Review: 42115 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37
Posted by Huw,
Since opening the box and building the chassis, I've spent another 4 hours or so adding the bodywork to 42115 Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 and it's now complete.
Once the gearbox and suspension have been built, the latter stages of building large Technic cars are usually much easier. But that's certainly not the case here. It's astonishingly complex!
New parts
Before I go into that though, let's look at the five new parts produced for this set, all of which are cosmetic.
This part is used along the side of the car but as its name suggests 6308245 (Rotor 3X19, W/ 4.85 Hole, No. 1, design: 65422) it's been designed with other uses in mind.
The distinctive shape of the bonnet is accomplished using 6294607 (Left Panel Curved 5X13X2, No. 1, design: 67142) and 6308253 (Right Panel Curved 5X13X2, No. 1, design: 68196), of which there are two fo each.
The have the same curve as 28923 Panel Curved 3X13X2.
The wheel arch, 6311092 (Shell, 5X15X2, W/ 4.85 Hole, No. 1, design: 67141), differs from the old one (shown in blue) because it too has a curved top which matches 28923 Panel Curved 3X13X2. Consequently, the holes are further apart.
The gold drum lacquered wheels 6306718 (Rim, Wide, Dia56X34, W/ 4.85 Bush, No.2, design: 68577) are exact miniature replicas of those on the real car. It's not visible in this picture but the front of them has a 1mm or so rim around the circumference which thus makes the tyres appear to have a lower profile.
Construction
Parts are divided into 6 boxes and parts in boxes 1 to 3 build the chassis. Parts in box 4 contain those for the rear of the car while box five contains those for the front. Box 6 just contains the wheels.
The curves of the spoiler and the lines around the lights has been very effectively reproduced using Technic pieces such as the 'Bionicle tooth' and a piece normally used in suspension subassemblies, 65450 Lt Suspension. It's a challenging build but nothing compared to what's to come...
Only a handful of System parts have been employed to fill a few gaps. The lights themselves use the new 1x1 ridge piece, 35464 Roof Tile 1X1, Deg. 45, W/O Knobs.
In the picture below the spoiler is raised. Thankfully the yellow axles I pointed out last time are well hidden.
The front of the car is incredibly complex and the light cluster subassembly in particular must rank among the top 10 most challenging Technic builds of all time. There are pieces attached at all angles. What's more, it needs to be built twice! It's not entirely clear in the instructions how they, and a couple of other subassemblies, attach to the main build: you need to study them carefully.
The end result, though, looks superb. Note how the lower front section is angled upwards to form a graceful wedge-shape.
The new curved angle panels are clearly visible here forming the distinctive contours of the bonnet.
The completed model
All that intricate hard work building the bodywork has paid off because the end result looks stunning from every angle.
There are inevitably some gaps, and sections of the bodywork that are 'suggested' by the use of flexible pieces, which some people will no doubt object to, but overall the car looks superb in my opinion.
The suspension is stiff and the springs hardly compress at all under the car's weight, which is a major improvement over the Bugatti.
As I mentioned when building the chassis, the gearbox is visible underneath and not hidden away from view. However, it's still largely superfluous given the only effect of changing gear is to change the rate at which the engine pistons move as you push it along. Still, it's nice to know it's there and that you built it!
Furthermore, a cover at the back can be removed to reveal the engine underneath. I presume the large grey thing behind it represents the battery of this hybrid vehicle.
The scissor-wing doors are operated using levers towards the back of the roof, one on each side.
Pressing them forwards causes them to swing up gracefully.
The bonnet can be raised to access a small stowage area.
Inside is this small holdall, which I'm guessing also comes with the real car given that the stowage space is so small that regular luggage probably won't fit.
A green, white and red strip representing the Italian flag adorns each side of the back of the car.
All decorated elements are all printed, as should always be the case in premium sets like this.
Even the brake calipers...
Verdict
Some cars are better suited to reproduction in Technic than others (don't get me started on 42111 Dom's Dodge Charger!), and the Sián, with its extreme angular appearance is, particularly well suited to being built with Technic panels at this scale.
(By Alexander Migl - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=82017587)
By the way, we learned at the fan media event last week that each of the 63 Siáns built by the Italian manufacturer has been (or will be) finished in a different colour to meet the customer's specification. Thus, the lime green used on the Technic model was not supposed to represent any particular one, such as the one shown at car shows last year above, but instead the Technic version was considered to be the 64th with its own unique livery.
Overall, it's an exceptional model that impresses from the moment you see the box.
