Matchbox Monday gives us the rest of batch G

At the start of the month, I began my journey through the 7th batch of the 2025 basic range. As we arrive at the end of the month, I thought I should get the other half done. This batch was quite a "new casting" heavy batch, and as such, half of the castings I am looking at are brand new for this year. So, time to get stuck in.

And I am wasting no time getting into the new castings. The first model on the list this week is a lovely new MB1507 '24 Cadillac Lyriq. It debuts as MB14 in the 2025 range in grey.

This model was created by Garry Gopinath, based on a new vehicle that Cadillac launched in May 2022. The Lyriq is a mid-size luxury crossover SUV, and the first fully electric vehicle from the Cadillac brand. It is genetically similar to the Chevy Blazer EV (which Matchbox also makes in Moving Parts) and also the Honda Prologue/Acura ZDX, as Honda and General Motors shared development of this electric architecture. Construction of the real vehicle is in Tennessee, in the USA for most markets, although the Chinese market has them produced locally. So far, North America, Australia/New Zealand, Japan, South Korea and China have them. European sales are spreading, with Switzerland, Germany, Sweden and France already selling it. The UK is also due to start selling them any time soon as well. Cadillac are really going all out with this one. And, with Germany making their car of the year recently, you know they are definitely pushing this.

Garry has created the model utilizing Cadillac's panoramic fixed glass roof with power shade option (also known as the window forming part of the roof). It is a genuine option on the real Cadillac, so this model has been crafted correctly. And, from what I can see, he has done a fantastic job replicating the shape of the real one. It does look like the Lyriq.

The front end is smooth, as many an electric vehicle is. Without tampo printing, it would look unusual, but the attention to tampo detail really set it off. 

And, again, at the rear, we see the tampo detail showing off the lights etc. However, due to the limitations of the 2 passes through the tampo machine rule for basics, the upper light section does stop at the corner. In real life, these would continue round the corner and up the side of the C pillar. The body has been cast with the area for the lights depicted, but I don't think we will see them unless they offer a premium version of this car. 

The model is a dark grey colour. Looking at the factory options for the real Lyriq, I would say this is aiming to be the Argent Silver Metallic option. Although I do think the real one looks a little lighter. But, that is not a major issue. 

When it comes to scoring this, I think it is pretty easy. Inclusion is a 10. This model is looking at being the first worldwide Cadillac car for a long time, and I think that is justification itself for adding it. They are in on the ground floor, just as the real vehicle is starting to show up around the world. Casting. Garry did a fantastic job with this, and I am very impressed with how it turned out. I can see no faults with it. Another 10. Design. As I said, the limitations to the 2-pass tampo rule does hinder the rear light configuration. I don't think there was any way around that. I try not to score down for limitation rules, uniless it really detracts. This does not. The colour is nice, albeit slightly darker than I thought it would be. But, again, not a bad thing. So, I am giving it a 10 here as well. I think this has a good few years of sales. From what I have seen, they are not particularly hanging around. 

You might notice on the base that the model's name is in capitals. I notice their website also has it in capitals. I am not 100% sure if this is how you should write it? They haven't specified that. Lyriq is a modern interpretation of the word lyric, and has the ending changed, as this is their new way of naming things, with "iq" at the end of names. The Lyriq has been followed by the Optiq, Celestiq and Escalade IQ. I don't think they wanted to mess with that name too much, as they are very well known for it. 

The second model this week is the MB821 Ford Police Interceptor. This casting, based on the Ford Taurus 6th generation, was created for 2011 after Ford discontinued the Crown Victoria. They created this one as well as an Explorer based SUV Interceptor. Although the real Police Interceptor finished production in 2019, alongside the 6th generation Taurus, the Matchbox model has shown no signs of slowing down. After debuting in the 2011 range, the model has been used in at least one of the core ranges every year except 2019. However, with 2021 giving us an undercover police look, we have always seen a design based on police, sheriff, marshal, security etc. Never a taxi. 

The thing is, it's real. NYC does have a few re-purposed Police Interceptors in use as taxis. 

Which makes this MB29 for 2025 even more exciting. It is a real car. They have done a few NYC taxis lately, and all of them are real. I love that they have managed to find out which real vehicles are in use, and replicated them using their existing tooling. Is the Taurus Interceptor starting to get a little long in the tooth now? Perhaps. Is this one worth including. Definitely. If this ends up being a swansong for the casting, it is going out with a bang (although, somehow I think it will still be seen). I love this one. 

In fact, I would actually say that this is one of the best releases ever on this casting. An easy 10 out of 10 from me. 

And, adding that little cherry on top, I got shades! Lighter and darker yellow hues can be found. I am loving this. Another thing, it is a recurring theme. So, let's dive back through the theme this time. 

