Hot Wheels Elite Revs up Two New Models

Hot Wheels has sent over some details about two additions to the popular Elite range. This high end line-up faithfully reproduces in 1:18 and 1:43 scale the most famous and appreciated cars, each year adding new models.

Coming soon is the Ferrari 458 Spider available in 1/18 and 1/43 scales and in three differnet colours, the replica is limited to no more than 10,000 pieces. The spectacular Ferrari 458 Spider was officially revealed in Maranello in early September, but made its public debut at the 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show. With its high standard of build quality along with exceptional performance, it is the first-ever mid-engine supercar with a fully retractable hardtop. The rear wheel drive 570-horsepower runs the same highly-strung 4.5-liter V8 engine of 458 Italia.

Available now is the Ferrari 250 GT Berlinetta passo corto 'SWB' in 1/18 scale. One of the most important GT cars of its time, the motor was first unveiled at the 1959 Paris Salon. The designation 'SWB' indicated the short wheelbase chassis designed for better handling compared to the former long wheelbase version. The car was available in competition specification with an aluminum body, lightweight interior trim and with the engine in a higher state of tune. Ferrari's dominance in GT-racing was complete in 1961, 'SWB' enjoyed a string of success on the track all over the world.

This car is one of the most famous of the 74 alloy-bodied SWBs built in the Ferrari factory. It was driven to third overall and first in GT category at the 1961 24 Hours of Le Mans by Pierre Noblet and Jean Guichet.

More details about these replicas and the other models in the Elite series can be found at the Hot Wheels website.