Review: 42204 Fast & Furious Toyota Supra MK4
Posted by Huw,
Given the number of models of fast cars that LEGO releases, Fast and Furious is an obvious source of inspiration.
42204 Toyota Supra MK4 is the fourth model based on a vehicle that appears in the films, and the second Technic set to tap into the franchise, following the diabolical 42111 Dom's Dodge Charger. Thankfully, this one looks to be far better than that black brick on wheels.
Summary
42204 Fast & Furious Toyota Supra MK4, 810 pieces.
£54.99 / $59.99 / €59.99 | 6.8p/7.4c/7.4c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Although it bears only a passing resemblance to the real car, it's nevertheless a very good model
- Excellent bodywork shaping
- The best 15-wide Technic car to date
- A lot of stickers which have to be applied for aesthetics
- Reddish orange would have been a closer match
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Reference
According to the F&F wiki, this orange 1994 Toyota Supra MK4 appeared in The Fast and the Furious, the first film in the franchise, which was released during 2001. It was driven by Brian O'Conner, Mia Toretto and Dominic Toretto.
Source: Fandom.com
Parts and Stickers
Unfortunately, as is always the case with licenced Technic models, there are a lot of stickers. Even more unfortunately, most of them need to be applied because the rear wheel arches are printed so the car will look odd without the surrounding ones, and they also provide essential details such as rear lights and the radiator grille.
Finding new parts in Technic sets always brings me joy, especially when they are general-purpose functional elements, such as these 'Beam 1 x 2 with Axle on Side', design ID 7244.
Construction
The set's 810 pieces are divided into five numbered bags. The first two provide those for the chassis, which incorporates a 6-cylinder inline front engine connected to the rear axles via a differential, and steering.
Stickers do not slow down the build and interrupt the flow until bag 3.
The completed model
LEGO has been making cars in this 15-wide format since the introduction of 42098 Car Transporter in 2019. They are all roughly the same scale and fit onto the transporter. This one is 30cm long, which is about the same as recent examples.
The symbol on the doors is apparently a gladiator wielding a weapon with what looks to me like a a plume of green smoke behind it, although the way it's split across panels makes it barely recognisable. As I mentioned above, the rear wheel arches are printed, so you really need to add the stickers around it, otherwise the car will look odd.
Decoration aside, the bodywork is excellent, leveraging all the new panels that have been introduced recently to give it an almost seamless appearance. I particularly like the front end below the lights, and indeed the lights themselves, each made using three transparent panels. The rear grey spoiler looks like it's been tacked on as an afterthought and I suspect that's also the case in the film.
Unfortunately, though, it really only bears a passing resemblance to the shape of the car in the film, which is far more curvaceous, especially at the front. Given the media used to model it, that is to be expected, though, and it's certainly much better than Dom's ride which I wrote a particularly scathing review of during the height of the pandemic.
That said, I am very satisfied with its appearance.
Functionality-wise, the engine is hooked up to the rear wheels, steering is accomplished using the knob on the roof, and the bonnet, boot and doors open.
There's a sound system in the boot, with massive subwoofers. A small instrument panel can be seen inside the cabin, along with a non-functioning steering wheel.
The 6-cylinder engine makes use of the new cams and piston rods.
Verdict
I find it remarkable that it's now possible to make a relatively small scale model such as this 'gapless' and curvaceous, thanks to all the small panel elements that have been introduced recently together with ingenious building techniques that connect them together at odd angles.
It's interesting to compare it with one of the first 15-wide cars, 42093 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, to see how things have progressed in the interim.
It might not look exactly like the real thing, but it is an excellent model nevertheless, and easily the best 15-wide car that I've built.
Those looking for a functional Technic model will need to look elsewhere, but if you want a neat display model of a car, this has a lot going for it.
Check back in the coming days for a review of the other 15-wide car that's just been released, 42205 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.
56 likes
43 comments on this article
I apologise but the set is atrocious and to say that it's the best 15 Wide Technic set to date shows your wearing rose tinted glasses.
And to say the Dodge Charger set was bad - I thought it looked great and that the Supra should really have been made the same size as the Dodge.
Makes no sense having another Technic F&F car different scale to Lego's first Technic F&F entry.
