8070 Supercar leaked

Finally we got to see images from the next LEGO Technic car, to be released in the 1H of 2011 - "Supercar" from its name...

I want to believe (and I do) that the directions taken to conceive this model, were based on observations done from a children population, in order to conclude about their preferences among Supercar bodies with cool functions or more mechanically detailed Supercars.
Also I do believe that nowadays youngsters may chose the first, and then we AFOLs and Technic fans should have nothing else to say than pray for a dedicated LEGO Technic UCS Supercar, to get into the LEGO Direct-to-Consumer product line roadmap...

Unlike what we were guessing, the Fiorano wheel covers won't be covering the wheels on the new Supercar... yet it's a funny coincidence that it was exactly them that initially led to the speculation here at TBs about a new Technic large car in the works!


An image of the 8070 Supercar has leaked, which dissolves many doubts. First of all, it's not a Lamborghini (or else the set would certainly receive a more specific name than just "Supercar" and a price tag to match). And, like so many large Technic cars before it, unfortunately comes in red instead of a more exotic colour like orange or dark blue. Since this preliminary picture doesn't show any stickers and the leaked 8068 Rescue Helicopter image shows them, it's expectable that the final product won't feature them either.
I like the front grill made with modified tiles, instead of a large sticker, as used in the 8145 GTB Fiorano.

Some were expecting TLG to release a large Lambo anytime soon, after having replaced the Ferrari license with the Lamborghini one. Whether it would become more like an 1:10 display car, or an 1:8 with realistic mechanics, opinions get divided. However it looks we are not getting close to none of them.

From what can be discerned from the small images near the main picture, it should be safe to say that the 8070 has front wheel steering via a Hand-Of-God control at the top (whether or not the steering wheel works can't be seen, but the small image would have room for the respective indication), and suspension on all wheels. A cylinder engine, at least V6, is also visible. However, such an engine would be positively tiny in such a large compartment, so most surely there is another pair or two of cylinders that might be hiding under the bonnet.

However, the main gimmick on the 8070 is clearly the one based on Power Functions. From the pictures, it's quite possible that the gear lever, unlike previous (and more aptly-named, by the way) Supercars, isn't used to switch gears for different engine-wheel speed ratios, but instead to switch functions powered by the M-motor, in a way quite similar to the 8480 Space Shuttle. As depicted on the left illustration and respective numbered function views following, depending on the selected lever position, we have the following functions:

1. Opening/closing the left door.
2. Opening/closing the right door.
3. Deploying or tilting the rear spoiler.
4. Opening/closing the bonnet.

Where this car would have All-Wheel-Drive (AWD) or not, it is not possible to say from these pictures, however having to accommodate such a large battery box inside the body, it shouldn't leave any room available for more complex functions.

So, it could be said that the 8070 is related to the 8297 Off-Roader in the same way the 8448 Super Street Sensation is related to the 8466 4x4 Off-Roader: a sports car and an SUV with comparable functionalities. Certainly not the "true Supercar" the fans have been waiting for since the aforementioned 8466, but undoubtedly a step up from the stylish, yet mechanically-simplistic Ferrari sets.

Not being a model intended to replicate any real car, it definitely has a nice looking body and headlight configuration. Quite different from any previous LEGO car in this class.
It may worth to notice, this is the first time LEGO Designers use the new panels in such type of car, and it seems they have achieved some very nice looking angles and effects, on the car sides.

In resume a "LEGO Technic Supercar without precedents", as advertised in the catalog!



This post was written with the collaboration of my co-blogger Alexandre (AVCampos).