25 Cars That Would Look Great Shrunk Down to Hot Wheels Size

I thought of the BMW Z3 M and started browsing through BMW castings in my mind. I soon realized that there was no Hot Wheels replica of this vehicle. And I wondered: how many other cars are in the same situation? After two days of digging, I have come up with a list of vehicles I'm sure many collectors would like to see happening.

I've tried to maintain some balance here, so you'll notice five categories below, with five cars each: Sports cars, Supercars, Race Cars, SUVs, and a Miscellaneous group. With any luck, Mattel might have been eyeing some of these already, so they aren't far off from the production stage. Alternatively, I hope some El Segundo people read this story and like these suggestions.

1. BMW Z3 M Coupe

The Z3 M Coupe is the first sports car on my list today. I've never driven one before, but I have several friends who own regular Z3s, and they also boast about how cool they are. I've heard plenty of people poking fun at this vehicle for its "clown shoe" appearance, but most couldn't afford to buy one. Prices for these cars typically start at around $25K but can quickly go up to $80K or more depending on their condition. If you want the top-of-the-range model, look for the ones that left the factory after February 2001, as those had the M3 E46 S54 engine inside.

BMW initially built just 1,112 units like this, and who knows how many are still around. With a car like this, I'd hope its Hot Wheels debut would be as part of a premium series- Fast Bimmers, perhaps? It would look lovely alongside the HW M3 E46, the M5 E39, the E30 M3, and maybe another BMW-derived machine I'll get to in a minute or so. Estoril Blue Metallic sounds like the perfect choice for the First Edition, and my only hope is that it would also introduce a new Real Riders wheel design.

2. Eunos Cosmo

Many automotive enthusiasts have at least heard about the Le Mans-winning Mazda 787B. Often, they will refer to it as the King of all Rotary cars. But the 787B was never available to regular customers like you and me. Some RX owners still dream about having a 4-rotor engine in their vehicles, and some have succeeded. Look at people like Mike Whiddett, Rob Dahm, Adam LZ, or Wataru Kato. Having a 20B 3-rotor powerplant is the next best thing. And you can buy one off the shelf if you have enough cash. That's because Mazda built several thousand of them in the '90s. The first-generation Eunos Cosmo was the Japanese automaker's first rotary-powered production vehicle.

So it's only fitting that the fourth and final variation waved goodbye with a bang. Out of the 8,875 cars that left the factory, 40% featured a twin-turbocharged 3-rotor engine that was obviously limited by the Gentlemen Agreement that was in effect at the time. Mattel can release this vehicle in any color, but it must be a Premium item with classic JDM wheels. An accurate replica of the tuned model in the photo gallery will do just fine. I can already envision an all-rotary-powered mix of collectibles: Car Culture: No Rotor, No Motor. I'm sure every Wankel enthusiast will want one at home.

3. Suzuki Cappuccino

I must admit, I didn't know the Suzuki Cappuccino existed before I saw it in Initial D over a decade ago. That's one of the excellent parts of the Japanese anime: it teaches you many things about cars and driving! If you're even remotely familiar with it, you'll know it's about a young Toyota AE86 driver named Takumi Fujiwara. While Tak used his car's lightweight advantage and phenomenal driving skills to win against all his opponents on the touge, one team was plotting to beat him at his own game.

While everyone tried to defeat him by bringing in more powerful and complex cars, his next opponent was a rally driver in a kei car. This is one battle you must see for yourself, and maybe I'll do an Initial D deep dive some other time. Mattel could improvise using a widebody kit and a big wing on the back of the car for a more intense version of Suzuki's small car, and I wouldn't mind seeing it in any color. Maybe we'll have a Car Culture: Kei Cars exclusive mix in five years. Wouldn't that be fun?

4. Toyota MR2 

One of the oldest Hot Wheels Toyota castings is the second-generation MR2. Mattel stopped making it in 2008, and it would be nice to see a new one at some point. But collectors would be equally excited about a tiny version of the first-generation MR2. Come to think of it, this vehicle already looks like a real-life Hot Wheels. It was available between 1984 and 1989, with two different gearbox options and three different engines to choose from. Whereas the most desirable second-gen MR2 had a turbocharged 2.0-liter power unit, the fastest first-gen used a supercharged 1.6-liter engine.

145 hp and 137 lb-ft (186 Nm) of torque might not sound like by today's standard, but this was back in the '80s, and the MR2 clocked in at only 2,493 lbs (1,131 kg). If Mattel does use this chassis for its line-up, even a discreet body kit and a set of aftermarket wheels would make it look amazing. I hope Light Blue Metallic would be the color of choice for the First Edition model. Can you imagine a set of all '80s icons with this car and four more in Car Culture?