It addresses the shortcomings of the Porsche and Bugatti (the suspension and hidden mechanisms), provides a long, complex and immersive building experience, and looks absolutely superb on display. There are no stickers and you even get a small printed plaque to display with it.
It's not quite perfect, though. There's one fault that might be evident in the pictures above. This piece,
is produced in a different plastic to normal beams and is very slightly yellower than the other lime green parts. It's only noticeable close up but once you've noticed you can't unnotice.
Nevertheless, in my opinion, this is one of the best Technic sets ever, and definitely the best of the recent supercars. Like real Lamborghinis, it is truly a premium product and shows just what LEGO can do when there is no expense spared.
$380/£350 does not seem that excessive for what it is, then, but experience has shown that once the likes of Amazon and IWOOT start to sell it, it will be available for much less, probably under £250, like the Bugatti was in September last year. At that price you'll get a bargain, if you can wait that long...
If I can fit them all on my photography table I'll line it up with the other supercars and post some photos tomorrow.
Thanks to LEGO for providing the set for this review. All opinions expressed are my own.
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45 comments on this article
Thanks for the super-human effort in getting this review out at all, Huw!
Bit of a mess though, isn't it, this set? It looked kinda nice without the bodywork on.
An excellent review for an excellent set! I love the way that the indicators and headlights were built, and the upward slope of the front bumper is an excellent touch that most Technic builds lack. The rounder wheel arches look better, and the amount of parts that are in lime for the first time is top notch. Once the discounts hit, this’ll definitely fuel some Power Miners builds!
Something I’ve seen from a few people is complaints that some of the smaller panels also suffer from different shades of lime. Are those pins the only elements that you noticed discoloration on?
Really impressive looking model. I got the porsche but wasn’t sold on the Bugatti. Might consider this
"As I mentioned when building the chassis, the gearbox is visible underneath and not hidden away from view. However, it's still largely superfluous given the only effect of changing gear is to change the rate at which the engine pistons move as you push it along. Still, it's nice to know it's there and that you built it!"
Since the gearbox is the unique selling point of the supercars versus smaller sets like the Charger, the 911 RSR, the 42077 Rally Car, and the LMP, comments like this still puzzle me. Nevertheless, thanks for the review. This is the first of the modern supercars that I'm going to buy ... But I'll wait for one of those sales! My usual price cap is $200 USD with lots of VIP points applied to reduce the bill....
@Huw I think you've convinced me. Great review and I was very on the fence. One minor quibble - you mention using a lever to operate "gull wing doors" - technically they're considered "scissor doors". Gull-wings are on Deloreans and the Mercedes 300 SL Gullwing. Easily one of the prettiest cars ever made.
Nice review.
Regarding the colour difference of the part you mentioned, I noticed the same thing on the the same part on the Ducati Panigale. The red is slightly darker then all the other parts. Why would this particular part have different shades across different colours?
@fakespacesquid said:
"Something I’ve seen from a few people is complaints that some of the smaller panels also suffer from different shades of lime. Are those pins the only elements that you noticed discoloration on?"
Yes, the panels look fine on my specimin.
@MrJackson, thank you.
@iwybs said:
"Since the gearbox is the unique selling point of the supercars versus smaller sets like the Charger, the 911 RSR, the 42077 Rally Car, and the LMP, comments like this still puzzle me."
I suspect LEGO can't win: Have a gearbox and some people will ask "what's the point of having it, it doesn't really do anything"; leave it out and others will complain that it doesn't have one.
Personally never been too interested by the technic sports cars, sure they’re great looking but they’ve just never been my thing. This on the other hand, is quite tempting.
@Slobberybog said:
"Regarding the colour difference of the part you mentioned, I noticed the same thing on the the same part on the Ducati Panigale. The red is slightly darker then all the other parts. Why would this particular part have different shades across different colours?"
Because it incorporates a pin, it (presumably) has to be made of a different material to give it strength which thus requires a different colour formulation.
The one with two pins, which is not so numerous in this set, isn't so bad...
Thanks for the premium review of a premium product, much appreciated!
It looks beautiful: it's an eye candy, its look is just as the look of any other Lambo (mad, sharp, strong, loud) intelligently packed into a display piece that fits onto (reserved, dull, minimalistic, quiet) desks.
Seems like it carries the badge with taurean pride.
Kudos to Lego magicians!
How on Earth can you consider £350 not excessive when you state Amazon etc will probably sell it for £250, still making a profit?
