McLaren Automotive recently partnered with LEGO to construct a full-scale, working version of the P1 supercar.
LEGO has previously helped to construct a Bugatti Chiron made from over 1 million LEGO Technic pieces. It was nearly 1,400 lbs lighter than the real vehicle and managed to top out at 12 mph while driving in a straight line.
Inspired by the 1:8 scale LEGO Technic model currently available for hobbyists, the full-scale version required the work of 23 specialists, 8,344 hours of development and construction, and 2,210 hours of production time.
The bright yellow vehicle includes 342,817 LEGO Technic elements spread across 393 different types (11 of which were created specifically for the project itself). According to The Verge, the car still requires a steel frame and real tires in order to function.
P1’s engine system comprises eight motor packs, each with 96 LEGO Power function motors. The build includes an electric motor consisting of LEGO Technic Function batteries and an electric car battery, allowing it to travel further than any other LEGO model.
The LEGO Technic weighed about 2,690 lbs, roughly 385 lbs lighter than the actual racing vehicle. It can reach speeds up to 40 mph. Once constructed, McLaren entrusted the task of testing the car to its own team racer, Lando Norris.
Upon arrival at the UK’s Silverstone Circuit, Norris completed an entire lap around the 3.66-mile track at a top speed of 40 mph. This is only a small fraction of the 217 mph capabilities of the real vehicle.
This also marks the first time a LEGO scale has successfully finished an entire race track lap, driven around corners, and been piloted by an official Formula One racing driver.
“Having worked on the original P1 programme for McLaren, it’s amazing to see so many of the elements from the original McLaren P1™ brought to life so realistically by the LEGO Technic team for the full-scale model. The car was an icon of its time. I hope that through this collaboration with the LEGO Group, we are able to inspire the next generation of designers and engineers to push the boundaries of automotive innovation.” stated Ben Gulliver, Test & Development Director, McLaren Automotive.
