Porsche 911 GT3 Meets Bugatti EB110 SS and Three More Cars in New Hot Wheels Forza Series

One given Hot Wheels is only about 3 inches (7.62 cm) long and weighs around 1.28 ounces (36 grams), but multiply that by 500, and you can begin to grasp the complexities of the hobby. And all this without adding any older models to your collection. Just think of it, the brand has been around for more than half a century. You will need a lot of resources, time, space, and patience to acquire all the castings and variations ever released.

I've yet to meet someone who has managed to reach that level. But that is beside the point for now. Instead, let's focus on the new Forza release, a theme that most collectors are accustomed to, given its history with Mattel. If you need a hint, two of my favorite ones are the 2017 Forza Motorsport set (which contains a Ford Falcon Race car and '13 SRT Viper, among other items) and the 2019 Forza Horizon 4 set (which includes a Porsche 911 GT2, Lamborghini Veneno and '92 BMW M3 to name just a few). And this new 2023 release is an all-European affair.

Porsche 911 GT3

Most Hot Wheels collectors will always be excited to see a new Porsche casting or variation. This 911 GT3 is one of the older models in this new set, as it first came out in 1999. Mark Jones designed it, and it's easy to tell that it looks its age. The First Edition featured a Metalflake Silver finish with a bright livery and Wire Spoke wheels. Mattel released over 20 variations until 2010, and collectors had to wait seven years for a new release.

The Fast & Furious iteration used the same Wire Spoke wheels as the first edition model, and the diecast manufacturer used this same design several more times over the past few years. This new yellow variation is refreshing, especially considering the casting was retooled in 2019, with a different wing update in 2022. The 10-spoke wheels provide a more modern look, and the minimal graphics have kept its overall charm intact. It isn't going to be your favorite Hot Wheels Porsche if you buy it, but it's cool enough if you look at it from a distance.

BMW Z4 M Motorsport

Up next, we have a car that I've seen people fight over. Fraser Campbell designed the Z4 M casting for its 2012 release when it featured a white finish and BMW-inspired racing stripes. You may be surprised to learn that until this new Forza series, Mattel only came up with six variations of this casting. As expected, the Metalflake Dark Blue version from 2016 had a Super Treasure Hunt counterpart, which had a Spectraflame paint job. You can buy one for $50 or less today, so it should be easy to line all the models under the same roof.

Some people thought the new Z4 M would have a Dark Green finish, but that's not true. This variation is almost identical to the 2016 model we discussed earlier, albeit with new Forza and Xbox logos. Diehard collectors are always dismayed by this sort of move, but I'm sure people new to the game will appreciate this release either way.

'15 Jaguar F-Type Project 7

The '15 Jaguar F-Type Project 7 is the least appealing item in the new Forza set. And that's not because it's an ugly car, but the competition is too stiff this time. Ryu Asada designed this casting for its 2015 release, and there is a striking similarity between that First Edition model and this 2023 one. Annoying, right?

There are 11 variations of the F-Type Project 7 to go around, all of which follow the same design cues. The 2019 id: Factory Fresh one is slightly more special, as it has a Spectraflame finish. But you'd still have to be a big Jaguar fan to fall in love with this casting. So let's move on to the next topic on today's agenda.

'94 Bugatti EB110 SS

Alongside the Ferrari F40, Dodge Viper, and Jaguar XJ220, this car left a big impression on me in the early '90s. I was only a few years old, but this thing looked like a spaceship to me. I didn't even know what a quad-turbo setup was then, but I still wanted to drive an EB110 SS one day. It was one of the best Hot Wheels mainline models in 2021, and it's no wonder Mattel had Ryu Asada working on the project.

The First Edition EB110 SS featured a French Racing Blue finish, and Giallo Bugatti (Yellow) and Grigio Scuro (Grey) were next in 2022. That year, the Premium version was part of the Car Culture: Exotic Envy series. And here we are today, with a slightly redesigned iteration, sporting Forza and Xbox logos. It all seems to be a low-effort appearance; some will have the plain blue EB110 SS instead. Still, this supercar is much more attractive than the Jaguar, so it will likely never become a peg-warmer.

Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione

We're down to the last item in the new set: the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione. This Fraser Campbell-designed casting has been on the market since 2014, and it looked pretty exciting, even in plain black. Ten more variations followed suit, which means the new Forza release is the 12th iteration of the Italian sportscar. Mattel has never unveiled a premium version of this casting, which may lead to the idea that the 8C hasn't been too popular with collectors worldwide.

The ZAMAC finish is an interesting choice indeed. But we did not expect to see FC3 wheels on a vehicle such as this one, given they are inspired by Yokohama's Super Advan design. It all looks decent enough, and we can certainly agree with the red finish on the rims. But we'd still take the First Edition variation over this new Forza one.

You may have a hard time finding this set in stores. We came across a seller on eBay asking $55 for all five cars, but we advise against buying it now. It will be cheaper in a few weeks, and you should check your local Walmart or toy store around that time. This isn't a limited-edition set, after all, so plenty of them will be available at the right moment.