By Fabrizio Panico
Text and photographs copyright of the Author(s) unless otherwise stated.
Norev unloaded a new selection of 1:64 promotional models so it is time for an update. This time we have the new 408 and 208 from Peugeot, plus some promos from its Musée de L’Aventure Peugeot, and a short note about the two Citroën AG2R Team. In a second part we’ll see a lot more from Renault : the new Espace and Clio 2023, the Twingo 1993, plus the new Scenic and the Kangoo 2023. Beautiful and interesting models as always.
Let’s start with the new Peugeot 408. It is a C-segment coupé-crossover slotting between the 3008 and the 508, sharing the platform of the 308 and the Citroen C5X. Due to its body shape the 408 achieves a very low drag-coefficient (0,28), and shares the same headlights, taillights, and dashboard design as the third-generation 308. Three powertrain options are available : two plug-in petrol hybrids and a base 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine, all mated to an 8-speed automatic gearbox. Later-on the petrol engine will be replaced with a mild hybrid unit and there will be a battery electric model. The 1:64 scale model is available in two different colours only: Bleu Obsession and Rouge Elixir. As usual they are made in China, the details level is very high but perhaps such a sharp shape could be better appreciated in a different scale, in 1:64 it looks so tiny! Like Citroën, Peugeot chose to modify the reference numbering, now we get a dull PEU22_MIN_DP54B (blue) and PEU22_MIN_DP54G (red).
The new Peugeot 208 is a restyling (phase 2) of the 2019 second-generation, a refresh of the brand best-seller, both aesthetically and technologically. New headlights, fascia and grille, seven new body colors (three of them are correctly reproduced on the scale models), new alloy wheels and updated interiors, based on three trim levels: Allure, Active and GT. Two new mild hybrid engines and a larger battery for the electric version. The ADAS equipment has been updated and completed with the blind spot monitoring. In other words, a full refresh. The 1:64 scale model (the e-208, according to the baseplate) is available in three different colours : Bleu Vertigo (reference PEU22_MIN_P21B), Rouge Elixir (PEU22_MIN_P21R) and Jaune Agueda (PEU22_MIN_P21Y). It is quite difficult to fully understand the logic behind such numbering, but a hint could come from the engineering project code, P54 for the 408 and P21 for the 2019 208.
And now some more promotional models, again from Peugeot, or better from its Musée de L’Aventure Peugeot, a part of L’Aventure Peugeot Citroen DS an association dedicated to the preservation, promotion and development of the heritage of PSA automotive brands. L’Aventure represents more than 200 years of history it has five worlds in Poissy:
- The Peugeot Adventure
- The Citroën Adventure
- The DS Automobiles Adventure
- The Automotive Adventure
- The Terre Blanche Archive
There is also the Peugeot Adventure Museum in Sochaux and the Citroën & DS Conservatory in Aulnay-sous-Bois. L’Aventure Peugeot was created in 1982, the Museum opened in 1988, the Citroën Conservatory in 2001, and in 2015 l’association changed its name to the present one. The Museum shop in partnership with Les Petites Mininches has created a few promotional models starting from Norev 1:64t miniatures with the personalization by La boutique de Flavien, already well known for its re-decorations on the most beautiful Norev, Majorette or Z Models models. The models here are all derived from Peugeot promotional ones, now with Musée de L’Aventure Peugeot printed on the sides, in limited edition of 100 pieces and exclusively distributed by L’Aventure Peugeot itself. The nice boxes are specific to each model and numbered from 1 to 100. Number 1 is the Quartz concept in blue, number 2 is the SR1 concept in grey and number three is the 907 V12 concept in metal black. Some nice souvenirs of the Museum.
Citroën presented the scale model of its new 2021 C5 X in the livery of the AG2R Team (code CIT22_MIN_C5XAU, in white with a dark brown roof), previously the same livery was applied to a C5 Aircross (code AMC 019 2042). Two nice models, representative of Citroën’s commitment to supporting competitive sports. The Citroën AG2R Team was a French cycling team for the 2021-2023 seasons, co-sponsored by Citroën and AG2R La Mondiale, a French insurance firm. Founded as Chazal in 1992, then named Casino (from the supermarkets chain) from 1996, it was then sponsored by AG2R and for 2024 it will be named Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team, co-sponsored by AG2R and Decathlon, a French sporting goods retailer. Citroën will stay on, but only as the team’s official car supplier. In 2023 the fleet included nine Citroën C5 Aircross plug-in hybrids, ten C5 X plug-in hybrids and seven SpaceTourers.
Last, but not least, an intruder from FERCAM Logistics and Transport. Since its foundation in 1949 in Bolzano (Northern Italy) as a small local carrier, FERCAM has become one of the main logistics operators in Europe. Born as a company for the transport of goods by rail and truck, from these it got its name: FERrovia-CAMion (Rail-Truck in Italian). Integrating road and rail operations gave strong growth leading to the acquisition of other operators (e.g. Gondrand etc.) and international expansion. The promotional model is a 1:87 Mercedes Actros articulated truck (road tractor and semi-trailer), produced by KAM LUN Die Cast (Plastic) Products Ltd, from Hong Kong, who specialize in the manufacture of diecast cars and trucks, mainly for promotional use. A beautiful model, very detailed, see the accurate reproduction of the drivetrain and suspension components. Its use as a FERCAM promotional was supported by a specialized German firm.
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