Review: 76902 McLaren Elva
Posted by CapnRex101,
76902 McLaren Elva undoubtedly captures the aerodynamic shaping of this graceful open-top vehicle, featuring excellent detail and deviating from past Speed Champions cars. The exposed cockpit appears particularly unusual, matching the original McLaren Elva.
Considerable detail accordingly appears within the cockpit, complementing the smooth bodywork design which seems attractive. Numerous curved elements are therefore combined to superb effect, particularly across the front where subtle curvature is important. However, certain notable compromises have proven necessary.
Minifigure
Speed Champions minifigures commonly wear racing overalls. However, this example instead features a simple McLaren shirt, which includes appealing detail. The distinctive McLaren logo adorns both sides of the torso and I like the colour scheme of dark blue and orange, especially because this orange accent matches the modern Formula One team.
Moreover, the metallic silver honeycomb decoration looks excellent. The legs remain without printing though, while this female head is extremely common. As usual, both a racing helmet and hair piece are provided and there are no concerns about accommodating that hair piece here, since the McLaren Elva includes no potentially obstructive roof!
The Completed Model
76902 McLaren Elva appears less substantial than previous Speed Champions models at this scale, primarily because of the absent windscreen and roof. Nevertheless, the vehicle reaches nearly 16cm in length which matches other sets. The curvaceous bodywork looks wonderful as well, further maintaining the elevated standard associated with this theme since 2020.
This model appears similarly impressive from either side, where the smooth curvature of the bonnet seems particularly apparent. The dramatic recessed bodywork panels look appealing too, comprising slopes along the lower tier with angled plates above them. The upper band is therefore attached using clips, allowing both segments to move inwards slightly which can be frustrating.
Among the numerous pieces introduced since Speed Champions was launched during 2015, 1x2 curved wedge slopes are perhaps the most significant. Ten such elements are employed across the front of the McLaren Elva, producing an attractive shape around the metallic silver headlights. Choosing metallic silver for these headlights is surprising, although I welcome the avoidance of stickers here.
Furthermore, the central section of the bonnet is angled downwards, accurately recreating the gradual curve from the original car. The black vents appear similarly authentic and I love these wheel inserts, which have been developed to match the new dual-moulded tyres. However, the door mirrors are less impressive, lacking the aerodynamic profile of their source material.
Inevitably, the interior is particularly important here and I think the design looks excellent. The seats are perfectly positioned and the white headrests look brilliant, matching the actual seats which feature prominent headrests. Moreover, the seat backs are printed and display accurate designs, although this white printing is noticeably less vibrant than the headrests.
Another unique decorated piece adorns the cockpit, creating the distinctive tablet dashboard. Furthermore, the steering wheel is positioned directly in front of the driver, avoiding the offset arrangement which has detracted from past Speed Champions cars. The integration between the interior and exterior is authentic too, corresponding with the original McLaren Elva.
The weakest sections of this vehicle are probably the intakes behind the doors, which should appear more rounded. However, the bodywork behind the cockpit looks splendid and includes four stickers, depicting exhausts and the radiator cover. Only seven stickers are applied across the model which is considerably fewer than most Speed Champions cars, as one would expect since no stickered advertisements or racing numbers are required.
The bodywork towards the rear seems similarly unusual within the Speed Champions range, comprising four vertical bodywork panels. These correspond precisely with the actual vehicle and the exhausts also look fantastic, featuring two pearl silver candle elements. However, the narrow rear lights appear awkward. Their shape is ideal but these trans-red pieces blend with the surrounding black components, unfortunately.
Overall
Particularly distinctive subjects matters commonly provide inspiration for outstanding Speed Champions models and 76902 McLaren Elva maintains that trend. The aerodynamic shapes appear authentic when compared with the source material and I appreciate such tremendous detail inside the cockpit, most notably across the seats.
The intakes which flank the cockpit lack proper shaping though, instead resembling accidental gaps in the bodywork. Opaque red might have been preferable for the rear lights too, although that issue is certainly minor. Despite these flaws, I am very impressed with this depiction of the McLaren Elva and the price of £17.99 or $19.99 feels reasonable in my opinion.
This set was provided for review by The LEGO Group but the review represents an expression of my own opinions.
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27 comments on this article
Love these reviews. One thing that I've seen occasionally in the past but would be great to see more frequently (especially for reviews such as for the Speed Champions range) would be an accompanying image of the source material. I know I can quickly search online for one (and I did) - But I'm also lazy!
Looks like one of the best sets of this wave- but I'm trying to figure out why they thought to print the seats instead of just using a white curved slope or even a sticker.
McLaren Elva is one car that would have looked absolutely terrible in the old 6-wide size. Thankfully they changed, it was possible to capture the beauty of the car correctly.
@brickengineeringdude said:
"I'm trying to figure out why they thought to print the seats instead of just using a white curved slope or even a sticker."
newelementary.com recently posted an excellent interview with the design team lead for this year's SC models, which addressed this point and much more.
Strange the actual Elva car does not have a windscreen? Good to see the return of the classic city steering wheel, but not to be confused with its 2021 little brother 30343: McLaren Elva
Not a big fan of the real Elva, but this seems to be one of the more successful ones as a model in this wave. It certainly stands out as a SC car, but also among McLaren's recent cars in general.
Not a day one buy for me, to be honest. I applaud the designer with translating the Elva's shapes into this scale, it looks different and interesting as a build. But the Elva doesn't appeal to me that much. Might get it eventually, but not a priority. I don't want to sound super negative, because as a Lego set, this is a fantastic replica.
