Review: 10317 Land Rover Defender 90
Posted by Huw,
The classic Land Rover Defender is one of the most recognisable vehicles ever made, and a British car manufacturing success story. Suitable for virtually any terrain, it's been the vehicle of choice for adventurers across the world since it was introduced in 1948, and its corrosion-resistant aluminium body has helped ensure that many remain in use today.
The LEGO version, 10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90, is a model of the ubiquitous 90" wheelbase variant that was produced between 1983 and 2016.
It can be kitted out with everything needed for an off-the-grid expedition, or the additional equipment can be left off to create a vehicle that you're more likely to encounter on the road, one that's suitable for less demanding uses in the countryside, or the school run...
Summary
10317 Land Rover Classic Defender 90, 2,336 pieces.
£209.99 / $239.99 / €239.99 | 9.0p/10.3c/10.3c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
An excellent model of a vehicle that is well suited to being made with LEGO
- Faithful replica of the real thing
- Choice of versions
- Customisable
- Attractive and typical colour scheme
- The additional parts for the expedition equipment have bumped up the price
- Stickers
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Parts and stickers
It's always disappointing to find stickers in premium products such as this, but thankfully there aren't that many.
Two versions of the UK number plates are provided which are so similar that I wonder why they bothered, and didn't provide different registration numbers on the second pair instead.
I did not know this until people commented on the press release: L316 refers to the internal code used for the vehicle and HUE was part of the registration number of the very first Land Rover that was manufactured in 1948, HUE 166.
Although there are numerous pieces that have been cast in sand green for the first time in the set the only new parts are these wheel arches, of which of course there are four.
The completed model, fully loaded
The model is about 32cm long, 13cm wide and 16cm tall without the roof rack. The wheelbase, which is 90 inches on the real vehicle, is just under 7.5 inches, so the scale is 1:12.
It certainly looks like it's ready to take on any terrain!
Equipment has been attached just about everywhere: tools on the sides and bonnet, fire extinguisher and ladder at the back, winch on the front, traction plates on both sides and everything that'll fit on it on the roof rack.
The engine snorkel on the right of the cab, necessary for driving through deep water, is only attached with a clip at the bottom, so it has tendency to flap about a bit.
The roof rack is attached via clips to six points on the body and can be removed easily.
Equipment and tools
Petrol/Jerry cans often have an X pressed into the sides for strength. Here's it's been cleverly replicated using triangular tiles, although they are only held on with one stud each, so have a tendency to move about a bit when handling. The filling cap utilises a minifigure roller skate piece and looks suitably elaborate.
The toolbox opens in a concertina motion, just like a real one, to reveal a toolkit.
The jack for raising the vehicle to facilitate changing tyres and wheels is tall, presumably accurately so, but as a result it doesn't fit neatly on the roof rack.
A sledgehammer, shovel and two axes are carried to cater for all eventualities.
The traction plates can be put under the wheels to help traverse soft terrain.
Finally, a realistic-looking fire extinguisher is carried at the back of the vehicle.
The completed model, other versions
A more conventional version of the vehicle can be made by removing the roof rack and the black clips it attaches to and replacing them with six supplied sand green curved slopes. The winch and front protection bars are replaced by a number plate, and the bonnet turned upside down and modified slightly if you want to take off the second spare wheel as well.
With all that removed we can get a better look at the vehicle itself, which looks absolutely fantastic. The real vehicle lends itself so well to being modelled in LEGO given that it has flat sides and simple curved edges, so the designer has been able to replicate it faithfully. Were it not for the studs on the roof you might not even think it was made with LEGO.
This is the most common version, in the UK at least, with a flat bonnet under which there's a V8 engine. There's no engine snorkel, front bars or side rails under the door, and the spare wheel is attached to the back door.
The bonnet can be raised and propped open to reveal the engine, which can be lifted out and replaced with another one, which I'll show below.
The back and side doors open to reveal what looks to be a fairly plush interior, but I think it's anything but on the real vehicle.
The steering wheel operates the steering, and there is no external 'hand-of-God' means to do so.
Later versions of the real vehicle were available with a larger 5-cylinder turbo diesel engine which required a bump on the top of the bonnet, so pieces are provided to replicate that variant.
