Review: LEGO Speed ​​Champions 76897 1985 Audi Quattro S1

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.