A range of fully loaded action vehicle toys are screeching to retail this summer. ToyNews takes a look at some of the coolest R/C and die-cast products to command land, water and air.
Mattel - 01628 500 000
Mattel unveils a portfolio of new products for 2013 with lines from Hot Wheels, Matchbox, Disney Planes and Disney Cars.
With the number one brand spot in the Vehicles Super and Mini Vehicles categories, Hot Wheels launches a new website for boys to ‘Take the Challenge’ and race, jump or build like Team Hot Wheels to win prizes.
A new Hot Wheels R/C range includes the Stunt Chargers Cars and Motorcycles Assortment. These vehicles race at high speeds, rebound against walls and keep on going.
There’s also the Hot Wheels Monster Jam die-cast assortment and the Basic Die-cast Cars range, with 72 to collect.
Matchbox celebrates its 60th Anniversary this year with a collection of 24 Classic die-cast vehicles, each of which comes with a matchbox-sized box.
With popular classics including a Double Decker Bus, Vintage Tractor, Austin FX4 London Taxi and 64 Austin Mini Cooper, the Anniversary range is supported by an extensive brand campaign. The Die-cast Assortment features 110 cars to collect.
Mattel celebrates the release of Disney Planes in August with a die-cast range of 15 characters from the film to collect. Kids can roll the wheels and spin propellers. Disney Cars continues its Character Cars Die-Cast single packs.
Bladez Toyz - 02392 658 255
With an innovative range of licensed radio controlled inflatable toys, Bladez’ flagship product in the range is its R2-D2 from Star Wars.
Bladez says its line has seen significant growth with the additions of the Volkswagen Campervan, Universal Despicable Me 2 Minions, Star Wars droid R5-D4 and a new life-size R2-D2.
It also showcased a line of new licensed properties and fresh developments at AIS and Toymaster this year.
Meanwhile, Bladez’ radio controlled helicopter range covers entry-level products starting at £15 right up to hobby grade professional spy camera airplanes and helicopters, too.
The latest range of Interactive Gameplay 3 Channel Gyro helicopters feature choppers with transport winches, missile launchers, water sprays and bubble display functions.
Nikko - Peterkin 0116 254 3645
TV-advertised stunt vehicles continue to be at the forefront of Nikko’s brand development, and the SlammR is its key line for this year.
With two motors and four-wheel drive, Nikko states the SlammR is a virtually indestructible stunt vehicle.
The three-way pivot action allows the vehicle to spin through 360 degrees and attempt to clear almost any obstacle in its path.
With a one-hour Quick Charger, the SlammR is one of the first to use the fastest six volt charger in toy grade radio control.
The N-Blaster is a TV-advertised mobile missile launcher that enables the user to pinpoint a target with a laser and fire missiles from its in-built launcher.
The N-Blaster is equipped with three motors, 360-degree pivot action and the Quick Charger. The Nikko products are distributed in the UK by Peterkin.
Flying Toys - 01702 295 110
Alongside its popular AR Drone 2.0, Flying Toys is introducing 20 new exciting products from Silverlit and has branched into the land-based vehicle market for 2013.
The Gyro Zee buggy can be driven on two or four wheels and features four chunky off road tyres, combined with twin axis internal gyros and a weight shifting facility that adds acrobatic abilities.
The Power in Speed collection also includes the Hover Racer hovercraft, designed for land and water, while the Gyro Buzz mini motorcycle can perform big wheelies and somersaults.
Further innovations from Silverlit include the Space Nova indoor flying saucer and the Space Comet quadrocopter, that performs flips.
Flying Toys is also stocking the Porsche 911 Carrera and Mercedes-Benz supercars.
Revell - 01442 890 285
The Revellutions R/C cars are aimed at eight to 12 year olds and can reach speeds of up to 30km per hour.
Each has a stable chassis and shock absorbers, while all electronics are dust and splash proof, enhancing each model’s potential for action.