The V8 engine on the left can be removed and replaced with the turbo diesel one on the right.
The roof section can be removed to give a good view of the interior, and in particular the four seats at the back. This could form the basis for converting it to a 'soft top' or open back variant.
The combination of springs and struts forming the suspension is the most elaborate and effective I have encountered on a LEGO vehicle. The entire axle assemblies are sprung rather than the individual wheels, and it works really well, although the springs are perhaps a little too stiff for the weight of the vehicle.
Construction
A minimal amount of Technic used in the chassis to give it rigidity and to mount the suspension springs.
The best view of the interior can be had at this stage of the build, when you can see the three pedals, hand brake lever, gear stick, heating controls and radio on a sticker and, in front of the passenger seat, a shelf and handle.
The windscreen pillars are stickers on the side of the 14-wide windshield element and, aesthetically, the weakest part of the design.
The roof is built as a subassembly to enable it to be easily attached and removed.
Parts are divided among 15 numbered bags, so you can build it in bite-sized chunks whenever you get a moment, and I appreciate that. Bag 1 builds the accessories, bags 2-11 the vehicle, and 12-15 the rack and winch. When you get to bag 12 the instructions fork, providing options for completing the conventional version of the vehicle or adding all the off-road accessories.
Compared to 42110 Land Rover Defender
The Technic model of the latest version of the Defender was released during 2019. I think it too was a model of the 90" wheelbase version, but as you can see they are not to the same scale.
It remains one of my favourite Technic models of recent years which is why I still have it on hand and ready to photograph.
Verdict
In my opinion, this is the best Creator Expert/Icons vehicle to date, and that's largely because the real vehicle is square and boxy so has lent itself to being replicated in LEGO extremely well.
It's detailed, accurate, the colour matches the real thing perfectly, and the suspension is sophisticated: overall, it's a miniature masterpiece.
It's good that you can elect to load it up with expedition supplies or leave them off so that it's more suited to use in the urban jungle, but the rack and accessories have added considerably to the piece count. I prefer the look of it without them, as that's what I'm used to seeing on the road, and if you do too you'll be left with a large pile of pieces that perhaps you'd wish that you hadn't had to pay for.
Which brings me neatly to the price. At $239.99 / £209.99, it's expensive, no doubt about it, but its price-per-piece is on a par with previous Icons vehicles so from that point of view it seems reasonable. Perhaps it would have been better not to include all the expedition gubbins and price it at $169 / £150 to make it affordable for more people, but that doesn't seem to be the way LEGO operates nowadays. I imagine that the marketing department asked the designers "how can we make this more expensive" rather than "how can we make it cheaper"...
With or without the accessories, it's an excellent model of an iconic vehicle, and if you can afford it you'll love building, customising, and displaying it.
6-and-a-half-foot tall Christian is off to survey his estate...
234 likes
81 comments on this article
Cracking!
Wait, it's one of the most recognizable vehicles ever? How come I didn't know about it...
and i’ve just noticed incorrect font for reg plates *sigh* :(
@ItisNoe said:
"Wait, it's one of the most recognizable vehicles ever? How come I didn't know about it..."
Because you live on the other side of our planet. :D
It's not my kind of sets, but it sure looks gorgeous. I wish Lego would sell add-ons that could be bought separately to enhance existing models while lowering the price of the base set. It'd make lots of sets more accessible to smaller budgets, and allow a customisable building experience.
My eyeballs test is comfortable with $230 for the set, although I'd prefer $200, of course.
I think I'd go insane trying to drive with a large tire on my front hood, though. I'm never comfortable with diminished visibility, let alone from a large object on my own vehicle.
It's Gripped, It's Sorted.... Let's go offroad!
I stopped buying and sold off most of my Creator vehicle collection as the collection was just getting too big, but this might just bring me back - it looks amazing and this review just confirmed that this is a must have.
@ResIpsaLoquitur said:
"I think I'd go insane trying to drive with a large tire on my front hood, though. I'm never comfortable with diminished visibility, let alone from a large object on my own vehicle."
Our neighbours had one with a small shrub in a pot in the middle of the bonnet-mounted spare.
