I tested for you: LEGO Creator Expert 10252 Volkswagen Beetle

This is a paradox, but it is also an important marker of the evolution of the image of LEGO products: studs visible stamped with the name of the brand present on the Beetle of set 10187 released in 2008, make way for very smooth surfaces and the mock-up appearance of the vehicle of set 10252 Volkswagen Beetle proposed in 2016 (Available today for members of the VIP program, from August 1 for those who are too lazy to register for this free loyalty program).

It's smooth, it's clean, and even if some will regret the characteristic aspect of the sets "from before", we obtain here a product which will easily compete, on the plan of the external aspect, with the other toys of the same type, whether plastic, metal or wood.

Depending on whether we are indulgent with LEGO or not, we will find this Beetle successful and faithful to the model that served as inspiration or on the contrary we will regret a somewhat approximate rendering for a set whose purpose is to reproduce a well-known vehicle from all.

Overall, I find that the whole thing lacks a little curve despite the obvious efforts of the designer to try to reproduce the curves of the Beetle.

As far as I'm concerned, I also persist with this subliminal image of a Citroën 2CV vaguely disguised as a Beetle. Blame it on a windshield that is a little too angular for my taste, and which also lacks a little tilt. For the rest, the doubt is quickly raised and we find of course all the characteristic attributes of the Beetle with its rear engine, its wheel arches, its hood and its headlights.

That being said, even with all the approximations and compromises that confirm in passing that we are dealing with a LEGO Creator product for less than 100 € and not a high-end model, it is still a pleasure to build a LEGO vehicle.

I remain a fan of classic and standard brick, and the assembly of this vehicle is very pleasant: Not being MOCeur at heart, I must admit that I marveled at the few ingenious finds of Mike Psiaki, the designer of the set, to give all its charm and its detailed appearance to this Beetle. There are also a lot of 1x1 and 1x2 parts in this box, I forgot one on one of the front turn signals ... Be careful when unpacking, even if LEGO provides many additional parts (Spare parts).

As for the color of the bodywork, we can discuss at length the choice of this blue Dark Azure, but I think we would all agree that on a shelf alongside the other vehicles of the Creator Expert range: 10248 Ferrari F40, 10242 Mini-Cooper et 10220 Volkswagen T1 Camper Van, this blue Beetle will make a place of choice and get noticed.

As is often the case with sets which bring together many pieces of the same color, I also notice here some slight differences in color between the different pieces in Dark Azure. It's a shame, especially at the door hinges.

The strip of the front cover, here reproduced using a pipe, would in my opinion have deserved one or two stickers, or better, a few pad-printed parts. The protrusion which results from the use of this pipe which barely matches the curve of the hood is in my opinion a little unsightly.

I am also a little disappointed by the shortcut used to round the rear side windows and create a trompe l'oeil tilting impression on the windshield: As if the designer had dropped the idea of ​​finding a basic solution. of rooms and had simply resigned himself by using simple stickers.

Regarding the stickers, I would like to point out that the small sheet of stickers is simply thrown into the box. There is therefore a risk that you will find it bent or damaged. I did not stick the different stickers, you will understand why by reading this article to the end. LEGO offers different models of license plates, it's up to you to choose the color (black, white or yellow) and apply the corresponding stickers.

This officially licensed Volkswagen LEGO Creator set has its flaws, its compromises, but under $ 100 (94.99 € in the LEGO Shop) for 1167 pieces, it's hard not to find a certain charm in it. The construction, admittedly linear (The vehicle takes shape from bottom to top, from the chassis to the roof) is a real pleasure and the end result is rather flattering.

Note: If you've taken the trouble to read this article so far, please be aware that as usual I'm giving away the set I received from LEGO via a raffle among the comments posted below. below (Deadline: July 21, 2016 at 23:59 p.m.). The box is obviously open, but the winner will save the modest sum of 94.99 €. It's always taken.