McLaren and Lego have been working together for quite some time. The unlikely duo have collaborated on a number of highly complex kits, including 1:8 scale versions of the Senna GTR and the MCL36 F1 race car.
But now the relationship has been taken to the next level, with a 1:1 Lego replica of the famous P1 hitting the market that uses a whopping 342,817 Lego Technic pieces (yes, someone actually counted them) and a combination of Technic batteries and a small EV battery to keep it powered.
The car was more than just a stunning model that wowed the public. Both McLaren and Lego’s engineers got to work creating eight motor packs, each consisting of 96 Lego Power Function motors. This means the car has a total of 768 Lego motors, allowing it to reach speeds of up to 40 mph (64 km/h).
That’s not bad, especially when you consider the whole thing weighs 1,220kg, which is only around 200kg lighter than the actual McLaren P1 – complete with a big, fat twin-turbocharged V8 engine and a hybrid system.
Clearly faced with a lot of boring rainy days, it took the 23 specialists from both Lego and McLaren 8,344 hours of development and construction to complete. Although there is no telling how many cups of tea and chocolate biscuits they ate.
To prove that the 1:1 replica actually works, the team put McLaren Formula 1 Team driver Lando Norris in the hot seat and had him take it for a hot lap around the famous Silverstone circuit (above). There, the car completed the full 3.66 miles without falling apart.
Stone by boring stone
As publicity stunts go, this is one of the most intricate we’ve ever seen. While the wheels, steering wheel, and steel chassis of the original are present, the rest of the build is made from Technic elements, including 11 that were molded specifically for this model.
Granted, it’s intended to sell more Lego Technic McLaren P1 1:8 scale models ($449.99 / £389.99 / €449.99 / AU$699.99, if you’re interested) before Christmas, but it’s also a testament to just how seriously these Technic guys take their models.
Building the 1:8 McLaren P1 kit alone is a major undertaking, as it comprises 3,893 parts, including a seven-speed gearbox, a V8 piston engine and working suspension.
There is no word yet on whether Lego will release the manual for the 1:1 scale model. That’s a shame, because it feels like the cheapest way to own a P1.