Hot Wheels 2016 Batch H, brought to you by blue...

Both are dark blue. Both are fast. Both have grey wheels. Both debut in Batch H of the 2016 HW Mainline. But that's where the similarities end...not that that's a problem. It's rare for both of the licensed models of any batch to sport colour schemes this similar or both be as perfect as these -  but here we are, the 2017 Acura (Honda) NSX and the Ford Shelby Mustang GT350R.

Let's start with the NSX. In 2012, and in 2013 via Hot Wheels, the world was treated to this:

That is of course the 2012 Acura NSX Concept, a preview of a potential future successor to Honda's legendary 1990s supercar. Three years on from its HW debut we have the beautiful Ryu Asada designed production model in dark blue with grey Y5 wheels, and it is a stunner, especially when sat aside its matching Then & Now counterpart, Asada's 1990 NSX which debuted in 2015 and the 2015 version of the Concept (above). Front and back tampos just add a cherry to the cake.

From concept to reality...

Then & Now...

Evolution:

If you've got down this far, let's talk about that Mustang:

It's the second of four Ford Performance new models that Hot Wheels will churn out in the mainline this year, the first being the '17 F-150 Raptor and we'll soon see the Focus RS and GT join them, likely also in signature Ford blue.

The casting is proportionally sound and looks every bit as awesome as the real thing, described as 'as hardcore a production car you'll find these days' by Speedhunters (it's a shame it won't reach UK shores), so it's a model that I'll happily add to the collection, and once all four have been released I'll be sure to photograph them here...

What a pair...

The changing face of the Hot Wheels Aston Martin V8 Vantage...

Mild to Wild. Not a bad idea for a subset, and it is a segment of the 2016 HW Mainline. This is the first car I've bought from it, though frankly any segment that heralded the return of this casting would garner at least a little attention from me (unlike it's counterpart in the segment, which will NOT be making an appearance). But all isn't the same with this release, as after over 10 years active the casting has been subtly redesigned and modified for this year's (and subsequent) releases.

The original casting wasn't perfect - take a look at it from a side angle for example:

The wheels just don't sit flush in the arches, and whilst the casting looks fine from most other angles when you view it up close like this it shows and detracts from the model. The casting wasn't exactly crying out for modification - I along with many other collectors hope the GT3 will get a huge overhaul - but HW has done it, by removing the source of the problem. The plastic grille piece. I'll say now that the model above is the most recent (2014 Exotics 5 Pack) and my favourite release of the V8 Vantage, as the paint colour is so underused especially on exotic cars, the deco is subtle and it sits on the best wheels for any modern Aston - 10 spokes. It's fitting then, that it will be the final version of the original. Plus, a chrome base meant a chrome grille, as it was all one piece. Until now.

Now the grille is part of the metal body, and the whole car looks better for it to be honest, as the wheels now sit perfectly:

So now every future version of the Vantage (of which I'm sure there'll be many) will be great to photograph from every angle. Now all we have to do is wait for it's 'Wild' little brother to fall into line...