Review: 76901 Toyota GR Supra
Posted by CapnRex101,
Japanese vehicle manufacturers have appeared once before within the Speed Champions range and demand for subsequent products definitely remains. The distinctive 76901 Toyota GR Supra should prove accordingly impressive, exhibiting various characteristic features.
However, criticisms have been directed towards the shaping, particularly across the front because the structure appears comparatively bulky. Additionally, the stickered headlights look awkward, covering several pieces. I appreciate the significant differences between previous Speed Champions models and this example though.
Minifigure
Speed Champions minifigures are usually branded to match their respective vehicles and this example maintains that convention, displaying prominent Gazoo Racing decoration. The black and red colour combination looks brilliant, complemented by white accents around the emblem. The recognisable Toyota logo adorns the reverse, as anticipated.
The double-sided head includes different smiling expressions and an alternative hair piece is provided to replace the helmet. Unfortunately, the Toyota GR Supra cannot accommodate the chosen component, which is relatively tall. That seems surprising because many other options are available, including several that would fit beneath the roof.
The Completed Model
Several generations and variants of the Toyota Supra exist, beginning during 1978. The latest design, which is depicted here, was launched during 2019 and this creation closely resembles the original vehicle. I am especially impressed with the distinctive radiator grille which certainly appears recognisable and necessitates some elaborate construction techniques!
Furthermore, this model seems reasonably accurate when viewed from the sides. The cockpit position differs from other Speed Champions vehicles, moving closer to the back and therefore reflecting the source material. However, I think this windscreen component appears too angular and detracts from the design, particularly around both sides where the dramatic angle becomes most visible.
The aforementioned radiator grille is among the most interesting features of the Toyota GR Supra. Replicating its unusual shape was accordingly important and I think the design looks good, making exceptional use of brackets and differing slopes to produce an accurate profile. The pronounced nose section appears slightly awkward, although compromise was probably unavoidable at this scale.
Speed Champions models commonly include unorthodox construction methods. The radiator section demonstrates many such techniques, projecting studs in four directions! However, the headlights above the radiator have provoked criticism. Three stickers comprise each headlight, resulting in unsightly gaps between them. The layered curved slopes are disappointing as well, although no suitable alternative is currently available.
Additional stickers form curved bonnet vents and the door panels achieve excellent accuracy too, featuring realistic intakes which appear beautifully narrow. Unfortunately, this windscreen element should be steeper when compared with the source material. Enhancing this structure would have required an entirely new element, but I think that was probably justified here.
The interior is relatively simple, although I appreciate this red upholstery which is available in reality. Unlike several other Speed Champions vehicles, this model lacks a gearstick because the actual Toyota GR Supra is exclusively available with an automatic gearbox. Such attention to subtle details is impressive, although a stickered console would have been welcome.
Dramatic curvature around the rear wheel arches is another distinguishing feature of the GR Supra and these 1x4 curved slopes look marvellous. Additionally, I love how the elegant side skirts are assembled, integrating black brackets nearest to the wheels where the skirts widen. Recreating such details generally requires stickers, hence their avoidance here is remarkable.
Moreover, printed elements are positioned towards the back, forming the Gazoo Racing logo above the unconventional rear fog light. This decorated 1x1 slope appears relatively versatile, so the presence of a spare is pleasing. The twin exhausts look superb as well, matching other Speed Champions cars where the rear structure frequently seems the most authentic.
Overall
76901 Toyota GR Supra exhibits numerous appealing details and obvious attention has been paid to the source material. However, I think the source material creates challenges which the present collection of LEGO parts is unable to overcome, particularly around the headlights and windscreen. These important sections certainly leave something to be desired.
Nevertheless, I am pleased with the radiator grilles and the bodywork shape towards the back, which each avoid relying heavily upon stickers. I think the price of £17.99 or $19.99 represents good value too, although 76900 Koenigsegg Jesko is my favourite among the three new Speed Champions models which occupy this price point.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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30 comments on this article
" Additionally, the stickered headlights look awkward, covering several pieces."
I thought for a minute we'd gone back to the bad old days of STAMP!
I'm a big car guy, but honestly at this scale it's just hard to get real life cars to look right in LEGO and for me to be interested in purchasing.
'76900 Koenigsegg Jesko is my favourite among the three new Speed Champions models which occupy this price point'
Yeah, because 76905 is the best in this year.
I was hoping it was the ‘98 Supra but we got the new one instead. Hopefully we’ll get it someday though (preferably in orange ;) )
It looks pretty good despite the slight awkwardness of the bonnet and the first Toyota we've seen so far! I wish Lego would do a Toyota 86 (Subaru BRZ) as well; a car I would love to own!
I saw this on store shelves the other day and from the box art, I initially thought this might be completely in warm gold. Looking at images on the back of the box quickly informed me that the parts were in fact bright yellow instead, but the lighting on the front made it momentarily confusing (and exciting).
I like this, (stickers aside) as when you see it it makes you think of the Supra, whereas some Speed Champion cars you have to be told what they are.
I'm generally a fan of the Speed Champions offerings but I'm not sure about this one as the dimensions look off to me. The back looks OK but the bonnet is too long and flat. I agree that the Jesko is superior, both in real life and in LEGO form!
I'm so split on this, finally toyota, not a ton of stickers... .but the headlights... If they're split in two like the GTR fine... but I don't think I can accept how they look here and it ruins the build for me. Lets hope for some new pieces that do make front headlights of speedchampions actually look good, cause the situation for almost all cars is pretty horrible right now.
I am usually all for using the existing part selection but I hope a new versitile slope will come out so headlights look more cohesive and connected so there's no compromise for stickers across multiple bricks.
