Carrera Hybrid sets out to revolutionize toy racing tracks by straying away from classic slot cars - and it even crosses over into sim racing territory. Here's how.
A household name mostly in German-speaking countries, Carrera has accompanied many a childhood with its slot car racing tracks. Since 1963, the company with roots in Fürth, Germany, has been producing tracks and cars, and especially licensed slot cars are extremely popular with collectors.
The relatively simple slot car system has seen some modernization in recent years via the Carrera Digital 132 line, which allows up to six cars on a two-slot track at the same time, with special track parts making lane switches possible on the press of a button. This way, drivers can actually overtake. Furthermore, it is possible to balance the cars via adjustable power and brake effectiveness, and even fuel stops can be simulated.
Carrera Hybrid takes this one step further. The brand-new system does away with the slots on tracks altogether, instead giving players free reign on where to drive on a track. The new track parts are essentially relatviely thin mats that can be put together to form a track. Color-coded track limits and a hardly-noticeable pattern on the track means that cars always know where they are via a sensor in their floor.
This also means that the track does not need electricity anymore - the only power needed is a charged battery in the car. According to Carrera, the vehicles should only need about 20 minutes to be ready to roll again.
How does this relate to sim racing, though? Well, more than first meets the eye - and most of it has to do with the way the Carrera Hybrid system is controlled.
The app has more in store, however - and this is where the sim racing crossover becomes visible. Instead of just acting as a controller and lap counter, your phone is also you car setup screen. Via the "Tuning" menu, players can adjust their tire compound, gearbox, brakes and boost settings to suit the track they are racing at.
The car behaves differently based on these factors, and even tire wear is simulated. That means that the limit of what the car can do is not based on its physical properties alone, but also by its virtual condition. Of course, this is nowhere near as in-depth as a racing sim on your PC or console, but it is still something sim racers and racing gamers should feel right at home with when trying to find the ideal combination for a track and their driving style.
Different tire compounds can be fit for different styles of tracks. Image: Carrera
The fact that assists can be enabled as well means that Carrera Hybrid should be rather accessible even for younger players. Depending on your settings, the color-coded track limits act as invisible barriers, making it harder or even impossible to leave the track, lowering the potential for frustration.
With up to 30 players taking to the track at the same time (although the limit for race sessions is 16) and no theoretical limit for track length, the system has more potential for more racers to enjoy it. We can already picture smaller-scale recreations of the Nürburgring being built once the system is available this fall.
A peek into the Carrera Hybrid setup menu, including adjustments for tires, gearbox, brakes and boost. Image: Carrera
These rather important elements are controlled via your touch screen as well, essentially via bars - the fuller they are, the further a pedal is pressed, so to speak. What is missing from this is feedback on how hard you brake or accelerate like you would have with triggers on a controller - maybe support for bluetooth phone controller extensions could be added in the future, making it a bit more natural.
Overall, though, the idea behind Carrera Hybrid is very interesting, we think. The cars can drive without a track, too, by the way. At launch, it looks like the system will only be available with Porsche 911 GT3 R cars, but more are likely to follow. Compared to classic slot car systems, Hybrid is even relatively cheap, as it is set to retail at around €150.
We do like the slight crossover into sim racing territory via the simulated driving behavior and setup options. Maybe there could be an even deeper customization in the future. And we also like the thought of somehow adding wheel compatibility - even if that might be a pipe dream.
What are your thoughts on Carrera Hybrid? Let us know in the comments below!
A household name mostly in German-speaking countries, Carrera has accompanied many a childhood with its slot car racing tracks. Since 1963, the company with roots in Fürth, Germany, has been producing tracks and cars, and especially licensed slot cars are extremely popular with collectors.
The relatively simple slot car system has seen some modernization in recent years via the Carrera Digital 132 line, which allows up to six cars on a two-slot track at the same time, with special track parts making lane switches possible on the press of a button. This way, drivers can actually overtake. Furthermore, it is possible to balance the cars via adjustable power and brake effectiveness, and even fuel stops can be simulated.
Carrera Hybrid takes this one step further. The brand-new system does away with the slots on tracks altogether, instead giving players free reign on where to drive on a track. The new track parts are essentially relatviely thin mats that can be put together to form a track. Color-coded track limits and a hardly-noticeable pattern on the track means that cars always know where they are via a sensor in their floor.
This also means that the track does not need electricity anymore - the only power needed is a charged battery in the car. According to Carrera, the vehicles should only need about 20 minutes to be ready to roll again.
How does this relate to sim racing, though? Well, more than first meets the eye - and most of it has to do with the way the Carrera Hybrid system is controlled.
Smartphone Controls & Setup Screen
Instead of the classic controller with a lever at the top to adjust a car's speed, Carrera Hybrid is controlled entirely via your smartphone. Turning the device left and right like you would a steering wheel controls the steering, and throttle and brake are adjusted via bars in the bespoke Carrera Hybrid app.The app has more in store, however - and this is where the sim racing crossover becomes visible. Instead of just acting as a controller and lap counter, your phone is also you car setup screen. Via the "Tuning" menu, players can adjust their tire compound, gearbox, brakes and boost settings to suit the track they are racing at.
The car behaves differently based on these factors, and even tire wear is simulated. That means that the limit of what the car can do is not based on its physical properties alone, but also by its virtual condition. Of course, this is nowhere near as in-depth as a racing sim on your PC or console, but it is still something sim racers and racing gamers should feel right at home with when trying to find the ideal combination for a track and their driving style.
Different tire compounds can be fit for different styles of tracks. Image: Carrera
Our Carrera Hybrid Experience
At gamescom 2024, we were able to try the Carrera Hybrid system, as there were even two booths with different tracks set up. We found the concept itself rather exciting, as it makes for a very fun and engaging racing experience, as you have to be aware of your car's position, where to brake and which lines to take.The fact that assists can be enabled as well means that Carrera Hybrid should be rather accessible even for younger players. Depending on your settings, the color-coded track limits act as invisible barriers, making it harder or even impossible to leave the track, lowering the potential for frustration.
With up to 30 players taking to the track at the same time (although the limit for race sessions is 16) and no theoretical limit for track length, the system has more potential for more racers to enjoy it. We can already picture smaller-scale recreations of the Nürburgring being built once the system is available this fall.
A peek into the Carrera Hybrid setup menu, including adjustments for tires, gearbox, brakes and boost. Image: Carrera
Controls Could Use Alternatives
However, there is one thing that we would like to see improved rather quickly: The controls. Getting used to the smartphone controls can take a while, and we would imagine it would be doable if you are able to spend enough time on track. The steering is not a problem in this regard - for us, it was rather the throttle and brakes.These rather important elements are controlled via your touch screen as well, essentially via bars - the fuller they are, the further a pedal is pressed, so to speak. What is missing from this is feedback on how hard you brake or accelerate like you would have with triggers on a controller - maybe support for bluetooth phone controller extensions could be added in the future, making it a bit more natural.
Overall, though, the idea behind Carrera Hybrid is very interesting, we think. The cars can drive without a track, too, by the way. At launch, it looks like the system will only be available with Porsche 911 GT3 R cars, but more are likely to follow. Compared to classic slot car systems, Hybrid is even relatively cheap, as it is set to retail at around €150.
We do like the slight crossover into sim racing territory via the simulated driving behavior and setup options. Maybe there could be an even deeper customization in the future. And we also like the thought of somehow adding wheel compatibility - even if that might be a pipe dream.
What are your thoughts on Carrera Hybrid? Let us know in the comments below!