5. Alpina B7S Turbo

The last sports car on my list is one I've seen up close and one of the many trade shows I attended between 2012 and 2018. It hypnotized me there and there, even though I wasn't entirely sure what was hiding under the hood. I've never dreamed about owning a BMW like most kids my age did 20 years ago. But driving a B7S Turbo is undoubtedly on my bucket list. Owning one is difficult, as they sell for at least $200,000.

Also, Alpina only built 30 units in total. This '80s legend used a turbocharged, 3.5-liter straight-six engine with a maximum output of 330 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque. Given how rare this car is, it would only be appropriate for Mattel to create a Red Line Club-exclusive replica. It would need to have either an opening hood or doors, and I imagine getting the correct color code for it shouldn't be a problem. The only thing that frightens me is if this does become an RLC model, buying one could be nigh impossible due to the high demand.

6. Dacia Duster Pikes Peak

Even though I rarely say this, the Dacia brand has always had a special place in my heart. The first car I ever rode in was my grandfather's Dacia, but more on that topic further down the line. Can you think of any single model? If you can't think of a road-going vehicle, you might remember one that was all the buzz at Pikes Peak in Colorado a few years ago. The Pikes Peak Duster may have resembled a Dacia SUV, but it had the heart of a Nissan GT-R and extensive modification to take on the International Hill Climb event.

The 850 hp beast climbed up the mountain in just over ten minutes and 17 seconds in 2011, as Jean-Philippe Dayraut took P3 overall. Even though the Dacia didn't defeat Tajima's Suzuki SX4 or Millen's Hyundai RMR PM580, it's still one of the most exciting vehicles to tackle the Race to the Clouds in the 21st century. And it would look phenomenal in a Pikes Peak exclusive mix or even as an RLC. I'm sure many Romanian and French collectors would go for it without thinking twice.

7. Porsche 919

I would have included an F1 car on this list, but the chances of that happening are about as slim as Mattel regaining the Ferrari license. So, I decided to settle for the next best thing. For several decades, no other car company has managed to dethrone Porsche from its King of the Nurburgring throne. First, it was Stefan Bellow in the '80s. And since 2018, Timo Bernhard is the fastest man to have ever lapped the Nordschleife.

Using the Porsche 919 Hybrid Evo, he only needed 319 seconds for an entire 12.944 miles (20.832 km) lap. I tried matching that record in Assetto Corsa in December of 2022 and severally abused my fingers to do so on a keyboard. I've tried it several times on the steering wheel, too, but to no avail. This goes for any of the five racecars here, but the 919 would look great in Team Transport. That way, Hot Wheels could include an opening rear section to make things more realistic.

8. RE Amemiya D1GP RX-7

If you've read any of my previous stories, you are likely aware that I am a huge drifting enthusiast. Couple that with my love for rotary-powered cars, and I just had to include the RE Amemiya D1GP RX-7 on this list. Before you get all riled up, yes, I am aware that the only time an RX-7 won the Japanese D1 series happened in 2003 and that it was an A'Pexi car. That machine was fantastic but never evolved as much as Ama-san's creation. This thing went from a relatively basic turbocharged two-rotor setup to a four-rotor monster with twin turbos and about 1,200 hp.

I was sad when Amemiya dropped Masao Suenaga several years ago, but Yukio Matsui is just as perfect as a rotary master, given his previous R-Magic experience. Suenaga became vice-champion in 2005 with the Amemiya RX-7, finishing just one point behind the legendary Yasuyuki Kazama. He repeated the performance in 2014, and so did Yukio Matsui in 2019. Just as Mattel has launched several Formula D-themed cars, a series of D1GP icons would probably mean the world to drift fans who grew up watching the sport in its infancy.

9. 2002 Abt-Audi TT-R

Before I knew what drifting was, I followed both F1 and DTM on TV. I liked the latter as it was easier to relate to the cars; they weren't as insane as the V10-powered single-seaters. I still remember how exciting the battles between Aiello, Schneider, and Ekstrom were, and from time to time, I revisit those moments via YouTube compilations. I found the shape of the ABT Audi TT-R fascinating, and Laurent Aiello managed to win the championship in 2002, years before Timo Scheider had any hopes of reaching the same level.

The Audi TT-R raced for several years before being replaced by the A4 DTM in 2004. It featured several liveries during that period, but I'm a big fan of the Hafferoder yellow one. Whereas the biggest engine for the road-going TT was the 3.2-liter VR6, the ABT race version used a 4.0-liter V8 that was good for a maximum output of 570 horsepower! Couple that with RWD and a weight of less than 2,400 lbs, and you get one hell of a beast! If Mattel ever released a DTM-themed Premium Set, I would be the first to sign up for one!

