Review: 76918 McLaren Solus GT & McLaren F1 LM
Posted by CapnRex101,
McLaren has developed various prestigious cars, including the McLaren F1, produced in 1992 and frequently discussed among the most influential sports cars ever designed. 76918 McLaren Solus GT & McLaren F1 LM finally recreates this famed car in Speed Champions!
The spectacular McLaren Solus GT is perhaps an unexpected companion for the F1, originating from Gran Turismo Sport and retaining certain fantastical features from the video game. Nevertheless, both vehicles look splendid in official images, as these celebrate the origins of modern supercars and explore their possible future.
Summary
76918 McLaren Solus GT & McLaren F1 LM, 581 pieces.
£39.99 / $34.99 / €44.99 | 6.9p/6.0c/7.7c per piece.
Buy at LEGO.com »
Both vehicles are enjoyable, but the McLaren F1 LM is absolutely outstanding!
- Beautiful McLaren F1
- Unusual colour schemes
- Creative construction methods
- Inaccuracies, likely unavoidable, with the McLaren Solus
The set was provided for review by LEGO. All opinions expressed are those of the author.
Minifigures
McLaren has been represented frequently across the Speed Champions theme, surpassed only by Ferrari. Nevertheless, these minifigures feature unique attire, as the McLaren F1 LM driver is dressed in a hooded jumper with standard McLaren branding. I love the hint of orange inside the hood on the reverse.
The second minifigure also includes orange highlights, alongside black stripes. The colour of her racing overalls matches the McLaren Solus, which is always appreciated. Moreover, the stitched detail on the torso and legs looks marvellous, as always, while the decoration across the belt is pleasingly intricate.
Both minifigures include helmets and alternative hair elements. Unfortunately, neither these hair components nor the heads underneath are especially uncommon, although they look good. The female driver's excited expression is certainly fitting! A black wrench is the lone accessory.
Reference
Source - roadandtrack.com
Source - motor1.com
The Completed Model
When introduced in 1989, the McLaren F1 revolutionised supercar design. The track-focused F1 LM arrived six years later and its characteristic papaya orange livery has become truly iconic, so this colour choice is appealing. Furthermore, no other eight-stud wide Speed Champions model shares the same colour scheme, so this addition to the range stands out brilliantly.
The combination of curved and more angular bodywork shapes is effective, corresponding with the original car. The continuous line between the bonnet and windscreen looks excellent and the length of 15cm seems appropriate, relative to other Speed Champions sets. However, there are awkward gaps around the front wheel arches, conspicuous when viewed from either side.
Building techniques from 76905 Ford GT Heritage Edition and Bronco R and 76908 Lamborghini Countach are combined across the nose, creating a smooth curve and trans-clear headlights. A total of fourteen stickers are included too, several of which represent smaller lights and intakes towards the front of this model.
Moreover, a selection of printed pieces are provided, including the McLaren marque on the nose and the windscreen, as normal. Although the colour consistency between this windscreen and the neighbouring orange parts is imperfect, this example is significantly better than many others from the Speed Champions series.
The interior is perhaps more remarkable, taking advantage of the new 6x12x1 1⁄3 chassis, which is more spacious than the prior chassis piece. Extra space is essential because the McLaren F1 actually contains three seats, reflecting the source material. The driver's seat is positioned in the middle, with two passenger seats situated slightly behind on either side.
Unfortunately, there is not enough room for minifigures in the back seats because the front seat occupies part of the area where any passengers would need to sit. Nevertheless, their presence is satisfying, given the recognition of this seating arrangement inside the McLaren F1. The flame yellowish orange seat does accommodate a minifigure and features an attractive headrest.
Stretched side vents are another recognisable feature of the McLaren F1, with parallel channels running across the doors. These channels are rather deep here, but the orange oars integrated on either flank are effective. Also, the gentle angle of the bodywork looks wonderful and actually exploits the orange colour of 3L Technic pins with bushes, which are sometimes an eyesore on other sets!
76915 Pagani Utopia introduces a new pair of 2x5 wedge slopes, forming the bodywork behind the cockpit. The equivalent 1x5 wedge slopes are available here, both decorated with stickers to continue the windscreen shape. The unbroken lines from the windscreen look superb and these slopes also line up seamlessly against the narrow rear windscreen panels.
The spoiler is neatly connected using black accessory grips, ensuring the supports are as subtle as possible. Orange brackets surround the rear light clusters and a sticker accurately represents the radiator grille behind the engine. However, the louvres underneath are printed on the side of 1x8 plates and binoculars represent the exhausts, so the whole back view is outstanding.
