We've already talked a lot about the vehicle from the LEGO Technic set 42126 Ford Raptor F-150, a box of 1379 pieces which is currently on pre-order on the official online store at the public price of 139.99 € with availability announced for September 1st, and the orange color chosen by LEGO is not unanimous.

If you want to see what a blue body would look like, know thata russian sign has posted a slew of illustrative visuals of the product, including the two featured here which feature what appears to be a very preliminary version of the 2017-2020 version of the vehicle. And he's blue. Other details of this prototype are not on the final version of the product or were significantly changed before going into production, with the version released by LEGO being based on the 2021 model of the Raptor.

We will talk soon about this Ford Raptor F-150 on the occasion of a "Review ", but I already regret that LEGO did not choose to decline the vehicle in blue ...

Today we quickly make the rounds of the other novelty of the LEGO Technic range expected from August 1: the set 42128 Heavy-duty Tow Truck which, as the title of the product indicates, allows to assemble a big tow truck of 2017 parts and which should please fans of shows like "The road to hell"broadcast on RMC Découverte or Discovery Channel.

We will be a fan or not of the general appearance of the tow truck, but I think it really looks great with its shimmering colors and very original graphics stickers. The vehicle, which finally takes over from the more austere version of the set 8285 Tow Truck dating from 2006 is 58cm long, 22cm high and 14cm wide with the stabilizers stowed. The footprint increases to 27 cm when the two lateral stabilizers are deployed.

We could quibble about the fact that the crane clearly protrudes from the cabin with on arrival an impression of a difference in scale between the two elements, especially in profile. For those who are wondering, the Mack Anthem from set 42078 is practically on the scale of this tow truck: it measures 15 cm wide and 22 cm high.

As you already know, this tow truck offers a set of functions combining mechanical and pneumatic solutions. As for the purely mechanical functions, it is no surprise, we are working hard to deploy the two lateral stabilizers equipped with linear cylinders synchronized with those placed at the rear of the vehicle, to lower the third rear axle, to turn the crane and to reassemble the cables of the two independent winches.

The functionality that is in my opinion the most annoying is the one that puts the crane in rotation, it is long and laborious with the added bonus of a gear fixed on a support which sometimes has an annoying tendency to disengage if you force a little when that the crane platform comes to a stop. Regulars to the LEGO Technic range know that reeling is part of the deal and they shouldn't blame LEGO for having to watch a stabilizer descend very slowly and end up touching the ground after having turned the dedicated wheel for a long time.

If you want to see all of the product's features in action, I've summarized it all for you in the video footage below:

Three pneumatic functions are offered and their use is much more dynamic and exciting: it is possible to raise and lower the crane arm, extend and bring back the boom and lower or raise the rear towing fork. To take advantage of these technical refinements, you have to pump. Many. LEGO did not consider it useful to integrate an air tank into the product and each setting in motion is therefore accompanied by an intensive pumping sequence. It is not very serious, but it would have been appreciable to be able to raise the arm of the crane at first then to follow directly by the extension of the jib without having to go back through the pumping box. Here it is impossible to combine the features hoping to let go of the pump. Before starting the extension of the boom, it will be essential to provide a sufficient length of cable so that the arm is not retained in its movement, the two safety latches of the winches preventing the unwinding of the cable.

The pump is also not new, it is the one already seen in the set 42053 Volvo EW160E marketed in 2016. It is placed just behind the cabin, it knows how to be relatively discreet and nevertheless remains easily accessible. The pneumatic tube circuit is more or less well integrated into the vehicle with a few portions which remain clearly visible and which in my opinion could have been a little better organized.

It will be necessary to measure the tubes provided at the start of the assembly so as not to be mistaken afterwards, LEGO referring to their length when choosing which unit joins the construction. You can always cut some of the tubes before installing them and this aesthetically somewhat hazardous integration in places will be attributed to the educational potential of the product with the possibility of following the progress of the air from the pump to the various cylinders. The different functions are documented via a few rather explicit stickers placed next to the selectors or knobs that even the youngest will understand.

A classic pneumatic cylinder and two thinner cylinders which were previously only available in the set 42043 Mercedes-Benz Arocs 3245 marketed in 2015 are delivered in this box, the latter being inventoried under a new reference (6353188). The supplied pneumatic valves are not new: two copies are in the set 42080 Forest Harvester released in 2018 and a copy can also be found in the LEGO Education set 45400 Briq Motion Premium available since this year.

More anecdotal but still pleasant on a large set from the Technic range: the engine with its six in-line "cylinders" visible by lifting the hood is set in motion by the movement of the vehicle, the cabin doors open and the steering is deported to the roof via a thumbwheel. No alternative model to build with the set inventory or motorization option documented by LEGO, but the product is largely sufficient on its own without these two additional possibilities.

To put it simply, this product sold for 149.99 € offers a wide range of what the LEGO Technic range has to offer in terms of non-motorized functions and makes very good use of the pneumatic ecosystem. The vehicle is in my opinion aesthetically very successful, it intelligently combines many very well integrated mechanical and pneumatic functions and you will certainly get your money's worth.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at August 5, 2021 next at 23pm. For newcomers, know that you just need to post a comment to participate in the draw.

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.

Today we are quickly interested in the content of the LEGO Technic set 42129 4x4 Mercedes-Benz Zetros Trial Truck, a box of 2110 pieces which will allow from next August 1st and for the modest sum of 299.99 € to assemble a machine that LEGO presents to us on the box as capable of raising dust on the most demanding outdoor grounds.

I add more, but you must suspect that this "trial" machine is not intended for playing outside and that it will appreciate moderately dust or sand. We could once again blame LEGO for doing a little too much on the packaging at the risk of disappointing those who will be fooled by an overly pretentious illustrative visual that promises a priori a racing truck. The visual on the back of the gearbox which shows how the suspensions work on rough terrain is also in my opinion a little pretentious, I did not see my Zetros finish with both axles in this position.

