Brasil!!
I think I have mentioned it here before, but I consider myself part-Brazilian. I lived there for a couple of years, spending most of my time in the beautiful city of Curitiba, as well as Foz do Iguaçu, home of the waterfalls that put Niagara to complete shame.
I love my adopted country, and look forward to a return visit sometime soon. I have even assimilated into being a full-fledged fan of the Seleção, and will even root for them when they play the US. Watching them win their sixth championship in Rio in 2014 is going to be heaven.
Back to cars. I have spent a lot of time celebrating Mattel's welcome foray into JDM models, and will continue to do so. But there are other developments I am really happy about as well. In fact, for me these are the three best developments we have seen in the Hot Wheels line the last few years:
- More realism.
- More JDM.
- More models from outside the US and Europe.
Look at what we have seen lately. A lot of good international representation. Skylines, Genesis Coupes, Falcons, Opalas, Celicas, Brasilias, and on and on. I can't wait to see what else is on the slate for 2013.
Back to Brazil. Here is a model that is the epitome of why I have been so fond of Hot Wheels lately: A realistic rendering of a car not from the US, not from Eurpe, but Brazil. The SP2 is a VW, but it is purely Brazilian, just like the Brasilia and Opala. It was developed and made in Brazil, and let's be honest, its sexy curves make it fully Brazilian as well.
And here is something else I find interesting. It is a 2012/2013 multipack exclusive, but clearly a recolor of the 2010 New Models version in orange. Once again, cudos to the team for returning to that design, and creating another realistic version. This is one I am really happy to have.
Hot Wheels Volkswagen SP2 (2012/2013 multipack exclusive):
The twins:
The family:
With its cousin:
