Review : LEGO 10295 Porsche 911

Today we are quickly interested in the LEGO set 10295 Porsche 911, a box of 1458 pieces sold for € 139.99 that LEGO unveiled to us a few days ago by presenting it as a product resulting from a close collaboration with the German car manufacturer. This set allows you to assemble two versions of the Porsche 911, the Turbo version or the Targa convertible. It is indeed the possibility of choosing between the two models, the contents of this box not allowing to assemble the two vehicles at the same time.

Taking a step back on the various vehicles offered by LEGO in the defunct Creator Expert range in recent years, it should be admitted that some of them were more successful than others. If the Mustang of the set 10265 Ford Mustang marketed since 2019 is generally considered successful, it is much less obvious for the Aston Martin of the set 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (2018) which had a little trouble with the curves of the reference vehicle or for the Fiat 500 from the set 10271 Fiat 500 (2020) which struggles to reproduce the iconic vehicle of the Italian firm.

There is no suspense here, although not everything is perfect, this 911cm long and 35.5cm wide Porsche 16 does a lot better than the Aston Martin and the Fiat 500 aesthetically. Purists will inevitably have comments on certain details or proportions and we could for example discuss the windshield a little too flat, the front cover not sufficiently domed, the rear window of the Targa made up of several elements that produce a rough effect, Headlights as big as the rims, axles of different colors for the wheels or somewhat coarse widenings of the rear fenders of the 911 Turbo.

However, many will be satisfied with what LEGO offers and I think some will even invest in two copies of the set to be able to align the two versions on their shelves. It is up to each to see at what level he sets the bar of his demands, his indulgence and his tolerance.

The assembly of the product is divided into two parts: the assembly of the "common trunk" which will serve as a basis for the two models followed by the addition of the mechanical and aesthetic elements which make it possible to differentiate the two vehicles. Good news, this Porsche 911 is equipped with functional steering.

However, we should not have to be overly pleased with the presence of this type of functionality which seems to fall under the union minimum on a high-end construction toy, but when we note that even recent models from the Technic range do not benefit no such function, we can be happy to have it here.

No one will play with this Porsche 911, but the assembly of this feature is a very entertaining addition to the sidelines of the stacking of white bricks and the presence of a steering will allow the wheels to steer at the ideal angle when driving. exposure of the model.

Do not rely too much on the instruction booklet to teach you more about the Porsche 911, just a few introductory pages to the glory of the model and designer Mike Psiaki and a few rare facts without interest over the pages. There was undoubtedly material to document this exhibition model a little better to please purists of the brand and automobile enthusiasts, especially on the occasion of a set which is clearly intended for an adult audience.

There are no stickers in this box, all the elements of the dashboard, the various license plates as well as the markings used to identify the two vehicles are pad printed. As often, there are some variations in color between the different parts that make up the body of the Porsche 911 and if we add the shadow on the edges of each part which reinforces the "brick wall" effect, we say that LEGO Perhaps this 911 should have chosen another color. Two of the side windows are also pad printed with a curved pattern and the white used does not really match that of the body.

Some useful explanations on the possibility of building a Porsche 911 Turbo or a Targa version: As indicated above, the inventory of this box divided into 10 bags only allows you to assemble one of the two models and you will have to make your choice before reaching the 8th bag, which is common to both models, but which uses the parts it contains differently. The bags 9 and 10 are in turn used for one or the other of the models.

The two versions use rear axles of different lengths, and the designer has provided a clip on the common trunk on which the axle corresponding to the chosen model is inserted. It will also be necessary to change the rims and add or remove some parts of the engine depending on the version.

During a first assembly, everything rolls. The floor based on Technic elements, the very successful upholstery with front seats that tilt to allow access to the rear bench, the interior trim Dark orange et nougat with its somewhat minimalist dashboard, the massive but well-designed doors, the mechanical elements and part of the bodywork are assembled and then all you have to do is decide on the Turbo or Targa version and follow the instructions given in the booklet. 'instructions.

Switching from one model to the other after the fact is more complicated. I did it for this test and I had to disassemble from memory some elements of the Targa version to return to the common core assembled with the first seven bags of the product, collect the obtained parts and start assembling the attributes distinctive features of the Turbo version.

Converting one way or the other isn't documented, so it's a bit laborious and I bet a lot of buyers will be a little overwhelmed by the process and will just show off their top pick. So we can't really talk about a 2-in-1 product, it is rather a set that leaves you more simply the choice of the model and the possibility of converting it perhaps one day in the other. proposed version.

Aside from the usual flaws that you would almost get used to, such as color variations or striped transparent parts, there is a slightly more annoying problem here: on the 911 Turbo version, the rear of the white roof rests on a series of black studs and these are visible by transparency. The effect is not too disturbing in the photo above but it is more or less present depending on the angle and the lighting.

While it is possible to contact customer service for replacement clear parts, this is much less obvious for parts with thinner areas that let in light. I will not be led to believe that this detail has not been noticed by at least one person in charge of the validation of the product at LEGO and I deduce that this defect was not considered sufficiently important to justify a modification of the product. support placed under the rear of the roof.

In my opinion, the world's leading manufacturer of toys must absolutely concentrate on all these little details which spoil the fun a little instead of being scattered in various and varied experiments which only aim to flirt with adult customers. Packaging and marketing aren't everything when it comes to building customer loyalty. If the product itself does not live up to the promises made, the customer disappointed with those disappointing finishing details may not come back.

In short, I still conclude that LEGO offers us here a "collectible Porsche 911 model"acceptable which offers an entertaining assembly experience and which can be enthroned alongside the Ford Mustang without having to blush.

As usual, many LEGO fans will forgive the aesthetic approximations and the inevitable compromises associated with the limitations of the concept, they have already done so without balking for products much less successful than this one. The biggest defect of the product remains in my opinion the windshield much too flat to convince and this detail spoils all the efforts made to try to restore the curves of the vehicle.

The set will go on sale on the official online store at the public price of € 139.99 from next February 16 for a VIP preview that will allow those in a hurry to be offered a ticket for a thematic goodies pack.

Note: The set presented here, provided by LEGO, is as usual involved. Deadline fixed at 28th February 2021 next at 23pm. "The" I try, I participate "are automatically deleted, make an effort.

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.