Given that the Supra is a long vehicle (as is the Dodge) it would have been also more proportionate - in fact proof of this is on the RacingBrick YouTube channel which did a side by side comparison between MOC and Lego's effect - and looks so much better.
People wouldn't have minded paying double for the set to get it right in the first place.
No wonder we have not sold a single one at my work since it's come out!
Lego dropped the ball on this, such a missed opportunity ??????
It looks like it should have been the new reddish-orange color they just released based on that picture above anyway.
I remember really liking this car in the movie. But I can't say I like technic cars in general, so I don't have much of an opinion on how this turned out. But hopefully they will release a Speed Champions size version in the future.
@onejdmbrick84 said:
"And to say the Dodge Charger set was bad - I thought it looked great and that the Supra should really have been made the same size as the Dodge."
If by "size" you mean size, then no, that would be a mistake. The 1970 Charger R/T is about 0.75m (2.5ft) longer than the Mk4 Supra.
If by "size" you actually mean scale, then yes, Lego didn't make them the same scale. If 42204 were made to the same scale as 42111, then the Supra would be 4 studs longer than it is.
Unfortunately, the only thing that really looks anything like a real Supra are the tail lights.
@Sethro3 said:
"It looks like it should have been the new reddish-orange color they just released based on that picture above anyway."
You are right -- that would have been better and I should have mentioned it.
Diabolical? Black brick on wheels? Sounds like someone prefers imports over American Muscle...
@huw
"It might look exactly like the real thing, but it is an excellent model nevertheless, and easily the best 15-wide car that I've built."
I think you forgot to knot a 'not' in there.
As another JDM fan like @onejdmbrick84 and working in automotive I agree this looks atrocious!! I also disliked the speed champion version of the R34, 76917 . Neither can capture the nice lines and curves of the real thing (which is captured well in the McLaren F1 LM 76918, Ferrari F40 76934, Lamborghini Countach 76908, and many others!!!)
For example, the tail lights should be recessed from the bumper, which they are not. The lights should be on the edge of the trunk (err.. boot) lid, which they are also not...
Not a big technic fan. Don't like the 42111 either, but I do like 42098, both the main and alt build!
Cool, but i'd have preferred it if it were a Speed Champions set.
@BlackFalconBirdman said:
" @huw
"It might look exactly like the real thing, but it is an excellent model nevertheless, and easily the best 15-wide car that I've built."
I think you forgot to knot a 'not' in there.
As another JDM fan like @onejdmbrick84 and working in automotive I agree this looks atrocious!! I also disliked the speed champion version of the R34, 76917 . Neither can capture the nice lines and curves of the real thing (which is captured well in the McLaren F1 LM 76918, Ferrari F40 76934, Lamborghini Countach 76908, and many others!!!)
For example, the tail lights should be recessed from the bumper, which they are not. The lights should be on the edge of the trunk (err.. boot) lid, which they are also not...
Not a big technic fan. Don't like the 42111 either, but I do like 42098, both the main and alt build!"
Thank you and I am a big JDM fan. I don't collect Technic so this was a miss anyways for me. Should have some it in SC size. I admit all 4 JDM cars (SC Toyota Supra, SC Nissan Skyline, SC GTR and Technic Supra) seem to have been given the short straw in terms of design build.
Despite that, my biggest love is Honda's and I'm hoping that the first Honda Lego set will be great! Looking forward to seeing the pink S2000
No, no, just no. I love LEGO cars when done right. I have waaaaaay too many (ask my wife) but this is just weird. Defender, VW Bus, Mini, McLaren F1 all the new F1 cars, etc. so nice and realistic but this thing...???
This is one of my favourite cars in the F&F series and this version seems fine, but rather imperfect. I would have liked the design on the side to be a bit more continuous. The shape and gaps and such are quite impressive given the limitations of the medium.
I hope they do a Speed Champions version (Technics kits aren’t very my-hands-friendly) eventually.
This one doesn’t even look good from a distance. I even tried squinting.
Did Lego pay for this review? Sorry for the joke, but the car looks terrible. The headlights are a pain, the front holes terrible, the stickers on the rear lights... Horrilble.