10. Toyota GR Yaris Rally1

I recently got a preview of the new EA Sports WRC game, and it was a lot of fun! It was so intense that I looked up prices for renting an affordable rally car. Taking Kalle Rovanpera's Toyota GR Yaris Rally1 car out for a drive on a Japanese stage made me sweat the whole way, although it was pretty confidence-inspiring. Rovanpera is quickly becoming one of Planet Earth's most beloved race drivers, and he's certainly bringing in a fanbase for the GR Yaris. I've seen many of these in traffic in 2023, but we have yet to see a 1/64th-scale replica in Mattel's portfolio.

With over a dozen Toyota castings appearing in recent years, it's only a matter of time until the GR Yaris and Corolla get their tiny counterparts. The best way to do this would be by releasing both the road-going version and the Rally1 car in a Premium 2-pack set. That way, you could see how different they are and look forward to variations of both castings coming out shortly.

11. Hennessey Venom F5

Let's look at cars that can be used on public roads, as I could list at least another dozen more race cars, and I would still need to add a few. I know supercars aren't necessarily accessible to most of us, but that's the beauty of buying Hot Wheels cars. You can brag about having ten Lamborghini at home; who cares if they can all fit on your dining room table? I did a Hot Wheels Lambo deep dive recently, so I won't mention any more Raging Bulls here. The same goes for Ferrari, but that also concerns the licensing issue. Instead, I thought it would be nice to see a Hennessey Venom F5 attached to a Hot Wheels card. There are four variants of the F5: the Coupe, Roadster, Revolution Coupe and Revolution Roadster.

And diecast collectors would be OK with buying either one of these. With all the cool cars available for this car, it could easily be the next Super Treasure Hunt for 2024. The 6.6-liter, twin-turbo V8 has this machine in hypercar territory, with a maximum output of 1,817 horsepower and 1,193 lb-ft (1,617 Nm) of torque. It's not too shabby for a car that weighs less than 1,400 kg. It makes you think how this would fare against the Rimac Nevera, especially given that they cost about the same.

12. Jaguar XJ220S

I had a hard time picking out only five supercars for this list. Mattel has already created many castings, but keeping up with the industry takes a lot of work. The XJ220 has been part of the company portfolio since 1993, but we last saw a new release in 2020. The development of the XJ220 was almost nightmarish, and the original V12 design had to make way for a twin-turbo V6 power unit. This was still good enough for a top speed of 217 mph, making the XJ220 the fastest production vehicle in the world! But that wasn't enough for Tom Walkinshaw Racing.

The company built nine XJ220S units, six of which were road-legal. Replacing many of the car's original panels with carbon fiber led to a dramatic weight loss, and the engine saw a performance increase to about 680 horsepower. I have never seen an XJ220S with my own eyes, but I would probably drool over it for hours if I did. Yellow, blue, orange, or red, either one of these colors, does a great job of showing off the XJ220S, and Mattel wouldn't even need to invent a body kit for it as it's already there.

13. Lexus LFA

While Toyota models are getting a lot of love from Mattel these days, you can't say the same about Lexus. And that would be fine if it wasn't for the LFA. Hot Wheels debuted the RC F GT3 just recently, and that's brilliant. But this car is two cylinders short of the almighty LFA. Only 500 units ever made it out of the factory in Aichi, and it has been over a decade since Toyota stopped production. If you don't love this supercar for how it looks, you must be in awe of the Yamaha-developed 4.8-liter V10. The 550+ hp Lexus was expensive then, even more so today.

The base price for one was about $375,000 in 2010, but mint condition cars will quickly sell for over $1 million today. After all, the Nurburgring Package LFA lapped the Nordschleife in seven minutes and 14 seconds in 2011! That's five seconds faster than Jim Mero's 2012 lap in the C6 ZR1. If Mattel decides to develop a tiny LFA, I hope they opt for Sunset Orange for the First Edition. Sure, the list of available colors was extensive, which means at least 20 variations could arrive within the first ten years from the casting's debut.

14. GMA T.50

You need a quick dive into Gordon Murray's history to understand why the GMA T.50 is unique. You could write a book about this man's life, but I will keep it short for now. Between 1969 and 1986, he was the Chief Designer at Brabham F1. Alongside the many victories and championships won, I'd like to point out that he created the Brabham BT46B fan car. The rear-mounted fan extracted air from beneath the vehicle, generating considerable downforce. Niki Lauda won the 1978 Swedish Grand Prix driving the BT46B before Brabham retired the design for concerns related to Bernie Ecclestone's business plans. Between 1987 and 1991, Gordon Murray worked with Ayrton Senna at McLaren.

