Review: 30343 McLaren Elva
Posted by CapnRex101,
Speed Champions introduced both larger-scale models and polybags during 2020, featuring an excellent vehicle selection. The open-top 30343 McLaren Elva differs significantly from previous models and therefore appears unusual.
Moreover, the vehicle measures five studs wide which is intriguing, contrasting with 30342 Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO and the classic Tiny Turbos which have drawn comparisons with these Speed Champions polybags.
The Completed Model
Corresponding with the introduction of eight stud-wide models, widening the polybag scale has enabled the designer to replicate the proportions of the McLaren Elva with impressive accuracy. However, I imagine the twin curved slopes placed behind the cockpit were the deciding factor in this updated scale, along with asymmetrical bodywork towards the front. The resulting design is certainly attractive.
Various curved slopes are employed across this model, forming streamlined bodywork which seems reasonably faithful to the source material. The shaping around the cockpit is especially successful and I love the deep recesses on either flank, matching the original vehicle precisely. The white seats look marvellous too, making effective use of 1x1 half round tiles.
Five stickers are applied, depicting the McLaren emblem, headlights and distinctive exhausts. The two further exhausts are represented using 1x1 brackets while red 1x1 quarter circle tiles cleverly depict brake lights, standing out beside the blue bodywork. This creation captures the recognisable profile shape of the McLaren Elva beautifully and I am pleased with the detailing. Admittedly, the angular wheel arches are not ideal, although they were unavoidable.
Overall
30343 McLaren Elva includes some remarkably subtle features from the original car, certainly exceeding the standard of the last Speed Champions polybag. I appreciate the smooth curves and subtle details which are visible throughout this model, especially given the unusual cockpit which lacks a windscreen and exposes the interior which looks splendid here.
Furthermore, the precedent established by 30342 Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO suggests that a larger McLaren Elva might be released soon, given the availability of 76899 Lamborghini Urus ST-X & Huracán Super Trofeo EVO beside the 2020 polybag. That would certainly provide brilliant potential so I look forward to seeing what Speed Champions offers next!
95 likes
29 comments on this article
I got this about a month ago, and it's a fantastic little model!
My dad picked this up and it's really such a neat little set. Five-wide vehicles are rare in Lego but for this it really allows the shaping to look that much more realistic and detailed than on a classic four-wide polybag.
@Paperballpark said:
"I got this about a month ago, and it's a fantastic little model!"
Where in the UK is it available?
It looks way more realistic than the 4-wide 30342 Lamborghini Huracán Super Trofeo EVO when seeing them side by side. I'm curious if there'll be more 5-wide models after this.
Hunted high and low for this as Asda is supposed to be stocking a range of 2021 polybags this year. Nothing in the Southern or Midlands stores I tried. The more Northern stores had the empty boxes. Luckily a fellow Brickset member managed to find a couple in his local store and ship them to me.
@Roccomediatay said:
" @Paperballpark said:
"I got this about a month ago, and it's a fantastic little model!"
Where in the UK is it available?"
ASDA, along with several other 2021 polybags. They first appeared about a month ago but seem much more widely available now.
Cool car. Oh my WHEN are we gonna hear about this years SC sets? I’m understandably scared and curious if we’re getting them...
Ever since going fully electric two years ago, my main remaining source of information about combustion engine vehicles is Doug deMuro's YouTube channel, but as yet I have not heard of this particular McLaren. Anyway, nice looking little set.
It's cute.
Picked this from my local ASDA for £3.50 and was pretty impressed with it. If you haven't got one yet ASDA have them on offer for £2.50 in a little Easter offer. All 5 polybags from this year and any from the last years are £2.50 each.
Am I the only one thinking this one looks horrendous? That shade of blue really isn't working at all. It also doesn't make the black work, and shows the stickers too easily. A huge pass for me.
@CapnRex101 said:
" @Roccomediatay said:
" @Paperballpark said:
"I got this about a month ago, and it's a fantastic little model!"
Where in the UK is it available?"
ASDA, along with several other 2021 polybags. They first appeared about a month ago but seem much more widely available now."
I don't have an ASDA near me, so I picked it up from Ebay for £6 including postage. Easily worth it - and not just because it saved me going into an ASDA! ;)
Cute little car but I might get it and make something else with the parts!
Although it's a cool build, I'm still a little disappointed that we still don't have any proper 2021 Speed Champions sets
Curvy supercar up top, Shaker-style cabinets in the wheel wells.
