The newly released 2024 LEGO Technic collection features smaller sets, but they are definitely worth checking out.
Interestingly, while in previous years we got two or more LEGO Technic Pull-Back Racers, this year LEGO released only one (at least so far); the #42166 LEGO Technic NEOM McLaren Extreme E Team for $26.99. Another interesting feature is that instead of being a generic vehicle, this set is licensed. Adult LEGO fans usually don’t talk about these sets, but I’m a big fan of the pull-back motors as they are low-tech, powerful, and fun to play with.
Another new LEGO Technic racer-type vehicle is the #42164 LEGO Technic Off-Road Race Buggy for $19.99. It’s a great introduction to some of the capabilities of LEGO Technic including rear suspension, a moving 4-cylinder engine, and cool flex steering.
Then we also got a couple of small but mighty machinery; the #42163 LEGO Technic Heavy-Duty Bulldozer for $12.99 which is very small, but still has working tracks and a lifting/lowering blade, and the #42168 LEGO Technic John Deere 9700 Forage Harvester for $39.99 with the classic John Deere colors, back wheel steering, and a forage header tool on the front that can raise/lower and spin to replicate the actions of a real corn-cutting machine.
But my favorite of all the new LEGO Technic sets is the #42167 LEGO Technic Mack LR Electric Garbage Truck for $32.99. This is also a licensed set, and it looks quite similar to the original vehicle. Most importantly, it has a side loader to grab, lift, and tip the garbage cans, and it also has a working dump feature as well as working steering. In addition, even though LEGO Technic sets focus on functionality and usually aren’t minifig-scale, this one actually works well with minifigs.
In the video below, you can see all the cool features and functions of the LEGO Technic Garbage Truck.
The LEGO Technic Garbage Truck also reminds me of one of my favorite LEGO Ideas projects, the LEGO Automated Garbage Truck by a father and son LEGO fan team. The project made it to 10,000 votes but unfortunately wasn’t selected as a LEGO Ideas set. However, I still think it was a brilliant model. You can learn more about this project and watch a video of its functionality here: LEGO Ideas Garbage Truck Model & More!
Overall, I feel that even though the LEGO Technic lineup this January is small, it is well-rounded and versatile and the sets offer good functionality. LEGO Technic can be intimidating for those who just started out with this building system, but small sets like these are a great introduction before jumping into some of the bigger sets. If you would like to take a look at the new sets as well as previously released sets, visit the LEGO Technic section of the Online LEGO Shop.
What do you think? How do you like the new LEGO Technic sets? Are you planning to get any of them? Feel free to share and discuss in the comment section below!
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