New dynamic 1:14 scale models feature this summer with the Zulu Warrior and American Spirit, and the Camaro Ranger and Metal Blaster monster trucks.
The UK launch of Revellutions will be supported by TV advertising around the peak season. These commercials will be targeting the core demographic with a burst of 700+ TVRs.
The XS-series Micro Helicopters feature LED searchlights and a gyro for stable flying. A glow-in-the-dark cabin is the special feature of the Glowee, while the Cager IR chopper is protected by a ball-shaped mesh cage.
GatorSkater is a replica of the well-known Swamp Boat used in the Florida Everglades, while the Quadrocopter Multiquad is capable of looping. It has several add-ons, plus a flight simulator that allows consumers to practice particular manoeuvres on their computer at home.
Hasbro - 020 8569 1234
This summer Hasbro presents the new Transformers Prime range based on the Beast Hunters story, including new Predacon characters as well as new designs for the classic heroes.
Optimus Prime converts from a battle-wagon with a five-barrel projectile cannon into Beast Hunters Optimus Prime, with a revolving Dragon Head cannon, sword and shield.
Iron Man arrives on his repulsor-charged battle armoured vehicle from the Iron Man 3 movie. Priced at £19.99, it converts into power-enhanced exo-armour.
The motorised Battle Charger Vehicles, priced at £9.99, can race and flip automatically from vehicle to robot mode of Iron Man or War Machine.
Hasbro’s Spider-Man line includes the Power Webs Racers Vehicles, with flex and race action, Spider Man Zoom n Go available in Spider Cycle and Four-Wheeler varieties with pull-back mechanisms, and the Power Webs Spider Cycle that launches from its stunt ramp.
Finally, Hasbro launches its Star Wars vehicle collection at a new lower price of £19.99, which includes the Republic Fighter Tank, Jango Fett’s Slave 1 and Obi Wan Kenobi’s Jedi Starfighter.
Flair - 020 8643 0320
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles crank up the action in 2013 as Flair introduces the new Remote Controlled Shell Raiser.
Super-fast and easy to manoeuvre, the Shell Raiser comes armed with a missile launcher, primed and activated from the launch switch on the remote control.
Once prepped for battle, the cannon fires sewer discs at the Turtles’ most notorious enemies.
The Shell Raiser is compatible with all the action figures in the series so the brotherhood can join together in their action-packed ninja battle.
The Shell raiser is priced at £59.99.
Marbel - 0845 6000 286
Brio brings its classic rail world back to life with a collection of die-cast steam railway products it says are ideal for any pre-schooler.
The Steam Engine, retailing at £7.99, is a six-wheeled old fashioned classic train. With magnetic couplings on the front and back it can pull or push its line of coaches on the track.
Pre-school play heats up with the new Dynamite Tunnel, featuring an interactive mechanism, allowing kids to blast away the sides of a mountain to reveal a tunnel perfect for laying track through.
The Dynamite Tunnel includes a Load Wagon and retails at £24.99.
BanBao - 020 8731 6050
Mean Machines is the latest line from BanBao with a collection of eight pull-back motor super-vehicles.
Invincibility is crafted with sleek looks and a special yellow spoiler, enabling it to race with control at high speeds.
Meanwhile, Rodeo is built to take on all obstacles with powerful springs that allow the vehicle to command hills and holes alike.
Each car kit retails at £4.99 and includes 100 per cent ABS plastic building bricks, rubber wheels, a ToBee driver and a pull-back motor.
IMC Toys - 01904 720 908
IMC Toys offers a range of licensed and non-licensed lines for all ages.
Leading the licensed collection is the new Jake and the Never Land Pirates R/C Skateboard. Based on the Disney Junior TV show, Jake can be moved forward, left, right, in reverse or he can be removed completely to use as a separate toy.
Joining the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse vehicle in 2013 is the Minnie Mouse Bow-tique pre-school R/C Car. Both feature a chunky control unit with reverse and forward actions, while the Minnie R/C Scooter and Mickey R/C Quad each come with removable, articulated characters.
