Almost Real Get’s Real with the Jaaaaag! Jaguar CX-75 Concept/Prototype – By David Houston

Almost Real models is on a roll, and by the looks and feel of this piece, I’ve hit jackpot!

Wow, I got pretty much a perfect sample of this model. It’s absolutely flawless. That said, I am glad that I went for “Bond Villain” Orange colored one. I am not too much into the other release exterior paint options. This model is finished to a really high level. It reminds me of where AUTOart used to be with their diecasts. That’s such a good thing. I like that the paint finish on my example is flawlessly smooth, glossy and just enough metallic flakes in scale. All carbon-fibre details look realistic in the sense of being true to scale. The massive steam roller-like wheels are very well detailed,. I like the realistic metal like finish to the directional wheels. The brakes sitting behind those wheels are just as detailed, with metal brake rotors and realistic well detailed binders or calipers rather. It all just comes together for a very very detailed are for this model. Additionally well detailed is all exterior lighting front to back. The headlights look like jewels with many smaller details making up each individual headlamp unit, meanwhile the taillights are properly detailed while being simply red lens wise, behind those are peeking out some brilliant details as well. Atop the rear deployable spoilers, sits or lays rather a Jaguar “leaper device” and script in photo-etch which is scaled proportionally. The one curiosity is that, why doesn’t the front of this model lift open? I was expecting that from Almost Real. However, I presume that Jaguar didn’t allow it. Today, I see that a lot of model makers often not including any opening features on scale miniatures (including a good deal of diecast metal makers) outside of Chinese Dealer Edition Promotional. Even with sealed front body work, Almost Real managed some real mesh grill textures, proper Jaguar badging, vented upper body surfacing below the windshield also with real mesh openings for airflow. The lower front bumper features two side intakes with carbon-fibre channel guides on each corner for brake cooling. All of these little details really adds up to a very convincing exterior.

I am super impressed with the engine cover (or bonnet in the UK), it is done so well with metal supports and all. Just like how the real cars would have been, this miniature looks tailor finished and well organized, and the vibrant orange color is refreshing, versus just another basic silver or black exterior here. The interior is really excellently executed really well. The seats look grippy like a comforting mitten to hold your body securely while aggressively taking corners. The dash/IP/center console are all intricately detailed and all labels, dials, venting and badging throughout the interior is present. I like how the steering wheel is finished in a scale appropriate Alcantara like material. It’s all very intricate and involving for the viewer once in hand.

Open you open that massive piece of body work at the back being called a hood, beneath you’ll find a fully detailed motor/bay with properly style hinge system (as well as the adjustable rear spoiler out back). Underneath the inner cover of the hood, it’s been blacked out in a matte finish, to match 1/1 reference shots. I also am impressed with how well the supported hinged doors stay up! No falling down when you want to display the model opened up. Kudos to Almost Real for making that happen. Additionally, the door/hood alignments are really well executed.

Roll the car over and see an exactly detailed carbon waved patterned like chassis with hidden drivetrain as well as both front & rear suspension systems out of view for maximum highspeed aerodynamics. At the very back, two massive, but elegant rear tail pipes poke out to hint at this cars power aspirations. The chassis work is exquisite and satisfying to view!

Overall, Almost Real have done a really good job on this piece. They just keep improving with every release, no regression here and these are priced better than some other “premium” brands offering less detail, but higher costs. By contrast, Almost Realis giving it’s customers much higher in quality, materials and details. A win-win for the collector who is looking for a precision high-quality piece. The fit and finish is topnotch with no QC issues. Color me impressed. For I haven’t felt this good about our hobby since companies like LCD-Models/KengFai/Gaincorp/ST-Well/Paudi Model and now Almost Real have stepped on the scene to offer us passionate pieces which almost feel like the late 90s/early 2000s model car boom! So thrilled with Almost Real right now, especially with their Jaguar and Land Rover products. I highly recommend this Jaguar CX-75 by Almost Real, especially if you like hyper & supercars like this in reality, be sure to add this piece.