NOTE: I love this toy. I am being uber-Outback for fun and for those curious. Enjoy.

 

Binaltech Streak is based on the Japanese version of the Subaru Impreza WRX. This explains why it looks somewhat different from our 2004 model. In addition to the steering wheel being on the right hand side. Now on to the differences between Smokescreen and Streak.

 

-dashboard (layout is reversed, center console on Streak is painted silver)

-head (Streak has a larger chin, different center head crest, side head vents and loses the full helmet-like design of Smokescreen)

-abdomen (slightly different molded in details)

-shoulders (Streak has 1 Autobot symbol on his left shoulder and there's more molded in detail)

-side mirrors (changed to WRX style)

-rear spoiler (changed to WRX style)

-hood (removed engine cooling vent in front of hoodscoop, hoodpins removed)

-front bumper (changed to WRX style, added foglights and license plate)

-front grille (changed to WRX style)

-wheels (changed to WRX style)

-roof (removed the camera box)

 

After going through all this I've got my own theories. Hasbro/Takara developed these toys at the same time or Streak was planned first. Why?

 

Both toys share features they shouldn't. The seats and interior are the same. Smokescreen should have the very stripped down WRC interior and racing seats. The muffler on Smokescreen is on the wrong side. The rear license plate detail should not be there. Smokescreen's trunk is missing trunkpins. I only bring this up because they molded in hoodpins. The hood scoop is the same. Useless trivia: They used the 2002-03 model year hood scoop - the wrong one.

 

With the attention to detail in the Binaltech series, assuming that Smokescreen was developed first, I'm willing to bet they would have made him more accurate. This leads me to believe that Subaru wanted to release the WRC car first, so they made changes to the BT Streak mold. Or they knew only the hardcore Subaru faithful would catch these errors and didn't really care. :P ;)

 

So is he worth it? I suggest you go read a less biased review because he's worth his weight in silver. :D

 

For the importers, I've had no paint chipping problems on this toy and the ones on my 2 Smokescreens are very minor. I highly recommend him if you can't wait for the Alternator release or prefer diecast and paint.

 

Now where's my freakin Jeep!! *runs to mailbox*

 

Streak has a red gun, but in the pic below I had to give him TWO GUN MOJO!

Great review! And I assume that's a WRX he's standing on?

It's my lowly 2002 Impreza RS. Similar car, no turbo. :)

 

Oh yeah, they really went out of their way with the mold changes. I was impressed. I didn't feel jipped.