@onejdmbrick84 said:
" @BlackFalconBirdman said:
" @huw
"It might look exactly like the real thing, but it is an excellent model nevertheless, and easily the best 15-wide car that I've built."
I think you forgot to knot a 'not' in there.
As another JDM fan like @onejdmbrick84 and working in automotive I agree this looks atrocious!! I also disliked the speed champion version of the R34, 76917 . Neither can capture the nice lines and curves of the real thing (which is captured well in the McLaren F1 LM 76918, Ferrari F40 76934, Lamborghini Countach 76908, and many others!!!)
For example, the tail lights should be recessed from the bumper, which they are not. The lights should be on the edge of the trunk (err.. boot) lid, which they are also not...
Not a big technic fan. Don't like the 42111 either, but I do like 42098, both the main and alt build!"
Thank you and I am a big JDM fan. I don't collect Technic so this was a miss anyways for me. Should have some it in SC size. I admit all 4 JDM cars (SC Toyota Supra, SC Nissan Skyline, SC GTR and Technic Supra) seem to have been given the short straw in terms of design build.
Despite that, my biggest love is Honda's and I'm hoping that the first Honda Lego set will be great! Looking forward to seeing the pink S2000"
That you were a JDM fan was not a difficult guess based on your name, haha... :)
My first car was a 92 EH D1.5B manual, so I'm a big of Honda, too. :)
yea... I agree and can't say any of the JDMs have hit the mark... and I don't have any. Maybe an early NSX would be easy given the 'blocky' design. the S2000 is also a great car. Why they never made a Type-R for it though, I'll never understand...
This looks like the actual car fell of a cliff. I know it is hard to do in this scale in Technic, but isn't it better to just leave it? Just make a nice Technic car that isn't supposed to resemble anything this detailed. I assume Lego knows better (they're are making billions, I'm not), but who's buying this because it slightly resembles something that was in a move a long time ago?
Tbh this looks horrible - one of the best? Are You fooling Yourself Huw? I would take 1 Dom's Charger over 10 of this Supr... Excuse me but I can not call that crap a Supra. Stickered crap pretending to be something completly out of it's ligue. If Brickset follows this idiocracy path that lego is on then don't be surprised when site traffic drops.
@KiloGram said:
"Tbh this looks horrible - one of the best? Are You fooling Yourself Huw? I would take 1 Dom's Charger over 10 of this Supr... Excuse me but I can not call that crap a Supra. Stickered crap pretending to be something completly out of it's ligue. If Brickset follows this idiocracy path that lego is on then don't be surprised when site traffic drops."
Someone needs a coffee.
Don't like it at all, apart from the taillight stickers and the vey specific color scheme it looks nothing like a Supra. Think thye did a much better job with most of the cars this scale. Add in the increased price compared to earlier cars of this size, and I'd consider this another miss for Technic.
@BlackFalconBirdman said:
" @onejdmbrick84 said:
" @BlackFalconBirdman said:
" @huw
"It might look exactly like the real thing, but it is an excellent model nevertheless, and easily the best 15-wide car that I've built."
I think you forgot to knot a 'not' in there.
As another JDM fan like @onejdmbrick84 and working in automotive I agree this looks atrocious!! I also disliked the speed champion version of the R34, 76917 . Neither can capture the nice lines and curves of the real thing (which is captured well in the McLaren F1 LM 76918, Ferrari F40 76934, Lamborghini Countach 76908, and many others!!!)
For example, the tail lights should be recessed from the bumper, which they are not. The lights should be on the edge of the trunk (err.. boot) lid, which they are also not...
Not a big technic fan. Don't like the 42111 either, but I do like 42098, both the main and alt build!"
Thank you and I am a big JDM fan. I don't collect Technic so this was a miss anyways for me. Should have some it in SC size. I admit all 4 JDM cars (SC Toyota Supra, SC Nissan Skyline, SC GTR and Technic Supra) seem to have been given the short straw in terms of design build.
Despite that, my biggest love is Honda's and I'm hoping that the first Honda Lego set will be great! Looking forward to seeing the pink S2000"
That you were a JDM fan was not a difficult guess based on your name, haha... :)
My first car was a 92 EH D1.5B manual, so I'm a big of Honda, too. :)
yea... I agree and can't say any of the JDMs have hit the mark... and I don't have any. Maybe an early NSX would be easy given the 'blocky' design. the S2000 is also a great car. Why they never made a Type-R for it though, I'll never understand..."
