• Four-wheel modern classic from Russia in two versions
• System tractor Xerion drives on wheels and tracks
• Magirus-Deutz square bonnet as a tractor unit
• Finally! Cubic cabin trucks and the Volvo bonnet truck head to work at the construction site
• Hanomag wheel loader elevates the N-gauge range
WIKING is kicking off the new decade with attractive impulses that will uphold the model maker's cherished tradition and add the next chapter to it. In the years to come the traditional model makers will continue to rely on attractive and exciting topics in the area of both new items and model upgrades. Especially the new items to be launched in 2020 underscore WIKING’s focus on refining their 1:87 scale models and on worthwhile additions to the product range. It is the company's express objective to keep inspiring enthusiasm for the model chronology and distinctive cycles of themes by staying close to the collector and catering to their wishes. And, wherever an opportunity arises to contribute to fascinating stories, WIKING will inject valuable impulses with their models. At the end of the day, it is all about the WIKING DNA, which has enabled the company to not only maintain but also improve on their selection of model vehicles for more than 70 years now – which is why the new decade will also offer plenty of room for a few surprises. In 2020, the WIKING brand will continue to epitomise maximum prominence and tradition-based esteem – as the annual presentation at the Nuremberg Toy Fair will prove yet again.
Lada Niva
WIKING pays homage to a venerable modern classic and its unparalleled history: The Lada Niva broke new ground in Germany as the first affordable all-wheel drive SUV - long before anyone knew what an SUV was. Even though owners of the original quickly started complaining about their vehicle's propensity to rust, there are scores of aficionados today who fell in love with this Russian sport utility vehicle. Particularly noteworthy: At that time in the real world, almost no other SUV offered the same affordability as the Niva. Drivers in agriculture and forestry came to appreciate this all-wheel Lada as a daredevil that gets the job done - rugged and capable of taking a beating. Modelled after original vehicles released in 1994 or later, WIKING is launching a 1:87 scale miniature with two different grille versions and makes the SUV available as a base version with steel wheels and a recreational version with aluminium wheels. The body comes with three doors and the short wheel base it typically had. The traditional model makers managed to incorporate fine engravings on the bonnet, the door, and the drip rail and refined it further with indicators and door handles as well as with a petrol cap and vent slots. And, no model of the original would be complete without the striking and attention-drawing hinges on the tailgate. The inserted headlamps are transparent - as are the radiator grille versions, which will later flaunt the fine Russian ornamental trim. The two front seats in the interior are adorned with the same subtle headrests as the continuous rear bench seat. Naturally, the dashboard shows off the typically angular Niva speedometer, while the vehicle's steering wheel is inserted.
Claas Xerion – system tractor gets rolling on tracks and wheels
The Harsewinkel specialist for agricultural machine forges ahead into the new decade with their Xerion - and WIKING is right on their heels. The two attractive miniatures replicating the tractor give a taste of the changes that lie ahead for large-scale agriculture in the years to come. The new system tractor with caterpillar drives retains its imposing figure even when reduced to a 1:87 scale miniature – in the original, the caterpillar drives increase the machine's contact area by 25% compared to the largest possible single tires. This provides for a reliable transmission of the towing force and low bearing pressure under nearly any type of conditions. Better yet, the pendulum suspension of the caterpillar drives guarantees optimum adaptation to the terrain. The latest inception of the Xerion embodies a generation of tractors that can be used for a wide variety of applications. This is why WIKING unveils the classic wheeled version of the Claas Xerion as yet another new product. Save for the cab, the model is crafted with the help of completely new moulds – the wheeled version, just as its predecessor, boasts a rotating cab.
Mercedes-Benz classic convertibles 280 SE and 220 S are back
These classic bodies bearing the authentic WIKING signature of production decades that have long since passed are nothing short of gorgeous as they are the brainchild of legendary master model maker Alfred Kedzierski, who shaped models based on the original convertibles Mercedes-Benz 280 SE and 220 S at the approximate scale of 1:90. The traditional modellers have now given these miniatures an overhaul after creating the interior for both vehicles from new moulds. The result of these efforts is a long-awaited reunion with two major passenger vehicle classics that are close to the hearts of entire generations of auto enthusiasts.
