A beautiful model that anyone can identify at the first look. It looks really great and it has many details and accessories.

One of my daughter's favourite.

A mini scale model is also available.

Do you remember the distinct sound the VW-Beetle-engine made? I do! So this model shapes itself quite good after the original beetle.

But it is a newer Version of the Beetle based on the backwindow. I just miss the lamps at the back.

The building it self is segmented in 3 parts, but if you have built ever a Lego-Model, you should be finish within 4 hours. There are some nice ideas in, like the hood (or better the trunk, as the beetle had a rear-engine). There are no overcomplicated steps, so it is a smooth experience and one that makes fun.

The design is quite retro, fitting the car. Also a lot of nice details are in, not so much like in the T1, but quite a few. Like the handbreak, the gearstick, a spare tire and the ice-box with the Surfboard.

The only thing that is a bit annoying is the amount of stickers. That could be reduced by just using one set of numberplates. But hey, it's a nice gimmick. I said: its the 007 edition, it can change the numberplates.

But be not mistaken, this a model you put on display, not to play. If you look for a play model, choose the little brother.

I would like to have seen a bit mote polished instruction, like for the ideas sets, or the Porsche GT or now the Bugatti. Not so much, but a bit background a few pictures of the Beetle past and now, that would have put on the cherry for this set.

10252 Volkswagen Beetle is a detailed, fun build with a lot of interesting building techniques that results in a highly playable model. As a bonus, it looks great when displayed alongside 10220 Volkswagen T1 Camper Van. I decided to pick it up on the VIP pre-sale and I'm glad I did.

Box/Instructions

Good sized, theoretically resealable box with tab closure. Instructions and sticker sheet are loose in the box (meaning there's a slight roll in the instruction booklet), as are the four main tires; everything else is packed in numbered bags.

Instructions are clear for the most part, though there is a misleading set of illustrations at steps 49-50 that makes it possible to attach the tail/brake lights too low, leaving a gap between brake light and indicator. I've seen at least one review where the builder made this mistake.

Parts

Amazing selection of parts in a new (to me) color.

Minifigures

None.

The build

Fun and easy build. There are some innovative tricks to joining the different subassemblies of the car (which may be a problem; see below). It took about three or four hours of part time building to put it together.

The completed model

The model is beautiful. There are arguments that could be made about how faithful the model is to the curves of the original; I feel it's close enough to be easily recognizable. The accessories (especially the beer cooler) are fantastic.

The wheels turn more easily than those of 10220. Too easily. I nudged the model and it rolled off the high shelf it was on and it landed nose first and broke into a bunch of pieces. In fact, the bracket broke off the back of the headlight assembly. Reassembly took another 40 minutes. I highly recommend displaying the model with wheel chocks.

Here's the finished model (minus the broken headlight) next to 10220. The scale is pretty close—the Beetle is 8 inches shorter than the van in real life so it's a little off, but they look good when displayed together, don't they?

Overall opinion

A fantastic set. Highly recommended.

Great Set. By no means is a complex build, but it is fun. I feel the curvature was nicely captured. The proportions look a little off; I feel it should be a touch wider. Still, fun build and on par with the rest of the Creator cars of the same scale. Looks great next to its smaller brother on my shelf.

This set is groovy! Beautiful light blue pieces, good builds, and designs and that classic look make this set a great display piece. This set is also has a good playability factor, as the car has little features that make the model both authentic, and fun to play with. There is also a good cloth piece, an interesting surfboard build and lots of license plate prints Deffinantly worth picking up for a good price.