You might remember a certain 2021 Moving Parts release of the MB1140 '06 Ford Crown Victoria debuting this NYC taxi look.

Which was followed by the MB1025 Toyota Prius Taxi in the 2022 Electric Drivers 5-pack.

We then had the MB1303 '21 Ford Mustang Mach-E sporting the same look in the 2023 basic range. 

So, after taking 2024, we have now had our 4th NYC taxi design in 5 years. Sadly, the old Checker Cab was retired in 1999, and although Matchbox did do an NYC version when it debuted, it is a little different in design to these. 

It's time to move on to the 2nd new casting of this week's report. The MB1495 Morgan 3-Wheeler. After the success of the Morgan Plus Four last year, I was a little curious as to how well this one would do. It takes the MB57 slot in the range in British Racing Green.

I always wonder how these niche models are going to fare. Morgan debuted the 3-Wheeler in 2012, and over 2,500 examples were made before it was discontinued in 2021. I was a little surprised they went with this one, and not the Morgan Super 3 that replaced it. The model is very small. But, it is also very heavy. 

This is because the body is metal, and so is the base. For such a small model, it is definitely one of the heavier ones. 

Abe Lugo was the person who created the casting, and one of the things you might notice is that those large front wheels are very thin. Yes, these are a new wheel tooling created especially for this model. You might also be wondering what the 2 pieces of the interior section sticking up are. These are actually depicting the tiny dual window that the real vehicle has. With the usual limitation of 4 parts (plus wheels) for the model, Abe has created a metal base, with a chromed front/exhaust side piece, plastic interior and metal body. Therefore, trying to add those tiny windows as a different piece on top would both be cumbersome and would add a 5th element. Something they often try to avoid on basics. The rear view mirrors have been crafted out of the body section. I think that was likely the best option there.

However, as I noted, this was a bit of a niche vehicle. Sure, Morgan have made over 2,500 of these in their factory in Malvern. I have been to Malvern. I have driven past their factory. I have seen many Morgans on the road. I have still never seen one of these. Being a 3-wheeled roadster, which in some markets can be classified as a motorbike, it is a very unusual vehicle. I have to admit, in my travels around the UK and the USA/Canada recently, I have seen quite a lot of these warming pegs. I think it may have been a little too much of a niche model. The Plus Four from last year was quirky, but it is a very well known vehicle, and is something that people know and love. The 3-Wheeler may be a little too quirky.

Which is a real shame, as I think Abe has done a fantastic job with the casting. It is so much like the real thing. The unique wheels for it just add to the look. 

And the tampo detailing to the model is spot on. The rear gets lights and a license plate detail.

And the front is lovingly depicted behind the chrome lights. It is a superb model, but sadly, it is not gelling with the audience. Scoring this? Inclusion. I am going to have to score it a 4. Perhaps it was not the best choice for a model to be inserted into the range. Casting? 10. Easy. Abe did wonders with the source material. Design. Again, 10, as it looks stunning. It is such a shame it is not proving to be popular. Maybe if it was a brighter colour it might have done better? Small and dark, it doesn't stand out. It is a shame, as I was hoping for a better launch. Oh, well, let's see how the second colour does. 

The 4th model in the batch is the last of the new castings. This is the MB1434 '24 Mercedes-Benz EQB. It takes the MB101 slot in the range and debuts in white.

The EQB is another in the Mercedes-Benz portfolio of electric vehicles, and is the 3rd of them to debut as a Matchbox. This followed the G580 with EQ Technology (Moving Parts) and EQS (premium only). The EQB is the first to arrive in the basic range. I know one that I would like to see, if Mattel are reading. The EQT. This is a minivan, and they can create it as a Moving Parts model with sliding rear doors. We need another Minivan in the Matchbox portfolio. But, anyway, I digress again. The EQB debuted in real life in 2021 as an off-shoot of the GLB, which had debuted in 2019. The model in white is what Mercedes-Benz simply call Polar White. The model was created by Garry Gopinath again, and just like the Lyriq earlier, this also sports a moon roof as part of the window element. And, just like the Lyriq, this follows how the real vehicles looks. 

I am loving how deep all the detailing goes on this model. The way the doors, charging point and panels are so well distinguished. Sure, they are thicker on the model than in real life, but when you reduce down to this scale, trying to replicate them properly would mean a hairline scratch in the casting, which would simply disappear when produced. I don't know why, but I really like the chunky look to the depictions of the body parts. I think this is a lovely casting. 

Comparing the shape of the model to the real car (as best I can through pictures), I think he has captured the shape really well. Even down to the slight kink in the body line as it heads to the back of the body. This is terrific work on Garry's behalf. Even the curvature at the back end as it heads down to the bumper is spot on. 

