We were lucky enough to get our hands on the new Carrera Hybrid – Highway Challenge set and run it through its paces as we look to determine how this toy gives you tactile feel of slot car racing, but the electronic gamification of a video game racing as well.
Opening up the box gives you a look at 19.98 feet of track and 2 Porsche cars ready to roll, once you download the free app. Next you pick a track design, find a spot and start putting the pieces of track together, which is easily done with the way they snap together. Make sure your cars are charged up and then give it a test run. It may take a few trips around the track, but once it clicks, you will be zooming along. The cars give you this real world racing feeling where it feels like there is a more at stake than what you would find in your kart racing video games, and gives you more options than a regular slot car set. Plus there is just something seeing one of these cars with their headlights on that makes it all worth it. Night racing anyone?
The app is setup for a multitude of things with different modes that include all sorts of car tuning and track changes. Your cars are in a garage in the app and you can make changes to their tires, gearbox, brakes as well as being able to use a boost during race time. It is pretty easy to drive with your phone, but there is always the option of a controller as well. We love the ability to see your lap times, gear, boost options, your position in a race and all the data that comes along with the app. You can do a career mode, free driving or join races from within the app depending on your mood and there are also missions you can do where you need to maintain a certain lap time, race under a time, etc.
The replayability of this product is where it really shines, with the Carrera Hybrid – Highway Challenge set being able to make multiple track layouts for racing. Add in the fact that you can purchase extra track to give you even more racing options you are set. They also have more cars including different looks of the Ford Mustang GT3 and BMW M4 GT3 so that you can pick your favorite extra cars for races.
The Carrera Hybrid – Highway Challenge is perfect for some race time on a weekend, a setup for a sleep over, even game night as it really does get people excited seeing their physical car out there. Based on the notes for future updates it looks like we will be getting some NPC driving which will be a great addition for when you want to race, but maybe you don’t have anyone around to race with you. We would also love some future track additions like a pit stop, maybe an archway that shows who is leading or speeds or laps as well as different types of track.
Make sure you take a look at our video review we posted on the Carrera Hybrid – Highway Challenge as it gets huge praise from our teen daughter.
A New Carrera Segment – Realistic driving fun with AI support
Carrera HYBRID – the perfect combination of gaming and racing fun, as the vehicles can race freely across the road at full throttle. The AI support enables a realistic driving experience in different driving modes. Experience true-to-the-original vehicles with front and rear lights, controlled via a free app. With automatic track recognition, individual settings and authentic engine sound, Carrera Hybrid offers a unique racing experience. Discover new vehicles for even more racing action.
Carrera presents the brand new innovation, Carrera HYBRID: the perfect combination of gaming and racing fun, because the vehicles can move freely on and off the track, thus guaranteeing an unforgettable racing feeling! The AI support enables a realistic driving experience in different driving modes. The starting range of the Carrera HYBRID line includes a set that contain all the necessary components to get started.
The vehicles are controlled via an app that can be downloaded free of charge from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Steering works intuitively by tilting the smartphone, buttons on the display show the accelerator and brake.
The design of the app is based on the cockpit of real racing cars to offer a particularly natural driving experience. With a choice of beginner and expert mode, there is always something for riders of all experience levels.
Carrera Highway Challenge provided by Carrera for review