Supercharged Series

Supercharged Series
Runtime	October 2006–October 2007 ; ;
Mainline series chronology
Preceded by	Desert Art Original; (2006)
Followed by	World of Cars; (2007-08)

The Supercharged Series was the second collection of 1:55 scale Cars die-cast toys released by Mattel. Released to stores beginning in October 2006, the series lasted one full year before transitioning into the World of Cars Series in October 2007. It introduced more than 20 brand-new cars, in addition to the first retailer partnership and mail-in promotional deal.

The Supercharged cardback motif was inspired by the neon "cruising" scene from Cars, depicting a nighttime Radiator Springs backdrop with bright spotlights shining onto artwork of the featured character. According to Mattel, the series aimed to quite literally put the "spotlight on characters," promoting variety and collectability in the die-cast line.

History

Mattel unveiled plans to continue the Cars die-cast line into the 2006 holiday season, premiering new model prototypes at their August 2006 Wizard World Chicago appearance.^{[citation needed]} In October, all of Mattel's Cars products were re-launched in a brand new "Supercharged" packaging style – Mattel intended for the new motif to "highlight" the "distinct aesthetic, model and personality" of each individual character, and increase the line's overall "collectability."^[1] In addition to re-issuing all 16 Desert Art Original mainline singles with the updated scheme, a handful of new characters were introduced, primarily including repaints and variants of existing and popular characters, like Lightning McQueen and Ramone; These were accompanied by first-time single-carded versions of previously exclusive models, such as Boost and Dirt Track McQueen.

Prototype models for the earliest wave of new Supercharged Series cars.

With the turn of the calendar year, more new cars inspired by the Toy Car Story and Monster Trucks, Inc. scenes steadily joined the line. In February 2007, however, at Mattel's Toyfair presentation, they previewed another large upcoming wave of vehicles to debut in the spring season.^[2]^[3] This wave, featuring several all-new characters like Tex Dinoco and Ferrari F430, began shipping to retail stores in April and through the summer.

In July, Mattel previewed more new cars at San Diego Comic Con, most notably eight new characters slated for a Walmart-exclusive assortment wave in October.^[4]

Sarge recall

On August 14, 2007, Mattel and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced that they would be voluntarily recalling all Sarge die-cast models sold between May and August 2007, as they had detected lead paint in excess of permissible safety levels. The paint in question involved the yellow pigments used on Sarge's olive-green roof.^[5] According to the company's press release, the affected units were produced in China by one specific contract manufacturer, this being the Hong Kong-based Early Light Industrial Company.^[6]^[7] The news furthered a larger scandal affecting many toys and brands sold by Mattel.

In response, Mattel moved to recall an estimated 436,000 die-cast Sarge units, which had been distributed to retailers either as a single card release or in a 2-pack set with Fillmore.^[8] However, as all characters within a shipping assortment shared the same UPC product code, some chains returned all new die-cast shipments, or otherwise pulled stock from store shelves entirely. The recall greatly impacting the distribution and sale of Cars toys at retail.

Walmart exclusives and "Blu" die-cast promotion

On September 30, 2007, Walmart stores in the United States introduced an exclusive assortment of 8 brand-vehicles, promoted via a prominent pallet display in the toys section.^[9] These cards notably did not contain the Supercharged logo on front, opting instead for a billboard backdrop based on the Motor Speedway of the South. They were the last new cars released prior to the transition into the World of Cars series starting in October 2007.

Mattel also introduced a special mail-in promotion deal for consumers who purchased the Cars Blu-ray release. Buyers could go online to enter the "Magic Code" found in their product, where they could input their shipping information and receive a limited "Collector's Edition" variant of Lightning McQueen, featuring a metallic blue paint scheme.

