Maaboo the Witch

Something like the 9V adapter cable would make sense here.

I think that's a good idea. Plus, there are so many great parts that have been rare or exclusive previously, like the Volvo bucket, that should be used more (and in the case of said bucket, will be).

That's racist. But it would be good to hear Uwe finally talk about what he's designed, especially given that there's some clever and authentic stuff in 42077 like the rollcage. I was mightily frustrated when Andrew Woodman showed up in the set video (not that I don't want to hear what he has to say either).

Even elusive Alfred Pedersen appeared in a video, even though it was nearly a decade ago: This makes Uwe the only designer to never appear in a video.

Some of the 2018 lineup is featured on the Technic site, and there's videos. Samuel Tacchi designed the two pullbacks (although the link to that video is supposed to be for the dozer compactor), and Grohl did indeed work on the Mack. Andrew Woodman appears in the rally car video, meaning that Uwe again fails to appear.

Picked up 42071 and 42084 - bloody hell, how far apart are those numbers?! - this morn at my local Smyth's. Oh, and their shelves were piled high with 42070s, all proudly wearing their £209.99 price tag. Methinks they'll be sitting there for some time... all I know is, they'd better clear them before the H2 rush hits. Can they do it? Let's see 'em try.

So, no chevron treads like the DCCEU Batmobile? Boring.

Whoops! Sorry.

Do you work at TLG, or the Central Bureaucracy? That's my second choice. I'm very curious about these mysterious pneumatics.

The Volvo Autonomous is my priority one. Interesting fact: it's the first Technic set with Claas tyres to not feature PF off the bat.

Looks like the same bucket to me as well. Anyhoo, I'm a bit put out that we still haven't seen a 2018 review from Sariel yet. I'm well aware that there are factors beyond his control affecting the situation, but the annual wave of reviews is something I've become used to. Same with the main Technic site; I don't like the newer, minimalist design, and there have been no real additions to it for most of 2017 - where are the designer blogs for the '17 2H sets? - let alone 2018. Seems like it's all a bit out of sync at the moment.

That's a nice Ferrari.

The Volvo Autonomous has that large compartment-type extrusion on the rear - the scorpion's tail, if you will - that looks like it was made to fit a battery box. Plus, what's the point of calling something 'Autonomous' if there's no motorization?

You all knew this was coming, guys... Each box has the '2-in-1' logo on it. I wonder what the B-models are?

I'd say smaller. The cab and seat on 8416 are pretty massive.

Remember that it does essentially come with a building.

The parts on 42081's hubs look pretty unique. Anyone know what they are?

Yeah, something like that.

It's actually rather difficult to tell who designed these sets. Someone mentioned seeing an MK on the forklift, but other than that there don't seem to be any telltale hallmarks among them. Oh heck, I'll have a go: 42079 - I'll go with Alfred Pedersen, if for no other reason than it features a barrel as did 42049, his most recent yellow confection. 42080 - phew. Urm, Lars Krogh Jensen, given that 8049 is similar and has a lot of parallel features like pneumatics and potential PF. Don't quote me on that, though. 42081 - Looks like a Uwe Wabra. He did a similarly scaled set in the past, the 42030, and some of the build techniques look taken from 42070. 42082 - Markus Kossman. Big, and it's a crane. That's all I'll go on here. Looking forward to finding out for real!

We haven't seen the new manual pump from 42053 in any other set so far, so it could appear in 42080, with the PF controlling gear-based functions.

Had a good look at the prelims, and I'll lob in my two cents: 42079 - forklift, forklift, forklift! Damn, it's been a decade! I like this - we've had a paucity of yellow sets recently, and it's actually quite nice to see one again. Phew. I like the look of the mast mechanism. The barrel looks a bit too brick-built; hopefully we'll get another HF barrel with this. Nice. 42080 - woah, I like this forest machine! A bit on the psychedelic side - check out the DBG rims that won't be in the final set! - but the overall effect is cohesive enough, and it's great to see more pneumatics since we had nothing on that front this year. Relatively rare subject as well. 42081 - woah again! Whole buncha woah! If you were in doubt about TLG's latest 'future Technic' trend, you won't be anymore! This ultra-huge mechanical scorpion bulldozer thing looks like something out of Alien's Weyland-Yutani stable, and as a proponent of said Company - if my profile pic didn't scream it loud enough - I think it looks bloody stunning. The drone is a cherry on a very big cake! It's Volvo as well, bringing the total of their licensed sets to three and beating out Mercedes-Benz. Also, Claas tyres and Volvo bucket! 42082 - big red crane! Pretty cool, good to see those Claas red rims on yet another set. Like the modular building parts as well, we don't get enough of that sort of thing with cranes and loaders - namely, a load! Now this is how you do a line-up.

Roll on the images! I'm especially interested in the futuristic Volvo and that flagship...

On the situation regarding new parts, there don't seem to be many in the Mack besides a couple of panels in DBG. Good to see plates with holes making a return to Technic, though.

I'm not into cars, but 42077 looks like a really satisfying and sturdy build. The roll cage and the engine cover mechanism are very cool as well. Plus it has suspension and you can see the engine! In my opinion, speaking objectively, this is better than the Porsche! It's even got better steering!

Ohh, that box looks good...