What’s It Like Recreating A Lamborghini Into A 3,600 Piece Lego Set?

Legos are hardly the kids toy that they’re made out to be: the Lego Technic series is proof of that. They’ve evolved from 200-piece sets in the 70s to some of the most complex feats of brick-based engineering in the modelling world — and the new Lego Technic Lamborghini Sián FKP 37 shows just how.

For all its verbosity, the Lego Technic Lamborghini Sián measures just 60 cm long and 13 cm tall, making it an eighth of the size of the supercar that it was modelled after.

But don’t be deceived by its diminutive stature: the model has guts far beyond its size. At 3,696 pieces, the Lego Technic Lamborghini Sián ranks in at one of the most complex models ever produced by the company. 

Beyond its functional scissor doors and perfectly recreated cockpit — minuscule Automobili Lamborghini emblem and all — the limited-edition Lego Technic Lamborghini Sián also comes with an elaborate 8-speed sequential gearbox (triggered by a movable paddle gearshift) and a pop-up rear spoiler.

Avid builders and supercar fans have Aurelian Rouffiange to thank. As the Senior Designer for Lego Technic since 2018, Rouffiange is in charge of bringing some of the brand’s most complex designs to life.

“We say when you build with Lego Technic, you build for real,” says Rouffiange, who worked with his team for over a year to develop the Lamborghini Sián model. “It provides a challenge for experienced Lego builders — you can build advanced, real-life functions like gearboxes and steering systems.”

The most challenging part? Trying to recreate a car that’s famed for its sweeping lines and organic curves — all with plastic bricks. That, and having to assemble dozens of moving parts within a model that’s smaller than a laptop.

“The function is quite sophisticated, but at the same time, very simple,” says Rouffiange of the car’s effortless moving scissor doors, which he laughingly refers to as ’true magic’. “You have to push on a beam behind the doors that will then pull some other Lego elements and lift the door.” 

The fancy nuts-and-bolts in the Lego Technic Lamborghini Sián aren’t the only surprising thing about it. The model is also said to be part of the Lego Group’s move towards sustainability; though 5 new elements were developed for the look and shape of the car, almost all of them will be used in future models (only the rim was made specially for the Lamborghini Sián) which helps eliminate unnecessary waste. 

As Rouffiange puts it, it’s all part of the Lego Group’s mission to inspire and develop the builders “of tomorrow”.

He says: “By encouraging and supporting children to learn through play, we’re also committed to making a positive impact on the planet — so today’s children inherit a better world.”