Matchbox Monday "reddies" up the first half of batch K

I am currently about three quarters of the way through the 2026 Matchbox basic range. Batch K is the 9th assortment of the year, due to the E/F glitch. It brings us up to 98 released out of the 125 models. Which is actually just over the three quarters mark. Usually, the last batches get heavy as things are piling up a bit, but they are definitely getting things out in much better timing than usual. And the full set of 125 is out by the end of the model year again, which has been the case for the last few years. So, they are definitely on top of things at the moment. It is a shame Target didn't get on the right page. Hopefully by 2027 they are sorted, and we get the Reds back! But, batch K is a set of 11 models. As it is over my limit for a single report, I have split it into 2. The first half appear here, and there is a lot of red in them, as I went in number order. 

But, first, we have a lovely yellow model. The MB1343 Mercedes-AMG SL63 returns for its 4th basic range outing in the number 31 slot. 

This model first appeared back in 2023. Created by Abe Lugo, it was the first model to sport the new wheel, that is exclusive to modern Mercs. Mercedes-Benz requested it. Years ago, they requested putting a hologram on packaging, which was quite a cost on a razor-thin profit. Matchbox couldn't afford to lose money on making their vehicles, so just stopped doing their vehicles until they decided to scrap that idea. I think pretty much all toy companies gave up, as a hologram is not cheap. But, when they asked if they could have a new wheel that better matched their real ones, this was something that Matchbox could do, and stay within budget. Which is why we only see these wheels on modern Mercs. They look fantastic, and being black with just a simple chrome ring on them makes them look so cool. And the thing is, you can find the real wheels looking just like this as well. They are official wheels from them. Black with a chrome rim. Brilliant. Why am I talking about the wheels? Well, the colour is not official. Yes, Mercedes-AMG SL models can be found in yellow. But, that yellow is a bright solid yellow, known as Sun Yellow, or Yellow Stone (which is a darker hue) if you go through the MANUFAKTUR exclusives. Not a golden metallic yellow hue that is being done here. So what we have is a real wheel and an original paint job, which is similar to the paint work of a real SL. As I always say, they don't have to be real colours. Last year was a unique colour as well. I like the fancy colours they are doing on these. We see a beautiful front and rear tampo print, as we have on all the last ones. 

The one thing I am not too sure on this time is the interior. Is it me, or is the shade of grey here a little too pale? They actually do a truffle brown interior, and I think a brown or a tan interior would have been a nicer option. They do red as an option. That wouldn't work. Tan is perhaps my ideal choice for an interior here. This was a little bland for it. Which is a shame. Everything else was fantastic. I love this shade of yellow. It is bright and stands out. I just wish the interior did as well. It gets an 8 from me. Yes, I am being a bit mean there. One fault, and I drop it 2 points. I really did not like the interior colour.

It is not being grey that failed. It was that particular pale wishy-washy shade of grey. After all, the 2023 debut in blue (which I found shades on) came with a grey interior, and that darker, almost silvery hue, looks much better. 

The 2024 release was in a very dark charcoal, almost black, and the interior was a similar very dark hue. Again, it worked. 

Then there was last year's orange one. It was another that was fun for variations. Again, a grey interior. Every year has been a grey interior. But, that interior looked fine. I just didn't gel with the new shade of grey. 

I do want to see more of this car. A Mercedes convertible is almost traditional in the Matchbox world. Especially the SL-series. So, I hope to see more of these. We have lots of colours to work with. Reds and greens are ones I would love to see. 

The next model is the MB1514 '23 Nissan Ariya Pole to Pole EV. It returns in 2026 in a fairly similar look to last year as MB65. 

I re-read my review from last year. I gave the model a 10 for inclusion and design, but only a 4 for the casting. Yes, I was not a fan of the smaller size on this one compared to the stock Ariya look. But, I did love how they finished it off. Obviously, this was the real vehicle that Chris & Julie Ramsey drove from the magnetic north to south poles in 2023. I did finish off last year's report with a question, pondering whether it would be one and done, or if they would be able to come up with a second look. However, I never even thought of the simple change. Last year, the model was depicted as it would be at the start of the journey. All nice and clean. But, this is a brilliant idea. This year's release depicts that same vehicle, once it has been driven for thousands of miles in the snow. Of course, what a fantastic idea. It makes so much sense now. 