This is an interesting article that helps explain why our US readers may not be familiar with the vehicle: https://www.slashgear.com/867499/the-real-reason-america-banned-the-land-rover-defender/
My Dad not included.
At £150-160 I would be so tempted by this set, but at £210 there's just no way.
An FJ 40 next please, for reliability’s sake.
(Note: My Dad not included in this set)
Huw, you made my day.
"CORROSION-RESISTANT ALUMINIUM BODY"?!
Are you kidding me? It's untreated aluminium directly bolted to untreated steel. It's a corrosion nightmare except in the Atacama desert.
But then, you know and accept this when buying a Land Rover.
Signed,
A Defender owner who, despite everything, never regretted his decision
Oh. And I will buy this set the second it is released. It will pose fewer problems than the real Defender, of course.
Very impressive, and looks awesome. I'd be interested for like $150, but I'd probably go for something else first like the Aston Martin.
@slvrlksrfr said:
"An FJ 40 next please, for reliability’s sake."
I remember a remark made on a TV show, Top Gear I think, that said that if you want to go into the desert, you bring a Land Rover. If you want to get out of the desert, you bring a Land Cruiser.
@one_wag said:
"It's Gripped, It's Sorted.... Let's go offroad! "
Nice!
I will most likely buy this. But will build the clean version without all the clutter. I think that looks better on display. Which will mean I will be paying for parts I'm not going to use, or will have to find another use for.
My father was enamorared with it until he saw the price tag.
As for people not knowing this iconic vehicle, you must have been living under a rock.
Even if it's not sold in your country, haven't you seen any movie or documentary about the wilderness? Whenever there's an expedition anywhere, it's guaranteed that the vehicle(s) used - if they want to go to really rough terrain - will be one of the following four off-road legends:
Jeep
Land Rover
Land Cruiser
G-Wagon
As for this set, it's too expensive for my liking.
I'm glad I've already got the unofficial version of the first edition Defender (even in the same colours) for sub 40 Euro even though it fits perfectly with the rest of the Creator Expert vehicles.
A wonderful replica. Land Rovers are so hot right now, there are several garage-shops here in NL that buy rusty old ones somewhere in Europe, totally restore them and then customise them (or not) for wealthy clients.
So can the steering be replaced to the left hand side as easily as they say (or I heard when I was a child) can be done with the real vehicle? I've seen fully equipped decked out Land Rovers, but always in the (dark) tan Camel Trophy livery.
Thanks for the great review too!
I've been so good about staying out of this line outside of movie-related cars. This set might break my streak.
Looks great but too rich for my blood. I do wish they had just released a version without the added safari bits because I feel I wouldn't use them much at all.
The Mustang and Camaro had pieces you could swap in and out, sure. But not near this many.
Looks like a perfect set to get for my daughter. Safe, slow vehicle.
Good starter set.
Thanks for the review. Beautiful model and I'll add it to my buy list. I'm somewhat conflicted: I enjoy the options and accessories but the price is salty. Seems like there could have been an in-between there to keep it at $200. I agree with the marketing comment "how can we make this more $$$"
Ultimately the jokes on me because this is a must buy...at some point.
I'm surprised there's not more Technic in the chassis.
I'm also happy to see it in right hand drive.
@AustinPowers said:
"As for people not knowing this iconic vehicle, you must have been living under a rock.
Even if it's not sold in your country, haven't you seen any movie or documentary about the wilderness? "
Honestly, if someone in the United States needed an off-road vehicle, their gut choice would very likely be a Jeep Cherokee. I see tons of them in my area, and they're very popular for customization. Plus, as Huw said, the Land Rover was banned here for awhile.
So, in the US, red is designated for gasoline, blue for diesel, and yellow for kerosene. Is grey designated for motor oil?
@Huw:
So, I’ve heard that when they’re designing a new wave of basic sets, they build to preset price points because retailers want a nice spread of prices so any customer can find something they can afford. How does that work with big D2C one-offs? Do they design the set and then price it, or do they still come up with a price point and build to match? For something like scale cars, the latter seems especially problematic, as they often seem to base the scale on using some particular piece to match some aspect of the vehicle, and unless they’re retired carnival weight-guessers, I would think it should be extremely difficult to figure out the proper price in advance.
