Life-size Lego replica cars are a growing trend. We've already seen the McLaren 720S and McLaren Senna get the full-size Lego treatment, while Bugatti went one stage further and built a fully working Chiron hypercar out of Lego bricks that can actually be driven. Now, Honda has continued the trend by transforming the Civic Type R hot hatch into a life-size Lego model.
The Civic Type R was built using 320,000 Lego bricks and took over 1,300 hours to assemble by hand by a team of nine led by Ryan McNaught, a Lego Certified Professional. A steel frame supports the structure and the bricks are all glued together for stability. At 2,866 pounds, the Lego Civic Type R is nearly as heavy as the real thing.
Using a real Civic Type R and CAD drawings for reference, the team were able to build the car from the ground up, layer by layer. Due to the car's unique shape, the team had to overcome several technical challenges such as the fragility of the window wipers and replicating the real car's floating rear spoiler.
It even features working headlights, daytime running lights, fog lights, hazard lights, brake and reversing lights, which can be controlled by an iPad. The attention to detail is remarkable, as even the Brembo lettering on the brake calipers has been replicated with painstaking accuracy. It's an even more impressive feat when you consider that only standard Lego bricks were used.
"We've loved the challenge of this project. The car is shaped with a considerable amount of curved lines, making it a tough but interesting build. From the working lights and indicators to intricate Lego Honda logos, the detail on the model has been a fun one for us to work on", said McNaught.
The 1:1 scale Lego Honda Civic Type R will be showcased various events in Australia in the coming months. Its first appearance will be on April 28 during the Lego Masters TV show, which will be judged by McNaught and local radio and TV personality Hamish Blake.
"Honda is a company that is all about creativity and innovation, so it's great to support a family show that mirrors these ideals so well," said Honda's Australia Director, Stephen Collins. "Through 'Lego Masters', we'll see some of the dreams of the contestants, and also fans, come to life – we're proud to be helping drive that."