Chevron Cars Trent Techron

       

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Made By:
Chevron
Scale:
N/A
MSRP:
US$8.99
Overview:
Packaging (Design):8/10
Packaging (Durability):8/10
Casting (Body):9/10
Casting (Interior):9/10
Casting (Chassis):8/10
Casting (Engine):N/A
Paint (Exterior):10/10
Paint (Interior):9/10
Paint (Trim/Graphics):10/10
Overall Panel Fit:10/10
Total Score:9.0/10

 
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Chevron Cars Trent Techron
Chevron Cars Trent Techron packaging Chevron Cars Trent Techron alternate expression Chevron Cars Trent Techron interior Chevron Cars Trent Techron doors open Chevron Cars Trent Techron wheel detail Chevron Cars Trent Techron rear

 
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Background

To celebrate the 25th anniversary of Techron in 2020, Chevron released the first new Car in more than ten years with Trent Techron. Styled to resemble a contemporary sports coupe, Trent has a special "Silver Anniversary" paint job and all-new package.

 

Packaging

This is, essentially, an updated version of the "fishbowl" package used for most of the Cars series. The folded cardboard base has been replaced by a black plastic tray supported by thick cardboard, with a paper wrap around the edge printed with a blue gradient background and the car name, Chevron logo, Cars logo, and "Chevron with Techron runs in the family for 25 years." Behind the base is a vertical panel printed on both sides. On the front is the inside of a showroom with classic and modern Chevron logos, a pop-art Cars picture, and "25th Anniversary of Techron" in chrome silver lettering. The back has a drawing of Trent on a round stage, with Casey Coupe, Woody Wagon, and Hank Hot Rod parked behind him. Over the image on the right side of the panel is a brief history of Techron and its ad campaign. These are all captured in a large clear plastic dome with a rigid cardboard panel glued to the bottom of it. The underside of the panel has a photo of the toy with callouts for his moving eyes, opening doors, and stylized wheels. Inside, Trent is held in place with two plastic twist-ties fed through the plastic and thick cardboard.

 

Casting/Paint

Trent is cast in the usual ABS, but like the Icon Car has been completely painted over. This time the finish is a bright metallic silver with a satin finish. The paint is smooth and even, with a consistent look even around corners and in vets and panel lines. A Herbie-inspired racing stripe in red and blue goes from grille to spoiler, with a red-trimmed roundel with a blue "25" just forward of center on the hood. The stripes are as well done as the base silver, with sharp edges and good opacity. Other paint apps include orange front markers, red taillights (including a subtle CHMSL just above the rear window), and the usual black mouth with white teeth. Trent has blue eyes with peach lids, black mirrors with chrome sticker inserts, and the usual Techron rear license plate.

Rare among Chevron Cars, Trent has a true two-tone interior: bright red for the seats, floor, and parcel shelf; black for the dashboard and center console. Further breaking from previous Cars, the seats are high-sided buckets with three-point belts and the center console has a sticker for the sat nav, reflecting the strides made in the automobile industry over the last quarter century. The chassis retained the traditional name and series logo plate, plus the outline of a V8 with dual exhaust system. The wheels have also been updated to modern sports car standards, with low profile tires wrapped around large silver 7-spoke wheels.

 

Features/Accessories

Trent has opening doors and moving eyes. The doors snap very firmly into place when closed, and care should be taken when opening them as the clips are made of clear plastic. The eyes are activated by pushing down on his front and rolling him forward to make his eyes move left and right.

 

Accuracy

Trent did get a commercial appearance of sorts: during the logo bumper for the "Part of the Plan" spot, he was the little car that drove out from behind the Chevron logo and across the screen to show the phrase "Together Ahead." That car is an excellent match for the toy, which is to be expected as the newer spots all use CGI rather than claymation - it allows for a model to be drawn up and used for both animation and manufacturing. The only difference is that the animated version lacks the stripes and hood number. The design is clearly inspired by Mercedes-Benz's SLS AMG, though with the usual caricature look making it shorter and wider than a true replica would be. He measures approximately 6" (155mm) long, 3¼" (85mm) wide, and 1¾" (45mm) tall.

 

Overall

It's nice to see a new face in the Cars lineup, and the celebration of Techron's 25th anniversary was a good time to make it happen. Unfortunately, frivolous things like this were lost in the whirlwind that was 2020/21...but if you'd like to add a fun little smiling car to your desktop, there are still plenty of Trents available on the secondary market.

 

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