As I said, it has been cast with a moon roof, and I am so happy to see that they stopped the moon roof at the correct point, and made the rest a part of the body. I don't like the whole roof section being a part of the window section. I think it ruins the aesthetic of a model. 

The front end receives a huge tampo print depicting the real front end. Properly done. Cannot be faulted.

And they did manage to kink the rear tampo print around the corners of the model, meaning the red lights at the back appear true to real life as well. Sometimes, when it gets cut off at a corner, it can look a little off. With badges in addition, there is nothing else I would expect to see on this one. It is faultless.

So, time for some scores. Inclusion. Hmm! A tough one. I know Matchbox are really pushing the electric vehicles in the range, and as such, this one does actually stand out from the majority. The EQB is a rather unique body style compared to the masses, so I am going to give it a 10. Casting. Perfection. A 10, obviously. Design. Again, spot on. I cannot think of anything that I could improve on for this model in the design department. 10 again. SO, a perfect 30 out of 30 debut for the EQB. Way to go Matchbox.

Oh, right, new casting. Voilà! One base shot. 

The 5th model is of something I always enjoy. A recurring theme! This is the latest version of the MB970 '15 Ford F-150 Contractor Truck. It takes the MB113 slot in the range in white.

I don't know why this particular casting has not had much action. I always thought it was a decent enough model. Yet, when Miguel López created the casting for the 2015 basic range, it ran for 3 years as a single, and has only seen sporadic outings since. I will run through them shortly. But, first, Agave Acres. I remember when Michael Heralda first created the look for the 2020 debut of the Renault Kangoo, I posted a little piece about his inspiration for it. The original article has the bit from Michael about the Agave Acres at the bottom if you click this link. It will open in a new page.

So, seeing the look again on Unit 3 (because it is the 3rd outing), I am definitely very happy. I love a recurring theme. The only minor quibble is the little side light at the front. As I had just mentioned on the EQB above, having lights that don't go round the corner do look a little off, and in this case, I don't think it was even needed. As we don't have a front tampo, putting in the side part of the indicator lights really does seem off. Which is what brings it down to a 9.5 out of 10 from me. A minor quibble. Nothing that really detracts from the cool design. Especially with added mud effects this time!

And, if you were trying to remember the other 2, I did mention the MB1216 '18 Renault Kangoo Express that debuted in 2020 with the look. 

The second outing was on the MB813 Express Delivery in last year's basic range.

I hope to see a Unit 4 at some point in the near future. Now, I did mention that the Contractor Truck hasn't been used that much, so I will also do a dive back to remind us of its history.

It debuted in the 2015 range as one of the recurring Ranec models. Another Michael Heralda creation.

In 2016, it was seen in yellow in the range, which I did note was good for a shade.

And in 2017, it was in olive green in the basic range. Note this time the shade was in the tampo printing.

After that, it did not see another outing until 2021, when this basic range release was sent out. 

Then, for 2022, it was in the MBX Road Crew II 5-pack in the recurring INC livery (another of Michael's). 

After having another 2 years off, this year marks the first time that the model has seen more than 1 outing. The other was as an 8-pack exclusive in the recurring Matchbox Construction theme. 

Which means that this is the 7th outing for the model. The daft thing is, every 3rd outing is a white truck. Yes, I did say it was daft! 

And now I move on to the last model in the batch. The MB1218 '19 VW Beetle Convertible. This appears in pink as MB118 this year.

Was pink an official option on the modern VW Beetle? Nope! Do they exist? Yes. Many, many exist....

I could go on. A Google search yields hundreds of results. Pink is a very common colour to customize to. 

I love that it even has Pinky VW on the rear license plate. This is such a fun little model. Do I care one iota that it is not a real factory colour? No I do not. I think this is perhaps the best release to date on this one. 

And the icing on the cake (as this does look like icing on a cake) is that I found shades on it as well. Oh, yes, this is freaking awesome. I love it! I am giving this a perfect 10, and I am wondering it this might actually make it into my Top 10 rundown at the end of the year?

One final dive back. The 2020 debut in blue was also good for a shade.

I even found it on the 2021 white.

Orange is often good for a shade, and the 2022 did not disappoint. 

Although I was a little sad to say I never found a shade on the 2023 red one. 

Or on last year's golden yellow release. Something I was really surprised about. I thought that one would surely come up with a shade. 

If you were keeping tabs, you would have noticed that this means the pink model was the 6th basic range outing in a row, and the model has not been a part of any other range in a unique colour. And still no khaki. However, I am also loving the fact that every release comes with a unique (and fun) license plate.

And with that, another article is over and done with. This half of the batch was split between new castings (3).

And 3 older castings that have been around for a number of years now. All 3 are in looks that I think are some of their finest!

As I start looking ahead to next week's article, I hope everybody enjoyed the read. And, as usual, have a safe and happy week.