Review : LEGO Technic 42096 Porsche 911 RSR

Today we make a little detour to the LEGO Technic range with the set 42096 Porsche 911 RSR (1580 pieces - 149.99 €) that LEGO presents to us as "developed in partnership with Porsche"and which allows to assemble"an authentic replica"of the vehicle in question.

You might as well get rid of the inevitable comparison with the Porsche 911 GT3 RS from set 42056 marketed since 2016 (2704 pieces - 299.99 €), the two models do not share much in common apart from their desire to reproduce two versions of the same vehicle. This 911 RSR is 7 cm shorter and 5 cm narrower than the GT3 RS version and it does not benefit from the same features as the model "Luxury"from 2016.

So don't expect to have many Technic functions here, it's more of a simple licensed mockup based on Technic parts than a product that will turn your kids into future NASA engineers.

You have to be content with the doors that open, a steering that is a little soft and hardly usable with a steering wheel placed very low and difficult to access, a six-cylinder engine set in motion by the rear axle and whose pistons move during travel and four suspensions that do their job very well. No sequential gearbox, steering wheel paddles or other mechanical refinements on this model.

I do not generally post photos of the sticker sheets present in the different sets that I present to you here, but this Porsche 911 RSR does not exist without its wrapping (do not listen to those who tell you the opposite to hide their plates stickers in a binder ...) and there is also another problem posed by the fifty or so stickers to stick on the vehicle.

Some of these stickers are printed on a pristine white background which is not the same shade (slightly cream) as the body parts. The end result is a little disappointing because of the contrast between the two shades which becomes obvious depending on the light used.

The assembly is very pleasant, with the usual progression of chassis, functions, engine, bodywork. Nothing complicated here, this set is accessible even to the youngest fans. It will take a little patience to finally see the Porsche take shape thanks to the implementation of the various bodywork elements.

The four wings are pad printed, it's always four less stickers to stick. The wheel arches are a little too wide for my taste, or the wheels are too small in diameter, but we'll make do with it.

Competition vehicle requires, the cockpit comes down to a bucket seat, a few instruments and the steering wheel. This is consistent with the sporting vocation of this vehicle which evolves in the FIA ​​World Endurance Championship, we can't blame LEGO on this point. As I said above, the steering wheel seems to me to be placed a little too low in the passenger compartment.

The naturally aspirated flat-six engine is recessed at the rear, but it won't completely disappear under the body and will remain visible when lifting the rear panel. This is a good point that allows you to take advantage of the only assembly really "Technic"from the set.

The curves of the body are embodied by tubes Flex which are struggling a bit on this model as on others. It is also necessary to place them and bend them correctly for the effect to be successful. On this model, LEGO also split a reproduction of the central wiper. Why not, even if I could have done without.

The roof hatch is embodied here only by a simple sticker and we could also discuss the somewhat rough rendering of the headlights. On the reference vehicle, the bubble effect is not as pronounced as on the LEGO version. I still prefer the option chosen here by the designer rather than the flat headlights of the model of the set 42056 which leave too much empty space around their location.

Speaking of glass surfaces, I wouldn't be against a few transparent elements to reproduce the windshield and side windows of these models, no offense to the fundamentalists of the LEGO Technic range. This range is already evolving with the regular addition of new parts and will continue to evolve with or without their agreement.

Where this Porsche 911 RSR also makes a big impression is in the finish of the front and rear rocker panels. Apparent blue pines aside, the solutions adopted by the designer ensure a very clean rendering. Special mention for the ingenious use of two quarter-toothed crowns at the front and at the rear with a perfectly reproduced diffuser.

The rear spoiler is perfectly positioned, it just lacks the Adidas stickers on the side trim ... The mirrors are a bit massive but that doesn't shock me too much.

In short, this Porsche 911 has nothing to envy aesthetically to its big sister of the set 42056 Porsche 911 GT3 RS even if it logically offers fewer features. I prefer the sporty look of this exhibition model, having no particular passion for LEGO gearboxes ...

If you haven't bought the 42056 set (€ 299.99) yet and just want a Porsche 911 to display on a shelf, you can in my opinion save some tickets and go to this set which is sold at the retail price of 149.99 € on the LEGO Shop which will inevitably end up on sale around 100 € at Amazon.

If you prefer to keep your stickers in the back of a cupboard, you will not really enjoy the look of this Porsche 911 RSR, many stickers reproducing details of the different body parts.

It's up to you.

Note: The set shown here is put into play as usual. To participate in the raffle, simply post a comment on this article before January 13, 2019 at 23:59 p.m.. You have every right to disagree with me, this is not eliminatory.

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.