Review : LEGO Speed ​​Champions 76896 Nissan GT-R NISMO

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.