While the McLaren F1 was the first member of the McLaren Ultimate Series, encompassing the company's most advanced automotive creations, the McLaren Solus GT is a new addition. This design actually originates from the Gran Turismo Sport video game, but has now transitioned to reality and looks incredible on track!
Of course, not every vehicle is suitable for LEGO recreation and the extraordinary aerodynamic shape of the McLaren Solus GT may occupy that category. After all, the car includes vanishingly few straight lines. However, clever use of curved slopes and angled panels yields a remarkably authentic profile, considering the flowing appearance of the subject's bodywork.
The whole construction process is unusual because this design reaches nine studs wide, rather than the standard eight. Additionally, the body narrows around the cockpit, so recalls the Aston Martin Valkyrie from 76910 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro and Aston Martin Vantage GT3. The model feels strong though, with Technic pins and clips anchoring bodywork around the cockpit.
The relative proportions between the bonnet and the cockpit appear accurate and I like how the bonnet is angled downwards, with headlight bands printed on 2x3 wedge plates. Seven stickers are included though, with one displaying the McLaren logo and another representing the visible suspension spring from the original car, situated immediately in front of the cockpit.
Sweeping curves continue around the cockpit and the new 4x6x1 windscreen shared with 76916 Porsche 963 looks splendid, lining up beside 1x5 wedge slopes. The windscreen is printed and the slopes behind are decorated with stickers, capturing the metallic silver details from the video game car, which inspired the colour scheme for this entire model.
In reality, the canopy slides forward to access the cockpit. No such function is included here, but simply detaching the windscreen suffices and reveals an orange seat inside. The steering wheel is represented by an unprinted video game controller, appropriately, which can rotate upwards to place the driver inside more easily.
A small fin extends from behind the cockpit, with plates and tiles fillings gaps on either side, akin to 76909 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance & Mercedes-AMG Project One. The transition between 2x4 bricks with curved sides and 2x2 wedge plates along the sides is stunning, leading to angled panels in front of the wheels. Attaching these panels at an angle yields some awkward gaps, but they were unavoidable.
The stickers behind the rear wheels are also far from ideal, but necessary to achieve the correct shape. The enormous diffuser looks fantastic though, with trans-red spearheads serving as rear lights. These elements were originally intended for NEXO Knights, but have already represented the lights on 75892 McLaren Senna and appear equally impressive on this occasion.
Overall
Speed Champions has occasionally been criticised for pairing extremely desirable vehicles with less appealing examples. I was initially concerned that 76918 McLaren Solus GT & McLaren F1 LM may be similar, but am pleased to report that the McLaren Solus has exceeded expectations from my perspective! Some curves are inevitably missing, but the general shape is admirable.
Even so, the McLaren F1 LM is undoubtedly my favourite of these two, as expected. The bright orange colour is attractive and this vehicle's distinctive features are instantly recognisable, from front to back and even inside. As normal for these twin packs, the US price of $34.99 represents very good value, but I think the European prices of £39.99 or €44.99 are reasonable as well, for two delightful cars.
Our reviews of the other 2023 Speed Champions sets are available here:
- 76914 Ferrari 812 Competizione
- 76915 Pagani Utopia
- 76916 Porsche 963
- 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
142 likes
45 comments on this article
Thanks for the review.
Both cars are beautiful. I only buy sets that look nice without stickers, and this is probably the best S C (and first purchase in a few years).
The main negative aspect of this set is that it has two cars.
The McLaren F1 LM is excellent in any aspect and could have been sold alone.
I'm happy with how the F1 turned out! Dream car for sure and glad the three seats were represented
The cars look amazing, especially the F1. Unfortunatelly Solus' front end looks weird. The white arches are too thick and tall (and kinda boxy), making the front wheels look small. Don't know if a different solution would be possible without introducing new parts that would be too specific. Only major weak point from the set for me.
I don't care about the Solus but I need the F1, that is a beautiful car in a beautiful color.
I love the F1 and its color scheme! It's nice to have a wider variety colors in the car collection. Hopefully they will continue branching out with different colors.
30 years on, and the McLaren F1 is as gorgeous and revolutionary now as it was then. And it still holds up performance-wise, but was just so far ahead of its time back then. It's amazing what happens when the right designers, a vision, and cost being no object come together.
I have an F1 as my desktop background. There are very few must-buys for me but this is one of them.
The F1 is amazing, this whole wave is extremely impressive
One great retro, one ugly modern, like with most of these double packs (except Ford).
The New Elementary review shows here is another new piece in this set, a 1x4 rounded plate, along with the 1x3 rounded plate that's also in the new Porsche and Pagani sets. Some interesting new bits and pieces in this range for March!
