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MI6 reports from the 2008 UK Toy Fair and unveils
exclusive details on new James Bond model cars to
be released by Corgi, including "Quantum
of Solace"...
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New Corgi Cars 2008
3rd February 2008
MI6 attended the 2008 UK Toy Fair earlier this
week to witness the unveiling of a new line of James Bond products
by long-time
licensee Corgi. The company will continue its strong tradition
of producing highly collectible scale
model die-cast
vehicles, and has
expanded
its 007 line this year with exciting new items.
New
Corgi Action Figures
Above: The unique 1:18th scale
Aston Martin DB5 by Corgi
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Aston Martin DB5
Corgi unveiled a production model of an Aston Martin
DB5, first made famous in the 1964 James Bond film "Goldfinger".
The one-off model, which was hand made, was put on show to
gauge interest from the Toy Fair audience. Feedback was extremely
positive. If production goes ahead on the car, it will retail
for approximately £2,500 to £3,000 ($5,000 to $6,000
USD).
Above: The unique 1:18th scale
Aston Martin DB5 by Corgi
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"Quantum of Solace" Deluxe Vehicles
Corgi will be issuing a range of 1:18 "deluxe vehicles" based
on those featured in the 22nd James Bond film, "Quantum of
Solace". The Aston Martin DBS (pictured) will return from "Casino
Royale" and will include any updates made by Q-Branch for the
new adventure. The models will feature authentic engine & sounds
effects and light up headlights. A model based on a speed boat
used by 007 in the film is also planned. The models will ship
in September 2008 and retail for
£24.99 ($50).
Above: The Aston Martin DBS
will return from "Casino Royale"
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Classic Bond Radio Control Video Surveillance Vehicle
A 1:16th
scale Mobile Surveillance Vehicle will be launched later this
year, with "Quantum
of Solace" vehicle styling. The model will include a vehicle-mounted
video camera that transmits audio/video back to the controller
unit. The digital remote control provides precise handling, and
includes and audio earpiece for covert listening.
The car displayed at the show was a prototype (pictured below). The retail model
will be based on the Aston Martin DBS (as depicted in the stand
graphics).
Also expected to
launch in September 2008, the surveillance vehicle will retail
for £139.99 ($280).
Above: A prototype "surveillance
vehicle". The final product will be based on the DBS
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1:16th Scale Radio Controlled Aston Martin DBS
Corgi will also be issuing a radio controlled 1:16th scale Aston
Martin DBS from "Quantum of Solace". The model will come complete
with controller, charger and a battery which is claimed
to run for at least 30 minutes. For the first time in Bond
collecting history, the new 1:16th model car will also come
complete with a James
Bond action figure, from Corgi's new range.
Above: On display was the Jaguar
XKR from "Die Another Day" released in 2002
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Audio Auto's 1:36th Scale
Rounding out the Corgi line-up for 2008 will be a relaunch of
the popular 1:36th scale die-cast models -with a twist. These
meticulously detailed die-cast models will also play the theme
song associated with
the films.
Sure to
have Bond
fans
and die-cast
collectors shaken and stirred. The first wave of models will
include:
Above: A range of 1:36th scale
cars will play the famous Bond theme songs
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Licence Renewed
Back in August
2007, Corgi
International Limited announced that it entered into a Master
Toy & Collectible
Replica agreement with EON Productions. The agreement for the James Bond
classic movie archive runs through 2010 and includes the forthcoming
22nd James Bond movie due for release in 2008 and subsequent
movies released during the course of the term. This worldwide agreement
will allow Corgi International to release both mass market product
ranges as well as core collectibles on innovative product lines
that include, Action Figures, Vehicles, Electronic Roleplay,
Die Cast, High Specification Remote Control released under the
Popco brand and High end Replicas released under the world renowned
Master Replicas branding, amongst other items in varying scales
and formats.
Corgi International CEO Michael Cookson commented, "Corgi
has had a long association with the James Bond license, and as
a licensee for over 40 years on Die Cast, we truly believe that
we have reached an agreement where we can use our expertise in
both the mass and collectibles markets to release products to
a fan base that is both core and aspirational, something that
most people believe James Bond to be. Our product range will
commence before the movie release in 2008 with classic movie
product and replicas and continue with some strong and innovative
mass market lines, and we are proud to continue our association
with such a franchise."
Keith Snelgrove, SVP Global Business Strategy for EON Productions,
also commented "We pride ourselves in the long-standing
business relationships we have with many of our James Bond franchise
partners. Corgi has been with us since the beginning, and we
are excited to see the new range of both toys and prop replicas
that Corgi International will bring to market in conjunction
with our next film and beyond."
Related Articles
New
Corgi Action Figures
Corgi
Signs 007 Until 2010
Corgi
2007 Collectors Sets
Corgi Celebrates 007 Million Record
All images © MI6 2008. No use without permission. All figures
shown in these photographs are pending approval and may not match
the final released product. Many thanks to Corgi.