Mainline

Character Cars

*Cars* Character Cars Assortment (L0545)
Toy #	Name	Segment	Package photo
K4585	Radiator Springs McQueen NEW	McQueen Paint Jobs
K4586	Ramone (yellow) NEW	Route 66 Buddies
K4587	Boost	Racers & Tuners
K4588	Fabulous Hudson Hornet NEW	Route 66 Buddies
K4589	Brand New Mater NEW	Route 66 Buddies
K4591	Hamm NEW	Route 66 Buddies
K4592	Ferrari F430 NEW	Route 66 Buddies
K4593	Cruisin' McQueen NEW	McQueen Paint Jobs
L4143	Dirt Track McQueen	McQueen Paint Jobs	File:Dtlm07.jpg
L4145	Hydraulic Ramone NEW	Route 66 Buddies
L4146	Ramone (purple)	Route 66 Buddies
L4147	Tex Dinoco NEW	Route 66 Buddies
L4148	RPM #64 NEW	Racers & Tuners
L4149	Bob Cutlass NEW	Racers & Tuners
L4150	Darrell Cartrip NEW	Racers & Tuners
L4152	Dale Earnhardt Jr. NEW	Racers & Tuners
L4153	Mario Andretti NEW	Racers & Tuners
L4155	Yeti NEW	Route 66 Buddies
L5251	Lightning McQueen	McQueen Paint Jobs
L5252	Sally	Route 66 Buddies
L5253	Mater	Route 66 Buddies	File:M07.jpg
L5254	Sheriff	Route 66 Buddies
L5255	Doc Hudson	Route 66 Buddies
L5256	Lizzie	Route 66 Buddies
L5257	Chick Hicks	Racers & Tuners
L5258	King	Racers & Tuners
L5259	Wingo	Racers & Tuners
L5260	DJ	Racers & Tuners
L5261	Dinoco McQueen	McQueen Paint Jobs
L5262	Ramone (green)	Route 66 Buddies
L5263	Nitroade	Racers & Tuners
L5264	Leak Less	Racers & Tuners
L6279	Fred (international only) NEW	Route 66 Buddies
L6283	Dinoco Helicopter (international only) NEW	Racers & Tuners
L6550	Bug Mouth McQueen NEW	McQueen Paint Jobs
L6551	Bling Bling McQueen NEW	McQueen Paint Jobs
L6552	Dinoco Chick Hicks NEW	Racers & Tuners
L6553	Tongue McQueen NEW	McQueen Paint Jobs
L6554	Cruisin' Ramone NEW	Route 66 Buddies
M1252	Fillmore	Route 66 Buddies
M1253	Sarge	Route 66 Buddies
M1254	Snot Rod	Racers & Tuners

Movie Moments

Grey denotes a vehicle also available as a single.

*Cars* Movie Moments Assortment (L0546)
Toy #	Name	Package photo
K5923	Sally
K5923	Cruisin' McQueen NEW
K5924	Buzz NEW
K5924	Woody NEW
K5925	Sarge
K5925	Fillmore
K5926	Mike NEW
K5926	Sulley NEW
K5928	Ferrari Fan Guido NEW
K5928	Ferrari Fan Luigi NEW
L4161	The King
L4161	Mrs. The King NEW
L4163	Mia NEW
L4163	Tia NEW
L5265	Luigi and Guido
L5265	Tractor
L5266	Boost
L5266	Snot Rod
L5267	Flo
L5267	Ramone
L5268	Stanley	File:Rs.07
L5268	Red	File:Rs.07
L6296 (international only)	Rusty Rust-eze NEW
L6296 (international only)	Dusty Rust-eze NEW
L6299 (international only)	Flik NEW
L6299 (international only)	P.T. Flea NEW

Gift Packs

*Cars* Character Car 3pk Asst. (L2557)
Toy #	Name	Vehicles
L2558	Tunerz	Boost Snot Rod Wingo
L2559	Tractor Tippin'	Lightning McQueen Mater Tractor
L4064	Courtroom Crew	Sheriff Doc Hudson Sally

4-packs (L4049)
Toy #	Name	Vehicles	Package photo
L4050	Cruisin' Couples	Lightning McQueen Sally Flo Ramone
L4051	Radiator Springs Shopkeepers	Mater Ramone Sarge Fillmore

