Review: Automoblox M9 Sportvan

Approx. price: £24.99

Age range: 3+

Website: www.automoblox.com

Automoblox cars have been around for a couple of years in the States but only reached the UK this year. You wouldn’t think that the concept of a toy car could be taken much further than it already has, but Automoblox manages to do so.

Designed by Patrick Calello, these beautifully crafted cars are made to last, consciously designed to become heirloom toys that are passed from one generation to the next. To this end, extremely tough polycarbonate plastic is combined with natural wood to create cars that can actually support a 50kg weight, while the wooden blocks have three layers of non-toxic lacquer to protect against scratches and dents.

This makes the cars tough, but what about the play value? Even as standalone cars these are appealing. The M9 ‘Sportvan’ we looked at comes in a gorgeous sky blue and has a really weighty feel. There is a family of eight figures, each with shaped bases that slot into specific places inside the car – great for acting out adventures and imaginative storylines.

The M9 also splits into three main wooden sections, the roof comes off and the wheels can be removed, opening up all sorts of play potential for children who like to experiment or pretend to be mechanics.

The concept really comes into its own, of course, when a second Automoblox car is added. This allows children to mix and match parts, creating hybrids in any number of combinations (and the colour schemes could really get wild if more than two cars were used!)

The potential for engrossing, open-ended play is clear and this was borne out in our testing. Our four-year-old tester loved dismantling the M9 and putting it back together again, becoming completely absorbed in the process.

The toy also has great appeal for adults, who can see that they are getting something special for their children – something they will not be bored with in a matter of hours.

Automoblox entirely achieves its goal of being an heirloom toy. From concept through production quality to play value, these cars are just impossible to fault.

This is surely destined to become a classic toy.

Durability: 5/5
Longevity: 5/5
Value: 5/5
Score: 97%
Conclusion: Simply wonderful toy cars with the ability to absorb youngsters for hours.