Review : LEGO Technic 42098 Car Transporter

Today we move quickly with the LEGO Technic set 42098 Car Transporter (2493 pieces - 169.99 €), a big box that allows us to assemble a vehicle transport truck with its trailer and something to transport in the form of a blue car that will bring back memories to all those who have added the set 42093 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 to their collection.

The truck to be built here can accommodate five vehicles distributed over the two decks of the tractor and the trailer. Unfortunately, LEGO only provides one vehicle in this box, so four are missing to fill this transport truck. By adding the Corvette ZR1 from set 42093, which is on the same scale, all you have to do is build three more cars, taking inspiration from the two models you already have and which have similar chassis.

As with the Corvette ZR1, the eight cylinders of the engine are set in motion here when traveling and remain visible through the opening of the front cover. It's obviously not very realistic, but it's still one more feature. The steering is managed via a set of axles that cross the chassis and controlled using a thumbwheel placed in the middle of the rear bumper. Hopefully, LEGO has other vehicles on the same scale in its boxes that can either complete a collection or come and sit on this transport truck.

In this box, LEGO has divided the bags into three distinct groups: Those used to assemble the blue car, those used to build the tractor and finally those needed to assemble the trailer. No sub-assemblies, it is necessary to unpack and sort all the bags in each group before assembling the module concerned. This somewhat crude distribution of parts may annoy those used to the usual conditioning, but once the many pins have been isolated, there aren't many parts left to sort out before you start building.

The tractor is then assembled with its directional direction via two knobs and its cabin which tilts forward to reveal the truck's six-cylinder engine. The designer had the good idea to integrate two knobs to orient the wheels of the truck: the one placed above the cabin is no longer accessible when a vehicle occupies the front of the upper deck, so you have to use the one. placed on the side of the truck.

Like the set 42097 Compact Crawler Crane, this box is aimed at the youngest enthusiasts who are gradually learning the intricacies of the LEGO Technic range. The sub-assemblies that will be used to lower the upper deck ramp and tilt the driver's cabin while lifting the ramp placed just above it are relatively simple to build and the worm mechanism that runs on a rack remains visible even when the set is fully assembled.

The trailer is built on a model similar to the tractor with a worm and rack mechanism to lower the loading ramp and a thumbwheel that deploys the rear rails. It is also not possible to load a car without using the trailer, the tractor is not equipped with extendable rails. Here also the assembly is accessible to the youngest without really complex mechanical substructure. As with the tractor, the various functions are documented by explicit stickers.

On the upper deck of the trailer, there are yellow brackets whose mission is to keep the loaded vehicles in place during transport. It suffices to move forward by rolling over them and they are set up under the chassis of the vehicle concerned. A lever placed on the side of the white railing allows the two brackets to be lowered to release the vehicle. Rustic but functional.

When the trailer is attached to the tractor, vehicles can travel from the lower trailer deck to the truck decks via two extendable rails that provide the connection between the trailer and the tractor. It is obviously necessary to rework a little to take advantage of all these features, but each of the mechanisms fulfills its role perfectly and the gameplay is assured.

When loading, the truck tends to move forward a little. Too bad a wheel locking system has not been implemented, we sometimes get annoyed having to hold the cabin to prevent the fact of sliding the car into the trailer to move the whole.

The tractor cabin tilts forwards via a side lever and the mechanism lifts the front of the upper deck. It's very well done and it's an opportunity to take advantage of the six-cylinder engine hidden under the cabin. The doors open, two seats are installed inside and there are even mirrors with blind spot mirrors.

The set uses many panels essential to provide an acceptable level of finish to the tractor cab. There is therefore also a large sheet of stickers to stick on the different elements while trying to respect the alignment between the patterns that circulate on the body. Some stickers are also used to document the functions of the set, including the levers that allow the vehicle locking devices to be disengaged.

In short, I am really won over by this set. It offers an approach to the LEGO Technic concept accessible to the youngest with visible and understandable mechanisms, maximum playability with simple but effective features that allow vehicles to be loaded and unloaded in different configurations and a nice finish of the cabin a bit in the spirit of what the set proposed 42078 Mack Anthem. Once the set is assembled, there is still room on this truck that only asks to transport your creations.

THE SET 42098 CAR TRANSPORTER ON THE LEGO SHOP >>

Note: The set shown here, supplied by LEGO, is included as usual. To participate in the draw, all you have to do is post a comment (avoid "I participate, I try, etc ..." be a little more constructive) on this article before the August 28, 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.