@Ridgeheart:
"That toolbox is a delight, though. Won't Our Dad be thrilled."
Depends. Does it say “Property of Maxwell” on the lid, and is there a silver hammer inside?
@ResIpsaLoquitur:
7784 has zero forward visibility, regardless of whether the bat-head is up or down. I think I’d prefer a tire, as you can at least peer around the side.
@AustinPowers:
I have yet to watch a nature documentary that paused to shill for some auto company. They don’t generally talk about their camera gear, either, unless said gear is a true game-changer (like being able to shoot full color in the middle of the night without any floodlights, as was done for a live-casting of the annual wildebeest migration).
Regardless, I’m familiar with the brand, but not the models, as is the case with a lot of European brands (either we don’t see them enough to learn them, or they pick some boring number seemingly at random, and it just extinguishes your will to care).
Great review, thanks!
These jacks are indeed tall and cumbersome, so it is realistic that they are hard to fit neatly anywhere.
It's also a dangerous device to operate, between pulling a handle that gets substantially harder to use as you lift the vehicle off the ground and making sure it stays secured to the right place on the frame. The levers allowing to alternate between lifting up and down (not to mention the quick release) are also notoriously tricky.
It's a good thing Christian/My Dad is so tall, because he doesn't risk getting smacked in the head by the handle as it happened to me once while lifting a van stuck in the mud somewhere in the Manitoba bush, so that I could put traction plates / quad ramps under the wheels (which is a scenario you can realistically recreate with this set).
They won't do it, but one option is to follow the DLC method of video games. Video games didn't raise prices but added extra content using paid DLCs. Lego could've sold the Land Rover "naked", and either GWP the accessories pack, or sell for VIP points or just sell for this or that $$. They can even make the accessories pack D2C. Not that different with what they did in the 80s and 90s with the train cars sold to extend your Lego train set.
This is a win-win, as collectors will buy both, the lower price for the base model will make people who would skip it to buy it, and some of these will buy the accessories pack later on.
Same with BTTF, they could've lowered the base price and sell the BTTF 2 and BTTF 3 packs as add-ons (even with movie specifics figures)
@huw a question to the wheel arches: is the slope the same as the cheese slope or are they slightly flatter? Working on the for LDraw, it looks like the lip is a tad higher than the cheese slope.
Thanks!
Not for me, but looks fantastic. Kudos to the designers. Looks fun to build and display, and dare I say vroom vroom around the house.
I’d be interested in a Jeep Cherokee straight 6 or Wranglers at this size. That’s one benefit of the Technic Jeep Wrangler - durability to drive around and play with.
While there are a lot of them, I think this set is my favourite of the ones with alternate builds. I do agree with the other comments though that maybe they could have been an add on, but I do think that the Land Rover would feel a bit wrong without it's expedition stuff, because that's why if has become an iconic vehicle in my opinion. If they were just driving around the road like any other car without the all the off road stuff that Land Rover's have achieved over the lifetime of the brand, would the car actually be that iconic? Or would it just be yet another 4x4?
@PurpleDave said:
" @AustinPowers :
I have yet to watch a nature documentary that paused to shill for some auto company."
Why shill? Does everything in the US have to be about selling stuff?
Over here there's loads of documentaries (especially on our many public broadcasting channels) that are about nature, or the adventure of the expedition, but not about the equipment. But of course you see the equipment anyway, they just don't talk about it. After all it's not Top Gear / The Grand Tour ;-)
Fantastic looking model, but stickers…really Lego….cheaping out as usual…like a lot of these type is sets I’d like to build but never will as no space to display and too lazy to resell.
The accessories should just have been included without raising the price. It really doesn't cost that much, and the margin would still be fine. Just less discounts necessary.
And I agree on AustinPowers. Whenever there's a documentary or movie about some Southamerican, British or African location where the roads aren't paved, the first car I think of will be a Land Rover. I even went on a ride in one in the Laotian jungle.