Later, he designed the iconic F1 road car, undoubtedly one of the most impressive cars ever made. I was so happy to see him reviving the fan car concept 45 years after the BT46B. But this isn't the only highlight of the GMA T.50. The 4.0-liter Cosworth V12 has a maximum output of 654 hp and 344 lb-ft (467 Nm) of torque. The RWD GMA T.50 only weighs 2,174 lbs (986 kg), which gives it a phenomenal power-to-weight ratio. It also has a central driving position like the McLaren F1, and only 100 units will ever leave the factory in Surrey. With a price tag of over $2.5 million, we need a Hot Wheels version of this car so we can at least partly enjoy Gordon Murray's brilliant design.

15. Porsche 911 GT1 Straßenversion

It's time for my last supercar proposal, and calling it unique would be an understatement. If Mattel ever decides to release a replica of this, I hope it comes out as a Red Line Club exclusive and Premium item. That's the only way I can buy one. This car already has several diecast models; the best option would still be a 1/18th-scale one. But today, I am only focusing on smaller Hot Wheels items. The Porsche 911 GT1 is a titan of international endurance racing; what else would you expect from a machine that succeeded the 962?

Luckily, the German manufacturer had to build several road-going replicas, which were just slightly tamer. That's how the 911 GT1 Straßenversion came to be, at an initial price of just under $1 million. Nowadays, you could pay 15 times as much if you can find one for sale. Reportedly, Porsche built only one Pastel Yellow version of this car, which would be my starting point for a Hot Wheels replica. But you can also look up the Cobalt Blue one, as that's equally as stunning.

16. Volkswagen Touareg

It's time to tone things down and return to more down-to-earth cars. SUVs have been a big part of the automotive industry over the past 15 years, so it's only natural that I included five here. Let's start with the Volkswagen Touareg, the first Sports Utility Vehicle that ever caught my attention. I was about 13 years old when I first saw one, and it felt perfect for the role of a family car.

Given that the first-generation model entered production over 20 years ago, it's the ideal choice for a Hot Wheels debut. One interesting combo I can think of has the Touareg V10 TDI as part of a two-item pack, towing the Boeing 747. Do you remember that stunt? Since Hot Wheels is all about tricked-out vehicles, it might not be fitting for Mattel to use the standard Touareg. But thank God there's an ABT Sportsline version of this SUV that it can replicate.

17. Suzuki X-90 

This is the second and last Suzuki vehicle on our Hot Wheels list. It's a relatively obscure model, and I'm sure most non-enthusiasts aren't even aware the X90 exists. Suzuki sold fewer of these than it had hoped to. Verifying this information can be tricky, but most claims place production numbers in the four-digit area (less than 10,000 units). Some say it's the worst car ever made, but reliability issues and performance figures are of no matter in the 1/64th-scale world.

All I know is that the X-90 almost looks like a real-life Hot Wheels car, making it a perfect candidate for the task. Just think of it: this car is about nine inches shorter in length than a first-generation Mazda MX-5! The obvious choice for Mattel here would be to create a replica of the special Philippe Cousteau edition, which sported a very nice light blue/teal finish.

18. Volvo XC90

The X-90 is a small vehicle by any standard, but it's minuscule compared to the mighty Volvo XC90. While I'm sure the first generation of the Swedish SUV has a cult following, I'd much rather have a Hot Wheels version of the newest one instead. I bought a Welly model of it when I was still working for Volvo, but Mattel would probably do a better job at it if it opts for a Premium version.

There are only so many Volvos in its line-up now, and the XC90 would come along nicely after the release of the XC40 Recharge. Naturally, a Heico-tuned variant of the luxury SUV could provide the required inspiration for a Hot Wheels release. And it may be even more successful than its smaller sibling.

19. Subaru Forester STi

After two luxurious models and a quirky little SUV, I had to look at something that could also move the soul, not just the body. I initially thought of a Porsche Cayenne, but you can get that in a Matchbox card if you want to. So, I decided to opt for a more affordable Subaru model instead. You can think of the Forester STi as the Impreza WRX STi's bigger cousin or brother, as they even shared the same gearbox.

With 261 horsepower on tap, the Forester STi could accelerate up to 62 mph (100 kph) in just over five seconds. That's about as fast as a BMW M3 E46. You could buy a Forester STi for about $15,000 in Japan, but you'd also have import taxes. The Forester STi would look great packaged alongside Mattel's Mitsubishi Pajero Evolution in a Premium Car Culture release.

