Over the past week we’ve been building the LEGO Porsche 911 GT3 RS, a masterpiece in top-level building-blocks construction. This set is 2,704 pieces large, and it’s going to take you a few hours to construct, regardless of your skill level. This is the sort of set you put together in your spare moments – or something you spend an entire weekend on. Either way, you’ll find this vehicle ending up filling up your desk at 6” (17cm) high, 22” (57cm) long and 9” (25cm) wide. Welcome to Father’s Day. Or a rather late Mother’s Day. Either way, you’re looking at the ideal gift for any lover of fine vehicles, especially if they like the idea of building said cars from the ground up. Building this vehicle with LEGO Technic pieces over the course of several days gave me a greater appreciation for the intense scrutiny with which every single piece is placed. This does not feel like Jabba’s Sail Barge or even the much more massive MetalBeard’s Sea Cow. This set is no longer just a toy.
The first LEGO prototype was ready in a matter of weeks.” “We presented the result of the first model to the design team of the 911 GT3 RS at Porsche and discussed the basic technical functionalities as well as the shape of the body,” said Woodman. “On the basis of this feedback we designed the next model and simultaneously started with the development of the wheels rims which are an important part of the legendary design of the car. Afterwards we visited the Porsche Development Center in Weissach as well as the Porsche GT workshop area. During intensive working phases we worked out the elements and details of the car and perfected them.” “The final step was the approval by Porsche.” This vehicle is not just made from off-the-shelf LEGO parts. You’ll find a number of pieces made custom for this project – including pieces in the rims and a unique piece with serial number for each individual car – almost as if each vehicle had its own VIN number.
Each serial number can be entered online with LEGO for a unique certificate of ownership (which you can print yourself) and a series of LEGO Technic Porsche 911 GT3 RS wallpapers. Above you’ll see the certificate itself alongside one of the many wallpapers (a clipping of one, that is). “One of the biggest challenges for us laid in designing an element that works on the 911 GT3 RS, but also in general with all others LEGO Technic elements,” said Woodman. “Furthermore something that could work in our system for years to come.” “It was important to integrate as many of the advanced technical functionalities from the real 911 GT3 RS as we could,” said Wabra. “The steering and suspension were difficult enough, but our biggest challenge was the creation of the functioning double-clutch transmission with gearshift paddles.” This 1:8 scale model works with the following features: • Red suspension springs • Original-design rims with RS emblem
• Adjustable rear spoiler • Detailed brake calipers • Working steering wheel with gearshift paddles • Glove compartment with unique model serial number • Opening hood with removable suitcase • Opening rear lid* * Under the rear lid you’ll find the vehicle’s moving flat 6 engine. When the stick is in gear, gears engage and the motor moves. When the stick is in neutral, the car’s wheels still move, but the engine does not. Needless to say, the final product – and building the model – is extremely rewarding for the builder. Though this piece of art was just released, you may end up having trouble finding it for sale anywhere other than 3rd-party retailers. As we publish this review, the LEGO Store online suggests that the car is “Temporarily out of stock” – which could mean that it’s just not quite up to speed for sales yet, or that it really, truly isn’t available because the lot has sold out. According to LEGO: “We have experienced delays in shipping the Porsche and are working tirelessly to correct the issue.
As always, our design team has focused on designing a premium product and we want to ensure that it arrives at your doorstep in premium condition.” If you’re lucky, you’ll find it in a LEGO Store near you (in a physical store) or you’ll keep clicking the refresh button. You’ll be laying down $299.99 USD if you find this set at LEGO. Create a Just Bricks account and you'll: - Receive exclusive offers via email (no spam, promise) - Browse and Checkout much faster - Access your purchase history and change your detailsThere are 2,704 pieces for building the model, which Lego explains are packed in individual assembly groups to give model builders an insight into the assembly process of the actual 911How does buying a brand new Porsche 911 for US$300 sound? Well now's your chance, because Lego has announced a new Technic model version of the car's GT3 RS variant. The 1:8 scale model measures 57 x 25 x 17 cm (22 x 10 x 7 in) and was developed in partnership with Porsche.In a deft nod to the tactics used by carmakers to keep their new vehicles secret, Lego actually showed off the new model in black and white camouflage at the Nuremberg toy fair in January.
Now, though, the full design has been unveiled and the model's color matches the bright orange of its big brother.Lego has tried to design the Technic model with many of the features that give the 911 its identity. It mimics the smooth, curved and sloping design, the large front air intakes, the outlets on the front wheel arches and, of course, the big rear wing.Among the more intricate features that you'd expect to find in a Technic model are a fully functional double-clutch transmission with four gears, a steering wheel with gearshift paddles, a six-cylinder flat (or boxer) engine with moving pistons, a detailed dashboard and a glove compartment containing a unique serial number, with which it will be possible to access additional content online. Additional features include doors and a hood that open, a trunk with a case, stickers to add accurate aesthetics and faithfully designed rims.There are 2,704 pieces for building the model, which Lego explains are packed in individual assembly groups for the first time.