mobanmarketThere are loads of brilliant Lego models out there that we would love to get our hands on but this latest – paying tribute to one of the most iconic Japanese supercars, the Nissan GT-R Nismo – tops our want list!
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This is the first-ever partnership between Lego and the Japanese automaker and the awesome model – which will be available globally in January 2020 – was revealed by Lego Group CEO Niels B. Christiansen and Asako Hoshino, executive vice president at Nissan, at the automaker’s global headquarters in Yokohama.
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The Lego Speed Champions Nissan GT-R Nismo is one of the first in the 2020 Speed Champions themed sets and is 25 per cent bigger than in previous years. Made from 298 Lego elements, it captures the authentic and intricate details of the life-size race car in a relatively small Lego model which posed an interesting challenge for Lego design lead Chris Stamp.
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“Authenticity is always our main concern, and we spent a lot of time exploring different building techniques to correctly recreate the taillights, as they are one of the most recognizable details on the car. I am really happy with the end result,” he said.
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Hiroshi Tamura, Nissan’s chief product specialist for the GT-R – known informally as “Mr. GT-R” – also gave the scaled-down version his stamp of approval. “The GT-R has been part of my life since I was 10 years old. Working with the Lego Group was like awakening my inner 10-year-old self to rediscover what makes the GT-R so special to me. It’s amazing how much the Lego Group’s attention to detail reminds me of our own craftsmen,” he said.
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Hoshino added: “The Nissan GT-R and the Lego brand are both renowned and loved by fans of all ages throughout the world, and we are honored to be the first-ever Japanese car manufacturer to partner with the Lego Group. Many of our Nissan customers can trace their automotive passion back to when they built Lego cars as children. With this partnership, everyone can be a `takumi’ – the specialized craftsmen that build the GT-R. And, it’s the GT-R’s 50th anniversary this year, so what better way to celebrate than to share the GT-R with Nissan and Lego fans around the world!”
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Since the introduction of the Lego wheel in 1962, cars have played a central role in thousands of Lego sets and in the hearts, minds and play of millions of children across the world.
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