Review: LEGO Technic 42123 McLaren Senna GTR

Today we are quickly interested in the content of the LEGO Technic 42123 McLaren Senna GTR set, a box of 830 pieces, expected in January 2021 at the public price of 49.99 €, which allows to assemble a reproduction of the hypercar presented for the first time in 2018 at the Geneva Motor Show and since produced only 75 units.

LEGO is careful not to include an overall visual of the real McLaren Senna GTR on the packaging and is simply content with a view of the rear of the vehicle which is arguably the part of this LEGO toy that is most faithful to the model of reference. To put things in context, I remind you that the McLaren Senna GTR is it:

The LEGO version is a product of the Technic range and we therefore find under the hood a few assemblies based on axes and gears: a V8 engine whose pistons start to move when the vehicle is moving as LEGO has already proposed in other sets, a generic steering wheel that turns in a vacuum but a steering with a remote wheel on the roof and that's it. I'm not counting the two dihedral opening doors that pivot on a simple pine tree. Those considering a show model career for this vehicle will be able to remove the wheel placed on the roof, this is an "option" that simply improves the playability of the product.

The dilemma here is the same as for other LEGO reproductions of existing vehicles with a curvaceous and curvy design: how to pay homage to the reference model with a relatively limited inventory, there are over 300 pins here out of the 830 pieces of the set, and ensure that the LEGO product maintains a family link, however distant, with what is promised on the box.

The stickers sometimes fly to the aid of designers by skilfully masking some aesthetic shortcuts and the flexible axes are also often used to round off shapes. This is the case here with a cockpit and wheel arches whose curves are visually emphasized by several of these parts.

Some details and other refinements are obviously overlooked on this scale: no brake discs, suspensions or shock absorbers, but we still keep two mirrors. An effort on the rims would have been appreciated, but LEGO is content to provide us with generic versions, wider at the rear. Too bad for the axles which clearly protrude from the rear rims and which are not the same color on both sides.

The rear spoiler is almost convincing, it just lacks a bit of tilt to be truly faithful. The front is really very messy with a big gray sticker a little off topic and the need to imagine the headlight glasses here replaced by emptiness.

Fans of the LEGO Technic universe never fail to point out that it is not the point of this range to provide us with pretty models that really look like the reference models. By force of circumstances, we can actually say that this is often the case and rare are the products which are really faithful to what they are trying to represent.

The scale used here does not help: with a vehicle a dozen centimeters wide and 32 cm long, you inevitably end up being entitled to a few rough sub-assemblies that will require some imagination. , or a little bad faith, to find them convincing. The aesthetic both aggressive and graceful of the real McLaren Senna GTR is therefore overlooked in favor of a reproduction that vaguely pays homage to the reference vehicle. Let's not lose sight of the fact that this is simply a children's toy sold for 50 €.

Many will be satisfied with it, they are not looking for a model making activity with this range and mainly concentrate on the elaborate assemblies which in principle make the salt of this universe. Speaking of model making, we reached here records for a set of this size with 46 stickers to stick.

For those who want to get a better idea of ​​the impact of these stickers on the assembly experience: With 220 assembly sequences in the instruction booklet, we stick on average one sticker every 5 steps. The only two pad-printed parts in the set are the front fenders.

Come on, for 50 € and undoubtedly a little less in the months which will follow its marketing, this small set which one especially much spoke about because it is under official license will easily find its public among those which want to garnish the trailer of the set. 42098 Car Transporter. The latter already hosts the muscle car blue supplied with the truck and the orange Corvette in the set 42093 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1, all these models displaying the same width of 12 cm.
Those looking for more convincing replicas of vehicles and who can afford to spend more will look to the big sets in the LEGO Technic range sold for up to several hundred euros.

Note: The set presented here, purchased by me, is put into play. Deadline fixed at 5th January 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.