Tag Archives: Top Gear

42109 Technic Top Gear Rally Car | Set Preview

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Our Elves are on it right now. Much as we hate to admit it, they’re doing rather well at sneaking into The LEGO Company’s headquarters, not being eaten by Danish Alsatians, and bringing back brand new sets for us to share with you. Hot the heels of the Unnecessarily-Long-Named Lamborghini set revealed here last week, this is their latest scoop; the new for 2020 Technic 42019 App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car.

42019 is the latest in LEGO’s app-controlled line-up, utilising the new Control+ app that allows a model to be controlled via bluetooth from a mobile device (as per SBrick and BuWizz). It also adds another (slightly odd) brand to LEGO’s burgeoning roster of official partners. Yup, BBC Top Gear join such names as Aston Martin, Ferrari, Chevrolet and Jaguar in being printed on a LEGO box, although this link is perhaps a little more tenuous (and perhaps more than a little late given Top Gear’s peak was some years ago).

The new 42109 App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car set is a fully remote controlled rally racer of a generic and non-specific design, featuring an XL motor for drive, an L motor for steering, LEGO’s new Bluetooth smart hub, and a whole load of stickers.

463 pieces make up the set, none of which look new or remarkable, but what is very cool is that 42109 isn’t just operable via a bluetooth device through the new Control+ app, it includes interactive in-built challenges, merging video game thrills with a real functioning Technic model. That sounds rather neat, and is something we think any nine year old (or TLCB staff writer, which amounts to the same thing) will absolutely love.

Of course the success of the new App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car will depend upon the execution of those app-based challenges, but as the app could be easily updated with new challenges added over time, we see far more longevity in the Control+ platform than LEGO’s past forays into gaming achieved (we’re looking at you 8432 Technic Red Hot Machine)…

42109 is due to reach stores at the end of the year aimed at ages 9+ and is expected to cost around $129/£125. We’re cautiously excited…

The Stig Vs. Lightning McQueen!

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Lego Cars 3

If you’re here and you’re six*, you’re going to enjoy the video below! Fresh from the Disney Pixar ‘Cars 3’ movie, Lighting McQueen, Cruz Ramirez and Mater are visiting the Top Gear Test Track in LEGO form, and they’re about to meet a very special resident!

LEGO’s official Disney Pixar ‘Cars 3’ Juniors sets are available to buy now.

*Or a TLCB Elf

Tiny Dancer

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Lego Peel P50 RCThis is the Peel P50, built on the Isle of Man between 1962 and ’65, and pretty much an unknown ’60s oddity until Top Gear decided to feature the car in 2007 (although this TLCB writer was sad enough to know about it).

Said film instantly turned the P50 into one of the most famous vehicles on the planet, and values have since skyrocketed – if you have one of the 47 P50s made squirrelled away somewhere then send Jeremy Clarkson a Thank You card!

This dinky Lego recreation of the world’s smallest production car is the work of previous bloggee vmln8r, and it’s a miracle of packaging. Concealed (mostly) inside are a drive motor, steering motor, battery box and infrared receiver, giving vmln8r’s P50 full remote control drive and – being so small – grin-inducing manoeuvrability.

It’s so small in fact, that when the Elf responsible for discovering this model ploughed it into a group of its unsuspecting colleagues in the office today they all just got up and ran after it, rather than having to be scraped up by TLCB Team and taken to the ‘Elf Hospital’, aka the toilet flush.*

There’s lots more of vmln8r’s Peel P50 to see at his Flickr photostream or via the Eurobricks forum, where there’s also a video available of the model in action. But that’s not the only Peel P50 video you want to see…

Lego Peel P50 Remote Control

*Not really. We wouldn’t do that. Unless things were really bad.

Matt LeBlanc Hosting Top Gear?…

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Lego Top Gear

Occasionally we dip into the news here at TLCB, and today is one such day. Speculation has been rife as to who will join Chris Evans for the re-launched BBC Top Gear later this year, from models to motorbike racers the press seem to have a new ‘confirmed’ co-host every other week.

Well now it’s our turn. It’s Matt Le Blanc. Yes the actor from Episodes, Joey from Friends, and the fastest Star In a Reasonably Priced Car is set to join the show as co-host this year. You heard it here first!* If we’re right (we’ve even beaten the BBC themselves to this…) you can expect to read this story in the major news outlets very soon.

You can read our other posts relating to the Top Gear story, which include the wonderful caricatures of past hosts Jeremy, Richard and James by Ralph Savelsberg above, by clicking here.

*Our Elves are everywhere.

Jeremy Clarks-gone

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Lego Top Gear Jeremy Clarkson

The news today that the BBC have taken the decision not to renew Jeremy Clarkson’s contract, and that Top Gear – at least as we know it – is no more, has meant that our Elvish workforce are currently inconsolably sad.

