How Did I Miss The Tarmac Works x Logitech Subaru WRX STI S207?

If you follow me on Instagram, you probably know that I use Tarmac Works shipping containers as backgrounds for a lot of my diecast photography.  I think they make great props, but Tarmac Works seems to be releasing fewer of them these days.  They used to release two-packs of licensed, themed shipping containers in the Parts64 line, but that line seems to be gone or at least on hiatus.  Even individual car models with matching shipping containers seem to be becoming less common, and many of the older releases have become heinously expensive to get your hands on.  As a result, I’m always on the hunt for compelling deals on models with interesting shipping container designs. 

One day, when clicking around Tarmac Works’ website, I stumbled upon a set of three Logitech collaboration models: a Toyota Supra, a Mitsubishi Evo, and the Subaru WRX STI that you see here.  I was surprised to see them, because I consider myself pretty “plugged in” to the diecast scene, yet I don’t ever remember hearing about these models.  Assuming I just missed a social media post announcing it, I did a quick Google search…only to find almost no information about it online.  There’s its listing on the Tarmac Works website, a few “for sale” posts by resellers, and that’s it.  

Moreover, the idea of a Logitech and Tarmac Works collaboration seems very random.  What do model cars have to do with gaming peripherals, and how did the idea to do a co-branded product come about?  At this point I was dying for answers, so down the internet rabbit hole we go…

A quick copy/paste of the Tarmac Works website URL into the Internet Archive’s Wayback Machine reveals that this model has been listed on their website since November of 2023, so clearly I’m not the only one who completely missed this model.  Sadly, the web page for this WRX is unchanged since then, so this earlier listing didn’t reveal any additional insights.  

Some blue sky Google searches were more successful, eventually yielding a Chinese Facebook post for a “BYOG” event.  I don’t read Chinese, but Google Translate was able to give me the jist.  As far as I can tell, this was an event hosted by Logitech that allowed eventgoers to try out their G923 racing wheel.  As a participation prize, attendees would get one of four Logitech-branded Tarmac Works models.  This event seems to be the origin of the Logitech and Tarmac Works collaboration, though it still doesn’t shed much light on how the two companies decided to work together. 

You also probably noticed that the four cars shown in the BYOG graphic are not the same models currently available on the Tarmac Works website.  The current models are part of the “Logitech 2023 Collection”, which I can’t find any reference to online beyond a mention in a Facebook post from Tarmac Works themselves in 2023. 

At this point, I was at a research dead end, but I was still intrigued and I still wanted more shipping containers, so I decided to pick up the Subaru WRX version.  The container it arrived in was just as cool as I expected, with a beautiful bright blue and black color scheme.  It features detailing on all four sides and the top, including the container’s door poles, which is not always a guarantee on Tarmac Works containers.  Plus, it includes a numbered plaque with the production number of your model. 

The design of Tarmac Works’ containers is incredibly clever.  The cars ship on a base with two notches, which index with notches on the bottom of the container.  When they slide together, they prevent the car from moving and the container provides a rigid structure to prevent damage to the model during transport or storage.  Each container features notches on all four corners, allowing them to stack like real shipping containers. 

Tarmac Works even includes a clear side panel that you can put on the container if you want to use them to display your models without them getting dusty or damaged.  I truly believe this is some of the best packaging in the diecast industry, and I hope Tarmac Works starts using them more often. 

Against the black shipping container, the brightly colored Subaru WRX STI S207 is incredibly striking.  I usually prefer clean decos on my models (and Tarmac Works did make a proper World Rally Blue WRX that I’d love to get my hands on someday), but this purple and yellow Subie is far more compelling than I expected.   I particularly like the shiny chrome Logitech G logos on the sides and roof! 

Of course, as with any Tarmac Works model, this casting isn’t perfect.  Both the wheels and the side mirrors look too small, and I wish the STI badge on the fender got the detailing it deserves.  Still, I love the chrome foil details and the roll cage that’s visible through the windows is very cool. 

The mesh grille detailing looks great and the Subaru and STI badges are perfectly aligned.  I like the lensed headlights, though I do wish the LED daytime running light elements were visible within them.  I’m not normally a big fan of roof scoops, but it does make the front end of this Subie look incredibly menacing. 

I am always a fan of the Subie hood scoop, though.  Sadly, I think the hood scoop is the biggest error on this model.  For one, I think it sits just a hair too far forward on this casting, but more importantly, it seems like Tarmac Works applied the graphics in the wrong order.  The purple and yellow graphics run over the top of the black detailing for the hood scoop, which makes it look like someone put a vinyl wrap over their air intake!  It looks very silly, and it seems like it would have been easily fixed by just changing the order that the prints were applied in.  Luckily, I suspect that error will be easily fixed with a Sharpie. 

The back of the WRX is dominated by that classic Subaru boy racer wing, alongside some more crazy pastel and chrome graphics.  I appreciate the detailed exhaust tips, though the detailing is a bit messy and misaligned.  All the foil badges are nicely aligned though, and the rear foglight is a nice touch too. 

There’s even another chrome Logitech logo on the top of the rear wing, which looks great when it catches the light! 

The interior doesn’t feature anything too crazy, but I do appreciate the Bride seats with blue harnesses.  Plus, Tarmac Works included a little splash of silver on the shift knob to make it look like metal! 

Whatever the origin story of this model is, I’m glad I was able to happen upon it on the Tarmac Works website.  Given that it’s been available since 2023, I have no idea how many of them are left, so if you want one I’d encourage you to act fast.  If anyone knows anything more about the Tarmac Works x Logitech collaboration or how this model specifically came to be, reach out to me or leave a comment because I’d love to learn more!