Another new release from Scalextric, the Ferrari 430. This is the 'low detail' version, designed as a robust, almost indestructible racer - great for beginners and kids, or just for those times when you want a car to hurl round the track without worrying about damaging anything! The 'low detail' also means low cost - these retail for around £15.00.

A 'full detail' model of the Ferrari, in racing spec with full interior, lights and livery is due for release later this year.

Like the recently-reviewed Range Rover, the Ferrari comes in Scalextric's new packaging, a flip-top box with blue base and backing card, though the 430 takes up a lot less space inside.

Despite the low price, the car doesn't look cheap. The body is nicely made and has no mould lines or visible flaws. The paint finish is great, a deep glossy red that suits the car perfectly (my photos haven't caught the colour very well, the car is a deeper, darker red in reality). 

The blacked out windows give the game away, and when you look closer you see the rear lights are just painted and the front lights are tampo-printed. The front lights look fairly convincing from most angles except when looking down on the car from above - but then you don't notice them at all when the car's flying round the track. The car's windows are not a separate piece, they are part of the body and are just painted for effect. The mirrors are flexible and feel securely mounted. In other words the car is designed to take less-than-expert handling without damage. 

The chassis is straight forward - four wheels, a motor, a big magnet and very little else! Without the usual Scalextric light set-up, the chassis looks almost bare. The motor is a standard Mabuchi driving the rear axle via nylon sidewinder gears. The rear axle runs in (slightly loose) nylon bushes. The front axle runs directly in the chassis without bushes. The guide is the standard Scalextric item with the quick-change braid system. A large, strong magnet is fitted just ahead of the motor and an alternative mount is provided just about in the middle of the car. The wheels are an attractive design and seem round and true. The rear tyres had slight high spots on the shoulders but a light sanding soon cured that. The motor can move a little in its mount so a few drops of glue are probably a good idea, just for extra security. 

The chassis also has the new DPR - Digital Plug Ready - system for easy installation of a chip to run the car on the Scalextric Digital system.

Running the car on Scalextric Sport track...

As you'd probably expect from a Ferrari, this car is a rocket on the track! It runs quiet and smooth - and fast! No interior, lights or extra detail parts means the car is light, and the big magnet keeps it firmly planted. You can take wider radius corners almost flat out, only really needing to slow down for tight bends. The lightweight Boxter and Audi TT were the previous speed kings on Sport track, but the F430 is a serious challenger.

Running the car on my routed track was a different experience. The car's light weight works against it here - it's still quick in a straight line, but without magnetic assistance it struggles for traction. The speed and confidence the car shows on Sport track are gone, wheel-spin and slides are now the order of the day.

Of course this is a little unfair, the Ferrari is designed to run on Scalextric Sport track, something it does very well. The magnet set-up and tyres give it huge grip in its natural environment. If you want to run the Ferrari on a routed track then you'll almost definitely need to add some weight and probably change the tyres too.

In all fairness it's hard to be critical of this little Ferrari. It does exactly what it's supposed to do - it goes extremely fast on Scalextric Sport track (and presumably most other 'magnetic' tracks too).

It's an attractive yet robust model that looks and feels like it will take crashes and bashes in its stride and come back for more, still looking showroom fresh. When you consider the price as well, around half the cost of a normal Scalextric car, I think the F430 is destined to be popular.