Danish toymaker developed its replica while Italian carmaker was making the original. Ferrari Daytona SP3 now has a Lego Technic set available for $399
Lego Technic has evolved quite a lot over the past few years. I remember I had the Road Rebel set back in the early 2000s. It made a small buggy with a moving piston that my father named “reverse engine”. You would push the car on its wheels and their movement would make the piston go up and down. While the car toy was simple, it was an accurate depiction of Lego Technic’s intention to demystify engineering.
The latest sets show that the company has chosen to refine that intention. It has gone from plastic trusses that house an element of interest to impressive replicas. The specialized press surprises itself month after month with Lego sets, especially the car ones. Some for being extremely complex, others for their realism, and others for the effort in their creation. The Ferrari presented here is a brilliant example of the latter.
What is the Ferrari Daytona SP3?
Let us start by introducing the real-life car. This time, Ferrari took inspiration from the cars which finished first, second and third at the 1967 Daytona 24-hour race. The muscular shape, the large dual front wings, the wraparound windshield, and the rear air vents came from those cars. Here, Ferrari executed a modern interpretation of all that. It used styling cues of current cars like the 812 Superfast and the LaFerrari.
The modern-day Daytona SP3 borrowed the 812 Competizione’s engine with several upgrades in order to produce 829 hp. Extensive use of carbon fiber keeps its weight at 3,275 lb. A particularly strong suit is that it does not look aggressive as most hypercars. Ferrari managed to make the exterior aerodynamic enough without using giant wings, for example. And the cabin looks simple and functional, not ostentatious.
Ferrari started its production this year and will end at 599 units. It is part of the Icona series, which means it is not on sale for anyone with the money. The company only offered it to its “top clients and collectors, proud ambassadors for the Prancing Horse marque”. Hypercars like that sell out even before their public presentation happens. Therefore, the company never bothered to disclose irrelevant data like its price.
Now, back to the Lego Technic Cars set
The basic information is that the set offers 3,778 pieces and is on sale for $399. Lego created a 1:8 replica which will be 24 in (59 cm) long, 10 in (25 cm) wide, and 6 in (14 cm) tall. You will also find the signature trait of Technic sets, which are moving components. Here, you will be able to view the eight-speed transmission, and twelve pistons in motion. You can also open the butterfly doors, and the front and rear hoods.
Moving to facts that are not easy to see, let us start with the project’s duration: two years. Lego designers had to visit Ferrari’s Maranello factory to see the real car despite the pandemic. Like the beginning of this article says, the companies were working on their respective products at the same time. That led to many corrections performed on the go, as senior designer Aurelien Rouffiange told Car and Driver last week.
That scenario made the Daytona SP3 the most challenging set for Lego so far. While the Danish toymaker could use several of its existing parts, it also had to develop 12 specific ones. Some of them are aesthetic, like exterior panels and the asymmetrical left and right wheels, while others are functional. An example of the latter are some plastic gears. Lego designed them to make the moving parts smoother to operate.
What is the result of all that?
The magnificent Lego set you can see on the photos and videos. The attention to detail reaches the point of dedicated buttons to open the doors, and paddle shifters that actually affect wheel speed. It is amazing to see that pretty much every part posed a challenge to Lego’s noble mission. In fact, you can only access both those functions by removing the targa top… The same which posed yet another tough challenge.
The main reason why convertible cars are expensive is the need to reinforce their structure to compensate the absent roof. Here, Lego addressed the same issue by reworking how to assemble the SP3. According to Rouffiange, “you can hold the car with one hand, from the front or rear, and it will not bend at all”. That is essential in a Lego set you will surely want to show around after spending so much time to assemble.
As you can imagine, the Lego replica is accurate down to the price. The Danish toymaker made the SP3’s initial presentation last June and is going to put it on sale on August 1st. You can already pre-order your set from the official website by clicking here. Then again, if $399 is out of your model car budget, you can check that same page to see more details of this set and the other fascinating ones Lego has created.
Frequently asked questions
It is 1:8. It is 24 in (59 cm) long, 10 in (25 cm) wide, and 6 in (14 cm) tall.
On August 1st, 2022. You can already pre-order your set on the official website.
It is a subdivision of the Lego Technic series focused on high-end car replicas. Besides the Ferrari Daytona SP3, it includes the Bugatti Chiron and the Lamborghini Sián.
Danillo Almeida has explored his passion for cars in two distinct ways. The first one is his graduation course in Mechanical Engineering, which will hopefully lead to a job position in the field. The other one is expressing his knowledge and opinions on the matter through writing. Almeida has already contributed to blogs, stores, and websites in general writing automotive content in many formats.