Completing the licensed collection are the Toy Story R/C Car and the Toy Story R/C Spaceship, featuring Woody and Buzz.
Finally, the Turbosnake is a vehicle with a flexible aerodynamic body that tackles bends and corners like a real snake, with eyes that glow when switched on.
Wow Toys - 020 7471 0980
With bright colours and mechanical motors, Wow Toys offers several action vehicles appealing to toddlers.
Designed to work together or alone, these toys can be mixed and matched so all Wow’s figures can be used with any toy.
Police Chase Charlie leads an extensive range as a friction-powered police car that comes with its own police figure and dog.
Mix ‘n’ Fix Mike is a cement truck with revolving mixer that, with its friction motor, rotates an inner cement drum complete with mixing sounds.
And finally, Dudley Dump Truck, an eight-piece set and Dexter the Digger, complete the construction action vehicles range.
Asobi - 01628 200 077
Asobi’s Didicar is a unique self-propelled ride-on, without batteries or motors, that is always ready to provide kids with fun and exercise. It is also new to the UK this year.
Manufacturing toys in the US for 95 years, Radio Flyer is increasing its UK and Ireland presence with its collection of trikes, bikes, scooters, ride-ons and horses as well as its original red wagon.
Asobi is distributing Radio Flyer’s products to the UK market, and states that the company is developing tomorrow’s toys while ensuring they still maintain the brand’s classic quality and trademark tradition.
Golden Bear - 01952 608 308
The RC Wolf Rally Car is at the top of Golden Bear’s Go Mini range and features a series of lights and sounds that are activated by the steering wheel remote handset.
The Wolf can also perform an array of skids and spins.
The Go Mini brand boasts a full TV advertising and marketing campaign, along with interactive activities to further engage the core market and offer additional support for retailers.
Golden Bear believes that Go Mini and the remote control market have a natural synergy that will make this collection an ideal choice this summer.
Tomy - 0208 7227 300
Leading Tomy’s Agriculture division is the JCB 550-80 Loadall. With an extending arm, rear wheel steering and a bucket, pallet forks and bale grab, this versatile model targets young farm fans.
A partnership with NC Engineering offers the Ferry and Field Slurry Tankers in July, while the John Deere 6R range features the 6125R and 6150R models with the new JD styling.
And the Monster Treads John Deere RC Tractor is a new addition with self-correcting move and flip action, pneumatic tyres and 360-degree stunt abilities.
This autumn, Tomy launches the TV-advertised play-set Rescue at Rocky Ridge. The Chug Patrol Chief Jackman features high performance engines to speed around the Chuggington StackTrack, as does the R/C toys Koko
and Wilson.
Finally, the Pokémon Pikachu figure is one new addition to Tomy’s master toy licensed Pokémon collection. Using the handheld Poké Ball infrared remote control, fans can send their Pokémon into battle.
Also Available
Jakks drives Flywheels into 2013 with a PR campaign for the turbo toys that reach speeds of up to 200-scale-mph, as well as the Power Trains toys (pictured); Nkok Inc’s range of remote control vehicles, die-casts and action vehicles feature classic Sega characters Sonic, Tails and Knuckles; Playmobil’s cargo range is back this summer with remote control vehicles covering land, sea and air including cargo ships and planes; Moose Toys presents new additions to its Micro Chargers range with 16 new cars and two new tracks; Smiffy’s Time4Fun brand offers a crime-fighting range with the Peace Keepers Tanks and Jeeps suitable indoors and out; the iHOG from Terox Toys is a flying warthog controlled via smartphone; Spin Master introduces its Air Hogs Sky Stunt Plane along with its new AtmoSphere product, which was named best toy by Popular Science at New York Toy Fair; The RC Micro Drone from BunkerBound is a semi-autonomous flying gadget designed for agile moves and stunts.