Magirus-Deutz square bonnet as a tractor unit
When it comes to new combinations, WIKING has a knack for making even the most precious classics more attractive. Indeed, in the last decade the new combinations of chassis, driver’s cabs, and semi-trailers created road trains which were prototypical in every case. And, this trend is supposed to continue in 2020 as it adds diversity and interest to the subject of lorries in model building. Made possible by a new chassis, the tractor units of the Magirus-Deutz square hood personify lorry classics that WIKING will adopt into their future portfolio with a variety of semi-trailers. As a result of the company's takeover by Fiat, versions made by Fiat, Iveco and Unic are possible as well. Anyone laying eyes on the new combinations shaped from the new moulds can almost hear the howling of the air-cooled Deutz machines housed under the square bonnet.
Mercedes-Benz cubic cabin trucks with new responsibilities
Finally! The products that others only dared imagine and hope for have now become reality thanks to the model makers at WIKING. The legendary generation of Mercedes-Benz’s cubic front-drive vehicles, which the traditional model makers have had in their portfolio since the 1960s, are now finally capable of performing the same tasks as the originals - a feat that proved elusive until now. WIKING has managed to build a new three-axle 6x4 chassis that at long last allows the distinctive cubic cab to be used as a construction tipper truck. Moreover, the radiator grille for model year 1966 or later will be crafted from a new mould. Reproducing the appearance of the radiator grille with absolute accuracy and perfectly true to the original, WIKING's engineers adorn the vehicles with true-to-type engravings with ornamental strips along with the Mercedes-Benz engraving. It is already fair to say that the next WIKING decades will belong to the latest generation of cubic cabin trucks. The front-drive generation of the 1960s can look forward to a multitude of true-to-the-original miniatures – collectors will rejoice.
The Volvo bonnet truck N10/N12 excels at construction site jobs
Since the Volvo N10/N12 was reduced to serving as a tractor unit in the 1970s, WIKING is now expanding the range of application for this deserving vehicle as well. To this end, the designers have miniaturised a three-axle 6x4 chassis, which will be able to accommodate different superstructures in the future. To showcase this new chassis, WIKING is unveiling two Silberlings with concrete mixer and dump truck. The Swedish bonnet truck has become a particular favourite with model collectors as it is one of the few modern classic bonnet trucks that is left in Europe.
Pöttinger Jumbo loading vehicle
On the heels of the soaring sales forage harvesters and balers have enjoyed over the last two decades, the use of loading vehicles in agriculture moved over to the fast track and has remained there ever since. Operating as an agricultural machinery manufacturer, the Austrian family business Pöttinger has traditionally relied on loading vehicles and has now even managed to rise to market leadership in the segment for silage wagons thanks to their extensive know-how. The powerful loading vehicle “Jumbo” is Pöttinger’s flagship product. WIKING is updating the 1:87 miniature and has advanced agricultural machinery to the next level of technology by changing the pick-up unit.
Latest forklift generation now includes STILL RX70
For no less than three decades has WIKING been replicating the trendy body design introduced by Still. The latest facelift given to the forklift RX70 brings the product up to date. For this purpose, WIKING designs and builds tools for a new lifting mast. The overhaul also includes an update of counterweight and chassis. True to the original, the model now boasts a redesigned driver’s workstation that offers visibly improved ergonomics.
Traditionalist WIKING unveils 1:160 Hanomag wheel loader
It has always been the “large” 1:87 prototypes who guaranteed the successful WIKING miniatures in the N-gauge scale. The company now intends to achieve the same level of success with a 1:160 scale miniature of this construction machinery classic! WIKING reveals two Silberlings of the widely known and beloved Hanomag wheel loader. One version comes with a roof, while the second one is fashioned as an open-air version. The designers were able to take cues from master model maker Alfred Kedzierski, who at the time had to slightly stylise the WIKING model to achieve the necessary functionality. The result is a Hanomag wheel loader model that enjoys the level of miniaturisation that is typical of WIKING while even retaining the movability of the front lifter with bucket.
NEW MODELS IN 1:87 SCALE
