Welcome to the #Power Ratings for the 3rd mix of #Car Culture for 2023: Canyon Warriors. These modern classics are certainly a steadfast way to carve on those winding canyon roads — in style!

Before we go any further, make sure you pre-order your Car Culture case via 1StopDiecast.com. Ordering by the case gives you the best shot at getting a chase outside of being camped out at retail with the masses.

Canyon carving is nothing new. Some of the more invigorating roads in the world persist where elevation changes occur. These winding roads give you a chance to feel your car and become one with it.

The models in this #Car Culture mix aren’t the typical Canyon Warriors I think of, but they do represent a period of time where modern and classic genres now collide. Three of the five cars — ’87 Ford Sierra Cosworth, ’89 Porsche 944 and Mercedes-Benz 500 E — are from the last ’80s / early ’90s. The other two — ’73 Volvo 142 GL and ’01 BMW M5 — serve as chronological bookends for this exhilarating mix which is essentially the European version of last year’s Mountain Drifters.

Without further ado, lets take a look at what should be arriving at stores very soon. Again, I solicited help from a few people I follow in the collecting world to help me rank these. Here is a rundown of how we form the ratings…

POWER RATINGS are comprised of an average of 3 scores: Casting Choice, Deco/Livery, and Cool Factor. Below is what is factored into each rating:

• Casting Choice: Rating is based on how well does the casting fit within the series. Is the casting a good choice for today’s Car Culture?
• Deco/Livery: Looks are everything! Rating is based on the color/deco/livery and how appropriate it is for this release.
• Cool Factor: The real X-factor here. Does the car resonate with collectors? Will it be sought after?

POWER RATING: 8.0

Casting Choice = 8 • Deco/Livery = 8 • Cool Factor = 8

Mercedes-Benz 500 E (chase)

CANYON WARRIORS 0/5

I like my cars how I like my coffee: black. An all-black #Chase is always sinister but its more about how this one fits in the series. Imagine waking up, grabbing some Joe (coffee), and hitting a canyon road as you tuck in and out of the morning daylight in your seemingly anonymous black sedan. Is that some dark gray trim on the bottom? This one gets better the more I look at it.

POWER RATING: 7.0

Casting Choice = 8 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 7

Mercedes-Benz 500 E

CANYON WARRIORS 5/5

Collectors have caught on that the next rarest car in the case is the common variant of the model chosen as the chase piece — making it a little harder to find a complete set of 5 at retail. The silver will undoubtedly be popular. The two-tone rocks, its the first time the #Mercedes-Benz 500 E has been in premium, and the black (chase) and silver versions mirror the first two basics colorways of this casting. Do I smell a new casting collection coming along?

From @grunty_diecast on IG: Three out of five of the models in this series make their debut in the Premium line, of which this is one of them. This brutish, muscular sedan has its lines accentuated by its two-tone paint-scheme and its size, giving it some character and flair compared to the other cars in this series. Combine [former Hot Wheels Designer] Lindsey [Lee]’s love of luxury sedans and [Hot Wheels Graphic Designer Steve Vandervate] Van’s stellar tampo work and you have yourself another work of art. The design team deserves a pat on the back for this one.

POWER RATING: 6.3

Casting Choice = 6 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 7

’01 BMW M5

CANYON WARRIORS 1/5

Bimmer fans rejoice! The sophomore release of the #’01 BMW M5 allows collectors and enthusiasts to finally buy this car individually since the first release was in a 4-vehicle premium display. The red is hot and I expect the market on this one to be too. Buying a 1:1 of this 22-year-old car will set you back about $30,000.

From Reece, @aussiehotwheelscollector on IG: The 2001 BMW M5 was the standout for me in the BMW M-Motorsport set where it debuted last year. I think it’s one of the best executed models of recent years. The overall proportions are really nice,, and the wheels are slightly oversized in a good way. This second version of the casting gives us collectors a chance to get it by itself, without having to buy a whole set. While that first version was fitted with a racing livery, this one is purely stock. The M5’s natural habitat is winding through twisty mountain roads, and its certainly fitting for the theme of the Car Culture / Canyon Warriors mix.

From @grunty_diecast on IG: Sometimes, a simple design with a simple tampo is all you need. The red paint on this model helps bring out the details of this car, exactly what you need with a design as sleek as this. I’ve always felt [Hot Wheels Designer] Phil [Riehlman] knocked it out of the park with this design, and this one might just be my favorite in the series.

