Hot Wheels has just unveiled the artwork for the first two batches of 2016...

Well it was like the diecast gods threw me a bone.

Only a few hours after I announced that I was no longer showing unauthorized sneaks, Mattel updated their website, showing the artwork for the first two batches of 2016.

That seems legit to me, doesn't it?

So it is kind of cool that we can roll out this new era at Lamley with some Mattel-provided news on what is coming in 2016.  There is a lot, and you can see it all on at hotwheels.com.  But there are some very Lamley-worthy highlights, like Jun's Nissan Fairlady Z, which was previewed on JNC, two drift machines in the 180SX and Supra, and two Teslas (Teslii?  Teslae?).  To me, the standouts look to be the three Fords in fantastic racing liveries, the Escort, GT LM and Talladega.  That Union 76 Torino is just the shit.

Click on the photos for larger views:

Just Unveiled: Hot Wheels Porsche 356A Outlaw & Ford GT LM in Gulf livery...

A couple more new models to show, one you have seen, but now with the correct wheels, and another with a new wing and a new outfit.

Let's start with the Porsche 356A.  Well, the 356A Outlaw.  This Outlaw is technically an Emory, which is essentially a classic Porsche with current race and rally accessories.  I am sure there are many out there that can define it better than I can.  This one debuts as an homage to the great, dreaded Porsche guru Magnus Walker.  Instagram photos of Magnus with the Hot Wheels crew a few months back was a pretty good sign that something was in the works, and the result is fantastic.  And we don't think the Magnus Walker/Hot Wheels relationship will stop there.  The casting is tremendous, and now we can see it with its correct wheels:

This is actually more welcome than the Top Gun Porsche slated for Retro Entertainment that was, for some reason, scrapped.  Whatever the reason, this hardtop 356A makes up for it and then some.

Another 2016 highlight to look forward to is the return of the Ford GT LM.  This model has always been a favorite, and in Gulf livery it looks stunning.

Gulf livery can make almost any vehicle look cool, but on a model like this it is stunning.  One other thing to note, the GT LM has followed the path of many other models and been modified to include a metal wing.  Not surprising, but still a bummer.  The wing now looks a little exaggerated, and as many collectors are learning, especially we DLMer's, these wings love paint chips.  Oh well, I might have to buy a couple.

2016 is shaping up very nicely so far.  No doubt there is a lot more coming...

That's more like it: 2016 Hot Wheels Kaido 260Z has been unveiled...

This might look slightly familiar.

If you follow Hot Wheels Designer Jun Imai's Instagram feed, you have definitely seen something like this.  In fact, you have seen the actual car that this Hot Wheels model is based on, Jun's 260Z kaido racer.

Or this might look similar to a red model that showed up on our favorite Brazilian website last week. Those darn factory customizers!  Knowing that this was Jun's car, it seemed logical that it would debut in blue, so that other model was a little fishy.

Well, here it finally is, in all its glorious correctness.  Following in the footsteps of Jun Imai's mini Datsun Wagon, his kaido racer is now making its way to the 2016 Hot Wheels mainline this fall/winter.  And now that we can see it in its proper color with its proper shoes, it looks amazing.

This should be a hit with many collectors, and it definitely adds to Jun's design arsenal.  I am still waiting for a miniature version of Steve-in-Accounting's Kia Sorento, or Judy-in-HR's Hyundai Sonata, but it looks like the designers carry a bit more clout.  Don't say that to Linda in Admin, as she keeps saying someone promised to release a miniature version of her '06 Honda CR-V.  She is still waiting...

I guess I can let this Z tide me over for a bit.  I just don't know if Barry in Mattel Legal will be happy that his Sunfire still is without a miniature version, now that Jun has two.

Hot Wheels 2016 Batch A has been unveiled...

Yep, we are here.  2016.

Sure, in standard time there are still a few turkeys to eat, Santa needs to make his run, not to mention a run on pumpkins and Frozen costumes, but in Hot Wheels time 2016 is here.  Actually, in Hot Wheels time it is actually 2017, but that is a story for another time.

But it is time to move from the known to the unknown.  I actually prefer not knowing the next year's lineup, because it means more surprises.  And now with our favorite Texas seller unveiling Batch A, we have our first idea of what is coming.

It starts with the first Treasure Hunts.  The Tesla Roadster will be the first Super, and the Rig Storm will be the Regular.

Not a bad Super, and it is nice to Hot Wheels continuing to branch out with the carmakers they are using for the Supers.  After no Chevys last year, the first one pops up about 3-4 batches in, after a Tesla, Hudson, and Acura.  Cool cool cool.

The other notables are the fantastic Isuzu-based Chevy LUV, which Hot Wheels has given the standard treatment, and another Batmobile for you bat-fans:

The rest you can see be following the link (and be sure to check the completed listings):

Hot Wheels 2015 Batch A

Some other notables:

Twins! Hot Wheels Heritage Redlines Nissan Skyline H/T 2000GT-R has been unveiled...

We all knew it was coming, and now we know what it looks like.

Images of the upcoming Hot Wheels Redlines Kenmeri Skyline have emerged, and we like what we see.

If you think you have seen that deco before, it is because you have.  This one racing livery matches the Redline Hakosuka Skyline, only the colors have been reversed:

How cool is that?  The Redline portion of the Heritage hasn't been the most exciting for me, so making these models match does make it a lot more interesting.  It will be fun putting these two together.

Look the Kenmeri the batch after next...

Just Unveiled: 2015 Matchbox Tesla Model S recolor in Midnight Blue...

It has been fun reading all your guesses for my Top 5 Matchbox castings.  I won't say at this point if anyone got all five right - that comes next week with the Top 5 unveiling, but let's just say I am touched that so many of you actually read the blog.  It makes me want to keep writing, which I love to do.

But keep those guesses coming.  Soon too I want to see what your Top 5 Matchbox models are.  And with such an active Matchbox Design Team over at Mattel watching this kind of stuff, I think we can tell them a lot about what models should make an appearance in future lines.

Among those guesses, the Matchbox Tesla Model S has been mentioned a lot.  And while I will neither confirm nor deny whether or not it is in my Top 5, I can say it would be no surprise if it is.  The model is fantastic.  And I think most collectors agree with me.  The model has fetched high prices on eBay, and sits on the pegs about as long as a Hot Wheels Treasure Hunt.

It is what Matchbox has always been, or should have always been about.  Great car to replicate, perfectly designed and executed, and beautifully decorated in a realistic color and precise details.  This doesn't need to be a chase model to be on everyone's want list.

Well, we are happy to report we are going to see it again.  The Tesla is being recolored in 2015, this time in dapper Midnight Blue.  The Matchbox Team provided this pic for us to admire:

It looks great, and might be even more sharp than the red version.  We will have to wait and see.  All I do know is it already has a place in the collection.  Well, all versions of the Tesla will have a place in the collection...

Your thoughts?  Who is in on the Tesla?

Just Unveiled: Kyosho Lamborghini Series 6...

Kyosho has unveiled its newest set, coming in September, and it is a welcome sight:

And yeah, of course a new set of Lamborghinis is always welcome, but considering the disaster that was the last Lamborghini set, this one is extra welcome.

As far as I know, all of these are existing castings, or at least most.  The Veneno hasn't been part of a Series yet, but all - I think - have been seen before.  And of course new models would make collectors a little happier, but based on the these pics they look much better than Series 5.  That series was full of poorly executed duds.  If I remember correctly, Kyosho used a different factory and the models just didn't look right.  Wheels too big, proportions off, and quality bad.

Since then seems to have gotten back to normal, and thankfully this Lambo set reflects it.  Hopefully that will be the same once we have it in hand.

Look for these models at Japan Booster in September, including the Karuwaza exclusive in blue instead of matte black.

(Thanks to 829 Japan for the info.)

Hot Wheels Batch Q, the final 2015 Zamacs, and the first 2016 models have all been unveiled...

Here is just a tad bit of news.

Our favorite Texas seller yesterday just posted the contents of the 2015 Hot Wheels Q case, and a lot was unveiled.

First off, we know how 2015 will end.  We already knew the Toyota Race Truck would be the Super TH, and now we know the Tread Air will be the Regular.  We also get our first glimpse at the final batch of Zamacs in 2015, the Surf Crate and two Dodges, the Viper and Challenger.  Maybe not the most exciting group of Zamacs, but Mopar fans have to be a little happy.

And any lack of excitement with the TH's and Zamacs is made up with the New Models.  Two of the surprisingly most-anticipated New Models of 2015 make an appearance, the Nissan 180SX Type X and the recolored Ford Escort RS1600.  It is nice to see the Escort without its Fast and Furious duds, and we have already made known how much we can't wait for the Nissan.

Lastly, our first dive into 2016.  We have already seen a couple of models previewed, but now we have a better idea on the new cardbacks.  They are fantastic.  Still clean, but the little illustration next to the name of each subset is a really nice addition.  And how cool is the C10?

You can see all the models by following the link here:

Hot Wheels 2015 Batch Q

What are must-haves for you?