Yellow car.
Will probably be the last of this year that I get. Hopefully on sale, but again looks like a lot of fun to build. The F1 will certainly get stolen by my daughters for their Friends mini dolls to drive around in. The backseat looks perfect for the mini mini-dolls to sit in.
@ao_ka said:
"The cars look amazing, especially the F1. Unfortunatelly Solus' front end looks weird. The white arches are too thick and tall (and kinda boxy), making the front wheels look small. Don't know if a different solution would be possible without introducing new parts that would be too specific. Only major weak point from the set for me."
Totally agree. Beautiful renditions of beautiful cars, but the wheel on the second really look too small. It's very obvious on the 1st pic, probably because of the perspective, and a bit better on the second, when seen from the side. But I like them both, and this time again stunned by how such smooth curves tends to be more and more likely to be represented today with lego parts. Thank you for the review.
I actually prefer the Solus as it’s a more unique design, but personally I’ve always seen these twin packs as a bit of a rip off when compared to other prices, although the euro price got hit bad this time. The US price is amazing though, really wish we had the same treatment in the UK. Would pick this up otherwise
F1 the best, in the podium with Ferrari Tributo and Lamborghini Countach
Given the $25 price for a single car now, I can't really complain about a Solus for $10 when the F1 is normal priced. What a freaking beautiful rendition. This wave is really doing a bang-up job, and mad props to the SC team!
@Bobsy said:
"Yellow car."
I upvoted the "Cabin Pressure" reference, but you've got a point. Rexy's photos have changed the colours: is the F1 marigold* with a yellow seat, or orange with a marigold seat?
* takes less time to type than "191 Flame Yellowish Orange"
The F1 looks great. The other one, not so much. If the F1 was in a single pack by itself, I'd buy it.
The orange car looks quite cool, but it's too bad that these 8-wide cars and Minifigs dont fit together at all.
Why does Lego even add Minifigs to them? It just look ridiculous.
Oh yeah! The F1 LM is my favourite car of all time.
This will be proudly displayed next to my eye-wateringly expensive 1/18 scale model of the same thing.
Surprised by the distaste for the Solus! I think it looks really unique and is an interesting, unexpected addition to the SC lineup.
And virtually no stickers on it! $35 is an absolute steal and I cannot wait to get this set.
The F1 is superb, it captures every element of the actual car brilliantly. It should be a standalone set.
The Solus is... I have no feelings for the real car or for this set. It's soul-less.
@Hotzenplotz said:
"The orange car looks quite cool, but it's too bad that these 8-wide cars and Minifigs dont fit together at all.
Why does Lego even add Minifigs to them? It just look ridiculous."
Minifig heads and helmets are well scaled for the cars, or rather the other way around. So they look perfect from the outside when seated inside. That's why. I'm not even a minifig guy, but for me these cars would be much less appealing if you couldn't seat figures in them.
The McLaren F1 is one of my absolute favorite cars, so this is one of very few must-buys for me. But I have no connection at all with the Solus. So needless to say I'm not a fan of double packs, again.
I'm also jealous of the US pricing of this set, although over here we will likely be able to pick it up for almost the same with discounts from other retailers, perhaps even on release week. But the difference is still a bit baffling. I know it's with/without tax and all that, but still. The double packs are usually weirdly priced and show up at all sorts of prices at retailers, some are more expensive and others are cheaper. Just why? Logically, a double pack should always be cheaper than buying two separate single packs.
Anyway. The Solus looks like a nice build, but that's all it is. I would need to have a connection with the real thing to like it. The F1 looks great, although not perfect. I'm nitpicking, because in contrast to the Solus I like the real thing too much. The front fenders are a bit rough, as mentioned. The headlights need more contrast, perhaps trans-black would have been a better choice as a compromise? The windscreen is too boxy, at least in side view. It looks a little short to me, proportion-wise, perhaps it should have been a stud longer. And it's a bummer that it will only actually seat one figure, not three. But overall I do like it. A nice splash of color is very welcome!
The Solus? You mean the Batmobile that's partially covered in snow?
Probably a stronger construction than the F1 car at the Bahrain test. No gaffer tape here. Will buy.
Good review, but I still don't care one bit about that Solus. That F1 Lm though....that's a thing of beauty, and as good as it gets at this size! Such a shame they put them both in one box, let's hope this gets discounted quickly....
@oukexergon said:
"The Solus? You mean the Batmobile that's partially covered in snow?"
I don’t dislike the car as much as some, but swapping to all black would be fun to try!
