LEGO made headlines in the automotive industry after it released the Technic Bugatti Chiron, which is the first fully functional Technic car ever built.
The Technic Bugatti Chiron which weighs 1,500 kg. (3,306 lbs.) is mobilized with 339 unique Technic elements, which include transparent Technic bricks. Earlier this year, LEGO Technic publicized a $349, 3,599-piece scale model of the Chiron, but arsTECHNICA noted the latest creation of the toymaker company is far more superior.
"This life-size model is a first of its kind in so many ways and with it, we wanted to push the boundaries of our own imagination. Our Technic designers and the engineers from the Kladno factory in the Czech Republic, the place which also builds the impressive models for LEGO Stores and LEGOLAND parks, have done an amazing job both at recreating the Chiron's iconic shapes and making it possible to drive this model," said Lena Dixen, senior VP of product and marketing at LEGO.
LEGO started the build in September of last year but just managed to finish it a few months ago. The company revealed that it had to synthesize 56 new parts for the build to get the colors right. It added that it took over 13,400 man hours to get it done.
Interestingly, no glue was used in the car's construction as all of the LEGO bits were brought together by hand. Company engineers also applied a flexible Technic skin to redevise the curvy body of the Bugatti. Likewise, LEGO coined Technic's initial clear pieces for the taillights and headlights, which imitate Chiron's genuine startup sequence.
Not As Good As The Real Chiron
The Technic Bugatti Chiron is comprised of a W-16 engine and a seven-speed dual clutch automatic transmission with 2304 electric Technic motors. LEGO said that the hive of motivators is powered by a combination of 5.3 horsepower and 68 lb-ft of torque.
Nonetheless, LEGO's Technic Bugatti Chiron's capabilities fall extremely short of the authentic Chiron's 1500 horsepower and 1180 lb-ft of torque. It is also 249 mph shy of the real Chiron as it sports a 12-mph top speed.
In spite of its meek peripherals, Le Mans-winning racer Andy Wallace said that he was impressed with the precision of the model. Wallace tested the Technic Bugatti Chiron at the Ehra Lessien test track in Germany.
Apart from the Technic Bugatti Chiron, LEGO's Speed Champions series has also brought brick versions of Le Mans mock-ups. Among those include the Ferrari 250 GTO, Porsche 919 Hybrid, Ford GT40, and the Audi R18 e-tron quattro.