Lord of My Dads: Return of the King
@Huw said:
"This is an interesting article that helps explain why our US readers may not be familiar with the vehicle: https://www.slashgear.com/867499/the-real-reason-america-banned-the-land-rover-defender/ "
Well, I guess this article just shows my age. As I noted in a previous thread, off-road enthusiasts in the US are absolutely familiar with the Defender 90, and I've seen quite a few of them. Then again, I also used to drive an "illegal" late-generation Bronco, sans top (and subsequently the third brake light, which was a no-no). I can't wait to build this model. And while I'd rather pay less for it, I do appreciate the various accessories that are included. Thanks for a nice review!
I would have preferred it to be the Series I/II (with the inboard headlights) but this is still magnificent.
I'll probably mainly display in it's basic form, although the 'everything but the kitchen sink' version is good for an occasional change.
Hopefully there will be some good deals if/when it gets a wider release (apparently June 1st)
Lot of room for modding, a 110 would have been better I think! They look better and may have met up better with the price point!
Given all the comments wishing Lego hadn't included the off-road extras, I expect the pieces for those extras will be showing up a lot on Bricklink...
@Huw: Fascinating read. I had no idea the Defender had ever been banned in the U.S. I figured @ItisNoe just wasn't a car person...
I really like all the additional accessories, think they give the vehicle just that bit of extra character, like it’s off in expedition mode.
@Tupperfan:
I’m sure the world would not shed a tear if My Dad got smacked in the head with the jack handle. Or the whole jack. Or the Land Rover. As long as whatever he gets hit with manages to do the job.
@AustinPowers:
"Does everything in the US have to be about selling stuff?"
No, and that’s exactly the point. Most of the nature stuff I watch these days is either PBS’ Nature, or the high-profile BBC stuff (most recently, Frozen Planet II). Nature is produced out of Boston, and the focus is so eclectic you’re just as likely to see a runty little EV, or a rusted out pickup, as some dedicated off-road vehicle. And I don’t remember ever seeing a vehicle on the BBC stuff, outside the Making Of episodes. The Serengeti Live stuff, yes, you did see the vehicles…from a POV located in the back seat, with the person sitting in the front right seat doing all the talking. If you’re not intimately familiar with the vehicle in question, good luck identifying it from just those interior shots.
They’re _not_ pausing to do car advertisements. If they did, I probably would stop watching, and it wouldn’t make a difference anyways. I see Jeep brand vehicles on the road every day. I’ve seen Hummer vehicles often enough that I could probably pick out anything in their lineup too. I don’t frequent any neighborhoods where I might actually spot a Land Rover in person these days, and when I’m driving, I’m driving, not window-shopping for cars. You know, because I’d rather not have the last words that cross my lips be, “Hey, look, a Land Ro…”
@TheOtherMike:
Doubtful. Sell the pieces, and your set is incomplete. Most likely they’ll be stashed to keep the original set intact, or absorbed into the main parts collection. I mean, I don’t see anything of note, either for good or bad.
It's interesting to see a large-size human figure for scale, but shouldn't it have been a Lego Technic Figure?
https://brickset.com/minifigs/tech003a/technic-figure-white-legs-white-top-with-red-stripes-pattern-blue-arms-white-helmet-(skier)
Great model.
And that tool box. Just the tool box alone I'd want.
All the side, small builds are brilliant.
It does look brilliant. Though not that hard to do when the real life subject matter already looks like a brick.
@Pitmonster said:
"It's interesting to see a large-size human figure for scale, but shouldn't it have been a Lego Technic Figure?
https://brickset.com/minifigs/tech003a/technic-figure-white-legs-white-top-with-red-stripes-pattern-blue-arms-white-helmet-(skier)"
That is definitely who's going behind the wheel of my copy! He's currently driving 10295 and desperately needs something a bit more capable.
@Pitmonster and @ForestMenOfEndor: I used to put a Technic figure behind the wheel of 5510 all the time.
@DoonsterBuildsLego said:
"I'm surprised there's not more Technic in the chassis.
I'm also happy to see it in right hand drive. "
Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?
This looks great, wouldn’t be interested without the expedition equipment and bullbar.
@ldon13 said:
" @DoonsterBuildsLego said:
"I'm surprised there's not more Technic in the chassis.
I'm also happy to see it in right hand drive. "
Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?
"
Naw, 76917 is properly right-hand drive and if it's not the first, this Land Rover certainly isn't.
@ldon13 said:
"Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?"