Hopefully we'll get an F1 in a future wave :)
Definitely the apparent highlight of the wave for me. An interesting car, the first convertable (well, roofless to be more accurate) SC car in forever that isn't a formula car, and nearly everything achieved sculpturally, as suggested by the sticker count.
I liked the polybag a lot as well, this will join it on day 1.
"76902 is a masterpiece, James. Complete, comprehensive... it captures the Speed Champions experience."
I love the fact that you can also get the polybag version and have a big elva and a mini elva.
hmmm...i guess i am in the minority here, but i think this is the weakest of this wave. I actually think it could be improved by more decoration (while I recognize that is not source accurate per se), and this coming from someone who doesn't put stickers on his speed champions sets. It's a pass for me.
Glad the seat back prints aren't too washed out
@ohrmazd said:
"hmmm...i guess i am in the minority here, but i think this is the weakest of this wave. I actually think it could be improved by more decoration (while I recognize that is not source accurate per se), and this coming from someone who doesn't put stickers on his speed champions sets. It's a pass for me."
I also agree this the weakest of the current wave, but I’m not a lover of the actual car so maybe that is biassing my view - though I do collect SC sets, so I will be buying it
@ohrmazd said:
"hmmm...i guess i am in the minority here, but i think this is the weakest of this wave. I actually think it could be improved by more decoration (while I recognize that is not source accurate per se), and this coming from someone who doesn't put stickers on his speed champions sets. It's a pass for me."
I think the "weakest" spot has already been taken by thicc Supra Mk.V . It's just completely off with the proportions.
The real thing costs one and a half million quid and it doesn't even come with any windows. My car only cost a few thousand pounds and it came with six windows. But apparently that doesn't make it better. I say wait until it's a hot day and you want to wind the window down, then we'll see which is better.
@EvilTwin said:
"The real thing costs one and a half million quid and it doesn't even come with any windows. My car only cost a few thousand pounds and it came with six windows. But apparently that doesn't make it better. I say wait until it's a hot day and you want to wind the window down, then we'll see which is better."
It would be interesting to stroll past one of these stopped at a traffic light in the pouring rain.
I once thought that people had too much money if they could afford to spend hundreds at a time on LEGO. Sigh.
I suppose Lego can't be blamed for following the market.
When I see cars like this I have to think of James May in his Caterham during the Treasure Hunt episode they did on Madagascar. The Elva would be even more useless in that scenario (or any scenario that involves any kind of weather other than sunshine). What a stupid vehicle. If I had that kind of money I would at least buy something like the Koenigsegg, or a Bugatti Chiron.
Thankfully, I don't have to make that decision. ;-)
@AustinPowers said:
"When I see cars like this I have to think of James May in his Caterham during the Treasure Hunt episode they did on Madagascar. The Elva would be even more useless in that scenario (or any scenario that involves any kind of weather other than sunshine). What a stupid vehicle. If I had that kind of money I would at least buy something like the Koenigsegg, or a Bugatti Chiron.
Thankfully, I don't have to make that decision. ;-) "
If you had that kind of money you would *also* have a Koenigsegg *and* a Bugatti and just drive whatever suits the occasion. ;)
Would love to see what this looks like with a retrofit windscreen added.
Nice! Have to pick it up! I think you should’ve had a pic of it against the polybag though
@ObijuanDunnobi said:
"If you had that kind of money you would *also* have a Koenigsegg *and* a Bugatti and just drive whatever suits the occasion. ;) "
No I wouldn't, because I hate the looks of the Elva, or of speedsters in general. I find the whole concept of speedsters flawed from the beginning and totally stupid.
Under that scenario, for open top driving pleasure I would have one of those electric Jaguar E-types (imho one of the most beautiful cars of any type ever made), and of course the second generation Tesla Roadster. Both of which combined would cost less than one Elva... :-)
I’m enjoying the recent SC reviews. After you’ve reviewed all 6 sets (assuming you do so) I was wondering if you could rank each individual vehicle. I’m curious what you think of the wave as a whole.
Why do all the drivers of these cars carry a wrench? Are them so delicate?
@AustinPowers said:
"When I see cars like this I have to think of James May in his Caterham during the Treasure Hunt episode they did on Madagascar. The Elva would be even more useless in that scenario (or any scenario that involves any kind of weather other than sunshine). What a stupid vehicle. If I had that kind of money I would at least buy something like the Koenigsegg, or a Bugatti Chiron.
Thankfully, I don't have to make that decision. ;-) "
Yes, and what if you want the take the whole family one a three week holiday? No trunk, Isofix child seats or even a roof rack option? Really bad car design ;-)
@Wrecknbuild said:
" @AustinPowers said:
"When I see cars like this I have to think of James May in his Caterham during the Treasure Hunt episode they did on Madagascar. The Elva would be even more useless in that scenario (or any scenario that involves any kind of weather other than sunshine). What a stupid vehicle. If I had that kind of money I would at least buy something like the Koenigsegg, or a Bugatti Chiron.
Thankfully, I don't have to make that decision. ;-) "
Yes, and what if you want the take the whole family one a three week holiday? No trunk, Isofix child seats or even a roof rack option? Really bad car design ;-)"
For that I would take my Bentley Bentayga - or my private jet. ;-)
Yay for brick-built headlights, low sticker count and a properly aligned steering wheel. The model itself does not appeal enough to me, but I hope it opens the door to design other vehicles in a similar manner.
@biffuz said:
"Why do all the drivers of these cars carry a wrench? Are them so delicate?"
It's to pop out the wheel covers.
It's all fun and games driving without a windscreen until you drive through a swarm of gnats. Or flies. Or bees. Or birds...
I don't think driving with a helmet on would help with your comfort either, nor would it look that cool if you're rich and want to flaunt your money.
I don't understand this car at all.