@B_Space_Man said:
" @oukexergon said:
"The Solus? You mean the Batmobile that's partially covered in snow?"
I don’t dislike the car as much as some, but swapping to all black would be fun to try! "
My thoughts exactly, well, at least the last part.
The real car, to me, is one of the ugliest designs I have ever seen, but as an all black Batmobile I could see it working.
The F1 is as gorgeous as was to be expected, but since it's only available in this expensive double pack I'm gonna pass. Then again, Speed Champions often get up to 50% discount on Amazon, by which point some of them become really interesting again. Like the Koenigsegg Jesko which was available for 12.99 Euro recently.
Both look stellar, as per usual for this line. I'm looking forwards to getting the wave on Wednesday.
I'm surprised to learn how one car started as a video game car, though it now being a real car (that no one can afford) is oddly reassuring. It's a real car, Speed Champions remains true to it's brief (even as it dabbles in double licenses with the film cars).
Actually, we're getting 6 cars this wave, but last year we had 9, right? I wonder if this is just going to be a light year, or if more are coming later like the Bond/Charger last August.
Ah, the F1, which I suspect is short for, “F’ing $1,000,000 USD”. It’s on my wishlist for 2023 sets. How about another Battleship car, the Saleen S7? ^_^
@ickis said:
"Ah, the F1, which I suspect is short for, “F’ing $1,000,000 USD”."
If you can find one that cheap, don't hesitate, buy it!
At auctions these F1's (even non-LM) easily get over $20 million....
The F1's non-usable backseat reminds me of the one in 76911. I like the contrast, not only between the vehicles, but between the driver's outfits. This one's going on my wanted list. Not sure if I'll ever actually buy it, but I want it, at least.
@Space_1979 : You could just say "Keetorange," (a reference to 8755, which was one of the first sets, if not *the* first set, to use it. That way you don't have to spend even more time typing a footnote, as most of us here will know what that means.
@oukexergon : it can't be the Batmobile; even leaving out the white, there are parts tat are neither black nor very, very dark gray.
This is a great set line. Many Spd Champion set I own. I do not like the Solus so I will put these bricks into my collection.
Bought this set yesterday from a local store that had them on shelves early. Didn't care for the Solus that much at first but it was quite an enjoyable build. Love the F1, one of the best Speed Champions cars to date.
Only real complaint is the price, at $80NZ it's more expensive than buying 2 single car sets at $35 each.
It’s funny… I am not at all a “car” person, but this is my favorite line right now.
Funnily enough, I think that smiley face with the pupils is pretty scarce nowadays.
These coupled serts are like one to build and one to the parts bin. That's what I did with 75894 Mini Cooper and the 75881 Ford GT sets. I love McLaren F1 but sadly I have to pass on it because of the size thing.
I don't know what it is, but these photos make both cars, but especially the F1 look better than the official LEGO photo/renders! Very Nice, I think I'm swayed towards getting this set. :)
Looks like some pretty good colour matching on the F1, both on the windscreen and the stickers!
@oukexergon said:
"The Solus? You mean the Batmobile that's partially covered in snow?"
Hmm ... the 76916 Porsche 963 has a couple of wheel arches in black ... it would almost be possible to recolor the Solus all in black with those, except the quarter domes under the front arch bricks don't come in black yet.
@Space_1979 said:
" @Bobsy said:
"Yellow car."
I upvoted the "Cabin Pressure" reference, but you've got a point. Rexy's photos have changed the colours: is the F1 marigold* with a yellow seat, or orange with a marigold seat?
* takes less time to type than "191 Flame Yellowish Orange""
To be honest, I wasn't thinking that deeply about it. This is the first I've seen of it, so I didn't realise it was supposed to be more orange, and... well, I was playing Yellow Car.
We're ALWAYS playing Yellow Car.
That F1 LM is a thing of beauty. I'm only somewhat into cars, but Speed Champions is one of the best current Lego themes IMHO - they're reasonably priced, they're small and collectable, they're usually decent parts packs and the construction techniques used are often exceptional. I like the Solus more than I was expecting to as well!
McLaren F1 LM is superawesome and glad to have it with us since I practically grew with that car (the PC version that is :PP) ! Now I have 3 favorites among Speed Champions - JB car, Pagani Utopia and McLaren F1 LM. Eagerly awaiting for "1967 Chevy Impala hardtop" now! Supernatural ftw!!!!!
Th F1 LM looks glorious! I have a 1/18 of this car in my cabinet. Very well done. The other car...not so much. But hey, I'll still get this set for the F1. BTW, what happened to the GWP pizza truck? Still waiting.