Jockos

You're probably right, I totally forgot about that! Also, I wouldn't be that surprised, if we got a yet-unveiled set in October, so as to keep it in line with some themes' autumn releases

Not only that, but what keeps me wondering is why the rumoured 1:8 McLaren gets released in August? At previous models it was June.

A lot of guesses can be right about the colour, but haven't seen anybody mention this year's new one: reddish orange. I think this is a possible choice as it's new and eye-catching enough to not be abruptly vibrant. Yes, the space sets use it as one of their main colours, but a fully reddish orange car would be more than welcome and can widen the range of parts in ths freshly released colour.

I'm afraid TLG won't release a set prior to official reveal of the real car.

It's funny they photoshop it on official pictures, but can't make it in real life properly.. if only they released less sets but with higher quality.

I was a bit disappointed about the scale and the lack of Technic parts in the build, but still nice to see it, and at least I don't have the urge to get it :) I really hope TLG makes a proper anniversary year for Technic in 2027, as other themes seem to get something special, not just that 1x3 printed beam...

This is the exact reason for me, too, but I think they wouldn't fit in the existing configuration, so some tweaking might be needed.

I think they are there to help raising the pistons, as if they weren't there they might stuck. Actually, these new elements give me hope we get the same treatment for the bigger engine blocks, too.

Speaking of myself, I will buy all the space sets, not only because they might be one-offs, but I like the functionality, novelty they bring to the theme. Actually, I had a yellow copper orrery which had to be sold, so this Technic version, although doesn't include all the planets the previous had, will definitely get its special place in my collection :)

This upcoming Volvo duopack got me thinking: is it possible for TLG to release a similar multi-vehicle set with different brandings? E.g. a Mercedes truck with a CAT backhoe and a Volvo grader

Somehow this list doesn't satisfy me in terms of including a 'true' flagship model. Yes, apart from the 1:8 car the most expensive set is the 4x4 vehicle, but at least it has to have a Powered up component for that $250 price, like in 8297, and some advanced mechanism not just the same boring moving pistons and openable doors.

42183 is suspiciously missing... maybe a surprise set or just a skipped number?

It's likely to be the 750s as it's been released in January

I'd be drooling over a P1, so I hope it's the next one! But an Aston Martin or a Koenigsegg is also possible. Maybe the 2026 one...

I noticed that purple part, too, and I can accept the colour, but I highly doubt it will be a Lamborghini. Firstly, an 1:8 car has already been made with that brand, and I suppose TLG will go for diversity concerning these sets. Secondly, we will get another Huracán Tecnica in orange, so that will make the available number of sets of the brand to 3 while the Sián is still on the shelves. Not that I'm against a Lamborghini, but it would become a bit boring.

Well, it wouldn't be the first time to have a part count reference, as it was present at Saturn V, too. Also, wasn't there something similar at 42056 Porsche's piece count with 2704? As if the real one was made using the exact number of parts. Or my mind just playing with me.

We are also getting a McLaren Technic polybag, so it becomes an absurdly high number of models and scales in a year

This set is exactly what I imagine to be a Technic GWP. Not too big, not too small, and perfectly accompanies its bigger brother. I think it's just a matter of time to have some smaller slick tires in the theme. Icons will introduce them firstly, sadly..

That's a good question. I think it's (closer) in scale to 42169, though the McLaren is beefier.

Mercedes F1 pullback found in Belgium:

I wasn't thinking about the brand if that's what you mean, but the types you mention are correct. So a huge machine with fewer and bigger pieces, or a relatively smaller one with smaller pieces.

After that I'm curious if the rumoured 42177 will be something like the Liebherr (e.g. towercrane), or a "normal" set with smaller pieces.

I can imagine a remake of 8480 without any accessories if it's space related, but I'd rather get a construction machine. Or, given 42183 isn't on the leaked list, this might be a space-thing.

That, or maybe 42183 which is missing. Personally I'd like to have a modern version of 8480

I'm not against pneumatics, but the return of the LAs would be fantastic. Normal or longer, doesn't matter. It's been 3 years since the last one, and before that in every year we got at least 1 set with either of them...