It looks like the new "Rotor" element will indeed be used as one in the upcoming Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey.
@magpie9 said:
"How on Earth can you consider £350 not excessive when you state Amazon etc will probably sell it for £250, still making a profit?"
I think it's a fair price for a premium product, one that early adopters are going to be willing to pay but, like all sets nowadays, it's been priced to enable retailers to knock 30% off and still make a profit.
I personally don't like the colour of the model, but other than that I like the rest of the model
"each of the 63 Siáns built by the Italian manufacturer has been (or will be) finished in a different colour to meet the customer's specification. Thus, the lime green used on the Technic model was not supposed to represent any particular one, such as the one shown at car shows last year above, but instead the Technic version was considered to be the 64th with its own unique livery."
Given that, you wonder why they've gone for such a divisive colour. It's too lurid to match the Verde Ithaca that is one of the two most popular Lamborghini colours.
The other popular Lamborghini colour is Giallo Horus - or, yellow. Which is a colour more associated with Classic Lego, and that would seem much more fitting for a "unique Lego livery".
@Bricktastic_builder said:
"I’m a little curious though, according to LEGO, each car has a unique serial number that can be used to access an “owners lounge.” I’m curious as to what’s inside said lounge :)"
Yes it does, under the bonnet, but I took it off for the photos, for obvious reasons.
Don't get too excited, it just gives access to some wallpapers, which by today's standard are low resolution, digital posters and the like.
Awesome review!
Also, I think it's really neat that not only are each of the actual Siáns being finished differently, but that the LEGO version gets its own unique livery!
Just to be clear, selling at £350 most retailers make 35% margin, which is just about ok. Selling at 30% off would give a margin of 7.15% which is unsustainable.
Amazon can make a larger margin by not paying applicable taxes.
Support your local businesses!
@paulrothwell.. maybe that is how it works with some smaller toyshops but not large toychains or supermarket chains (at least in Czech and Slovak Republic).. LEGO through their appointed market trader (company not owned by LEGO) supplies the largest toy and market chains. And work on the basis like "commission sale" .. if they sell the set, they get some profit.. if not, the sets are either later on send back (extremely unlikely) or the LEGO Trading Ltd. (local marketing company fully owned by LEGO Corp.) gives these chains order to sell them with discounts 30-50 percent just to get rid of them.
That is how it works here. Perhaps its different given that we have a local LEGO factory. Dont know how it works elsewhere.
@Huw You set yourself up for another great article. We need to know the other 9 most-challenging Technic builds!
^ in its day 8480 space shuttle was very challenging so that'll go on the list.
@hackenbacker, I quite like the lime green but I did wonder too what other colours LEGO could have used. It obviously couldn't have been orange or blue, and red is probably 'reserved' for a future Ferrari which doesn't leave much, other than yellow, of the commonly used Technic colours.
Perhaps they felt that yellow is used enough as it is for contruction vehicles and other plant,
I think the grey part in the engine bay is part of the exhaust system. The hybrid system here doesn't use a big heavy battery, it has a small electric motor for boost (KERS).
That first headlight assembly was definitely the wackiest thing I’ve ever built in technic. The non- color matching part issue goes beyond the one part you noted but that happens more and more with Lego in recent years.
Since they’ve done orange, blue and green, they need to do red for the next big Technic car. My vote is for the new Corvette or a Ferrari.
They could also go with black for the next car - which may be the most prolific color for technic parts.
I'm thankful 8448 still does it for me, 'cause wow, what a model this one is!
@Huw : The light grey thing is part of the exhaust system, not batteries.
The grey box is indeed the exhaust muffler box, they are enormous on Lambos to meet noise regs with that engine. Here is an image of the Aventador one:
https://www.baanvelgen.com/media/catalog/product/optimized/c/7/c7975a72cd4fa82ba51c6e9a33a22107/akrapovic_uitlaat_lamborghini_aventador_2.jpg
Won't be interested even if it is $100. Such an ugly car.
Huw, you mention Iwoot as a possible place to purchase. Has anyone had experience with buying from Iwoot (in particular in Aus)?
Gah I want it so bad. If only i had $380 laying around to buy it with. Fantastic review as always @Huw
This is what we on the industry call a beauty
After watching this i have absolutely no doubts that Lego has chosen the best possible colour for this amazing car:
https://youtu.be/U89LnF1Cwkw
@Huw : it's not just this one piece that has a different shade of lime green. I've seen and read several other reviews and it appears that the shades of lime green are all over the place with this set. Especially those pieces right at the front of the bonnet/hood and the entirety of the rear wing/engine cover can be a total mess. Even examples of one and the same piece appear to be in various shades - in the same set! Not even Lepin had such bad colour consistency.
I'm always fascinated by what people like versus what other people like. The excited responses are to be expected. It's a cool enough car, don't get me wrong, but my overall reaction is kinda like my reaction to most cars...I'm the kind of person who has never been into cars as a matter of design and more as a person who is into cars as far as how they resonate with me emotionally.
A vehicle can have a butt-ugly design and yet I'm drawn to it like a fly to...well, you get the idea. It just have to have something else that comes along, um...for the RIDE...that tickles my brain and pumps my heart. A '59 Caddy Miller-Meteor is frankly a disgusting design aesthetically, but paint it white and red and put a Ghost logo on it and I want one to drive around my small town at 3:00 AM. Delorean DMC-12 isn't attractive either on its own, until you attach a Flux Capacitor to it. Don't get me started on the '82 Trans Am, '63 Ford Econoline Van or '93 Ford Explorer XLT. The list goes ever ever on.
But I gotta say that is a really cool, complete, vivid LEGO representation of a Lambo, no question there, and a thorough, fun review from someone who clearly had some real joy in building it. Great to read and look at.
I thought the detailing on the the 12 was printed but it was just so much that I didn't think it could be so I wasn't getting ahead of myself. But I would gladly Pay an extra $30 over the price of the Bugati or $80 over What The GT3 RS sold for.
If it means we do not have to deal with stickers on top of such a complicated build.
I've built the 2 previous models in this line.
Snd they were both frustrating at points but the stickers are just a complete annoyance,
It breaks the pace of the build and I'm really OCD about them.
I have to use Isopeoptl alcohol pads to clean the peace and tape to make sure there's no dust because if the stickers not perfect it's all I can see.
Amd I know that's more my problem then the company's problem.
And they Were very pleasant about helping me.
I called Lego customer service I read them a number on the instruction manual that they asked for,
And about a week or so later I had a brand new copy of The sticker Sheet in the mailbox.
It was very well packed on a LEGO envelope with cardboard protecting it from bending.
And I got to reapply it this time it was perfect and I'm happy with the model (It was the sticker that goes on the piece that Lifts open to expose the flat Six in the GT3-RS)
So it wasn't a big deal in the end,
But when I am paying close to $400.
Probably right around $400 exactly with tax.
The tax rate is 8.75% where I live.
For that kind of money I Don't wanna have to worry about stickers.
So thank you TLG and I hope this continues to be a trend for the very expensive high end Sets from here on out as I believe it should be.
@hackenbacker said:
""The other popular Lamborghini colour is Giallo Horus - or, yellow. Which is a colour more associated with Classic Lego, and that would seem much more fitting for a "unique Lego livery"."
Since it’s a popular color, one of the 63 may already be yellow and LEGO was tasked with choosing a unique 64th color.
Great review. My wife and I can't wait to receive ours. It is backordered in the U.S. until July 5. Sold out very quickly, which was surprising, considering the price and really no incentive to purchase, except for the free hot rod.
I can’t wait for mine to get here. I tried to order it at 0001 EST June 1 and it was already back ordered. I plan on building this one, my Chiron and LeMans car are still in the box.
@jdm said:
"Really impressive looking model. I got the porsche but wasn’t sold on the Bugatti. Might consider this"
for my 2 pence the Bugatti is an ace build and grows on you once completed - even better than the Porsche .... and I'm not technics biggest fan
If this is the pride of LEGO, they should be ashamed of the many differences in color nuances.
I hope at least Lamborghini Company would have the decency to "recall" this sets out of the market.
For 380 euros you should be ashamed.
I don’t quite get the idea of this set. I own the Porsche which I enjoy quite a lot. However as Technic there aren’t much of technic things in it, as it is just a car.
So when we got yet another super car in Technic, I still don’t get what in this latest set “bring it to the next level”. Are there new building methods to create new mechanisms? Other than suspension and gear box the Lamborghini offer something else?
Don’t get me wrong, I love the look of the car and it is 100% great display set. But as a technic set, that should be the heart of it.
Please Brickset Team, try to gather all the courage possible and independence "journalism" and start tackle this LEGO color problem that is affecting all of us!
When I hear the term "expensive display set", I am thinking is not really a good thing to display such a product.
LEGO Color Matter!
The big grey thing behind the engine would be a muffler, part of the exhaust.