313, 384/760-2, 3300006, 40220, 10258, 11015, 4695, 4755, 4866, 75957...
@ldon13 said:
" @DoonsterBuildsLego said:
"I'm surprised there's not more Technic in the chassis.
I'm also happy to see it in right hand drive. "
Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?"
10262 Aston Martin is also RHD.
@Huw said:
" @ldon13 said:
" @DoonsterBuildsLego said:
"I'm surprised there's not more Technic in the chassis.
I'm also happy to see it in right hand drive. "
Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?"
10262 Aston Martin is also RHD."
10242 Mini is also RHD and of course 10258 London Bus
Good review of a mostly good set!
I'm a bit surprised to see the stickers aren't clear backed, but for once the color matching seems pretty much spot on. Obviously for this price it should have been prints, but hey, if this prevents Lego from going bankrupt....
From the earlier pictures I had some issues with the windscreen, which should have been completely flat. And this review just confirms that this looks just wrong. Better keep all of the extra stuff on, that camouflages it a bit.
And while it is great that the car has suspension, they had better used some softer shocks. I just seen Tiago's video, these seem way too stiff, even resulting in parts falling off when pushing it down. But what bothers me more are the many colored pieces underneath that remain quite visible. This is primarily a display model, so why visible red, blue and yellow pieces? And yes, I know that if these pieces would have been grey or black it would have increased the difficulty level to over 9000, but still....
As for the extra parts, for once I'm mostly okay with those. Okay, I could have done without the replacement engine, but most of the other stuff is very fitting for a car like this. In my opinion without all of that stuff the value of the set would have dropper much more than the price probably would have, it would only make it feel even more overpriced than it already is.
But those are all just small niggles compared to the biggest problem of all: My Dad isn't included!
What a piece of junk!
Seriously looks like the car equivalent of the Melenium Falcon. I guess that's probably a good endorsement for those who like the source material. Thankfully, for my wallet's sake, I'm not among them.
This is, what the technic display cars should've been all along! Looks absolutely amazing!
Unfortunately it's D2C so no price drop in sight.
@ldon13
"Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?"
I built the Porsche 10295-1 as RHD. I would think that the majority are very easy to swap over, even without any additional parts needed.
@Huw: 10262's little brother, 76911, is also RHD.
@TheLegoManic said:
" @Huw said:
" @ldon13 said:
" @DoonsterBuildsLego said:
"I'm surprised there's not more Technic in the chassis.
I'm also happy to see it in right hand drive. "
Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?"
10262 Aston Martin is also RHD."
10242 Mini is also RHD and of course 10258 London Bus"
so is the Caterham 620R
Its time they looked to explore add-on, accessory packs that bring the costs back inline with consumer expectations.
Going to need deep discounting to move this one after the initial demand is met.
@StyleCounselor said:
"What a piece of junk!
Seriously looks like the car equivalent of the Melenium Falcon."
And just like the Falcon it often seems like it's going to fall apart, yet in the end gets the job done admirably.
Which is why both are their respective fans' favorites.
;-)
@TheOtherMike said:
" @Pitmonster and @ForestMenOfEndor: I used to put a Technic figure behind the wheel of 5510 all the time."
Same here, and ironically it’s the only set I own with a Fabuland accessory!
@Pitmonster said:
"It's interesting to see a large-size human figure for scale, but shouldn't it have been a Lego Technic Figure?
https://brickset.com/minifigs/tech003a/technic-figure-white-legs-white-top-with-red-stripes-pattern-blue-arms-white-helmet- (skier)"
The vehicle is 1:12 so if we assume a height of 6 foot for the driver he'd be 6 inches tall. Scala figure Christian is 6.5 inches tall, so a scale of 1:11, which is slightly too tall.
I don't have a Technic figure to hand but they are only, what, between 3 and 4 inches, if I remember correctly, so way too small.
I agree with many here that the price point of this set is insensitive in this economic climate, and the price has alienated a lot of people, and may ultimately hurt their own sales.
I'd love to know why Lego doesn't seem to do add-on packs for these (other than Mario, HP, SW).
