It’s safe to say few of us will ever get to drive a Rolls-Royce. The British brand’s vehicles are priced on the same level as houses after all. But that price comes with a commensurate level of luxury and ability. The Rolls-Royce Cullinan may cost as much as $500k, but it’s more capable off-road than many realize. But, while driving a Cullinan is a privilege to a lucky few, the rest of us plebs are getting a chance to own one. Kind of. The automaker has released a 1:8-scale model of the Cullinan—priced like a brand-new car.

The 1:8 Rolls-Royce Cullinan model vs. the real thing

In terms of quality, the 1:8 Rolls-Royce Cullinan model car is right up there with the production SUV. In fact, arguably the model is more painstakingly assembled than the real thing. The model, Automobile reports, is hand-built, like the full-size SUV. With over 1000 components, it is less complicated to assemble than the real thing. But the process takes 450 hours, more than half that of the real Rolls-Royce Cullinan, The Drive reports.

The Cullinan model car can be painted any of the 40,000+ shades Rolls-Royce offers. Or, if you prefer, you can order it in your own custom shade. The paint and customizable pinstriping are both hand-applied and hand-polished. Inside, you’ll find the same kind of leather, wood, and metal the full-size Cullinan offers. Right down to the embroidered headrests and hand-stitched seats. And just like the paint, it’s all fully customizable.

The 1:8-scale 6.75-liter twin-turbocharged V12 under the model car’s hood doesn’t work. But most of the rest of the Rolls-Royce Cullinan model does. The doors are rear-hinged, with built-in pop-out umbrellas. The tailgate opens and closes, and both the headlights and taillights turn on. So do the illuminated kick plates.

Pricing and availability

Usually, diecast model cars and Legos offer a more affordable way of owning some very desirable wheels. And to be fair, the 26”-long Rolls-Royce Cullinan model is cheaper than the real thing, which starts at $325,000. But it’s not exactly cheap.

The ‘base model’ starts at $17,100. You can get a brand-new Honda Fit for less. Or, if you prefer a more luxurious experience, an imported Toyota Century. Although, it’s worth noting there are some Hot Wheels that cost almost as much.

However, the 1:8-scale Rolls-Royce Cullinan isn’t the only highly-detailed diecast model car available.

Amalgam Collection’s high-end model cars

Bristol, England-based Amalgam Collection makes a wide range of diecast models. These range from 1:18 model cars to 1:1 replica F1 steering wheels and small-scale engines. And they’re replicas in the truest sense, Petrolicious reports. The company has even partnered with several automakers to produce models from laser scans of real cars. Its 1:8-scale models are slightly cheaper than Rolls-Royce’s Cullinan model, but they’re no less detailed.

Take, for instance, Amalgam’s 1:8-scale McLaren Senna model. It has functional lighting inside and outside the car—even the dashboard and reading lights work, Automobile reports. The diecast Senna also comes with aluminum pedals, and a remote that can pop the doors, Autoblog reports. The real McLaren Senna isn’t available anymore, but when it was, it cost $1.8 million. The Senna model car, though, costs $17,085.

That’s not the only supercar Amalgam’s recreated in model car form, though. It’s recreated limited-edition Bugatti Veyrons, Petrolicious reports. In addition, the company’s developing ‘weathered’ versions of famous race cars, like the Porsche 917K. It will only make 5 of each car, and even with a $15,595 price tag, all the 917K models are sold out.

For now, though, I think I’ll stick to Hot Wheels.

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