Batman Begins Scalextric Batmobile Contents: Batmobile, Display box, spare brushes, intruction sheet

I have a confession to make, I'm not a Scalextric eenthusiast, so my knowledge about this subject is limited. Even so, I recognise that this Batmobile is fantastic. The frist thing to strike you is the presentation, its very pretty. It comes fastened in a nice display box which doubles as a display stand, so this can simply be a display piece.

The Tumbler itself isn't the most accurate version of the tumbler, but the designers have taken the relevant aspects of it and simplified them, so what you get is a stylised version of the Tumbler. Now this is the part where I tell you about the speeds its 12V electric motor opushes it to. I'd also tell you how well the Neodynium magnets on the underside hold the Batmobile to the track as it whizzes around. And if I was feeling particularly descriptive I'd tell you about how it handles when run overa jump section of track... except (and here's where I fall down) I haven't got a full size Scalextric track...

(Please note, this next bit isn't standard, I modified my Scalextric Ttumber for this).

I've got a Scalextric Micro set, which is around 2/3 the size of the big version, and 1/3 of the price. I didn't want to spend £70 for a full size track, so I converted my Scalextric Batmobile to work on the micro set. Basically I took it apart, and with judicious use of a block and sandpaper, reduced down the actual slot fin on the guidance assembly so it would fit the Micro track. These guidance assemblies are freely available as spare parts so I went to town.

Even so there are compromises, firstly on the micro track, it can only turn one way, (away from whatever lane the Tumbler is in, e.g. if its in the left slot, it can only turn right) otherwise the rear falls off the track. This is easily fixed by making a big oval track that only turns one way. Secondly the full size mass and reduced guidance fin means turns have to be done slower otherwise off it flies. Apart from that, its perfect! One day I'll have change the fin back to an unmodified one, and test it on a full size track, so I can appreciate how fast 12 V motor really hauls.

The only problem with this Scalextric car is that Scalextric cars cost around £30 on their own! While this is standard for a Scalextric enthusiast, it is quite pricey for a toy. This car also comes in a full size box set (around £70 for a Batmobile, Police car, track and 2 controllers) and in a two pack with a GCPD car.