Transformers: Binaltech BT-02 Lambor (Sideswipe)

       

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Made By:
Takara
Scale:
1/24
MSRP:
¥4980
Overview:
Packaging (Design):9/10
Packaging (Durability):10/10
Casting (Body):8/10
Casting (Interior):8/10
Casting (Chassis):N/A
Casting (Engine):7/10
Paint (Exterior):9/10
Paint (Interior):N/A
Paint (Trim/Graphics):9/10
Overall Panel Fit:7/10
Total Score:8.4/10

 
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Binaltech Lambor
Binaltech Lambor packaging Binaltech Lambor engine Binaltech Lambor interior Binaltech Lambor side detail Binaltech Lambor door detail Binaltech Lambor rear

 
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NOTE: Since this site is generally vehicle-oriented, this review will focus on that mode.

 

Background

The Dodge Viper mold was originally intended to be an update to Tracks after the initial licensing agreement with Chevrolet for a Corvette alt mode fell through. A deal was eventually sorted out for what would be come BT-06, and the Viper was slightly retooled into what became Binaltech Lambor/Alternators Sideswipe.

 

Packaging

The box is the same size and shape as what we saw with Smokescreen, with the smae brushed metal background. The character art and text have all been updated, and the "BT-02" graphics now have a red background to match the figure's primary color. Dodge licensing callouts relaced those from Subaru. The inner folded tray is an all-new piece to properly hold the roadster, though with the same single twist tie holding it together.

 

Casting/Paint

As with all of the Binaltech figures, a good deal of Lambor's body is diecast metal. The metal has some surprisingly fine work, from the open hood scoop to the raised side scripts to the sharply outlined door handles. The rear third of the car is a single plastic piece, but is painted like the rest of the car so there is no color shift. The mirrors are also painted plastic, with chrome "glass" on the backs of each. Chromed plastic is also used for the wheels and light buckets, the tires are soft vinyl with "Cybertronial Radial" lettering, red transparent plastic is used for the taillights, and clear plastic is used for the windshield, headlights, driving lights, and rear corner markers. Break lines are still mostly good, but not perfect: three vertical seams break up the front fascia, and there's an extra break line on each rocker. They're a bit more obvious here than they were on Smokescreen thanks to the bright red paint, but it's still a pretty good looking vehicle mode.

Along with a clean gloss red base, Takara has done an admirable job with the smaller paint applications. There's a white Viper badge centered on the nose, silver Viper scripts on each side, and a silver Dodge/Viper SRT-10 on the rear bumper. The hood vents have been picked out with black lining so they visually match the open scoop. Black is also used for the windshield surround, convertible top boot, sidepipe bezels, and the outline around the third brake light. The rear license plate is white with black "SIDE SWP" text and a red Autobot insignia. A large Autobot insignia is centered on the top boot, and is the only real giveaway that this is more than the typical diecast car when it's in the box.

The engine is a chrome plated representation of the Viper's famous V10, with surprisingly decent detailing for the valve covers and intake. The robot mode feet make a passable radiator shroud, and the underside of the hood is detailed with the Viper badge and fully painted padding. The interior is excellent, with fully detailed and textured bucket seats, a detailed and painted dashboard, and a center console complete with separate shift and brake levers. The speakers and vents are further highlighted with paint to give a little extra depth.

 

Features/Accessories

As a car, the hood and both doors open, and while the hood doesn't open very far the doors properly tuck inside the front fenders. Transformation to robot mode is one of the easiest of the Binaltech figures, though you still need to be careful to not scratch the paint - especially around where the front fenders and hood meet. Once in robot mode, Lambor moves at the neck, shoulders, elbows, hands, waist, hips, knees, and feet.

 

Accuracy

When this figure first hit stores, some fraudsters would swap out a 1/24 scale Maisto Dodge Viper diecast and return that to stores. The deception was good enough to fool not just employees, but collectors who didn't notice the lack of an Autobot sigil. All that is a long was of saying that this is a very, very good replica of the second-gen Viper. The only thing that doesn't look quite right (and isn't a necessary concession to transformation) is that the rear wheels stick out past the fenders by 1-2mm.

 

Overall

Sideswipe is such an iconic character that he was all but guaranteed a spot in the Alternators/Binaltech series. The official robot mode doesn't quite evoke the original character design like some others, but the Dodge Viper is a smart update to his classic Lamborghini Countach and the robot can be fixed with just a little custom work.

 

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