Lego 911 G-series Turbo/Targa

Lego and Porsche has recently unveiled its latest creation – a G-series 911 which is a two-in-one LEGO Porsche 911 Turbo and 911 Targa set that brings together two icons from the 1970s and 80s.

Both forms of the 911 feature all the hallmarks of their namesakes, from the aerodynamic shoulder line to angled headlamps and sculpted bonnet with Porsche badge and rear-mounted flat six ‘boxer’ engine.

The detail isn’t only on the exterior, the seats and dashboard are finished in dark orange and nougat, based on the classic 911 upholstery. Further interior details include a handbrake, gearshift and functional steering, while the front seats also tilt forward for access to the rear bench seats.

The 911 Turbo sports distinctive Turbo badging, a wide rear axle, turbocharger and intercooler whilst its look is completed with an integrated rear spoiler.The Targa on the other hand, has a fully-removable roof that can be stowed under the front bonnet, whilst the iconic Targa bar and wraparound window completes the look.

LEGO is also offering the first buyers the chance to receive a limited-edition LEGO Porsche owners pack with their purchase. The pack contains a certificate of ownership, an official LEGO Porsche card wallet and a set of four unique art prints based on contemporary Porsche 911 adverts, all presented in a smart collector’s wallet.

It has 1,458 pieces and is available from March 1st for £119.99.

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Ferrari 488 GTE AF Corse #51 by Lego

If movie memorabilia like the Ghostbusters ECTO 1 doesn’t cut it for your Lego building days, Lego has recently revealed a new motorsport inspired set – Ferrari’s 488 GTE “AF CORSE #51” based on the race car that tackles the world’s endurance races. It is the first Lego model to be designed with Ferrari and helps extend its long standing relationship.

The Lego model is 48cm long with 1,677 individual Lego technic pieces, for ages 18+. The beautiful model features front and rear suspension, aerodynamic curves, a V8 engine with moving pistons and a steering wheel emblazoned with the Prancing Horse badge to help the model truly come alive. Original race number #51, sponsor stickers and the authentic Tricolore paint job add the perfect finish to this epic model.

The Ferrari 488 GTE will be available in all Lego stores and online on January 1st (so don’t go spending all that Christmas money your nan gives you until then) at a price of £169.99.

Lego Ghostbusters ECTO-1

Cars aren’t protagonists in films however manage to garner a cult following – think of the Mustang in Bullitt, the VW Beetle in Herbie or James Bond’s Aston Martin DB5. Well the ECTO-1 from Ghostbusters is part of that company and Lego has created its largest and most detailed version ever.

The car  is full of authentic details from the iconic converted 1959 Cadillac Miller-Meteor ambulance including a range of tools and features needed by any Ghostbuster to track and catch ghoulish enemies. Perfect for film buffs and Lego buffs alike, the set features a moving ghost sniffer activated by the wheels, an extendable rear gunner seat, working steering wheel and a whole host of other paranormal detection equipment on the detailed roof rack. Lego created two new bricks for this set, the curved windscreen and the 5-module steering wheel.

Available from 15th November online and Lego retailers, the 2,3252 piece set is a perfect Christmas present ahead of the release of the latest Ghostbusters: Afterlife that launches in 2021.

Aston Martin DB5 Junior – MUST HAVE

Remember the Bugatti Baby II from a few weeks back? Well the team at the Little Car Company aren’t resting on their laurels and have built a fantastic Aston Martin DB5 Junior, an electric two-thirds scale version of the marque’s most iconic car.

Staying true to the original, only 1059 models will be built with original owners being offered the first opportunity to purchase matching chassis number DB5 Juniors to their DB5. Unlike the Bugatti Baby II, the DB5 Junior can accommodate an adult and a child sitting together in the cockpit. The body is a composite body sitting atop an aluminium honeycomb chassis.

This may be a toy to some but it doesn’t mean it shouldn’t truly represent the details of the car it mimics – sporting the same iconic Aston Martin wings, shield and DB5 badges as the original 1963 model. The dashboard is fitted with functional Smiths instruments, cleverly updated for the modern era. The fuel gauge is now a battery meter and the oil temperature gauge reads the electric motor temperature. The detailing didn’t stop there, the car is painted in the same Silver Birch paint as standard, with a full black leather interior and carpet set.

As with the Bugatti Baby, the DB5 Junior is available with three drive modes – Novice which has a 12mph top speed with 1kW of power and a remote kill switch if your young driver decides to venture out of the 30m range, Expert mode increases the power to 5kW and a top speed of 30mph and Race mode which is a ‘Balance of Performance’ setting aligning the top speed with some of the other models in the car company range.