20. Honda HR-V

Here's another quirky SUV for you. A friend loaned me his HRV for a few days, and I couldn't believe how cool it was to drive it around. Honda sold the first generation between 1998 and 2006, with a 3-door or 5-door configuration. The latter is cool, but the "coupe" HRV would be much better as a Hot Wheels diecast car. If you think about it, the HRV looks like something you'd see in a '90s Sci-Fi movie, with a distinctly Japanese vibe.

Honda offered multiple color variants for the HR-V, and I'm a big fan of the lime/yellow one. Mattel could quickly introduce this car in the Mainline series, but it could just as well come in a Japanese SUV mix in the Car Culture series alongside the Pajero Evolution and Forester STi.

21. Dacia 1300

Talking about the Pikes Peak Duster reminded me of my grandfather's Dacia 1300- a sibling of the Renault 12. After he passed away, I decided to rebuild it in his memory. I have yet to start working on it, but it will happen soon. Majorette has already released a diecast version of this iconic Eastern European vehicle with multiple color variants. Those are pretty accurate replicas, except for the modern wheels.

The idea of having a Hot Wheels Dacia 1300 came to me after I noticed Mattel's Proton Saga casting. Proton sold just under two million units in almost four decades, shockingly similar to Dacia's results with the 1300. Mattel can even choose the 1310 model, which followed suit, as it has several body versions, including a stunning coupe and a not-so-exciting estate.

22. ARO 324

The list of options is even more comprehensive with another Romanian brand by the name of ARO. There are five classes, but the 24s and 3xx were the best. From 1957 until its demise, ARO built almost 400,000 vehicles, sold in Romania and 110 countries worldwide. I've seen a cult following of these vehicles in countries like Poland and the Czech Republic, where people still maintain and drive them today. Pickup trucks are less prevalent in Eastern Europe than they are in the United States of America.

But ARO still managed to build a few impressive ones, such as the 324 model you see here. Single-cab designs were also available; even the Romanian army used these vehicles in active service. Seeing a few videos on YouTube of how ARO machines can handle driving off-road or other demanding tasks will allow you to understand their decade-long popularity. So, yes, I'd love to see an ARO 324 or a 242 as a Hot Wheels casting.

23. 8-Turbo Mustang

Do you remember the Boosted Lifestyle Mustang I showed you last year? You know, the one with an LS swap and eight turbos? Kyle's Mustang caused a lot of buzz on the Internet, and it was inspiring to follow his journey from conception to driving the car. The setup didn't work out as well as he had initially envisioned, but he traced the problem down and might give it another try during the next few months.

I'm sure that if he took part in a Hot Wheels Legends Tour event, his creation would have won and made it to the big finals. Even though he had a similar project with the four-turbo Honda Civic, the Mustang had twice as many cylinders and turbochargers to show off. It's about time we saw another SN95 Mustang in Mattel's line-up, would you agree?

24. McMurtry Spéirling Pure

The last two vehicles on my list are part of the new wave of automotive developments. That's right, they're both EVs. The McMurtry Spéirling is similar to Gordon Murray's T.50, as it also features a large fan to provide vast amounts of downforce. Not only does this vehicle look like it could be Batman's crime-fighting machine, but it's genuinely fast. You can read the numbers, but you might not understand the speed. It weighs less than 2,205 lbs (1,000 kg) and has a maximum output of about 1,000 horsepower. It's not cheap, with a price tag of just under $1 million.

But after you've watched it go around Goodwood Hill, you might want to buy one. If Mattel had created the same design as McMurtry, it would have felt like a fantasy car. But going the other way around is entirely different. The question is, would a Hot Wheels Spéirling do well on the market, given it has no legacy or fan base to back it up?

25. Rivian R1T

The Rivian R1T is the last of my suggestions for Mattel, at least for now. The diecast manufacturer has been pretty fast with releasing the Lucid Air, so I'm surprised it hasn't moved towards Rivian. I first saw the electric pickup truck a few years ago when a prototype appeared in the Long Way Up series featuring Ewan McGregor and Charlie Boorman. The R1T is pretty fast; we've seen it drag-race other vehicles.

That's because the most capable version of it uses four electric motors, with a total output of 835 hp and 908 lb-ft (1,231 Nm) of torque. Mattel recently unveiled the F-150 Lightning Custom, so I guess the R1T isn't necessarily a priority for them right now. If it does happen, I hope Rivian Blue will be on top of the list as the color for the First Edition release.