kbalage

To be honest I don't expect Ornithopter-level complexity here, but yes, I will review the set.

Small correction: it cannot run code using the official LEGO firmware and software. The Control+ hubs are fully capable of doing that with Pybricks. The Powered Up hardware ecosystem shows great potential when you unlock its capabilities with Pybricks, everything works together, and this is truly the missed opportunity on TLG's part. We were promised an app that would control everything, but it never happened, after all these years the app can barely provide even minimal functions. I see TLG introducing great hardware from time to time, but failing to build a coherent system, which is kind of ironic considering the company's history with the original brick and its "universal compatibility". They divide effort between teams focused on their own themes, develop different software solutions that use the same hardware, and invest far less in software and documentation in general than they should. The mentioned Smart Brick would also have huge potential, but I am afraid we will never see it properly used.

In short: TLG is aiming for maximum profit and to attract as many new customers as possible, and based on their statistics for Technic that means licensed cars. Robots are a niche market, and considering that they just cancelled their entire robotics education line, it is unlikely to happen.

You really don't think designers are the ones deciding which Technic sets are released, do you? :)

We cannot deny that branded cars probably sell the best. However, TLG could afford to maintain a healthier balance and offer more Technic-like Technic sets, rather than just a flood of cars, a few smaller sets in the "other" category, and the yearly large, expensive construction set that they also market as a display piece. This is similar to the decline of Powered Up. Once they changed Power Functions and made it less intuitive to use, with a companion app that felt like a guessing game, fewer people bought standalone parts, and sales of motorized sets likely declined as well. This probably became proof for them that overall interest in motorization had dropped, so they scaled down the lineup. As you said, cause and effect...

Don't worry, I'm sure everyone is busy designing 50 cars for the 50th anniversary :)

The P1 was released in August, moved from the May schedule of the previous sets. Initial details did not appear until June back then, so there is still plenty of time.

It will make my job easier, I pre-record a segment with the internals, and only have to comment on the shell :)

All other cars in the same wave are licensed as well. This is a simple marketing concept, the set got the 18+ badge, it is for adults now so it can be more expensive.

It might work, but the corner of the tile will stick out at the top and will look weird.

@gyenesvi the rounded 3x1 plate would work, but if you put it on in the official way, the half-studs below would poke out through the holes. If you cover it with tiles, then the depth of the assembly is already bigger than the original piece. I don't say some wouldn't prefer that solution, but it's also understandable why the went with the thinner possible solution. If you put the 1x3 rounded on inverted, that's considered an illegal connection, because you would have 2 studs connection in 2 pin holes from the same piece. If you add a 2x1 piece that would still allow the fender to move sideways.

I don't see a difference in the thin liftarms in my sample. The pin with pinhole connectors is a special breed, made from a different plastic compound, so the shade is always off, regardless of the color.

Tbh the sound is the normal clicking noise of a gear, not too loud but definitely audible. kind of challenging to capture on camera.

Different surfaces may appear to have different colors. I am not sure what you saw in that video, I did not notice variations. Product descriptions are usually written by people who don't have much clue about Technic in general. I am just wondering what the original intention was behind that part.

I respectfully disagree. It's been a while since we got a Technic car that had functional steering and the steering wheel could be properly aligned. This doesn't have much practical significance, and they managed to mess up the instructions in this case as well just to make things more confusing, but at least the alignment is possible.

But it has new headlights! :) And finally the steering can be aligned properly, although the manual tries to fool you :D

People asked for a comparison with the other Ford GTs, so here's a quick one:

Not today, sorry. January reviews will continue this weekend.

You had the first January Technic set review 2 days ago ;)

The problem is that the other similarly sized cars arriving in the January and March waves are $10 cheaper. The only difference is the 18+ badge on this one.

Where did you hear that? I don't see TLG making this an option ever again, they are reluctant to sell any electronic parts separately. Also, considering that the 2026 train still has PU, I don't expect any new electronics for next year.

Yes! Not as many as I wish, but the number 5/6 panels will be definitely new, so it is a good start! :)

No, it is not just you.

The Powered Up "article" smells like AI-boosted speculation without any particular details.

I don't think Technic sells because of the Technic tag on the box, they sell because of the content, which is almost always a licensed vehicle :)The solution I proposed in the video was definitely ironic, I do not think LEGO would actually bring back Racers. However, splitting the "licensed display models made mostly out of Technic elements" into a separate theme would help keep the Technic spirit alive. We could get half or even fewer sets per year labeled as Technic, but these sets could really prioritize function over appearance.