lambodiecast

Automobili Lamborghini SpA was only founded three years earlier when the beautiful Miura was introduced on the market, the P400, with a 4-Liter V12 engine mounted transversely behind the cockpit, a masterpiece of design and automotive technology at that time, by 1969 Lamborghini improved the Miura and came up with the P400 S, for Spinto.

The Lamborghini Miura S delivered 370 hp from the V12 engine which allowed her to reach a top speed between 270 and 280 Km/h (169 to 173 Mph), exterior differences between the P400 and the P400 S were notably the stylish 'S' added to the rear panel, but more recognizable was the use of chrome trim ... the first Miura model received black trim around the windows and headlights, for the S they changed this to chrome instead.

On the inside things changed a lot, initially, you could go for optional vinyl on the Miura, but for the Miura S you could specify real Italian leather, also note the wooden steering wheel was replaced by a leather one for the S too, and power windows were introduced later on, and 500,000 Liras would get you air-conditioning in the Miura S, a rather helpful option with that hot V12 engine just inches behind your head.

The US-market required some modifications to the original Miura interior, the toggle-switches were replaced by rocker-types, and a passenger grab handle was installed, the speedometer now only went up to 190 mph for non-metricated countries, on the earlier cars this one was calibrated for 200 mph.

During the Miura S production span, the company kept improving things, this was truly a work of art in progress, and after only 338 S specifications P400 left the factory doors in Sant'Agata, they unleashed the ultimate Miura evolution, the SV, or P400 Spinto Veloce.

The scale model

I've seen many comments about the fact Kyosho is re-releasing an old model again, and at a steeply increased price, but keep in mind this is still a real diecast, not resin or composite model, and sure enough, Kyosho has been partnering up with GT Spirit on many models, including a 1/18 scale Miura S in light blue metallic, which I also have in my collection, and that resin model was €150 when new (today it's more expensive if you can locate one for sale), and to best honest, this 'old' diecast is so much better.

I already had 9 1/18 scale Lamborghini Miura models made by Kyosho, 8 of them being diecast and the one resin model mentioned above, but for some reason, I never bought the Miura S from Kyosho when they were new many years ago, so for me, this re-release was a good thing, so I didn't hesitate to order it online and add it to my collection, and it looks really nice next to my identical spec Miura P400 from Kyosho ... red on gold rocker panels and gold wheels over a black interior.

So how does this new/old Miura P400 S from Kyosho looks in 2020? In one word ... GOOD, I loved it immediately when I opened the large shipping box. This 08316R from Kyosho comes inside a glossy black, windowless box which is wrapped inside a plastic bag, when you open the box the model sits inside a clamshell, protected by paper tissues on top, the doors are held shut by a black plastic part with soft cushions that can be pulled from underneath as it is held in place with pins, not with screws.

The hood, doors, engine cover, and luggage cover are taped shut to avoid any movement, and luckily this tape is easily removed without leaving any stains, and you even get a small tool to open the doors with ... now I know most of us will have several of these already, but it's still a very nice touch from Kyosho to add it to this model again.

The big bonus on this 1/18 Lamborghini Miura S from Kyosho is the fact everything opens, and I do mean everything ... the entire front opens up like on the real car to unveil the spare tire, the battery, the double fans on the radiator, and so much more. Same for the rear engine cover, it tilts effortlessly to reveal the nicely detailed V12 engine, when closed you can actually look through the louvers.

Even the luggage compartment behind the engine can be opened to show the black carpeting inside, your luggage might get a little hot inside it, but it opens up on this Kyosho model ... just like the cover over the fuel filler in the front hood, one of those two grilles 'hides' the fuel filler.

And last, but surely not least, the doors open to reveal a black interior, again with carpets on the floor, detailed dials and that typical Miura central console that curves up, seat belts are present, even the lock release for reverse gear is fitted to the open-top selector.

Back to the exterior, the wheels look amazing on this Miura S model, the well-known center-lock wheel, finished in gold, hide the disk brakes and calipers ... despite the rather small holes on these wheels, you can still see the brake calipers both at the front, and at the rear ... the wheels even have a valve fitted, how's that for attention to detail.

I just love the 'B' on the side of these Miura, for Bertone naturally, and if you look closely at the door sills when the doors are open, you'll notice the Bertone script on there too, the Lamborghini Raging Bull logo at the front looks really nice, and the Miura script with that very special S is nicely reduced in scale too ... even if this is one of the old models from Kyosho, I really love it.

Bottom line

So is this a perfect 1/18 scale model from Kyosho? Well, it's very close if you ask me, I have absolutely no regrets about adding it to my collection, unlike the light blue resin version mentioned earlier, which was a disappointment, this red diecast looks amazing, even up close, and I now have her proudly on display between my old Kyosho Miura P400 and a P400 SV ... and she feels right at home in that spot, a trifecta of Kyosho made Miura models.

So what's wrong about this Kyosho Miura S model ... mine has a very little spot of black paint at the lower part of a wheel arch, easily removed, but still, it was there when I opened the box, the steering works flawlessly ... in one direction, it seems to be very unwilling to turn left and I don't want to risk breaking anything, so I didn't put too much force on the wheels, which was needed to open the luggage compartment at the rear, that lid wasn't easy to open either ... but I can surely live with those minor defaults.

Oh yes, one bigger mistake ... the Raging Bull logo on the steering wheels isn't correctly oriented when the steering wheel is at dead-center, the Bull is laying on her side ... that should have been picked up by QC I think, but that's about the only gripe I would have with this beautiful 1/18 scale Miura S model.

Originally released in October 2020.

our RATING

Exterior		8/10
Interior		7/10
Engine		9/10
Accuracy		8/10
Overall rating		8/10

Original price on October 4, 2020 : € 190