The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
The complete listing of Chinese prototype models is below. For model reviews, please scroll below the table or click here
VW Jetta
1:87 Scale
Rating
9/10
Volkswagen Jetta - Beijing Taxi
Micro City
Prototype Information
The Volkswagen Jetta, actually known as the Volkswagen Jetta Mk2 or King, was a very popular car in China from 1991. It is actually produced by Volkswagen-FAW and is a design bastardised between a Volkswagen Jetta and the Volkswagen Passat. VW Jetta's have always been a popular taxi type in China, however by the time the new company color code system in Beijing arrived, most Mk2's were already gone and even more modern Jetta's have fallen way to VW Santana's and Hyundai Elantra's. Other Jetta Mk2's can still be found around China, but are disappearing at a very rapid rate. Production lasted until 1997 when the new model was ushered in. Note, the prototype photo shows next generation Jetta Beijing taxi!
General Information
Micro City have released a few versions of the Volkswagen Jetta, two of them being Beijing taxis. There are two color choices with each belonging to different Beijing Taxi companies. It is a shame the other two colors (red & yellow or purple & yellow) were not produced at the same time. They are mostly made from ABS plastic.
Packaging
Micro City cars are sold in a thin folded plastic box. The car sits on a cardboard platform and supported by a separate plastic piece with an indent the shape of the car.
Details
The car bodies are made from ABS plastic. Most external details are molded into the main shell including side mirrors, front grille, etc. Door gaps are acceptable and the overall appearance is very good. The paint work is done to a very high standard with a high gloss finish and both have metallic paint. The labels appear to be decals. They are very sharp and unlike Micro City's Police Landcruiser and Jetta's, they blend in very nicely with the paint work. The number plate details are superb, and each version has a different number. Other painted details are very nicely done, such as the VW emblem, grille detail, badges, door handles and the silver mirror glass.
'Glass' parts include the front headlights and tail lights, red/blue flashers as well as the window glass, which is a single piece. Some details are painted on the glass, such as window/lens partitions, and windshield wipers. Most other places where there should be glass, such as indicators, mirror glass and fog lights are simply painted on.
The side mirrors are attached as delivered, but these are incredibly fragile. Great care should be taken while removing them from the box as the flaps are just begging to slap the mirrors as its being removed. I have noticed one of my blue taxis - the one pictured has its taxi sign mounted at an angle, but this should be an easy fix. My other taxis don't have this flaw, so hopefully this is a one off.
The under carriage is fairly well detailed. Tyres are rubber and have realistic tread. The alloy wheels are plastic parts and look superb. The cars have a full interior which looks nice with five seats. There even appears to be leg room possibly to add some people. The interior is a one piece plastic mold in black color. The car interior can be accessed via the two small screws on the undercarriage.
