Is the Bugatti Chiron the new prestige model from LEGO?
26.7.2018
Translation: machine translated
Video: Stephanie Tresch
After the Porsche, now the Bugatti. LEGO is launching a new Technic model from the automotive world. I got my hands on the Chiron, put it together and tested it for you.
LEGO is using big words and well-chosen marketing terms to promote its new Technic set. They talk about a perfect sports car that has been perfectly captured in collaboration with Bugatti. They also rave about the shiny and aerodynamic body of this LEGO set. It reflects the unmistakable, classic colour scheme. And so on and so forth. Words like unmistakable, unique and detailed make me sceptical. Nevertheless, I have to say that this set made me curious. Not because it says Bugatti on it, but because it says LEGO Technic. So I got myself a sample from LEGO, blocked my diary for the next few days and got to work.
Six boxes with 3599 pieces
You have to hand it to LEGO. The packaging of the Chiron alone looks amazing. The matt blue colour makes a good trap in any light. The front view of the Bugatti Chiron is depicted on the top. The other five surfaces of the box show the corresponding side and rear views. When you open the box, the first thing that catches your eye are the four Bugatti wheel rims. These are lined up on the left-hand side, waiting to be installed.
In addition to the rims, there are six boxes filled with parts. These are also printed and show the front right half of the original Bugatti Chiron. Last but not least, the manual and building instructions are also included in the box. However, LEGO has divided the building instructions into two books of 300 pages each. The first book contains the entire mechanics of the vehicle. The gearbox, engine and wheel suspensions are built here. The second book covers the panelling and bodywork.
Book One: Technic is in here
After a few beautifully illustrated pages with photos of the original Bugatti Chiron and the development of the LEGO model, the assembly begins. I pick up the first box and pour its contents onto the table. It contains three numbered plastic bags. As usual with previous LEGO models, the instructions are easy to understand and explain every single step down to the last detail. Despite the large set, even LEGO Technic newcomers will have no trouble assembling the Chiron.
I use the parts from the first box to build the W16 engine, the gearbox and the rear suspension. LEGO played a little trick with the engine. It's not a real W16, as in the original vehicle. In the real Chiron, there are two V8 engines next to each other, which are driven by just one camshaft. In the LEGO model, there is a V8 in the centre and an in-line four-cylinder on each side, which in turn have their own camshaft and are connected to each other via a gearwheel.
The second box again contains three plastic bags in which the LEGO parts are organised chronologically according to the building process. In this step of the construction phase, I build the front suspension and the steering. Then I can take the part built from the first box and marry the two together. Now I can see for the first time how big this thing is going to be. It's enormous and already weighs half a tonne.
I needed about seven hours in total to make these first two boxes. That was seven really great hours, because there's Technic in here. I got to assemble all the mechanical parts, like the gearbox and the engine, in this part of the build.
Book Two: Everything beautiful is hidden
In book two of the instructions, the remaining four boxes are used. This second half of the assembly no longer has much to do with technology. Only panelling elements and decorations are added to the vehicle, hiding all the beautiful gears and mechanical elements.
I mainly use the individual parts from the third box to build the rear section. This includes the adjustable rear spoiler, the rear lights and the rear wheel arches. Also included in this box are the curved parts for the roof of the Bugatti Chiron.
In the next step, and therefore with the parts from the fourth box, I can add the interior with the seats, dashboard and interior panelling to the vehicle. This is almost the only time that normal LEGO bricks are used for the seats and not Technic parts. However, the mix of these two elements is in no way noticeable, as they blend seamlessly into one another. In the interior, I had to attach a lot of adhesive elements to the fittings and the steering wheel. I've never really understood these adhesive strips. With a LEGO set in this price range, you'd expect LEGO to be able to print on their bricks. Isn't that right?
Next up is box number five. The assembly is slowly coming to an end, as I can see more of the finished car after each step. In this stage, all the parts of the front section, including the two doors, come into play. There is not much to say about this. Except that all the steps always have to be done twice. Once for the left side and once for the right. This gets tiring over time and is much less fun than the first two boxes.
The sixth and final box is just the little things. In this last step, the brake pads and the rims are fitted, the A-pillar is added, a small cover is fitted over the engine and I get to put together a small travel bag for the boot in the same colour as the interior. A shallow finish, so to speak.
The entire assembly process, from the first step to the last page of the second book, took me just under 15 hours. With highs and lows. The tension rises sharply at the beginning and then falls further down from box to box. The first book was interesting and the building steps had a lot in common with other Technic models. However, the second half was less exciting and dragged on.
Who is it worth buying for
If you're a fan of Bugatti or have a soft spot for super sports cars, you'll have a lot of fun with this set. According to LEGO, the Bugatti is suitable for ages 16 and up. However, I think that you can assemble this set at the age of 10 or even younger.
If you are into LEGO Technic, you will be disappointed by the Bugatti Chiron, because this model has little to do with Technic. The Chiron has virtually no functions, the panelling covers practically all the mechanical parts and retrofitting with an electric motor is also virtually impossible. For Technic fans, I would rather recommend the new all-terrain crane truck. This has 500 more parts, is half the price and has real Technic functions. It can also be retrofitted with power functions compared to the Bugatti.
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Riding my motorbike makes me feel free, fishing brings out my inner hunter, using my camera gets me creative. I make my money messing around with toys all day.