I bring in last year's 'clean' one for a little side by side comparison. 

The front end shows the snow being piled up on it. The base is actually different, as the new one has a grey base, compared to black before. That sort of works with it, as it almost looks like grubby snow piling up there as well. So, that is not a problem, changing that.

The side also sees lots of snow marks across the new release, and you may notice that the wheel hubs are now also white, instead of chrome. Yes, I can see that working very well. A novel idea, giving the model additional white there. However, you may notice the rear quarter of the new release. 

Which also runs around the back. It is now grey there as well. Now, in reality, the real vehicle faded to black as it got to the rear end. I am not sure why they went with grey. Maybe to make things stand out better? I don't know. And they added EV to the rear tampo print as well. Adding snow, turning the base grey, putting white hubs on the new one, these all felt like natural changes of a vehicle from factory fresh, to completing the journey in the snow. But, the rear end is not going to turn grey. They left it off last year, I think they should have kept it off again this time. Which I think is a bit of a shame. It was going so well. 

I actually do prefer this to the original one. I love the snow splashes all over it. But, because they haven't kept the rear end consistent between releases, which I think was actually an important thing, I have to drop a point. I am giving it a 9. Yes, I am that weird. My favourite gets a 9 for design, and my least favourite gets a 10. Life is fickle sometimes. 

At least it still doesn't look as bland as the Moving Parts model. The MB1382 '23 Nissan Ariya is one of the most boring looking modern electric SUVs you can get, in my opinion. From the people who brought you the Z-series, Skyline and GT-R models, that are all so cool, they went completely the other direction and gave us the most bland looking uncool vehicles of the modern era. Every time I see one on the road, I feel deflated. It has no character at all. I don't know why people want to buy them. And, I see that Matchbox didn't put one in this year's Moving Parts range. It debuted in 2023 in the same tan that Pole to Pole comes in. 

Before turning blue for 2024.

And then teal for 2025. I am hopeful it is done. I have been to the USA each year, and seen this one peg warming. It doesn't appear to be at all popular. The Pole to Pole has something about it. I don't know if they are able to create a different look for this one. But, if they do, I would suggest a National Parks look. Arctic division. Ha ha! Or this could be all we see of it. Who knows. We will find out in the next year or 2 whether it does return or not.

I am reviewing 6 models here. And this is the third of them. I mention that, because this is it for non-red models. It is the MB1501 '23 BMW M2, coming in purple in the MB70 slot. 

This is an official BMW colour. It is known as Twilight Purple Pearl Metallic. Yeah, that's a handful of a name. Okay, the shade is slight out. I think the way BMW made the real paint job, I think it was difficult for the Matchbox guys at the factory to match it perfectly. But, it is very close, and it looks fantastic. I can't believe that until 2023, Matchbox had never done a purple BMW. This is the third one. They are on a run of them now. And this is the nicest purple of the lot. We get the usual front and rear tampo print that we would expect. 

However, last year's debut also sported a black roof. It is not on this year's model. The Porsche 911GT3 from my report last week stole it! Ha ha! I kid. However, is it needed? Not really. It is a cool addition, but not quite as noticeable on this purple car. I am not fussed that it is not on the model this time. I am still giving this one a perfect 10. I love it. In fact, I think I might prefer it to the red one. 

Here is last year's model. Yeah, it looks awesome. My favourite colour is red, so I am very happy with it. The black roof was a fantastic touch. I just think the purple stands out more. This is not the only release for the model this year. A 5-pack outing and a Walmart exclusive outing are also appearing. I will return to it later on. 

I am not quite sure when yet. I haven't worked out my plan of action for the last quarter of the year's stuff. I believe I have 13 blog reports left for 2026 to run before I make a start on 2027 (all being well, and everything goes to plan). So it may be the start of 2027 or right at the end of 2026 when we see me return to the BMW M2. 

And, now it is time for the reds. And another BMW. The MB1491 '23 BMW i4 Police Sedan returns for year 2 in the basic range with a fire themed design. And, for those keeping tabs, this is the third 2023 car in a row. 

I have mentioned before that I am a bit of a fan of recurring themes. And, well, this is an awesome returned theme. Because, we have seen this exact look before. 

The MB966 BMW M5 Police sported this exact same look in the 2028 basic range. Aside from a couple of tiny tweaks, like a darker smoke window, and chrome wheels in place of gunmetal, this is just a perfect update. 

With the one minor change being the new model is number 6, whereas the last one was number 5. I think it is brilliant. 

I know some may be thinking that it lacks a little on the front end. The last 2 saw the front grille depicted. But, because this one went with the hood print, they were unable to get the front done. I think BMW's biggest concern is the badge being shows. Which it was. I am giving this a 10. I love it. 

Last year's basic range debut was a Polizei themed model, which did see the front detailed. However, there was no hood print. 

And that was followed up at the start of this year with another Polizei themed model in the Walmart European Cars set. As I mentioned at the time, these Walmart models appeared to be getting slightly extra tampos to regulars.

So, while the Walmart model did get a hood and grille, I am happy enough to see one or the other on the basics. However, I am curious over how things may be found next year. They did mention at the Q&A for Matchbox 2027, when we were at the Gathering, they are planning to squeeze out some extra prints on basics for 2027. It is all part of the push for the Matchbox brand. I honestly am so looking forward to seeing how things go in 2027. 

As we work our way through the red half of this batch, the next model in the batch I am looking at is the MB1508 '24 Subaru WRX S4 STi. It comes in, well, red, as MB78 in the 2026 series.

Subaru has a red look called Ignition Red. From what I can tell, it is not metallic. This one appears to be metallic. A bit like the Merc above. Not that I am at all bothered. This shade of red looks fantastic. I love it. And what is better than this one?

These 2! Ha ha! Yes, I got a nice shade on this one. I do enjoy my shades, and red is my favourite colour. So, I am really happy with this one. It is almost perfect. The front end is clean and tidy. The tampo print it spot on. It has a clear window, and black interior and base work perfectly. Those wheels are the perfect ones for this model. And chrome for them works.

The only very minor gripe I have with this one is the license plate. The rear sees a perfect light display depicted. But, the fun license plate, 3U L1T5R (which is 'see you later' in code), is the exact same one that they put on the debut last year. Doh! I do love checking plates, as I like to see what fun things they do at times. Last year, I was loving what they put on the debut.  This year, its like hmm! I would have loved another fun plate on the back. 'R5D RUS8' off the top of my head. It can't be used on a different colour. If it gets used on a different car, I want royalties! Ha ha! Only joking. I give that away for free if they want to use it. But, because I did get a minor gripe with this one, I can't justify still giving it top marks. So, being the meanie I am, I am chipping a tiny bit away, and scoring this a 9.5. 

I do really like this casting, which is why I made sure to obtain a certain pre-production sample at the Gathering this last July. I thought it looked great in this prototype orange look with blue interior and base. 

Along with an unfinished base. Made in ______? Sssh! It's a secret. 

The model debuted in the basic range last year, in what Subaru refers to as World Rally Blue. 

So, after blue and red, will the next release be another official Subaru colour? Black, white, silver, grey? They do have an orange. Although it is not quite like my prepro. That is quite unique. Great work by Tyler Charest on that one. I look forward to seeing what the next one will be. And I will be checking the license plate. 

Yes! Finally! I bet when Abe Lugo created the MB1359 Volvo XC40 back in 2023, debuting it that year, he was not expecting for it to be such a headache in getting a second version out. Volvo became a little cautious over having ICE engine modern vehicles depicted after that. So, in 2024 and 2025, only classics (like the 240) were made, with this and the V60 Wagon put on the back burner. Thankfully, they decided to open up the modern vehicles to include ICE models again. I think the recent change of stance within the electric vehicle community worldwide, and how manufacturers are back tracking on certain plans they had to electrify their entire ranges has made things better. Sure, some like the electric vehicles. But, many still like an ICE engine. Hybrid? Sure, getting more and more popular. But electric vehicle sales are stagnating. I noticed that this year, there has not been such a big push for electric vehicles in the range. What? No Teslas? Sure, there are some, and a few of the modern castings can be both (like the BMW 7-series and Jeep Avenger, to name but 2). We are still getting a number of electric vehicles in the Matchbox ranges, but I don't think it is as many as the last few years. Anyway, I am extremely happy to see this one return. It takes the MB83 slot in red, obviously. 

