MatchBox Die- cast car Volkswagen Beetle 4x4 MBX

Well, it's back to normal now. I spent the last couple of weeks on the other side of the pond, enjoying my time in the USA and Canada. But, all good things come to an end, and I am back home now. As I got in very late, it was too late to try and attempt to run through the convention models I brought back. So, I will be reviewing those properly next week. For now, I will continue with my usual routine. Batch G. We are now in the second half of the 2025 basic range, and batch G provides us with another 11 models, plus a Super Chase. So, I have split it in half. The other half will appear later this month. And the good news for me is that Wheel Collectors got the Super Chase in their assortment, and by adding it, we did not lose another model in the assortment. They did things better in the batch here, than they did with batch D, when the Super Chase replaced a 1-per-case model that didn't carry forward. So, let's got on with things. 

We begin with the MB723 VW Beetle 4x4. This casting has been around since 2007. One of Ryu Asada's creations, it is coming up for a few decades of action, and is showing no signs of slowing down. It takes the MB12 slot in blue.

I am getting a very 1970s vibe from this one. The groovy writing on the side just screams of that era. I love it. It is a very simple yellow, orange and red look, but it really works on this one. I mean, this type of model could have been modified from a regular Beetle at any time. The golden wheel hubs do not look out of place either. 

It comes with yellow windows. Very 1970s. I mean, back in the Lesney era of the 1970s, most models sported coloured windows like this. It does not look out of place. It just adds to the overall grooviness of the model. As I said, I love it. I think this is one of the best looks this model has seen. I am happy to give this a 10 out of 10. Great job from the Mattel team on this one. 

As I said, this debuted back in 2007, also in blue. Although that was a much lighter blue look. How light? Well, I found shades to that blue. No shades on the new one yet. 

In 2008, the model was given 2 outings in the basic range. Starting in orange, and many saw there was a wheel change during production. 

Although version 2, now simply switched to green with the same tampo, it did not see a wheel change. 

But, both wheels were found on the Dino Mountain 5-pack release of the model that year. 

In total, we had 5 different looks in 2008. Aside from the pair of basics and the 5-pack, we also saw a Nick Jr licensed 5-pack release in yellow and a purple Adventure 10-pack release.

2009 gave us a chocolate looking basic range release, although if you lived in LAAM markets at the time, you did not get this one. Only US and ROW markets saw it. I also noted further shading going on. 

And if you thought the wheel variations were done, the Desert Adventure 5-pack gave you different ideas. It was back. Those ovals kept popping up when the regular wheels ran out in the factory. 

Again, the model was in the Adventure 10-pack. Again, I spotted some shading to the grey look.

For 2010, the model only had the 1 outing. A basic range release in the ever-popular National Parks theme. This was another I spotted shades on. Something that LAAM markets again missed out on. 

It took 2011 off before returning in the 2012 basic range in white. This time, the shade I spotted was on the orange base. 

Again, we saw a Desert Adventure 5-pack, and this model was added to that one in green. It then took 2013 off. 

It was back in the 2014 basic range, in a different white design to the last one. 

It then saw a purple outing in the 2015 range, with a few nods to the then Matchbox team emblazoned on the side. It then went on a small hiatus. 

We saw nothing in 2016, 2017 or 2018, but 2019 gave us a new look. This was in the No Road, No Problem 5-pack in a cool Gulf livery. Again, I spotted a little shading on the model. Not as extreme as some others, but it was there. 

2020 gave us a Candy series in select stores. One of the models was the Beetle in a DOTS theme. 

In 2021, we saw 2 looks. This was in the MBX Rally 5-pack. Technically, it is a repeat of 2009, but it is now a metallic brown, not matte brown. And again, this model was good for a few shades. 

And we also had a Target Retro outing in pink. Another that is good for shades. 

The MBX Rally 5-pack was not the only carry forward the model has seen. This decade has seen a number of them. While many are almost the same as original releases, the 2022 MBX Mountain II 5-pack one is a little special. This was a repeat of the 2007 debut, but the front headlights were now white, not black. 

2023 only saw carry forwards, but 2024 gave us another new look with a retro theme in the basic range. This model had the same design as a Ford Bronco II from 1990-91.