My first Honda was a 98 Civic Hatchback in Tahitian Green :) I've had 4 Honda's in my life - Civic, Prelude, Civic and now Jazz :)
There's some great JDM MOCs on Rebrickable but one I've just seen is a Toyota AE86 but that's close to 1/14 scale. I know Cada are releasing a Speed Champion size Toyota AE86 so looking forward to getting that
I see no resemblance to the real car. Color and the stickers are only making the set feel like a part of the F&F franchise, otherwise this looks nothing like a Supra.
The lack of windows is really weird. I guess it's just a Technic thing, but it looks bad.
Wow that new Technic part certainly looks…
Well, uh…
I think it reminds me most of Dr. Evil’s return.
@EtudeTheBadger said:
"Someone needs a coffee."
To be fair, I have to agree with the many posters that say this doesn't look like a Mk4 Supra. It looks like a relatively generic sporty coupé with taillight stickers that look like Mk4 Supra taillights stuck on the back. Sort of like getting a extensive body kit for your Honda Civic that uses the Mk4 Supra taillight modules.
@onejdmbrick84 said:
"My first Honda was a 98 Civic Hatchback in Tahitian Green :) I've had 4 Honda's in my life - Civic, Prelude, Civic and now Jazz :)"
What gen Prelude? Mine was a 5th gen.
Before the Prelude, I had a '92 (Z32) 300ZX Twin Turbo in black. That was such an awesome car.
@KiloGram said:
"Tbh this looks horrible - one of the best? Are You fooling Yourself Huw? I would take 1 Dom's Charger over 10 of this Supr... Excuse me but I can not call that crap a Supra. Stickered crap pretending to be something completly out of it's ligue. If Brickset follows this idiocracy path that lego is on then don't be surprised when site traffic drops."
I'm torn by this comment because it rings true, but that truth pains me.
I don't want Brickset's traffic to drop, because it is a brilliantly useful LEGO site, and I am almost compelled to use it because it has the most superb collecting tools going.
...but I have definitely started visiting less frequently lately with the endless stream of car-coverage. I only read this article because I was hoping there might be a little push-back against the car-dominated Technic theme (e.g. in the minus-points against the set: "Yet another Technic car with no functionality when LEGO could produce actually interesting, functional Technic sets.")
Or perhaps I need to just accept the unhappy fact that cars sell.
@KiloGram said:
"Tbh this looks horrible - one of the best? Are You fooling Yourself Huw? I would take 1 Dom's Charger over 10 of this Supr... Excuse me but I can not call that crap a Supra. Stickered crap pretending to be something completly out of it's ligue. If Brickset follows this idiocracy path that lego is on then don't be surprised when site traffic drops."
If it is not compared with the car it's based on, I still maintain it's one of the best in terms of body styling and construction.
I think it looks awful, as do most of the Technic cars this size. And I fully agree with the those who prefer https://brickset.com/sets/42111-1 . That black brick on wheels looks pretty good, I'd say. At least good enough that I was happy to buy one.
@Huw said:
"If it is not compared with the car it's based on, I still maintain it's one of the best in terms of body styling and construction."
While I kinda get what you mean....I don't quite see it. I mean, most of it seems rather straightforward, kinda boxy. I don't see many weird angles or particularly smart solutions. Good use of all the new pieces available (and that new 2L beam with axle seems very useful!), but based on these pictures, I just don't see anything interesting in the construction.
Also wondering: Why is there a grey piece at the doors? Looks like one that is available in orange?
Another car.
Supra have pure orange color., Lego choose correctly. Movie has that cinematic shade, warm light.
This is how Supra looks:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/agp8tJ9Lh68
@onejdmbrick84 said:
" @BlackFalconBirdman said:
" @onejdmbrick84 said:
" @BlackFalconBirdman said:
" @huw
"It might look exactly like the real thing, but it is an excellent model nevertheless, and easily the best 15-wide car that I've built."
I think you forgot to knot a 'not' in there.