Whilst extreme violence towards colleagues is an almost hourly occurrence here at TLCB Towers, this particular blogger thinks there really could only be one outcome to Jeremy’s moronic outburst. Much as we love the show, it’s probably time to move on – Top Gear existed long before Clarkson, Hammond and May, and it’ll hopefully exist long after them too.

But sadly the news of Jeremy’s axing from the BBC does mean that our Elves are likely to be incredibly mopey for a bit, and that we’re going to be a little more reliant upon you – our readers – for good blog-worthy content.

If you’d like to suggest a creation that should feature here at The Lego Car Blog you can do so by commenting on the Feedback and Submission Suggestions page, or if you have a Flickr account by sending us a Flickr Mail. If you’re feeling especially productive you may even get to write a post yourself – just let us know in your comment that you’d like to give guest blogging a go and we’ll arrange for you to be able to submit your content.

In the meantime you can join our Elves in mourning by clicking here and here to read our Top Gear related posts from times past, including the great recreation of Jeremy, Richard, James and the Stig by Flickr’s Ralph Savelsberg shown above.

Ferrari LaFerrari Ferrari Ferrari

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Lego Technic Ferrari LaFerrari

The Ferrari LaFerrari is the stupidest name even given to a car. But what a car it is.

Powered by the combination of a 6.3 litre V12 800bhp petrol engine and a 160bhp KER system the LaFerrari could be the fastest car in the world right now – although unless Ferrari decide to let journalists test it, and until BBC’s Top Gear returns to be able to air a race between the LaFerrari, McLaren’s P1 and Porsche’s 918, we may never know.

Until then we’ll make do with this version of Ferrari’s hybrid hypercar, which was suggested to us by a reader who discovered it on Brickshelf. Brunojj1 is the builder and you can see the full gallery of his beautiful creation via the link above, including digital renders of the V12 engine, gearbox and Power Functions drivetrain.

Lego Ferrari LaFerrari Supercar

Own Brand Supercar

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Lego Supercar

Top Gear’s Jeremy Clarkson seems to have taken a leaf out of the Elf Book of Mealtime Etiquette, by punching a colleague over dinner, and thus our workforce is pretty inconsolable right now. Inconsolable and violent, seeing as they tend to copy anything they see or hear about from television.

Thankfully the cancellation of BBC’s Top Gear has had less of an affect on our readers than it has on our Elves, and we have several suggestions from you to keep the posts coming. The first is this, by previous blogger and Featured TFOL Alexander Paschoaletto. It’s another ‘own brand’ supercar, following this effort that featured here last week, and it’s as good as any of the real-car-replicas that frequent these pages. Alexander’s design is available to view on both MOCpages and Flickr – click the links to see all the photos.

On Tonight’s Show…

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Series 22 of the world’s favourite television show is nearly here, and this time they’ve picked up a few (virtual) bricks…

The Top 5…

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Firas Abu Jaber Creations!

Our usual articles here at TLCB publicise only new creations. Today though we take a trip back in time to look at the creations of one of the all time greatest Lego vehicle builders, someone who has featured not only on the top Lego websites, but also the likes of Top Gear and Jalopnik. He is of course, the amazing Firas Abu Jaber. In our second ‘Top 5’  list our collaborators Head Turnerz suggest their five favourite Firas creations. Over to the the Head Turnerz crew…

Much of the online Lego community know of the legendary Firas Abu Jaber, and most will have a favourite or two of his creations. Here at Head Turnerz we have teamed up with The Lego Car Blog to give you another HT x TLCB Top 5, this time to showcase the very best of what Firas built over several incredible years.

Lego Mitsubishi Evo

No.5

In fifth place is, without doubt, the best recreation of the iconic Mitsubishi Evolution X that you’ll ever find made from LEGO. We remember when we first saw Firas’ creation posted on the MOCpages home page – and we nearly fell off our chairs. With 15 stud wide body work and ingeniously recreated disc brakes Firas’ Evo is jam-packed with details, making it not just one of the best Evos, but one of the best Lego cars ever made.

Lego Lamborghini Gallardo

No.4

What sort of Top 5 of the best Firas cars would this be without one of his famous Lamborghinis? Coming in at number four is this stunning Lamborghini Gallardo SE built way back in January 2009. The body shaping is – as with every Firas build – perfect, and with the freakishly great eye for detail that he has, this Lego Lamborghini does not let the famous marque down.

Lego Knight Rider KITT

No.3

K.I.T.T could possibly be the most well known T.V/movie car of all time and Firas did not disappoint when he ‘dropped’ this one, again back in 2009. Firas’ model features everything the real ‘82 Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am K.I.T.T had, including the infamous scan-bar. Of course, everything opens, including removable T-tops to complete the convertible roof!

Lego Pagani Zonda

No.2

The Pagani Zonda C12 S is one of the most beautiful Italian cars ever made, Firas somewhat cheesily describing it as “just like a beautiful girl”. We can see what he means though, and his Model Team version is just as eye-catching. The curves, his unique building techniques, and those remarkable headlights – it’s how a Lego car should be built. Firas even constructed his Zonda so that all the ‘elements’ were detachable – see how he did it at the link.