This is known as Fusion Red within Volvo circles. It was an option on the 2023 XC40. It is no longer an option on the 2026 version. But, we get the Matchbox one. Ha! I love it. Yes, I know we had quite a few red models in this batch, but I do think all of them look fantastic. And this may be the one that gives me the biggest smile, because I am so happy to see it return. When it arrived back in 2023, I was so impressed with it, and was actively looking forward to more versions. When it didn't appear in 2024, I was a little sad, but thought it was a late 2023 arrival, so it may roll into 2025 before it pops back up again. 2025 came and went, and still nothing. I was getting quite upset. 

Was it worth the wait? Yes. 100%. I am loving this one. The red is gorgeous. The tampo printing front and rear is spot on. and just like the Subi above, the black interior and base work so well. The (almost, as there is a very mild tint) clear windows are faultless, and these double 10-spokes are a great choice for the wheel on it. There is no fun license plate. It just has Volvo on it. I can live with that. I honestly cannot find a fault with this at all. This is my favourite of the batch (well, this half, I am still to check the other half). So, I do not hesitate in scoring this a perfect 10 out of 10. What a way to finish. 

And if you can't remember what the 2023 model looked like, here it is again. Dusted off for a first outing in a while. Welcome back. 

I really hope it is not another 3 years before we get another one. We should get a bunch of these going while we can. But, as I am noticing the article is a little short, why not finish with a dive back to the last XC model that Matchbox made. 

The MB674 Volvo XC90. Ryu Asada was the mastermind behind this little creation. It was when we saw this debut in the 2005 basic range that I knew Matchbox was coming back. If you remember, the early 2000s had seen the brand take a nose dive. They came up with a direction that ended up with Hero City, and in 2004, this expanded further into Ultra Heroes. They were a massive disaster, and the whole direction was scrapped. They started a turn towards realism again, and the XC90 was one of the earlier new castings to appear in 2005. A regular vehicle you see on the roads. Something that Matchbox was known for. I picked up the silver one, and I knew things would be okay.

The reason for 2 of them is not just because there is a shade. That was likely inevitable as they decided to move production from China to Thailand in early 2005, and this model started in one factory and finished in the other. 

Funnily enough, the second basic range release for this one in 2006 was also red. However, it was a much darker red, which if you hunted around, could be extremely dark. 

I even have this really cool pre-production sample. If you look at the rear lights on the one on the right, they are detailed. The one on the left is a simple grey on red look. They were going to go all-in on the detailing that year, but ended up keeping it simple. The detailing would come in on later years. 

It was also found in cream in the 2006 Stars of Cars series, exclusive to the German market. 

And was also found in the Superfast series in black.

In 2007, the basic range release was a silvery green look, which again I noticed would sport some shading between a more silvery look and a more greeny look. 

For 2008, it turned blue in the basic range. Yet again, shades were to be found. 

That was the last we saw of the model in the basic range, and after not being used in 2009, it saw 1 more outing in the 2010 "Real" 10-pack in brown. Hey, look even more shading. Which, if you were counting, was a grand total of 7 releases. That was not a lot. I still see this generation XC90s on the road, and I still feel it can get more outings. I would not be opposed to an 8-pack exclusive, or maybe even a 5-pack inclusion. 

On that note, I believe I am finished with the 'red' half of the batch. Because, you know, half of these ones were red.

With the others being in quite funky colours. One primary, one secondary and one tertiary. Hey, look, I remember my time at school. 

So, as these head off, I start planning out what to do for next week. So many choices. I'm "working" on a plan. Until then, I hope everybody has a safe and happy week.