LEGO Technic 42172 McLaren P1 designers took model ‘to the limit’

In a new video, the LEGO Technic design team reveals that pushing 42172 McLaren P1 ‘to the limit’ was one of their key objectives for the upcoming set.

The LEGO Group today revealed 42172 McLaren P1, a 3,893-piece recreation of the iconic hypercar that’s due to launch on August 1. The LEGO Technic set measures over 14cm high, 59cm long and 25cm wide, with the 1:8 scale model being the next addition to the Ultimate Car Concept Series.

However, translating the distinctive shape of the real car’s curvaceous bodywork and detailed interior functionality presented unique challenges for the LEGO Technic design team working on 42172 McLaren P1.

In a new video for the upcoming set, Jeppe Juul Jensen, Design Director for the LEGO Group and Creative Lead for the LEGO Technic design team, and designer Kasper René Hansen discuss what went into the development of 42172 McLaren P1 and how the team wanted to push the set ‘to the limit.’

“The most important thing was to catch the overall curves of the real McLaren P1,” said Kasper. “The way the headlights are shaped is actually (based on) the McLaren logo and integrated into the front lights and the rear air intakes are the same shape.”

When it came to the McLaren P1’s iconic butterfly doors, the team had to create a new mechanism in order to keep them open. “When you open up the doors you actually see all of the Technic beams that move down, all the way to a shock absorber that’s spring-loaded,” Kasper explains. “So now the doors can stay open and (they will) release when you press the shock absorbers when the doors are down.”

The rear of the real McLaren P1 also presented anther test for the LEGO Technic design team. “The challenge for us was to get the curves that go down at the end of the rear (of the car) and the shape that goes up on the edge afterwards,” said Kasper.

“I remember looking at the real (McLaren P1),” noted Jeppe, “the way the spoiler moves is the same (as the 42172 McLaren P1). It goes up and tips like the real McLaren P1 and it hides in the body.”

The interior of the 42172 McLaren P1 also required plenty of creative thinking to achieve the look the team was after. “Inside you’ll see the gearbox and V8 piston engine,” Kasper elaborated, “(The gearbox) is connected to the paddle shifter behind the steering wheel and can (be moved) slower or faster.”

“For the LEGO Technic (team),” said Jeppe, “that’s what brings the passion and the joy, because we want things to work (in the sets) just as they do in the real cars.”

42172 McLaren P1 races onto LEGO.com and into LEGO stores on August 1, priced at £389.99 / $449.99 / €449.99. Insiders members who purchase the LEGO Technic set from that date until August 7 will also receive a free buildable McLaren P1 logo GWP, while stocks last.

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Author Profile

Matt Yeo

From video game journalism to kids’ publishing, I’ve been there, seen it, done it and worn the T-shirt. I was also the editor of the first-ever official LEGO magazine way back when, LEGO Adventures. I have a passion for movies, comic books, tech and video games, with a wallet that’s struggling to keep up with my LEGO set wish list.

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