IMHO, Lego could: release the standard Defender 90 model with the V8 engine as a standalone set by itself for nearer the normal price (circa £/$150) of Icon/Creator Expert vehicles. And in parallel, for a limited production run, they could also release an add-on pack with only the rest of the paraphernalia (roof rack, winch, extra tyres, engine, accessories, etc) for £/$60.
This way it's still more on the affordable side for the actual vehicle and attract buyers already in that price space. But those who want to have the "Expedition" version can buy the add-on set, or some may even want to buy 2 Defender sets so they can have the standard and the Expedition sitting side by side.
To me, they seemed to miss a trick here.
@Huw said:
" @Pitmonster said:
"It's interesting to see a large-size human figure for scale, but shouldn't it have been a Lego Technic Figure?
https://brickset.com/minifigs/tech003a/technic-figure-white-legs-white-top-with-red-stripes-pattern-blue-arms-white-helmet- (skier)"
The vehicle is 1:12 so if we assume a height of 6 foot for the driver he'd be 6 inches tall. Scala figure Christian is 6.5 inches tall, so a scale of 1:11, which is slightly too tall.
I don't have a Technic figure to hand but they are only, what, between 3 and 4 inches, if I remember correctly, so way too small."
Technic figures are 3.5 inches/8.89 cm tall.
@SillyTwig said:
"I agree with many here that the price point of this set is insensitive in this economic climate, and the price has alienated a lot of people, and may ultimately hurt their own sales.
I'd love to know why Lego doesn't seem to do add-on packs for these (other than Mario, HP, SW).
IMHO, Lego could: release the standard Defender 90 model with the V8 engine as a standalone set by itself for nearer the normal price (circa £/$150) of Icon/Creator Expert vehicles. And in parallel, for a limited production run, they could also release an add-on pack with only the rest of the paraphernalia (roof rack, winch, extra tyres, engine, accessories, etc) for £/$60.
This way it's still more on the affordable side for the actual vehicle and attract buyers already in that price space. But those who want to have the "Expedition" version can buy the add-on set, or some may even want to buy 2 Defender sets so they can have the standard and the Expedition sitting side by side.
To me, they seemed to miss a trick here. "
I think they've got it exactly right. I don't think an add-on pack would generate many sales at all, and I don't think the market for these vehicles is quite as price sensitive as you might think.
My bet (knowing some who buy these) is that a lot (if not mopst) of sales of these go to people who don't buy a lot of Lego or only have a specific vehicle interest (in this case, Land Rover).
This is probably nearly as likely to sell at £150 as £200, and an accessories pack would have minimal interest. So this way, they get the sale, cover all the types of interest (engine type & standard vs expedition) in the vehicle for a single set release. Seems like good economics by LEgo.
@Huw
The suspension set up is pretty much spot on without making special pieces. The rear axle is mounted on an A-frame in the centre and to the trailing arms either side, a.c. The font axle would be mounted to radial arms which travel under the axle slightly to assist with the radial pivot when the suspension is depressed. On the real vehicle though the front axle would not have any centre linkage as this model does.
The steering however is not accurate to the real vehicle but I'm not sure how they could have done it differently with the space available.
@jim2301 said:
"Lot of room for modding, a 110 would have been better I think! They look better and may have met up better with the price point!"
wonder how tough it will be to mod mine to a 110 or 127 . . . .
@560heliport said:
" @Huw said:
" @Pitmonster said:
"It's interesting to see a large-size human figure for scale, but shouldn't it have been a Lego Technic Figure?
https://brickset.com/minifigs/tech003a/technic-figure-white-legs-white-top-with-red-stripes-pattern-blue-arms-white-helmet- (skier)"
The vehicle is 1:12 so if we assume a height of 6 foot for the driver he'd be 6 inches tall. Scala figure Christian is 6.5 inches tall, so a scale of 1:11, which is slightly too tall.
I don't have a Technic figure to hand but they are only, what, between 3 and 4 inches, if I remember correctly, so way too small."
Technic figures are 3.5 inches/8.89 cm tall."
While the scale is "wrong" for an adult-sized human, that Technic figure looks just fine behind the wheel of 10295, and fits the driver's seat almost perfectly. And I believe that the Porsche is 1:12 just like the Land Rover. Therefore, in my new head canon, the figure represents a young troublemaker out for a spin in his parents' vehicle. At least he's wearing a helmet.
