Review : LEGO Creator Expert 10271 Fiat 500

I hadn't forgotten the LEGO Creator Expert set 10271 Fiat 500, but this box of 960 pieces sold for 84.99 € arrived at my place after the launch of the product and it is therefore only today that I give you some impressions of this set of which you already know almost everything.

To be honest, I am one of those who find that this Fiat 500 in a LEGO version only looks very similar to the model from which it was inspired. Once again, LEGO is venturing in my opinion on slippery ground with this set which tries as best it can to reproduce a car with very pronounced curves, as was already the case in 2018 for the Aston Martin of the set. 10262 James Bond Aston Martin DB5. I still welcome the risk-taking even if the end result seems to me far from being up to what we can expect from the world leader in toys in 2020.

Paradoxically, I also think that the designer is doing honorably on many points given the almost impossible challenge to meet while respecting the technical and financial constraints imposed by the manufacturer. A few MOCeurs have also engaged in the exercise, with a result that seems more convincing to me, but little is known about the strength of their creations and their ability to eventually be marketed as is.

On this official model, everything is fine until we start to assemble the different body parts. We quickly realize that the Fiat 500 in the LEGO version will unfortunately not have the curves of the reference model and the front gradually takes the form of a Polish Fiat 126 while the rear evolves into the design of 'a Diane (Citroën), in particular because of windows that were too flat and straight to really pay homage to the Fiat 500. The designer still managed to fit two examples of the glass already seen on the canopy of the stadium from the LEGO set. Creator Expert 10272 Old Trafford - Manchester United, but these elements which could have been useful for a reproduction of the Fiat Multipla do not ultimately add much to this model.

The small engine placed at the rear is among the most successful elements of the set, with a very satisfactory level of detail. The upholstery is also very correct with a rear bench and front seats which bring a welcome touch of color to this model whose body in "Cool yellow"may seem a little bland. We note that the folding front seats are fixed to the floor via nougat-colored arms already seen in particular on the ice cream cone in the set The LEGO Movie 2 70822 Unikitty's Sweetest Friends EVER!.

The driving position benefits from an exemplary finish and nothing has been forgotten: gear lever, mobile handbrake, speedometer, adjustable steering wheel with pad-printed Fiat logo, everything is there. The interior of the doors is also very well done with a trim that incorporates the color Dark Red seats and handles. The trunk placed at the front accommodates a spare wheel (without hubcap) which slips in front of the tank. There is nothing to say about the interior of the vehicle, it is faithful to the reference model and is detailed enough for a model in the LEGO Creator Expert range.

Things go wrong when it comes to returning to the body parts and installing the rear window, windshield and roof equipped with a movable tarpaulin. It's angular and really too flat with a very unsightly staircase effect at the back. The side beads which try to reproduce the hooking of the bodywork at this point help to reinforce the impression that the vehicle is "pointing" upwards. To me, the real Fiat 500 is a pretty "little ball" and I don't get that feeling here.

Seen from the side, this Fiat 500 reveals the stacking of parts characteristic of vehicles from the LEGO Creator Expert range. We like it or not, but we can't blame the designer for having respected the codes of the range. We will note some differences in color between the different yellow pieces, with for example some tiles which are slightly darker than conventional bricks.

Regarding the front side windows, the designer has not complicated the task: there are none. More annoying, the absence of mirrors and the single wiper present on the reference model. The addition of two mirrors would however have made it possible to give a little volume to the front and to satisfy the purists. On the roof, the tarpaulin consists of a very fine fabric element which does its job when handling the mechanism. I'm not a fan of these fabric-based shortcuts but here it was hard to do otherwise to stay true to the real Fiat 500.

To remind us that this is an Italian vehicle and incidentally a Fiat 500, LEGO is adding in the box an easel with a painting on the background of the Colosseum and some accessories. We are in the absolute cliché and the presence of the reference vehicle on the table in my opinion only reinforces the impression that what we have just built is not really a Fiat 500 ... The suitcase to be fixed on the rear luggage rack is welcome, it is covered with stickers but it brings a nice finishing touch to the model. LEGO also provides three sets of interchangeable license plates with Italian, German and Danish versions.

In summary, I think that the vehicle to be built here is largely of the level of what one would expect from a model of the LEGO Creator Expert range in terms of the pleasure of assembly, the complexity of the techniques used and the level interior detail. Unfortunately, the experience is marred a bit by an exterior appearance which is far from paying homage to the benchmark vehicle.

The LEGO fan is often very indulgent with the manufacturer, I know that many of you will be content with this little yellow car even if it only vaguely resembles a Fiat 500. For my part, I expect a little more serious when it comes to offering a model in a "LEGO Creator Expert" version and I think that there are challenges that you have to know to leave aside if you do not intend to invest to produce the parts necessary to obtain an acceptable result.

Note: The set presented here, supplied by LEGO, is as usual in play. Deadline fixed at March 17, 2020 next at 23pm.

Update : The winner was drawn and 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. Shipment of the batch as soon as the sanitary situation permits.