@Galactus:
They had to make a 1x2 plate w/ wheel pin for Dimensions so they could do stuff like the flying BttF DeLorean, which I'm sure is the only reason this is even possible. Minifig-scale cars have had single fenders for over 15 years, meaning you can use the same fenders on a 5-wide, 6-wide, 7-wide, or even wider vehicle. If they're going to keep making these 5-wide polybag cars, they're going to have to follow suit with tiny single fenders. Currently the only parts available at this size are 2x4 paired fenders, which strictly limit you to 4-wide builds. Or your wheel wells are going to look like you chiseled them out of stone.
I say "meh". Bring on the new Speed Champion sets!
I got it today, and it exceeded my already reasonable expectations. I'm glad that SC seems to have an annual polybag now, it's not much but it's still more SC in a fun size wrapper.
I hope this is a hint towards this car being under consideration for the main line. We have 1 convertable in the entire line, (excluding formula 1 cars and similar) which was understandable when they were single seaters, but the new scale fixed that and should allow the interior to be of the same quality as the exterior. The shaping on this miniature is already good, I have no doubt that a regular SC set of this unusual car could be done well.
Plus, unlike (too many of) the 2020 8-wides, a full SC Elva shouldn't have headroom issues.
I'm a big fan of 5 and 7-wide cars. It's a really useful scale for fitting minifigs in side-by side without going too wide and it also allows you to have central details like badges and things. The difficult part is integrating a even-number-wide windscreen, as well as constantly using shorter plates e.g. a 4L plate plus a 3L plate because there isn't a 7L available.
The wheel arches ruin this.
I only bought it for all the blue pieces
@Judgeguy:
I've been building 6-wide cars with side-by-side seating for over a decade, and made an 8-wide bus that has seating on both sides of the aisle. It's not that it isn't possible, but the solution I use for most of my cars would never fly in an official set, and the cabin of the Vintage Car is extremely clunky even if you ignore the column-mounted shifter.
Really ugly... I just can't get past the square wheel arches!
I want an entire line at this scale, this is such a great model.
I think I may have mentioned this before. Did I miss a news article on the availability of this set at Asda ? I understand Brickset doesn't want to get its members buying Lego from places it gets no income from, but this set I thought is not available anywhere else? I too gave in to Ebay and when the price dropped from £9.99 to £6.99 I bought one. I went to Asda this morning, £2.50. As it happens I also paid 200%+ for 3 of the other sets this month. All that has done is give someone on Ebay some money, neither Lego nor Brickset has lost out or gained.... but I have lost.
@Lego34s said:
"I think I may have mentioned this before. Did I miss a news article on the availability of this set at Asda ? I understand Brickset doesn't want to get its members buying Lego from places it gets no income from, but this set I thought is not available anywhere else? I too gave in to Ebay and when the price dropped from £9.99 to £6.99 I bought one. I went to Asda this morning, £2.50. As it happens I also paid 200%+ for 3 of the other sets this month. All that has done is give someone on Ebay some money, neither Lego nor Brickset has lost out or gained.... but I have lost."
I'm not sure what you're looking for, do you want them to report the availability of every polybag at every store? Surely you could've taken a peek at Asda yourself before spending $7? That's typically what I do.
My youngest son was given this for Christmas and it's a nifty little build. Unusual to see a 5-stud car but, as you stated, it works remarkably well for this poly.
@fakespacesquid said:
" @Lego34s said:
"I think I may have mentioned this before. Did I miss a news article on the availability of this set at Asda ? I understand Brickset doesn't want to get its members buying Lego from places it gets no income from, but this set I thought is not available anywhere else? I too gave in to Ebay and when the price dropped from £9.99 to £6.99 I bought one. I went to Asda this morning, £2.50. As it happens I also paid 200%+ for 3 of the other sets this month. All that has done is give someone on Ebay some money, neither Lego nor Brickset has lost out or gained.... but I have lost."
I'm not sure what you're looking for, do you want them to report the availability of every polybag at every store? Surely you could've taken a peek at Asda yourself before spending $7? That's typically what I do. "
Ironically we have an Asda and an Asda Living, I quite often used to go to Asda Living but its been closed due to lockdown {Covid} these would have been on sale in there. Asda is out of my way. My point was that if Brickset know in this case 5 Polybags are available in a shop, why not tell the local (UK) fans its a good place to go. I have seen these sort of boxes of polybags in Tesco too, again nothing on Brickset. Why not tell the fans if such and such is available in a shop regionally?
I just picked this up today! The wheel arches look better in person. I’m really impressed with how much detail they packed into a poly bag sized car!
My mom donates stuff to kids on need and a few of these are currently in her pile for that— what an odd coincidence that you’re reviewing it now!