As another JDM fan like @onejdmbrick84 and working in automotive I agree this looks atrocious!! I also disliked the speed champion version of the R34, 76917 . Neither can capture the nice lines and curves of the real thing (which is captured well in the McLaren F1 LM 76918, Ferrari F40 76934, Lamborghini Countach 76908, and many others!!!)
For example, the tail lights should be recessed from the bumper, which they are not. The lights should be on the edge of the trunk (err.. boot) lid, which they are also not...
Not a big technic fan. Don't like the 42111 either, but I do like 42098, both the main and alt build!"
Thank you and I am a big JDM fan. I don't collect Technic so this was a miss anyways for me. Should have some it in SC size. I admit all 4 JDM cars (SC Toyota Supra, SC Nissan Skyline, SC GTR and Technic Supra) seem to have been given the short straw in terms of design build.
Despite that, my biggest love is Honda's and I'm hoping that the first Honda Lego set will be great! Looking forward to seeing the pink S2000"
That you were a JDM fan was not a difficult guess based on your name, haha... :)
My first car was a 92 EH D1.5B manual, so I'm a big of Honda, too. :)
yea... I agree and can't say any of the JDMs have hit the mark... and I don't have any. Maybe an early NSX would be easy given the 'blocky' design. the S2000 is also a great car. Why they never made a Type-R for it though, I'll never understand..."
My first Honda was a 98 Civic Hatchback in Tahitian Green :) I've had 4 Honda's in my life - Civic, Prelude, Civic and now Jazz :)
There's some great JDM MOCs on Rebrickable but one I've just seen is a Toyota AE86 but that's close to 1/14 scale. I know Cada are releasing a Speed Champion size Toyota AE86 so looking forward to getting that "
hachiroku24's AE86 is probably my fav to date (makes sense given his name is 86..) even though it's a moc of it in a swamp... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c64kXvtbef4
4 definitely beats my 2 Hondas to date. I've had mostly Alfa's recently.
which rebrickable JDMs do you recommend? I haven't seen any that really tickle me but also haven't looked in detail.
@gearwheel said:
" @EtudeTheBadger said:
"Someone needs a coffee."
To be fair, I have to agree with the many posters that say this doesn't look like a Mk4 Supra. It looks like a relatively generic sporty coupé with taillight stickers that look like Mk4 Supra taillights stuck on the back. Sort of like getting a extensive body kit for your Honda Civic that uses the Mk4 Supra taillight modules.
@onejdmbrick84 said:
"My first Honda was a 98 Civic Hatchback in Tahitian Green :) I've had 4 Honda's in my life - Civic, Prelude, Civic and now Jazz :)"
What gen Prelude? Mine was a 5th gen.
Before the Prelude, I had a '92 (Z32) 300ZX Twin Turbo in black. That was such an awesome car."
My fav Fairlady! The Z32 is really amazing. It looks great in every color and without any spoiler.
The gen4 prelude is my fav! (quite unique styling), followed by gen3.
The single example of these Technic pin-and-panel vehicles that even clears the mark of looking decent is 42110, imho, which makes sense considering that the Defender is essentially a rolling box.
All the rest have looked horrible, with various levels of squinting or eye-closing to see the resemblance to the real-world vehicle.
It's good to see that even the Technic fans are agreeing with what I've been saying for a long time - Technic is a terrible medium for creating cars. Sure, it can do the inside bits well (engines, gearbox, steering, suspension) but the bodywork always looks like it's been in a nasty accident. For something intended to go on display, that's really not good. If they went down the hybrid parts route - Technic chassis and gubbins with a System bodyshell - then I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one beating a hasty path to the checkout on Day 1. Come on, LEGO! Give us the best of both!
I'm thinking about buying this sometime - really love the sticker details and it would look good on my shelf along with the Speed Champions Nissan Skyline from I think the year 2023.
@bananaworld said:
"...but I have definitely started visiting less frequently lately with the endless stream of car-coverage. I only read this article because I was hoping there might be a little push-back against the car-dominated Technic theme (e.g. in the minus-points against the set: "Yet another Technic car with no functionality when LEGO could produce actually interesting, functional Technic sets.")
Or perhaps I need to just accept the unhappy fact that cars sell."