5-packs (K5515)
Toy #	Name	Vehicles	Package photo
L4052	Piston Cup Racers Gift Pack	Lightning McQueen King Chick Nitroade Leak Less
L4053	Radiator Springs	Lizzie Doc Hudson Mater Sally Sheriff

6-packs (L9824)
Toy #	Name	Vehicles	Package photo
M5996	Cruise Night	Mater Sheriff Doc Hudson Sally Ramone Cruisin' McQueen NEW
M5997	Speedway 6	Dinoco McQueen Chick Hicks King Ferrari F430 NEW Nitroade RPM #64 NEW

7-Pack
Toy #	Name	Vehicles	Package photo
L9822	Meet at Flo's	Radiator Springs McQueen NEW Sally Lizzie Sheriff Doc Hudson Ramone NEW Flo

Holiday Special

Easter Eggs (K5517)
Toy #	Name	Image
L5790	Chick
L5791	Lightning McQueen
L5792	Sally

Halloween Pumpkins (Asst. M7480)
Toy #	Name	Image
M7481	Cruisin' McQueen NEW
M7482	Ramone
M7483	Doc Hudson

Christmas Snowglobes (Asst. M7585)
Toy #	Name	Image
M7586	Ramone
M7587	Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen NEW
M7588	Mater

Exclusives

8-Pack (Target)
Toy #	Name	Vehicles	Package photo
L9823	Dinoco 400	King Lightning McQueen Chick Hicks Leak Less Vinyl Toupee NEW Octane Gain NEW No Stall NEW Nitroade

Movie Doubles (Asst. L9831) - Toys R Us
Toy #	Vehicles	Notes
M5998	Lightning McQueen & Tongue McQueen NEW
M5999	Mater & Brand New Mater NEW
M6000	Doc Hudson & Fabulous Hudson Hornet NEW
M6001	Ramone & Hydraulic Ramone NEW

10-Car Value Pack (BJ's Wholesale Club)
Toy #	Name	Vehicles	Package photo
M8492	10-Car Value Pack	Al Oft the Lightyear Blimp NEW Wingo Doc Hudson Snot Rod Fillmore Cactus Lightning McQueen NEW Ghostlight Ramone NEW Brand New Mater NEW Leak Less Nitroade

Playsets

Toy #	Name	Notes
K4621	Lightning Fast Speedway™ Track Set	Includes Lightning McQueen
L4048	Radiator Springs Playmat	Includes Cruisin' McQueen
L4054	Piston Cup 400 Track Set	Includes Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, Leak Less, and The King
L4055	Mack Transporter	Includes Lightning McQueen, Chick Hicks, and Leak Less
L4059	Mack Truck Playset	Also released as "Mack"
L9833	Radiator Springs Mountain Challenge™
L9836	Flo's V8 Café	Toys R Us exclusive
TBA	Cruise 'N Go Playmat	Includes Sheriff

Promo
Toy #	Name
M8736	Blue Ray McQueen

Gallery

2007 Collector Poster

2007 Collector Poster
Insert poster included with singles releases beginning mid-2007

Insert poster included with singles releases beginning mid-2007
Updated version of insert poster

Updated version of insert poster

References

↑ From Silver Screen to Die-cast: Disney Pixar Cars Imagined by Mattel (exhibit, November 2011). Petersen Automotive Museum. Retrieved 2023.
↑ "Mattel Showcase Slideshow for the Toy Fair, New York 2007" (February 9, 2007). cnbc.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
↑ Action Figure Insider (July 2007). "Toy Fair 2007: Mattel Gallery". Retrieved October 11, 2023.
↑ jamtrax (July 26, 2007). "Pictures of NEW CARS! Comic Con preview of over 40 new cars!". Disney Pixar Cars - The Toys. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
↑ https://digitalstrategies.tuck.dartmouth.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MattelRecall6-0033_1.pdf
↑ "Pixar Cars Sarge Lead Paint Hazard Recall". Mattel Global Consumer Report. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
↑ Story, Louise. "Mattel shifts into crisis mode after quality problems". The New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2023.
↑ [1]
↑ [2]

	This article is part of the Diecast Project, a PCW project that aims to report on every aspect of Mattel's Disney Pixar Cars toy line.
	Project portal...