@CapnRex101 , when are we to expect Ninjago / Ninjago Legacy / City Wildlife Rescue / Daily Bugle / The Bad Batch Attack Shuttle / last Speed Champions set reviews?
@BooTheMightyHamster said:
"" Additionally, the stickered headlights look awkward, covering several pieces."
I thought for a minute we'd gone back to the bad old days of STAMP!"
Last weekend I finally built my Kwik-E-Mart set and was shocked by the two "Kwik" and "Mart" stickers. They don't cover several pieces, but the stickers are matching the pieces in size virtually with a difference of 0.1 mm. I managed to apply them, but it was the hardest time I had applying stickers in years…
For Speed Champions the cars with brick build headlights are looking so much more advanced and not cheap like the opposite.
The real life car is mostly curves, rounded corners and lumps, more so than other cars chosen for Speed Champions in my opinion, so this model was always going to be difficult in Lego.
I find the real life car design is trying to do too much, looks awkward and actually is bulky in the wrong places. But I think, despite the unfortunate headlights, Lego has done a good job at representing the key design features of the complex bodywork for the current generation Supra.
My kingdom for a Nissan 350Z in "brickyard" (which is kind of a dark purple-ish red that was only available the first year).
Looks just like Lego car.
@NotProfessorWhymzi said:
"WARNING! Controversial opinion inbound! Read at your own risk!
Complete accuracy is overrated. And i would rather have a fun set than a perfect scale model. That is all."
I think the 6 wides were the fun sets (which I got some of)
But now they went 8 wide for details (which also increased the price)
Honestly I'd prefer this 60285 : Sports Car when I want a Fun set, also is half the price.
Current Speed Champions are too big for City scale (especially when not next to Modulars), and many do look good as display models, but I think those triple stickered headlights are a bit awkward here.
I am not saying SC should go back to 6 wides, City does offer plenty, but I do hope LEGO finds a way for new headlight pieces.
@ShadoWind said:
" @CapnRex101 , when are we to expect Ninjago / Ninjago Legacy / City Wildlife Rescue / Daily Bugle / The Bad Batch Attack Shuttle / last Speed Champions set reviews?"
76178 Daily Bugle will be this week, along with the final Speed Champions review for this wave. NINJAGO, City and 76193 The Guardians' Ship reviews will be published during the next couple of weeks.
75314 The Bad Batch Attack Shuttle will be significantly later, although hopefully in advance of the August release.
The build is deceptively wonderful in this one, including the windshield and roof being offset by half a stud. Similarly, how the exhaust is attached for some subtle spacing is wonderful.
Still, it's bizzarre how they looked at the headroom problems in the first 8-wide wave and choose this hairpiece, I do not understand. It's like the designer wanted to lean into this design flaw, not emphasize any intent to move past this problem.
The ugliest new car on the road now in Lego form. The world truely has gone mad.
Clearly the driver is expected to wear his helmet whenever he is in the car--just as he would at a race. Impressive that his hair resists "helmet hair" so completely! (Or maybe instead of switching into a plain cloth cap while posing for photos after the race, he pulls on a wig instead?)
Great review, BTW. Looking at the picture on the front page, I thought the model didn't even look like it was made of Lego; once I'd seen the other pictures, it vaulted way up my wishlist!
I just looked back at all the previous reviews, and @capnrex101 wrote five in a row.
This is the most disappointing one from this series imo. So sad we haven't gotten a good looking Japanese car yet. (The GTR from last series wasn't all to pretty either)
@Reventon said:
"The ugliest new car on the road now in Lego form. The world truely has gone mad."
The world has gone 'mad' because Lego has made a car that you think is ugly... What a bizarre thing to say... Speak for yourself buddy, the new Supra is anything but ugly.
A difficult car to reproduce in Lego at any scale I think, given its complex and curvy design aesthetics. My biggest gripe is actually the proportionate length of the bonnet, I think it could have looked better overall if the bonnet was one stud shorter, the Supra in real life is actually quite compact. Otherwise I think they did as good a job as they could. Thanks for the review
I certainly like this model, but it doesn't jump out (to me) that it's a Supra. The real car is hard to translate into Lego. I'm not personally in love with the yellow color but blue has been taken by the Mclaren models and red by Ferrari and the other colors the real car comes in would be pricey for Lego to mold all the parts in pearl colors, but that would be cool.
@Reventon said:
"The ugliest new car on the road now in Lego form. The world truely has gone mad."
Clearly never seen a Fiat Multipla, now that is ugly! ;)
Just built mine today. Stickers are a pain. With them being clear, if you get a little bit of colored dust under them, then that to is now part of the model. It's a complex shape to model so can't blame Lego for going this route at this scale. A narrower windscreen and maybe the double bubble roof would have been good to see. Just happy to have a Lego version to go with the real thing.
the problem with this one is that the source material looks awkward to start with
the toyota designers were given an existing BMW frame to add toyota flavour to
that being said this still beats having no Supra available
but in my opinion Lego Nailed it on this one
@The_Creator said:
"I'm a big car guy, but honestly at this scale it's just hard to get real life cars to look right in LEGO and for me to be interested in purchasing. "
Absolutely,...none of these speedchamps ever did it for me because the cars never looked like the thing they where trying to represent. Again with this one: the back is all wrong, the front is wrong, the sides are wrong, and then the stickers....oh boy...
If anything, these are nice part packs when it comes to curved parts in various colors and bracket pieces. But nice designs of actual cars,...nope...
This car was another interesting Speed Champions build. Can't get bored with building the Speed Champions. Okay, only annoyed by the stickers.