Also, I realized that my Technic figure is actually driving 40517 right now.
@AustinPowers:
I seem to remember a quip about having to get out and push…
@SillyTwig:
When you’re talking about a single set vs a whole theme, you’re doubling the SKUs and making warehousing more complicated with the expectation of lowering your gross profits. Most customers wouldn’t even be aware that the add-on pack exists, or how to purchase it. For every customer who gets drawn in by the lower price, you might also lose one because the base set doesn’t appeal to them the way the complete package does. It would probably cost more to buy two components separately than it would be to buy an all-in-one design. And when you run out of Land Rovers, the last thing you want is unsold pallets of accessory packs. If you make it a limited run, hoarders and scalpers will swoop in, and then you have irate customers burning consumer affairs’ ears off. You could eliminate some of these issues but turning the pack into a GWP, but then people will just complain about that. The solution they chose is clearly the easiest, with the least potential for causing headaches on their end.
@ForestMenOfEndor:
I don’t think he’s gonna get in much trouble with that, other than leaving a Vespa-rider-shaped dent in the grill of My Dad’s Land Rover.
I love the new wheel arches, they seem to be compatible with cheese slopes. Would like to see them on mechs and futuristic door frames and more vehicles, of course.
@PurpleDave said:
" @ldon13 said:
"Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?"
313, 384/760-2, 3300006, 40220, 10258, 11015, 4695, 4755, 4866, 75957..."
10242
@legowerba said:
" @PurpleDave said:
" @ldon13 said:
"Is this the first Lego set vehicle to be built in right hand drive?"
313, 384/760-2, 3300006, 40220, 10258, 11015, 4695, 4755, 4866, 75957..."
10242"
True, but not 75894 (center drive) or 40109 (hands free steering!). I also skipped any Routemaster or Knight Bus that was only one stud wide. At two studs, they always seem to do the inset that marks which side is _not_ where the driver sits, thus establishing right-hand drive (hey, it’s not out of the realm of possibility that someone might make a custom Routemaster with left-hand drive…).
@AustinPowers said:
" @StyleCounselor said:
"What a piece of junk!
Seriously looks like the car equivalent of the Melenium Falcon."
And just like the Falcon it often seems like it's going to fall apart, yet in the end gets the job done admirably.
Which is why both are their respective fans' favorites.
;-) "
No doubt. Perhaps my comment seemed a bit harsh. The Falcon is an iconic symbol of everything I thought was cool about my childhood.
I also think a grunged-out 4x4 is a cool idea. Not within the parameters of my seemingly ever-expanding collections. Yet, cool nonetheless. It would be even better with some mud stains.
It's a really cool model with the details on the two engine options, the tools, etc. All neatly done with standard parts. I don't like the proliferation of such special parts as the wheel arches, though, and think it takes away from the character of LEGO when too many less-universal parts become common.
All the extras are very nice, but I really wish they sold them in a separate set. That way more people could afford to buy it and the die-hard fans will still by the upgrade kit.
What’s up with the right door on the images, it doesn’t seem to flush very well with the rest when closed.
I think the price is way too high, even though it looks like a must-have. When will be available at retailers?
I like the review very much, with all the info about engine versions etc and the photos of different configurations. In my eyes the "city jungle" config is nice, but the version packed to the roof and far above with expedition gear is brilliant.
Love the model, will definitely be getting it on day one.
The usual placement for that type of jack in real life would be where the fire extinguisher is on this model - be interesting to see if it can be made to fit...
The V8 supplied in this set looks to be a more modern one than the typical Rover V8, so perhaps is intended to be one of the current specials that Land Rover is making out of 'classic' Land Rovers.
The five-cylinder turbo diesel engine (TD5) fits very nicely under the 'flat' bonnet of the earlier Defenders, it was the introduction of the Ford Puma 4-cylinder diesel engines (from the Transit) that necessitated the use of the bonnet bulge on later vehicles (and also meant that the spare wheel could no longer be mounted on the bonnet)
These minor points aside, great review!
Thanks!
@PjtorXmos said:
"This is, what the technic display cars should've been all along! Looks absolutely amazing!
Unfortunately it's D2C so no price drop in sight. "
Just wait three months.