The 2005 Nuremberg Toy Fair, starting February 10, will see the introductions of several new 1/87th scale models. Here is what has come to our attention so far:

There will be four all-new Mercedes models by two different manufacturers (to be named on February 10):

- 2005 Mercedes-Benz M-class (March)
- 2005 Mercedes-Benz B-class (May)
- 2005 Mercedes-Benz R-class (June/August)
- 2005 Mercedes-Benz S-class (September)

In addition to the various Mercedes SL models Boley previously announced, Schuco will deliver the 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR Mille Miglia racer.

Brekina's list of new items is impressively long, and these are just the announcements for spring. Just a small selection:

- Citroen 2CV fourgonette (AZU series), panel van
- Goggomobil sedan (yes, it was sold in America! Motor Trend did a road test in 1957.)
- Krupp Titan SW 80 truck-trailer
- NWF BS 300 road/rail bus w/engine (D/C)
- Mercedes-Benz L325 stake truck
- Scania L 110 dump truck; assorted colors
- Opel Rekord P1 sedan and CarAVan in new colors
- Opel Rekord PII sedan and CarAVan in new colors
- Auto-Union 1000 S coupé and 1000 sedan in new colors
- Volvo Amazon wagon, Polis (Sweden)

Most of the passenger cars receive the fabulous Top Decoration treatment, some of these even in the interior.

Busch will be releasing a CMD version of the 2005 Audi A6 Avant which was supplied to Audi late in 2004. GMC "fishbowl" bus and Toyota Landcruiser will reportedly arrive in summer.

Herpa is working on a couple of promotional models. Here are the ones that already leaked through:

- Nooteboom 3-axle telescopic semi-trailer (w/steerable wheels)
- 2005 BMW 3-series (March)
- 2004 Scania T-series conventional truck-tractor

Kibri announced three items from completely new tooling:

- Claas Xerion farm-tractor
- Liebherr LTM 1030/2 2-axle telescope crane, new-style cab
- Kaelble Z6 tandem tractor, late 1940s

The other new items are variations of existing models and new colour combinations, including former Atlas excavators which come in new Terex-Atlas decorations. A number of machines will be combined with new implements, such as three different Liebherr 974 tracked excavators. A variety of telescope cranes is re-issued, as well.

Norev has already started shipping their new Citroen C4 sedan and coupé (well, rather two-door hatchback) to hobby shops. They are even nicer than last year's C2 and C3 Pluriel.

Ricko is constantly adding new announcements to their extensive list of new items. The following items are the latest additions to the list of projects:

- 1927 Mercedes-Benz 630 K
- 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300c sedan
- 1955 Mercedes 300c convertible
- 1935 Horch 851 Pullmann
- 1939 Horch 930V convertible
- 1936 Wanderer W25K roadster
- 1963 Lincoln Continental convertible
- 2003 Fiat Punto (street-version)

Rietze will concentrate once again on new buses, but will introduce new fire engines and passenger cars just as well:

- two all-new passenger-car models by S......
- Renault Trafic panel- and passenger-van
- Opel Vivaro passenger-van
- Schlingmann LF16/12 pumper and TLF16/25 pumper-tanker with facelifted M-B Atego cab
- Schlingmann fire-engines with twin-hose reels
- Solaris Urbino III city-bus
- Neoplan Trendliner coach
- MAN Lion's Regio coach
- as a faint possibility: Göppel Maxi-Train (MAN NL city-bus with passenger trailer)

Roco will offer a few items under their Miniaturmodelle brand:

- Borgward Kübelwagen, German Red Cross
- Henschel 33 FA1 6x4 airport crash-tender
- Unimog U1650 L road/rail rescue
- Mercedes 1017A Rosenbauer TLF A-4000 pumper-tanker

Siku will further expand their line of 1/87th scale die-cast models:

- Liebherr tracked excavator
- Liebherr wheel loader
- Fendt Favorit Vario farm tractor (900-series)
- Mercedes-Benz Atego DLK 23-12 aerial ladder (Metz)

Both excavator and wheel-loader will be among the larger Liebherr products, perhaps similar to (albeit less expensive than) the Herpa models. However, Siku vehicles are designed as toys and lack the Herpa models' details and overall quality.

Wiking's strong bond with Volkswagen will result in a number of new models in 2005, as might be expected. Already confirmed are the 2005 VW Golf Plus (Golf-based mini-MPV), 2005 VW Passat sedan, 2005 VW Jetta (Bora in Europe), 2005 VW Polo (facelift), and a small egg-shaped camper trailer by Tabbert, which is called t@b.

Marc Schmidt [posted 02/02/2005]