The British supercar maker McLaren Automotive and the LEGO Group today unveil their latest collaboration paying tribute to the world’s most pioneering hybrid hypercar, with the introduction of the #42172 LEGO Technic McLaren P1.
The McLaren Group is a global leader in high-performance supercar production and elite motorsports. Founded in 1963 by racer, engineer, and entrepreneur Bruce McLaren, the Group is formed of McLaren Automotive, which hand-builds lightweight supercars and races them in global series, including the World Endurance Championship; and a majority stake in McLaren Racing which competes in the Formula 1 World Championship, INDYCAR series, Formula E, Extreme E and F1 Academy. The Group is globally headquartered at the iconic McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, Surrey, England. With a reputation for innovation and technological excellence, McLaren is one of the UK’s largest independent companies.
McLaren Automotive is a producer of ultra-high-performance, lightweight supercars. Launched in 2010, the company is now the largest part of the McLaren Group. Headquartered at the McLaren Technology Center (MTC) in Woking, Surrey, England, McLaren Automotive is driven by the challenge of creating the world’s most exhilarating, engaging, and benchmark-setting vehicles. Leveraging the McLaren name’s 60-year history of authentic, racing performance, it has delivered some of the most spectacular supercars ever made. The company’s product portfolio of GTS, supercar, Motorsport, and Ultimate models are retailed in over 40 markets around the world. Its cars are assembled by hand at the McLaren Production Center (MPC), based on the same campus as MTC in Woking.
The McLaren P1 redefined automotive high-performance as the most exciting, most capable, most technologically advanced and most dynamically accomplished supercar of its time. The P1 leveraged McLaren’s advanced motorsport-based engineering, featuring ground-breaking advances in weight reduction, packaging, high-speed performance, powertrain, and aerodynamics.
Created with the intention of being ‘the best driver’s car in the world on both road and track’, the design and technical specifications of the McLaren P1 provided the ideal foundation to deliver on this ambition. The remarkable hypercar is recognized as a landmark both for McLaren and the development of high-performance hybrid vehicles.
The incredible engineering and technology underpinning the performance, style, and functional design of the McLaren P1, made it the perfect challenge for the LEGO Technic team to replicate in 1:8 scale. The model Measures over 5.5 in. (14 cm) high, 23 in. (59 cm) long and 9.5 in. (25 cm) wide.
Unveiled as part of the LEGO Technic Ultimate Car Concept Series, the all-new 1:8 scale LEGO Technic version consists of 3,893 elements. Each car features a unique serial number that unlocks special behind-the-scenes content. It also has a 7-speed gearbox with 2 shifter drums, suspension, V8 piston engine, an adjustable rear wing, and opening dihedral doors with advanced mechanism. All guaranteeing an immersive building experience from start to finish that is authentic to the real McLaren P1.
The LEGO Technic Ultimate Car Concept Series launched in 2016 and every other year the concept brings a special vehicle to life, where both the set itself as well as the packaging have been meticulously designed. Going on the design journey of creating the next Ultimate Car challenges the team to design spectacular 1:8 scale sports car models and push the limits of what’s possible. The team aims to continuously prove that with LEGO Technic it’s possible to ‘Build for Real’.
The #42172 LEGO Technic McLaren P1 model was created by the LEGO Technic design team in close collaboration with McLaren Automotive and both teams were focused on implementing as much cutting-edge functionality in the model as possible, as a tribute to both the real P1 as well as the engineering excellence that McLaren is known for.
“It’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original P1 brought to life by the LEGO team for the LEGO Technic McLaren P1. I hope this collaboration inspires the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation,” said Tobias Sühlmann Chief Design Officer of McLaren Automotive.
“From the exterior with aerodynamic shapes to the interior and V8 piston engine – the real McLaren P1 is an incredible car. We wanted to capture these details in the best way possible with our LEGO Technic model and we did not want to compromise in any way. Therefore, we worked on multiple variations of the car to test different designs. We also faced a huge challenge with the iconic butterfly doors because they needed a new mechanism to stay open. It was a great experience to recreate the McLaren P1 and I’m hoping all supercar enthusiasts out there are ready to explore the details and intricacies of the real McLaren P1 in LEGO Technic form,” said Kasper Rene Hansen, Designer of the LEGO Group.
The #42172 LEGO Technic McLaren P1 set will be available at official LEGO stores and the Online LEGO Shop from the 1st of August. When purchasing the set between the 1st and 7th of August, LEGO Insiders will receive the LEGO Technic McLaren P1 logo as a gift with purchase. Prices are as follows: €449.99 / £389.99 / $449.99 / 589.99 CAD / 699.99 AUD / 181990 HUF / 10899 MXN and 3699 CNY. For more details, visit the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the new LEGO Technic supercar? Feel free to share your thoughts and discuss in the comment section below!
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