Tecnomodel 1:18 1994 Lotus 109 diecast model car review

One of Tecnomodel’s many new announcements just before Christmas was the last Lotus Formula One car, the 109 from 1994, in 1:18 scale.

The once-great British team sadly entered into decline at the beginning of the 1990s, having been in world championship contention just a few years previously thanks to the efforts of Ayrton Senna. Things really reached the point of no return in 1990, when Lotus lost its title sponsor (Camel) and a works engine deal (with Lamborghini) at the end of the season.

Mika Hakkinen and Johnny Herbert continued to score the odd points finish for the Hethel squad from 1991 to 1993, but by 1994 the team was seriously short of cash. Things got so bad that Herbert was even benched for a couple of races to make way for pay driver Philippe Adams.

As one would expect of a team short on monetary reserves, the 109 was heavily based on the 107 that had gone before it. Even then, Lotus was not able to have the car ready until the fifth round of the 1994 world championship. Herbert troubled the top 10 on a couple of occasions with it, but these were the days when points were only awarded to the top six finishers. There was a glimmer of hope at Monza when Herbert qualified a sensational fourth with a new Mugen-Honda engine, but even that turned sour when he was caught up in a first corner melée triggered by Eddie Irvine. The race was restarted, but Johnny’s spare car had the older less competitive power unit fitted, and he retired early anyway. At the end of the year, the multiple world championship-winning team closed its doors for the very last time.

Of the four 1:18 Lotus 109 replicas that Tecnomodel has announced, one of course had to be Herbert. It is the Briton’s car from the Belgian GP, where he finished 12th. This is joined by Alessandro Zanardi’s car from Silverstone (the Italian retiring early with engine failure), Mika Salo’s machine from Suzuka (the Finn rounding out the top 10) and Philippe Adams’ example from Spa (the home driver spinning out).

Click Tecnomodel 1:18 1994 Lotus 109 to order.