08/10/2010
 Every now and then I’m guilty of looking at a slot car release only to dismiss it as being ‘just another repaint’. When I saw pre-release images of this Slot It Jaguar XJR ‘Silk Cut’ I recognized that I liked the color scheme but I dismissed it as just another XJR9 like the Castrol version Harry reviewed way back in 2006. When the car showed up from Fantasy World Hobbies I took one look and realized I was too quick to judge. This is NOT just another XJR9. This XJR12 might look similar but it is a different version. That said lets check out some of the differences.  The first thing that caught my attention, besides the pink and purple paint job, was the ‘Silk Cut’ sponsorship. The reason why this seemed odd to me is that Slot It also released a white and purple version of the XJR9 Silk Cut car where the name ‘Silk Cut’ was covered up at the factory with decals that the end user could remove once the car was purchased. I'm not sure what has changed since the release of the XJR9 1988 replicated version but for this new XJR12 there is no attempt to hide the sponsorship... I always thought the decals to be a little silly myself.  The next thing that drew my eye, looking at the image above, was the totally different nose of the car. A protruding front splitter, and revised nose venting was one of the first cosmetic differences I saw between this XJR12 and the previous XJR9 models. Looking even more closely more and more differences jumped out at me. If you refer back to the link above of Harry's review the older XJR9's had a very prominent intake opening on top of the engine cover just behind the driver’s compartment. This new XJR12 is without that large opening and instead has a smooth engine cover with a slight hump in the body work just in front of the rear wheels.   Here you get a closer look at the nose of the XJR12. Besides the new protruding splitter and nose venting there are some additional 'subtle' changes in hood body work, added louvers over each of the front wheels, the side view mirrors sit slightly farther back from the front wheels and... while dramatic its not, the roof mounted antenna on this version is longer than on my older XJR9 versions (insert the sound of sarcastic snickering).  Side body work of this version is different from the older cars as well. Again, not earth shattering changes by any means but I applaud the fact that Slot It took the time to totally redesign the cars rather than taking the easy way out of putting the 1990's model paint schemes on the older 1980's bodies.  Even the exhaust is different between the two versions. The XJR9 had exhaust tips that turned slightly down towards the racing surface where as the XJR12 exhaust tips come straight out of the back of the car. A word of caution here, as the model does come with an alternate wing that you can run in place of this painted one you need to be very careful while taking the painted wing off, and putting on the replacement, to avoid breaking off these tips as they are reasonably fragile.  The 90's versions I have seen, both this Silk Cut and the recently released 'Bud Light' cars, come fitted with the gold BBS-style mesh inserts and GoodYear Eagle white lettered tires. Yes even the back wheels have the same inserts although unless you remove the pull off fender skirting you're not going to see the inserts on the rear wheels.  Above... the car on track minus the side skirts. These are easy to remove, and just as easy to put back on and if I had a preference running the car with the skirts in place seems the more 'natural' body configuration... go figure. Below... both of the wings that come with the car; the pink wing on the assembled model and the black wing taped in a plastic bag to the bottom of the case. The model also comes with optional Slot It S2 tires, not pictured, for those wanting different grip for their track types and I personally run the S2's on most of the track's I race on.   Body now removed we get a look at the chassis of the XJR12. The Slot It orange endbell motor is still in an in-line configuration although below you will see that the chassis is built to allow the use of an optional, purchased separately, angle- winder motor pod. Below you can see the rear placement for the traction magnet, and tinned braids are the stock pick ups for this model instead of the copper braids that were standard with the slightly older cars.   For you speed demons a second Slot It magnet can be inserted in to the magnet pocket just in front of the motor or, if you prefer a little less traction from your magnet you can always move it forward from the factory location.  A brass pinion spins the yellow 28-tooth crown, the crown of course being set-screw as are the rear wheels.  Up front the wheels are press on and are assembled on a solid front axle that from the factory ride on top of axle 'blocks' that can be removed if you like a bit more 'float' to your front axle set up.   Tires sanded and back on the track there is really nothing bad you could say about 99.99% of Slot It cars and this one is no exception. Already having an idea of how this Jaguar would perform I wasn't so worried about lap times and instead found myself getting in to my normal rythm around my home track easily.  Hopefully all of them are like mine as the gearing is quiet and smooth and aside from some sanding needed for optimal traction the car was trouble free right out of the box. Not the fastest of the Slot It stable around my test track but I'll personally sacrifice some speed for a buttery smooth performing car. If you like the look and the drive of the previous Jaguar XJR9 models then this XJR12 is a no-brainer. The quality, the tune-ability and of course the price keep Slot It near or at the top of the 'value for the dollar' list. Thanks to Fantasy World Hobbies for providing the Slot It Jaguar XJR12 for review. Please stop by the HomeRacingWorld.com Message Board to talk about this and all other models of slot cars. Happy Slotting! Shawn Smith - SJSlots Shawn@HomeRacingWorld.com Thanks Go To Fantasy World Hobbies For Sponsoring This Review!
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