From @onesixtyfourland on IG: The E39 M5 is pinnacle M car for me. A 394-horsepower V8 paired with a six-speed manual in a sedan? Yes please. I still recall the Road & Track article (March 2000) with this pitted against the E55 AMG. The first release in M livery was nice, but no doubt a stock version was an absolute must. Hot Wheels have done the fans proud with this almost Imola Red one.

POWER RATING: 5.3

Casting Choice = 4 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 6

’73 Volvo 142 GL

CANYON WARRIORS 4/5

This lowered, 2-door Volvo drew some attention last year as a chase model in its inaugural release in Autostrasse. The tealish-green-blue color on the common release was pretty rad too. Add in this sunburst orange release and collectors could be feeling the start of a great casting collection of the #’73 Volvo 142 GL.

From @grunty_diecast on IG: Hot Wheels has been putting out a LOT of Volvos lately. I don’t have a problem with that, especially with one with such a vibrant color as this. It’s nice to get an orange car in these series every once in a while to provide a nice color break from the usual blues, grays, silvers, reds, what have you. A simple design on a classic model makes this wolf in sheep’s clothing a winner.

From Tim, @tandphwguide on IG: The ’73 Volvo 142 GL looks stunning in orange. With a simple, clean deco, it looks ready to zip through the twists and turns of any mountain or canyon. It goes perfectly well with its previous Autostrasse siblings.

POWER RATING: 5.3

Casting Choice = 5 • Deco/Livery = 4 • Cool Factor = 7

’89 Porsche 944 Turbo

CANYON WARRIORS 3/5

Welcome to Hot Wheels Premium, #’89 Porsche 944 Turbo! This Porsche strayed a little from brand standards — both from a design standpoint and with it’s 2.5L Turbocharged I4 FRONT-engine. Enthusiasts now love this quirky Porsche, and Hot Wheels collectors have always loved this era Porsche dating back to the days of the P-928. The blue seems pretty subdued for this casting but I assume it was chosen to give the series an overall diverse aesthetic.

From Reed, @hotwheels_tournaments on IG: The front engine Porsche 944 was one of the best handling cars of the 80’s making it the perfect car to take out and carve up any canyon road. As a result, it gets to make its premium debut in Canyon Warriors in a soothing shade of blue. While the car may not appear vibrant or exciting when compared to others in this set, the deep blue allows the curves to meld together and create a design that looks as smooth as the car is capable of driving. This is a slept on casting when it comes to the Hot Wheels Porsche catalog, so don’t take this release lightly. It looks the part of a Canyon Warrior, and it’s not a release you’re going to want to miss.

From @grunty_diecast on IG: Yet another model that deserves the Premium treatment, this 944 is the perfect candidate for a vintage Porsche in the modern Premium lineup. It’s timeless design and simple livery combine to make this ride a future classic, one that could remain in the Premium lineup for years to come.

POWER RATING: 4.0

Casting Choice = 3 • Deco/Livery = 6 • Cool Factor = 3

’87 Ford Sierra Cosworth

CANYON WARRIORS 2/5

Once again we’ve reached the last car in the series which always prompts the question: What could have been in its place? Casting-wise, its a great design; but model-wise, the #’87 Ford Sierra Cosworth isn’t a very appealing design. This saving grace here is the deco! Love the subtle Ford racing design paired with the copper 10-spoke modern #Real Riders.

From Vin, @hot_wheels_heaven on IG: The ’87 Ford Sierra Cosworth has definitely stolen my attention in this set. I absolutely love the clean white look with just a light brush of blue striped tampos on the lower sides The 10-spoke rims are a perfect compliment to this stunning casting. I’m completely thrilled to have this gem of a casting in premium, it’s absolutely worthy!

From @grunty_diecast on IG: The only white car in this series of five, this model from Ryu’s repertoire desperately needed the Premium treatment at some point and the Premium team sure did not disappoint. Now with a livery harkening back to Ford’s racing days and added detailing of its many vents and strakes, the Sierra is sure not to disappoint collectors. I know I’m not. I just wish the headlights could’ve been a bit more detailed.

There you have it! Our third #Power Ratings here on OTD for #2023 Hot Wheels #Car Culture. What do you think? Do you agree with these ratings? Let us know in the comments below!

If you’re keeping score at home, here is how the OTD Power Ratings presented by 1 Stop Diecast stack up thus far for 2023 Car Culture:

John at the Lamley Group received the physical models from Mattel. Check out his showcase here: