Today we continue the series of rapid tests of sets from the LEGO Speed ​​Champions range with the reference 76895 Ferrari F8 Tribute (275 pieces - € 19.99) which allows us to assemble a vehicle for which the passage in 8 studs of the entire range is in theory beneficial if we take into account the usual aesthetics of the models of the Italian brand.

This is partly true, we finally get a very large Ferrari with proportions much more consistent with the usual characteristics of the various models of the manufacturer. But that's all. Before shouting genius, it is still necessary to understand what a Ferrari F8 Tributo is. That's it :

And you can try to convince me that the LEGO-style reproduction of this curvaceous vehicle is convincing, I maintain that this is far from the case because we are reaching the limits of what is possible here. to make this scale even with the smallest of LEGO bricks.

We can tell that the designer has clung to a few iconic details of the model to try to find points of reference to reproduce, but he seems to have given up very quickly in front of this almost impossible challenge. You probably find me a little too demanding but the official description of the product is in my opinion a little pretentious for this set: "... All of the 2020 LEGO® Speed ​​Champions models are 25% larger, which means the vehicles are more faithful to the original versions than ever! ..."

There remains a car that has the color of a Ferrari, the logo of a Ferrari and some bodywork elements that could make one think of old models of the Italian manufacturer much more angular like the 288, the 308, the 458 or the F40, models to which this new version pays more or less homage. But in my opinion, the construction is not completed enough to conclude that it is an F8 Tributo.

All considerations relating to the fidelity of the LEGO version to the reference model aside, the fact remains that this Ferrari has the look of a Ferrari. The width of the new chassis gives it what could be lacking until now in the versions of the many sets sold in the LEGO Speed ​​Champions range: an acceptable width which also allows the model to be crushed a little to give it allure.

For assembly, it's business as usual: a few big filler parts inside the new vehicle chassis and a bunch of small parts to try and get a cohesive body. Like the other boxes in the range, the set makes intensive use of Wedges with 45 ° cutout.

In terms of finish, it's complicated. The model offered here is not a competition version packed with sponsors, so we logically end up with a reduced number of stickers and that's a good thing. Unfortunately, we also find ourselves with three shades of red between the color of the parts, that of the ink of the stickers and that of the red zone pad printed on the canopy. I will not dwell on the pathetic front headlights in two stickers which are an important element of the aesthetics of the vehicle and which are here relegated to the rank of simple details on sticky paper.

The rear of the vehicle is a little more successful with real headlights even if here too we clearly reach the limits of what it was possible to do on this scale. It's paradoxical, but I almost regret that the designer did not rely more on a sticker-based solution to refine certain details of the design.

In the area of ​​pad-printed parts, we get two red Nexo Knights shields with a black area, the part that is at the front of the hood just behind the logo and two 1x1 pieces with a micro Ferrari logo to be placed on the front fenders. As usual, the steering wheel is offset, but there is room for two minifigs inside the cockpit which is unfortunately "ventilated" by the space available between the side windows and the doors.

The minifigure provided is a fan of the brand poorly dressed with his t-shirt a little pale, not enough to get up at night. The fault of taste: not having put an expensive pair of leather gloves on his hands.

In short, the vehicle to be assembled is undoubtedly a Ferrari even if we do not really know which one. And in my opinion, this is the whole paradox of this reproduction with a somewhat approximate design which nevertheless really benefits on certain points from the change in format of the range and which refers the previous models to the rank of simple, slightly misshapen toys.

As usual, it will cost € 19.99 to afford this Ferrari from January 1 or wait a few weeks to take advantage of a promo at Amazon.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 29, 2019 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

We continue the series of rapid tests of the new LEGO Speed ​​Champions products planned for early 2020 with the set 76896 Nissan GT-R NISMO (298 pieces - 19.99 €).

Still based on the new 8 stud chassis, this vehicle also seems to me to confirm that the change in format of the range is beneficial in terms of scale and proportions: as for the Audi of the set 76897 1985 Audi Quattro S1 (250 pieces - 19.99 €), we get a car that does not seem too narrow and as if excessively stretched in length.

The front is a little less successful here than the rear, although the designer has done his best to reproduce the grille of the GT-R. The front curve of the fenders falls a little into the void and you have to be content with headlights made from stickers. At the rear, it's a little better with headlights based on real parts ingeniously integrated.

For the rest, the curves of the Nissan GT-R NISMO are almost all there, the new windshield fits perfectly into the construction and the level of detail is very satisfactory. There are still a few spaces to fill here and there, such as for example at the junction of the rear window in two parts hinged on the body, but it will have to be done with.

I note the relative fragility of the rear exhausts which only hold because the gray tubes are plugged into a stud and which are sure to come off on occasion. The rest seems solid enough to withstand the assaults of the youngest drifting fans, apart from perhaps the black quarter-circles of the mirrors which can also disappear under a cabinet.

I will give you the same reflection each time, but I never tire of it: The model is completely covered with stickers. Only the front hood and the two elements that form the roof of the vehicle are pad printed.

As usual, the white of the stickers is not that of the parts and the overall rendering suffers a bit. I also note a phenomenon that seems to me to be increasing lately: the stickers are less and less resistant to being temporarily peeled off to be repositioned with a large part of the glue that remains on the part.

For lack of anything better, we also dream of a second sheet of stickers in the box, with why not a version highlighting sponsors exclusively from the LEGO universe (Turbo Oil, Octan, Anwa Race, Hill Suspensions, KRN Powertools, etc ...) so that two children who obtain the same set can for example differentiate their vehicles.

We find here the problem of space available in the cockpit already present on the Audi Quattro S1, but the roof closes completely without having to modify the construction. The steering wheel is still not in front of the driver and you have to tilt the minifigure forward slightly because of the headrest, you will have to get used to it. Thanks to the new windshield, the pilot can however keep both hands on the wheel.

The holding of the minifigure is consistent with that seen on the various pilots at the controls of the vehicle, nothing exceptional especially since I am not a fan of the dotted lines which a priori represent the seams of the suit.

LEGO provides hair for the character, and female hair is missing so young girls who dream of someday becoming a racing driver rather than baking cupcakes or mothering puppies in their girlfriend's store can find their way around. It's good of LEGO to tell us stories about "gender-neutral" toys, but every once in a while you need to take action on products that really deserve it.

In short, this is a very nice model which also benefits from the passage to 8 studs of the whole range which allows to obtain real reproductions with consistent proportions. The vehicle can find its place in an exhibition window or on the racing circuit of a child's room.

19.99 €, however, it is a bit expensive for a single car without the steering or friction displacement system and its driver, so we will have to wait for a drop in price at Amazon and others so as not to have the impression that LEGO is abusing a bit of our benevolence towards him.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 26, 2019 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Without transition, today we are quickly interested in the set LEGO Speed ​​Champions 76897 1985 Audi Quattro S1 (250 pieces - € 19.99), one of the novelties for 2020 which benefits from the passage to 8 studs of the vehicle chassis. This change in the scale of the vehicles in the range did not leave fans indifferent, some seeing it as a welcome development that significantly improves the proportions and level of detail of the vehicles, others regretting this break. the aesthetic homogeneity of the range.

No one can deny that some of the various 6 stud wide models released so far tended to be a bit too narrow and seemed like stretched in length. This detail is corrected here with an aesthetic that is generally more consistent in my opinion.

The Audi Quattro S1 is a very angular vehicle which lends itself rather well to the conversion into a LEGO model and the construction obtained with the 240 pieces of the set including the new 12x6 chassis (6287679) and the new axles in 6 studs wide ( 6287680) is like the reference model.

This set is no exception to the usual large sheet of stickers, including very small stickers that are a bit laborious to stick. It's almost model making at this stage and you have to constantly alternate between assembling parts and applying stickers. LEGO indicates on the box that this set is accessible to children aged 7 and over, which is the case with assembly techniques, but unless they are used to sticking very small stickers, young fans should get help so as not to end up with a vehicle that no longer really looks like what was originally planned.

As usual, the stickers printed on a really white background stand out on parts that are not the same white. There are all the same three pad-printed parts in this box: the front cover and two elements which come to take place on the rear pillars of the passenger compartment.

This 8-stud wide passage does not solve all the problems: With the use of the new chassis, the cockpit has 5 studs, two studs per minifig and a central stud on which we find here the gear lever and the hand brake.

But there was room to slide the windshield and the steering wheel does not really fall in front of the driver. The minifig can also not keep its arms outstretched towards the steering wheel, it then becomes impossible to plug the windshield on the planned location.

A note in passing, the windshield on which the vehicle roof is clipped only fits on two tenons placed at the front and does not come to be placed correctly on the smooth support provided just behind the driver's head. The pilot's helmet does not interfere, however, on condition that the minifig is properly plugged into the studs in the driver's seat. Fortunately, it suffices to reverse the central black piece above the seats to have two fixing lugs which correct the problem (see photos below).

Overall, it's obviously less sexy than a supercar from the 2000s, but I think this LEGO-style Audi Quattro S1 is doing pretty well and should appeal to those nostalgic for the exploits of Walter Röhrl and Michèle. Sheep. Everything is there, the shapes of the vehicle are respected and the whole is solid enough to play with. It's up to you to see if your 6 stud vehicle collection will accommodate these new, larger and more detailed models.

The driver provided in this box, which is obviously Walter Röhrl, is not very exciting. The torso pad printing is correct and includes the elements seen on the combination of pilots of the time. No badges on the arms, it's a shame. LEGO provides extra hair, that's always what it takes.

Finally, I think that if we can welcome the change of scale for this range of vehicles which makes it possible to obtain products with a little more accomplished exterior aesthetics, the significant increase in the public price of these boxes which passes. from 14.99 € to 19.99 € for those which contain only one vehicle will limit even more the access to the youngest ones who however love to have fun with these small cars. You will have to ask parents to drive out the promotions and save a little more on your pocket money while waiting for the opportunity to be able to have fun.

The LEGO Speed ​​Champions set 76897 1985 Audi Quattro S1 (250 pieces - € 19.99) will be available on the official online store and in the LEGO Stores from January 1, 2020.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at December 21, 2019 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and was notified by email, his nickname is indicated below. Without a response from him to my request for contact details within 5 days, a new winner will be drawn.

Continuation and end of the announcement of the different boxes of the LEGO Speed ​​Champions 2020 range with the official visuals of the set 76896 Nissan GT-R NISMO (298 pieces - 19.99 €).

Same recipe as for the other vehicles already announced: the chassis goes into 8 studs wide to offer a slightly higher level of finish and we will now have two real places for minifigs in the cockpit. The retail price of sets obviously increases accordingly.

If you haven't followed everything, here is the list of the five new features planned for January 2020: