42138, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 - 42137, Formula E Porsche 99X Electric
When I received these new sets, in plural, a very Spanish saying came to mind: "No hay dos sin tres" (There are no two without three); but in the end it turned out to be another catchphrase: ban dos!", or the increasingly less heard "Two of a kind for today! Whatever the case may be, I was glad to get them.
Two TECHNIC sets, small in size. Quite an "offence" for me, a fan of any TECHNIC that has at least four figures in the number of pieces, and unfortunately three figures in the price. Both sets are built with approximately 500 pieces and will cost just under 50 euros a piece.
That's the great virtue, for a very affordable price you have two sets aimed at those children who have spent their whole childhood with LEGO CITY, and who want to make the "leap" to TECHNIC. Obviously, I don't fit that profile.
But let's take it one step at a time. First of all, set 42138, Ford Mustang Shelby GT500. The name alone has a nice ring to it, doesn't it? When it comes to cars, America is another world. In terms of engines, the smallest you'll find is a 2.7-litre V6. In that world, where limits don't seem to exist, the Mustang Shelby GT500 harnesses a 5.2-litre V8, and is crowned the most powerful Ford road car in history. A cult sports car in America that is almost forbidden fruit in Europe.
Carroll Shelby followed the Ford Mustang project closely from its inception. His first collaboration materialised in the GT350, just nine months after the Mustang's launch, but his masterpiece wasn't born until 1966, with the first Mustang Shelby GT500.
The company's goal was for the coupe, which was born as an affordable sports car, to achieve a level of track performance worthy of renowned sports cars. Carroll Shelby himself said that the GT500 was the first car he was truly proud of.
So LEGO dares to take on a mythical model in the USA, not with all the size and detail (544 pieces) that the most demanding of us would like, but the result is magnificent.
The second set is 42137, Formula E Porsche 99X Electric (422 parts). The era of electric cars is upon us, and the German brand is making its debut in the established Formula E championship. One of the big goals of Formula E since its inception has been to appeal to a younger audience. The name 99X represents the history of Porsche. The three digits have been a hallmark of racing models and two-seater sports cars. The repetition of the nine, the highest number, was intended to emphasise the importance of this project for the manufacturer. Finally, the X gives it a futuristic ring.
The colours chosen to adorn the Porsche 99X Electric are typical of the Stuttgart-based company: white, black and red.
The construction is very simple, with no difficult steps. The front axle has no steering, no suspension and no detailed engine (cylinders and pistons). It should not be forgotten that these sets are for children. Any low- to medium-level enthusiast can begin his or her journey in the TECHNIC line with these two sets. However, a recommendation to their parents: TECHNIC is addictive. I have been repeating this phrase since 1978.
The sets with the Pullback mechanism are quite old. In 1991 and 92, the DUPLO and DACTA lines, and in 2006 the RACERS line. In 97 and 98 there were two TECHNIC sets with the Pullback engine, the 2854 (Bungee Chopper) and the 2129 (Blast-Off Dragster).
However, it seems strange to add this device to a TECHNIC set, perhaps out of classism, since this line was born with an aura of exclusivity. The first sets were launched on the market with the label "Technic as in real life". Including this mechanism in a Technic set means opening up the market to a younger audience if possible. I can't imagine any AFOL adding this mechanism to the Bugatti or the R9800... can you?
In short, I don't like the fact that this line has the Pullback mechanism. TECHNIC was never meant to be played, was it? I understand that it may attract younger users to the dark side of the force (i.e. Technic) and get future AFOLs. But nothing more. It's true that if you're looking for a complex TECHNIC you don't buy these sets, so it's an excellent choice for the younger members of the household.
Another important issue is the recommended age. I found the age of 9 years and over to be too low. For example, the Ford F-150 (set 42126), I found its "18+" very exaggerated. It's true that there were more than 1300 pieces, but it really wasn't that much. With these two sets, the opposite is true for me. I think it's too much for children over 9 years old. There are no complicated steps because there is no mechanism except for the PullBack motor. But it's full of little pieces and it's very easy to make a mistake in any step if you don't look closely. Although it's possible that LEGO has it all figured out and wants to have parents building these two cars together with their kids, right?
A new feature of these sets is the "AR TECHNIC" APP (Augmented Reality). Similar to the "Hidden Side" line, the game does not end when you have built the set. With the APP downloaded, and focusing on the car, you can enjoy the Pullback mechanism while driving through the corridor of your house.
The worst thing about these sets is the sheer number of stickers. In the case of the Formula E, it was clear that it had to be decorated with the sponsors' advertisements. The racing cars are real moving advertisements.
But not the Shelby. Besides, they have chosen the "lime" colour of the Lamborghini; and that causes clashes between those who love it and those who hate it (I am one of the former). I take this opportunity to insist that LEGO pay more attention to the colouring of these pieces. We had the same problem with the Lamborghini, and with this set something similar is happening, although much less exaggerated because there are fewer pieces.
In short, an excellent option for those who want to get started with TECHNIC, with a Pullback mechanism that adds that extra playability, simple construction, but without any mechanism typical of TECHNIC sets. So tell the Three Wise Men to include it, but both of them, not just one. Enjoy it!
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