[1] From Silver Screen to Die-cast: Disney Pixar Cars Imagined by Mattel (exhibit, November 2011). Petersen Automotive Museum. Retrieved 2023.

[2] "Mattel Showcase Slideshow for the Toy Fair, New York 2007" (February 9, 2007). cnbc.com. Retrieved October 11, 2023.

[3] Action Figure Insider (July 2007). "Toy Fair 2007: Mattel Gallery". Retrieved October 11, 2023.

[4] trax (July 26, 2007). "Pictures of NEW CARS! Comic Con preview of over 40 new cars!". Disney Pixar Cars - The Toys. Retrieved October 11, 2023.

[5] ttps://digitalstrategies.tuck.dartmouth.edu/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/MattelRecall6-0033_1.pdf

[6] "Pixar Cars Sarge Lead Paint Hazard Recall". Mattel Global Consumer Report. Retrieved October 11, 2023.

[7] Story, Louise. "Mattel shifts into crisis mode after quality problems". The New York Times. Retrieved October 11, 2023.

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[Edit] Disney Pixar Cars vehicle toys by Mattel
Mainline series (by year)		2006 • 2007 • 2008 • 2009 • 2010 • 2011 • 2012 • 2013 • 2014 • 2015 • 2016 • Spring 2017 • 2017 Cars 3 • 2018-2019 • 2019 • 2020 • 2021 • 2022 • 2023 • 2024
Side series		Cars Toon • Transcontinental Race of Champions • Xtreme Racing Series
Themed assortments	Early collections	Movie Moments • Holiday Edition • Movie Doubles • Walmart Cars • Pit Race-Off • Checklane Series • Story Tellers Collection • Piston Cup Nights • Lightyear Launchers • Synthetic Rubber Tires • Final Lap Collection • Cars in the Parks • Collect & Connect • Pit Stop Launchers • Character Stars • Mater's Secret Mission • Race Around the World • Silver Racer Series • Take Flight • Radiator Springs Classic • Micro Drifters Promo • Pit Crew Launchers • Cars Land 1^st Anniversary • The Radiator Springs 500½ • Cars Toons: Tokyo • Walmart Haulers • Neon Racers • Best of Cars Toons • Ice Racers • Carbon Racers • Carnival Cup • Movie Moments • Road Trip • Easter • Demo Derby • Puzzle Box Series • Car and Launcher • Clipstrip • Birthday Series
	Early special series	Color Changers • Lights & Sounds • Pull Back Racers • Charge Ups • Quick Changers • Stunt Racers • Hydro Wheels • Splash Racers • Crazy 8 Crashers • Basics Collection
	Modern collections	Thomasville Racing Legends • Fireball Beach Racers • Fan Favorites • Mud Racing • Drag Racing • Rocket Racing • Drive-In • RS 24h Endurance Race • NASCAR • Welcome to Radiator Springs • Wintertime Cruisers • Pixar Fest • World of Cars Racing • Glow Racers
Exclusives		Red Line Club • MattyCollector.com
Premium		1:24 Vehicle Assortment • Precision Series
Other scales		Little Rides • Pullbax • Rip Stick Racers • Shake 'n Go! • Crash Talkin' • Mini Adventures • Movie Stunts • Action Agents • REV-UPS • Spy Shifters • Micro Drifters • Funny Talkers • Riplash Racers • Wheelie Action Racers • Ice Drifters • Power Turners • Ultimate Lights & Sounds • Mini Racers • Wheel Action Drivers • Track Talkers • Pullback Vehicles • Moving Moments • Standalone items
Miscellaneous		Collector numbers • Chases • Canceled models • List by cast number • List by appearance
Media		2009 Collector Guide • 2010 Collector Guide • Cars: Character Encyclopedia • Cars: Ultimate Sticker Collection • Cars Daredevil Garage

Supercharged Series

Contents