic. So far, this is the only Turbo model made. Maisto also makes a black S version, which is also an exclusive dealer release. However, there are plans to release the Cayenne in the usual Special Edition range, but the dealer versions will always command a premium. My model cost $37 (incl. shipping), which is more expensive than any of my Maistos, except the Vision SLR. Still, I think it's a good deal, as no one else makes the Cayenne in 1/18, it is a dealer version, and it's not a bad model at all.
23/25
Overall:
In fact, I think that it's a good model. I'm pleased to see Maisto bringing more detail into the Special Edition range, but it needs to more. The lack of stickers is a good start but better techniques of attaching the light pieces need to be used. Finally, I'd like to see carpet in the cabin and trunk. The Cayenne is a controversial vehicle, and I can suppose that those who don't like the real thing won't buy the diecast version. Still, this is a model that displays very well, and it is a replica of a car that I really respect, which makes up for any shortcomings it may have.
