Range Rover Sport wins NZ Hot Wheels Legends Tour title

A modified 2013 Range Rover Sport has won the New Zealand round of the 2026 Hot Wheels Legends Tour, putting its owner one step closer to having the vehicle turned into a die-cast model.

Jess Kirkwood was named the New Zealand champion at the country’s first live Hot Wheels Legends Tour finale. Kirkwood and the Range Rover Sport will now progress to the virtual Asia-Pacific Regional Finale.

A win there would secure a place in the Global Grand Finale, where the overall champion will be selected. That vehicle will then be recreated as a 1:64-scale Hot Wheels model, sold around the world and inducted into the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends.

“Winning the New Zealand Hot Wheels Legend Tour feels like a dream come true. Hot Wheels has been in our family for many years, and we are huge collectors. Becoming New Zealand’s winner, is an absolute surreal moment and I can’t wait to represent my country at the Regional Finale,” Kirkwood said.

The outrageous Range Rover Sport came out on top against a varied group of New Zealand builds that included a 1969 Rambler Rebel and a 1993 Mitsubishi Evolution I.

The competition returned to New Zealand in 2026 following a two-year break. Automotive content creator and Mazda RX-7 builder Brad Wright was among this year’s judges.

“After a two-year hiatus, I was absolutely stoked to see the Hot Wheels Legends Tour back in town. New Zealand has such a passionate community of car enthusiasts, and it was incredible to see that energy come to life at the country’s first-ever live finale,” Wright said.

“From a judging perspective, it was great to see the incredible calibre and diversity of builds on display. From the 1969 Rambler Rebel to the 1993 Mitsubishi Evolution 1, the finale really had it all. I can’t wait to see what the future has in store for Jess at the Regional Finale. We’ll definitely be cheering her on from the sidelines.”

Mattel Asia Pacific senior vice-president and managing director Paul Faulkner said the live event attracted Hot Wheels fans of all ages.

“This year was the first time we had held a live finale in New Zealand, and it did not disappoint. We saw people of all ages joining in on the fun, and it was wonderful to see the next generation of Hot Wheels fans out in full force. Congratulations to Jess on taking home the title for New Zealand.”

The date of the virtual Asia-Pacific Regional Finale has yet to be announced. Updates will be published through the official Hot Wheels social media channels.