Lego launches 2,573-piece Defender model

Land Rover spin-off has the most complex gearbox to go into a Lego Technic toy yet

Lego has followed Land Rover’s all-new Defender reveal at Frankfurt with the launch of its 2,573-piece model. The Lego Technic toy, which you may recognise from an internet leak in the summer, mimics the full-sized 4x4 with all-wheel drive hardware, including three differentials and Lego’s most sophisticated gearbox yet, independent suspension and a front-mounted winch.

It’s based on the Defender 90 so has two doors and much the same compact body, which sports wide arches and a roof rack. The front wears the all-new Defender’s oblong headlight clusters and circular LED surrounds, while under the bonnet is an inline six-cylinder engine featuring moving pistons. The steering system is controlled by a knob on the roof and, needless to say for a Technic model, the winch works.

The most significant feature of Lego’s Defender is that driveline; the all-wheel drive system can be adjusted via a lever in the cabin, while the effects can be seen on the exposed gearbox out back. In theory, if that six-pot were able to spin under its own steam, the 420mm-long Lego model would be a true scaled-down Defender capable of tackling slippery inclines like the real car. Nerdgasm!

Sales for the Olive Green model begin on the 1 October, at which time UK prices will be confirmed. Not even the Lego model escapes Defender speculation, however, so we only have to visit rumourville to find a speculated price of £159 – which equates to about 0.35% of the real thing, if you’re wondering.