If that isn’t enough for the young speed demon, there is the upgraded DB5 Vantage model which adds a fourth driving mode – Vantage mode – that is accessed through the hidden missile switch doubling the output to 10kW. A limited slip differential is fitted to ensure the power is put down on the ground properly, the body is made of carbon fibre making the model lighter and a second battery pack is added increasing the range to 20-40 miles.

The DB5 Junior starts at £35,000 plus local taxes, while the more powerful DB5 Vantage Junior is offered from £45,000 plus local taxes. Owners can customise the models to match their full size vehicles.

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McLaren Senna Ride-On Toy

This is the third car in McLaren’s range of cars for those a little too young to get behind the wheel of a McLaren road car. The Senna ‘Ride-On’ children’s model is a track focussed electrified model and is available in five authentic McLaren colours: black, white, Mira orange, Vega blue and Memphis red.

Yes you have counted correctly, there are only five colours listed there as the sixth colour is a special one: yellow with green accents mimicking Ayrton Senna’s helmet is exclusive to McLaren retailers.

It may not be on the same level as the Bugatti Baby II we reported on a few weeks ago but in truth it is aimed at three to six year olds and is considerably cheaper, coming in at £375.

The McLaren Senna ‘Ride-On’ features all the functions of last year’s 720S model, including working dihedral doors to allow easy access. Inside, there is an authentic push-button start which activates McLaren Senna engine sounds and the young drivers are able to play music via an infotainment system that can access files from a USB device or SD card and the Senna also includes a working brake with brake light.

Bugatti Baby II – MUST HAVE

As a child, driving around in an electric car experiencing that freedom in the back garden was peak enjoyment. Some electric toy cars resembled their larger ICE counterparts better than others and this leads me to this.

What had originally started as a one-off present from Ettore Bugatti to his grandson Roland for his fourth birthday, the Bugatti Baby was a hit with Bugatti customers, so much so that 500 were sold between 1927 and 1936.

In 2020, the Little Car Company has taken that concept and ran with it. The Bugatti Baby II is based on the Bugatti Type 35, the most successful racing car of all time, and like the original, it too will be limited to 500 units.

The Baby II is a three-quarters-size replica of the Bugatti Type 35 so it can be driven by both adults and children. It is fitted with a rear-wheel drive electric powertrain powered by three removable lithium ion batteries, a limited slip differential and regenerative braking. It comes in two selectable power modes; 1kW Novice Mode limited to 20km/h and 4kW Expert Mode limited to 45km/h, but much like the modern Bugattis, there is an optional Speed Key that winds the power up to 10kW and removes the speed limiter.

Other elements that make this unique is the plaque displaying a unique chassis number and the famous Macaron badge made of 50g of silver.

Now if you haven’t gathered yet, this isn’t a cheap toy – offered in three models – Base, Vitesse and Pur Sang. The Base is fitted with composite bodywork, standard 1.4kWh battery and standard powertrain and only one choice of colour and interior at a cost of €30,000.

The Vitesse is fitted with the long range 2.8kWh battery and high performance powertrain with the Speed Key included. Bodywork is made of Carbon fibre and can be optioned in 21 exterior colours and eight interior leather colours with an option to upgrade to Bridge of Weir Leather, known for incredibly soft leather in some of the world’s best cars. Prices for Vitesse start at €43,500.

The Pur Sang goes one further, remaining true to the original Type 35 with hand formed aluminium bodywork that takes 200 hours to create. It carries the same powertrain and battery, including the Speed Key of the Vitesse and prices for that start at €58,500. I would shy away from the traditional French Racing Blue and pick Jaune Molsheim (contemporary yellow) with the upgraded Bridge of Weir Leather in Lake Blue.

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IWC Racing 300SL Hot Wheels: MUST HAVE

When IWC CEO, Christoph Grainger-Herr announced in an interview that he loved Hot Wheels and was an avid collector, it was only a matter of time until the two brands collaborated.

IWC Racing and Mattel created a 1:64 replica of the IWC Racing 300SL which will be familiar to anybody that has been to or watched the Goodwood Members Meeting over the past few years. David Coulthard, former F1 driver and IWC brand ambassador has raced the IWC Racing 300SL to victory at the Goodwood circuit taking the Tony Haze Trophy in 2019.

The 1:64 model forms part of the Team Transport Series, meaning the model comes with its designated transporter, the Euro Hauler. The car is a detailed replica of the full-size model with the exact livery, wheels, and interior of the actual car.

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