After the HYBRID starter set, here’s my first optional car to complete the track and finally be able to race with my two children. And with three of us on the track, it won’t be the same; there will be more of a challenge.
Since I really like Carrera and already have quite a few Carrera-themed cars, I couldn’t resist this BMW M4 GT3 “Carrera, No. 62” with a Carrera livery (Reference: 50051024).
This car costs around €60. On the Carrera website, whether you choose a basic Porsche without livery (like the ones included in the sets) or another model with a fantastic livery, the price is the same.
First, I’d like to talk about the box. I love the little window on top so you can see what the vehicle looks like without just looking at a picture; it’s a great idea.
Secondly, regarding the packaging, in the HYBRID starter set, between the two vehicle boxes included, there’s a box that serves no purpose other than to hold the two car boxes together. Well, you can put the box of your new purchase in there and store it neatly in the starter set.
Upon opening the box, you’ll find the vehicle itself, but also, in front of the hood, the wheel wrench, a small accessory for safely removing the car’s wheels. You have to remove the clear plastic cover to see everything and lift the inner cardboard module to reveal the charging cable, the instruction manual, and… yes, look at the photo at the bottom of the box, there’s a white thing with a red/orange circle. A tire cleaning mat. I’ll come back to that later.
To safely remove the car trapped in the cardboard box, simply pull the arrow on the box backwards to free your race car. It’s very ingenious.
The tire cleaning mat
Carrera is offering an accessory here that I expected to be an optional extra due to cost considerations, but no, it’s included with every car purchased separately from the 2025 catalog. This decision by Carrera deserves praise.
On a track, dust accumulates quickly on the tires, causing buildup on the tires and wheel axles. Wiping the track down only provides temporary relief; the dust is always airborne. We don’t live in a dust-free cleanroom.
This rubber mat works perfectly on standard rubber, urethane, or even silicone tires. Before each race, a quick pass over the cleaning mat ensures your tires are in top condition.
One of the great advantages of this little accessory is that it’s not limited to the Carrera HYBRID range. If you own a classic slot car track (Carrera Digital 132/124, GO, Evolution, etc.), this mat will quickly become your best ally for cleaning the rear tires that provide traction.
We’ll be publishing a dedicated article about this accessory soon to try and uncover all its secrets.
Here’s a link to a Carrera video about this mat. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJkGJ0a001g
The car
Well, at first glance it looks like other cars but with a different body. So technically, nothing new.
Well, after putting the two cars (the BMW and the 911) side by side to compare them, there are a few differences. The wheelbase and axle width are different. Since I didn’t remove the wheels, I had a little trouble measuring the dimensions, but they do seem different.
The real question is whether this influences the speed and handling of the car. Since the speed is rather low on the track, everything related to aerodynamics and road holding will be negligible, if not nonexistent, between the cars. With the engine and electronics being identical, the only parameter that could have an influence is the wheel diameter, which affects speed, but the difference is small, so I don’t think that’s what will allow you to overtake an opponent on a straight.
In terms of details, CARRERA is faithful to the real model, with a nice rear wing, mirrors, and attractive livery. Like other cars, the BMW is equipped with working headlights and taillights.
Unlike slot cars, which travel at very high speeds, there’s no risk of damage in a collision while driving. Only a fall from a height could damage it, but that’s not a racing scenario.
Specifications
| Element | BMW M4 GT3 “Carrera, No.62“ | Porsche 911 GT3 R “Acid Green” |
| Reference | 50051024 | 50051002 |
| Weight | 33.5g | 28.5g |
| Width | 41.2 | 38.5 |
| Length | 99.8 | 95 |
| Front wheel diameter | 13.8 | 14.2 |
| Rear wheel diameter | 13.8 | 14.2 |
| Front wheel width | 5.4 | 5.2 |
| Rear wheel width | 6 | 5.8 |
| Front axle width | 39.2 | 36.5 |
| Rear axle width | 40 | 36.6 |
| Wheelbase | 59 | 50.5 |
Units of length = mm
A quick technical reminder from the CARRERA website:
The car can reach a top speed of 1.8 m/s (6.48 km/h).
The lithium battery provides up to 30 minutes of racing fun and recharges in just 20 minutes with a USB-C cable.
Conclusion
A car that adds a bit of color and decoration to the track and allows the race to transition from a series car race to a professional race with sponsors. It’s therefore much more realistic.
- Reference: 50051024
- Suggested price: €60
