Perfectly recreating the organic design lines of the world’s fastest production car – the iconic Bugatti Chiron – the LEGO Technic life-size model pushes the boundaries of what LEGO builders imagined was possible to build in LEGO elements.
The model is the first large scale movable construction developed using over 1,000,000 LEGO Technic elements and powered exclusively using motors from the LEGO Power Function platform. Packed with 2,304 motors and 4,032 LEGO Technic gear wheels, the engine of this 1.5 tonnes car is generating 5.3 horse power and an estimated torque of 92 Nm.
Facts and numbers:
- Over 1,000,000 LEGO elements in total
- 339 types of LEGO TECHNIC elements used
- No glue used in the assembly
- Total weight: 1500 kg
- Engine contains:
- 2,304 LEGO Power Function Motors
- 4,032 LEGO TECHNIC gear wheels
- 2,016 LEGO TECHNIC cross axles
- Theoretical performance of 5.3 HP
- Estimated Torque of 92 Nm
- Functional rear spoiler (using both LEGO Power Functions and Pneumatics)
- Functional speedometer built entirely from LEGO TECHNIC elements
- 13,438-man hours used on development and construction
- The model comes with real Bugatti Chiron wheels and emblem
“This life-size model is a first of its kind in so many ways and with it, we wanted to push the boundaries of our own imagination. For over 40 years, LEGO Technic has allowed fans of all ages to test their creativity with a building system that challenges them to go beyond just creating new designs, to also engineering new functions. It’s a fascinating example of the LEGO Technic building system in action and its potential for creative reinvention,” said Lena Dixen, Senior Vice President of Product and Marketing at the LEGO Group.
Seen from a distance side by side, the resemblance of the two cars is striking. Get closer and you will find a fascinating and complex outer ‘skin’ structure, built of interconnected triangular segments made into a LEGO Technic ‘fabric’ designed to mimic the iconic shapes of the original Chiron. Peek inside and discover that every single detail of the original car has been carefully and precisely recreated in LEGO Technic elements – from seats, to dashboard and the steering wheel.
Equipped with a rear spoiler, speedometer, front and back-lights, detachable steering wheel and brake pedal, all fully functional and built of LEGO Technic elements, the model is a dream come true for any LEGO fan. Building it required the use of 339 types of LEGO Technic elements, and over 13,000 work hours of development and construction.
Building a one of a kind LEGO Technic life-size car is one part of the task. Testing if it can drive is another. And what better location than the same place where the real Chiron was first tested – Ehra Lessien proving ground in Germany – a unique facility built to handle speed.
The LEGO Bugatti Chiron on the test track.
One weekend afternoon, the LEGO model took off and accelerated to everyone’s joy and amazement. And while it may not match the original Bugatti Chiron’s mindboggling 420 km/h speed, the LEGO Technic’s power function motors have managed the impressive performance to propel it to a little over 20km/h – ultimately making the ‘Build for Real’ idea truly complete.
“When I first saw the LEGO Chiron, I was immediately impressed by the accuracy of the model and the minute attention to detail. In fact, from about 20 metres away it’s not obvious that you are looking at a LEGO car. I can only imagine how much time and effort went into making this model said” Andy Wallace – the driver behind the LEGO Technic Chiron – former racing driver with multiple wins of the 24 Hours of Le Mans and Daytona.
Andy and his LEGO Bugatti Chiron.
“Driving the LEGO Chiron was a great experience, which I thoroughly enjoyed. All those years ago I could never have imagined that one day I would actually drive a LEGO car!” Andy added.
The LEGO Technic life-size Bugatti Chiron will be unveiled for the first time at the Grand Prix Formula 1 event in Monza, Italy, if you are heading to the Grand Prix this weekend be sure to check it out!.
You can purchase you very own 1:8 scale LEGO Technic Bugatti Chiron it you want a sense of what the designers had to do in order to achieve this feat.
Why is the LEGO Bugatti Chiron so special?
- first fully-functional self-propelled life-size LEGO TECHNIC car
- first non-glued LEGO TECHNIC model of such complexity
- first large model powered using LEGO TECHNIC power function motors
- first large-scale moving model using LEGO TECHNIC bricks & elements
- first time to create new types of transparent LEGO TECHNIC bricks
- first time to create load bearing parts build purely out of LEGO TECHNIC bricks & elements. …using 58 types of TECHNIC custom-made elements
Photographs by LEGO and Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S.