It isn’t really Brickset’s fault that Lego is doing an F1 megatheme year and that’s tilted the overall balance of sets towards cars, and it would be a bit hard on car fans who are decidedly not F1 fans for Lego to do absolutely nothing else the whole year.
(I liked the space megatheme considerably more than the current F1 megatheme, but Brickset can only cover the sets that get released either way.)
Not impressed
And the award for the most inappropriate use of the word "Gapless" goes to...
I still have nightmares about Dom's Charger. @Huw was right on that - it was an awful set, easily the worst it's ever been my misfortune to build.
But this isn't much better! It's ugly as sin - a mile away from the source material, which is a fabulous looking thing.
Technic simply isn't the right medium for cars that are supposed to look halfway realistic. I've got no problem with generic Technic vehicles whose main purpose is to demonstrate some functionality, or those sets that are large enough to overcome the limitations of the Technic elements. But if you want to build a decent looking car, build it out of system parts. You only need to look at 10265 Ford Mustang to see what can be done.
But this one? Even as a Technic junkie and a F&F fan, this is an easy pass.
@Huw said:
" @KiloGram said:
"Tbh this looks horrible - one of the best? Are You fooling Yourself Huw? I would take 1 Dom's Charger over 10 of this Supr... Excuse me but I can not call that crap a Supra. Stickered crap pretending to be something completly out of it's ligue. If Brickset follows this idiocracy path that lego is on then don't be surprised when site traffic drops."
If it is not compared with the car it's based on, I still maintain it's one of the best in terms of body styling and construction."
Reconoce que esos faros y esos huecos en el capó se ven horribles. Depende mucho de las pegatinas (faros traseros, guardabarros,...). Yo compro siempre los coches sin conocer el material de origen, y este no me gusta como vehículo independiente. Es feo.
@Block_n_Roll said:
"It's good to see that even the Technic fans are agreeing with what I've been saying for a long time - Technic is a terrible medium for creating cars. Sure, it can do the inside bits well (engines, gearbox, steering, suspension) but the bodywork always looks like it's been in a nasty accident. For something intended to go on display, that's really not good. If they went down the hybrid parts route - Technic chassis and gubbins with a System bodyshell - then I'm sure I wouldn't be the only one beating a hasty path to the checkout on Day 1. Come on, LEGO! Give us the best of both!"
I would be all over that.
@onejdmbrick84 said:
"I apologise but the set is atrocious and to say that it's the best 15 Wide Technic set to date shows your wearing rose tinted glasses."
"Are You fooling Yourself Huw? I would take 1 Dom's Charger over 10 of this Supr... Excuse me but I can not call that crap a Supra. Stickered crap pretending to be something completly out of it's ligue. If Brickset follows this idiocracy path that lego is on then don't be surprised when site traffic drops."
Criticising the reviewer for liking something you don't. These are miserable comments of the kind that can make reading the Brickset comments such a toxic, joyless experience.
@Yardsale19X said:
" @onejdmbrick84 said:
"I apologise but the set is atrocious and to say that it's the best 15 Wide Technic set to date shows your wearing rose tinted glasses."
"Are You fooling Yourself Huw? I would take 1 Dom's Charger over 10 of this Supr... Excuse me but I can not call that crap a Supra. Stickered crap pretending to be something completly out of it's ligue. If Brickset follows this idiocracy path that lego is on then don't be surprised when site traffic drops."
Criticising the reviewer for liking something you don't. These are miserable comments of the kind that can make reading the Brickset comments such a toxic, joyless experience. "
There's a lot of it about. Offer any kind of valid critique that doesn't align with the fevered gibbering of the keyboard hooligan fanboys (or girls, in the interest of inclusivity - but let's face it, it's always boys) and you're targeted with spiteful little diatribes about how wrong you are for challenging their blinkered, spittle-plastered world-view.
I fear for the future of humans. I really do....
> Excellent bodywork shaping
> The best 15-wide Technic car to date
This is widely agreed to be one of the worst sets in an already mediocre to bad line of products (1:16 Technic cars). It looks like an Aliexpress knockoff from a couple years ago, because we are now at the point that knockoffs are actually better than original Lego. This is what paid reviews look like folks.