Lego Ford GT

No.1

Taking the top spot in our Top 5 Firas Abu Jaber creations list is none other than his incredible Ford GT – possibly the greatest Model Team car ever made, and the most popular car in the history of MOCpages. Some may disagree with our previous choices, but we think we that all will agree that this is the car that cemented Firas’ reputation as the best Lego vehicle builder of his time. A legend if you will. This GT was so realistic it was even featured on the official Top Gear website! It’s the perfect MOC.

Some of you reading this may not have had the privilege to see first hand Firas’ builds show up on your ‘most recent’ listing on MOCpages, but to have witnessed it at the time was an absolute honour. Firas was and still is the true G.O.A.T of Lego car building. We think we speak for all when we say we hope to see him make a return some day…

So that’s Head Turnerz’ Top 5 Firas Abu Jaber creations. Do you agree with their choices or has your favourite missed the cut? Let them know what you think by joining in their discussions over on Flickr – click here to visit the group, and they’ll join us again soon for another Top 5.

Tonight on Top Gear… Picture Special

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Lego TopGear Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond James May

 …Jeremy will be mildly offensive, James will wear a wooly jumper, and Hammond will indulge in some bad acting. But we’ll still love it.

BBC’s Top Gear began way back in 1977 as a fairly straight-laced motoring magazine, updating the great unwashed on the latest new cars and motoring news (remember; no internet in 1977!). The original show helped to launch the careers of many TV motoring journalists, including the brilliant Tiff Needell and Quentin Wilson, and of course a certain Mr. Clarkson and Mr. May.

Lego Top Gear Studio Jeremy Clarkson

Top Gear evolved during these first decades becoming more humorous and politically incorrect, helped largely by the arrival of Quentin and Jeremy whose reviewing style could make-or-break a new car. After a one particularly damning review Peugeot famously declared that they were removing all of their adverts from the BBC – but of course due to the unique way the BBC is funded, Top Gear and everything else broadcast contains no advertising at all anyway. Take that Peugeot!

Lego Top Gear Richard Hammond

In 2000 however, the BBC canned Top Gear and sold the production (but not the name) to Channel 5, and Fifth Gear was born. Most of the presenters moved across to the new show and we’ve had to read uninformed ‘This is Fifth Gear you dumb %$@£!’ comments on YouTube (when a video correctly shows old Top Gear) ever since.

The BBC held onto the name for good reason though. In 2002 Top Gear returned, with a new format, new presenters, and – for the first time – an actual studio! Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and Jason Dawe fronted this first season, before Jason was replaced by James to give us the genius line-up that has been in place ever since.

Top Gear’s new format has proved wildly successful, with over 350million viewers from 170 countries tuning in every week. And that’s not counting the re-runs showing every hour on Dave.

Lego TopGear Jeremy Clarkson

Such success has led to mistakes though, as Top Gear has become less genuine and more scripted over the years in a quest to recreate past (naturally occurring) glories. It’s also given the presenters an opportunity to make other programmes, and ‘Richard Hammond’s 5 O’Clock Show’ is an abomination that will be forever etched into a dark corner of the televisual hall-of-shame. Thankfully it only lasted a month, and James May’s independent presenting more than makes up for Hammond’s. James even built a house out of LEGO.

Lego James May TopGear

So what next for Top Gear? Well there are now live arena shows once a year, spin-offs for Australia, Russia, Korea, America and others, a new DVD each Christmas, and there’s a whole world of slightly crap merchandising. Andy Wilman (Top Gear’s producer) admits the show – at least in its current format – is probably nearer to the end of its life than the start, but we expect to keep watching for little a while yet. Onwards to season 22!

All of the photos in this post were produced by the exceptionally talented Stephan Sander, who has lovingly recreated Jeremy, James and Richard in brick form.  He’s also constructed superb Lego models of Jeremy’s Citroen Motorhome, a trio of Jaguar E-Types, three Ferraris, three Lotuses and the famous Top Gear studio – complete with a wonderfully diverse audience! We highly recommend a trip to Stephan’s MOCpage to see all the photos. Back to the studio…

Pre-Piano

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Lego Morris Minor

As viewers of BBC’s Top Gear will know, the Morris Marina is fit only for death-by-piano. But what you may not know is that the Morris Marina wasn’t actually that terrible. Underneath it was in fact a Morris Minor, a car widely loved by the motoring public. How fickle the winds of fate have been to those two stalwarts of the British auto industry.

This convertible version of the British classic is the work of TLCB regular Ralph Savelsberg. You can see more of his Lego recreation via his photostream, and you can check out a much more massive Minor (and one that’s far more our bag) here.

On Tonight’s Top Gear…

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Lego Top Gear, Clarkson, Hammond, May, Stig…Richard, James and I undergo some plastic surgery, and the Stig races a car that you can build yourself!

Ralph Savelsberg aka Mad Physicist immortalises the Top Gear team in Lego.

See more on Flickr.