Also pay attention to the title of the product which becomes in French "The Mercedes-Benz Zetros 4x4 test truck"Without the word" trial ", a machine of this type is not designed to swallow the kilometers at high speed and the shimmering stickers to place on the body of this Mercedes-Benz vehicle will not make it go faster.

And it's an understatement to say that this children's toy doesn't move very fast. To make us forget that this truck is not moving forward, LEGO creates a diversion by highlighting its crossing capacities and by insisting on the major innovation of the product: the integration of a differential lock controlled via the Control + application.

For 300 € and 2110 pieces including 800 pins, there is necessarily something that in theory justifies the hallucinatory public price of this toy. So we have to look at the motorization elements to find something not to blame too much on LEGO to charge us this 48 cm long truck at a high price. Two L motors, an M motor, a Smart Hub, front and rear suspensions, new 81mm diameter tires, a dedicated interface in the Control + app, for LEGO the account is good. For those who are wondering, the Smart Hub delivered in the box is the usual model with the plastic closing clips and it is not the version with screw cap visible on the official photos.

The assembly is divided into two parts with the bags numbered from 1 to 3 which allow to build the frame and all the mechanical part and the bags 4 to 6 which provide what then to dress the Zetros so that it looks like the reference model. with in particular a nicely pad-printed shield with the manufacturer's logo integrated into the grille. It will be necessary to show extreme vigilance when it comes to connecting the various transmission shafts to each other via the axes provided, the instruction booklet is very explicit on the alignment of the notches of each of the axes.

Visually, this Zetros is very successful, it looks like the reference vehicle of which it has the appearance and the characteristic attributes. However, there is no need to be a genius to quickly realize that the ground clearance is derisory with 2 cm below the axis of the wheels, 5 cm in the center of the vehicle and engines placed in the bottom of the chassis which do not are not even fully protected. Difficult to imagine "trial" in these conditions, especially as the truck is dressed in many elements that do not fail to come off at the slightest impact, such as the mirrors, the top of the exhaust and even the yellow duck placed on the bumper.

We could also conclude that LEGO has abused the decoration of the truck with the slew of stickers to put in place, but we had to make this Zetros, often used for military purposes, a more fun vehicle. LEGO pushes the line with a host of colorful sponsors, but the result looks pretty good to me.

The cabin interior is well appointed with its seats and steering wheel flanked by a Tile round 1x1 on which we stick a micro-sticker bearing the logo of the vehicle manufacturer. The motor is dummy, it is satisfied with two stickers and a fan on a free shaft that only rotates if you push on it with your fingers. The rear plate is for its part partly covered by a technical hatch which allows in principle to have an eye on the internal mechanics but the panel is blocked by the rear arches and unfortunately does not open completely without first removing the two. black uprights ...

Let's be honest, this Zetros in LEGO version is not really a trial truck, it is not sufficiently ballasted, especially on the rear and despite the presence of the two engines which provide the propulsion, to take full advantage of the possibilities offered by the four suspensions and by the integrated differential lock. It is just a machine capable of climbing slopes without obstacles and on condition of playing on a surface offering enough grip for the vehicle to grip. There's still the option of loading the rear of the Zetros a bit with something to improve propulsion, but the power available will inevitably be affected by that extra weight.

The locking of the differentials works perfectly, that's the least of things, and you can feel the contribution of this feature when traction is put to the test and the need to provide equivalent power to each of the wheels of the truck is made felt. The turning radius is a joke, you need a living room of 80m2 to make a circle. For the rest, if you attempt the adventure on obstacles that are too angular and "steep", you will have to start over several times to find the right approach which will prevent your truck from tipping over or getting stuck resting on the chassis. with all four wheels in a vacuum.

The other detail that prevents this truck from being a real trial vehicle capable of facing the most perilous situations: the doors and the engine cover are not lockable. When going downhill and if the slope is steep, the engine hood opens accidentally and the doors do the same when the Zetros reaches a certain lateral angle. How is it possible that a designer specializing in this range of products has not thought of this detail? I have no explanation.

I tried to "play" with this product using what in principle is currently best in terms of rechargeable batteries, 1600 mAh NiZn batteries, and the promise is kept: there is indeed enough torque so that the Zetros can climb slopes with quite impressive angles. For the rest, this toy sold for 300 € does not offer much else in terms of playability, the disappointment being more often the appointment as far as I'm concerned than the satisfaction of demonstrating a particular know-how in piloting.

The two driving modes offered via the Control + application, the few challenges of no great interest and the augmented reality feature that allows you to view the various mechanical elements in operation offer additional possibilities to have fun around this product but do not really save furniture when it comes to pure playability. And I remind you for all intents and purposes that this is indeed a toy for children 12 and over, not a model for an adult fan.

Fans of the Technic universe will undoubtedly enjoy the assembly of the differential lock system and the activation / deactivation of the function via the Control + app, but those who hoped for an all-terrain vehicle a little more versatile as the real Zetros is, it will be imperative to go their way otherwise you will quickly realize that the possibilities offered by this product are in reality limited to climbing a board placed at 45 ° or to do a little off-roading on a few heaps of bricks with limited roughness.

The most motivated will try to make the most of the possibilities of this niche product but, for 300 €, being able to move from point A to point B without spending two hours there would have been really welcome. Those who buy these boxes only to display the vehicle concerned on a shelf will also find their account there, this Zetros in LEGO version being sufficiently faithful to the reference vehicle.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 1er August 2021 next at 23pm. For newcomers, know that you just need to post a comment to participate in the draw.

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.