| Subject | Real-life cars |
|---|---|
| Licensed from | Various vehicle manufacturers |
| Availability | 2015–Present |
| Total sets | 50[1] |
Lego Speed Champions is an auto racing-inspired theme of Lego building kits first released in 2015.[2] It features classic and modern styles from well-known car brands.[3]
The series featured Ferrari, McLaren, and Porsche models in its initial release.[4] The theme later added Audi, Bugatti, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Jaguar, Lamborghini and Nissan. The line features as the center of a 2019 expansion for the open world racing video game Forza Horizon 4.[5]
According to Bricklink, The Lego Group released 50 playsets based on the Lego Speed Champions theme.[1]
In 2015, the theme started with the three iconic hyper cars of the time, the LaFerrari, McLaren P1 and the Porsche 918 Spyder. It also included Formula 1 cars from McLaren and Ferrari and Porsche 911 GT3 race cars.[6][7]
In 2016, the introduction of Muscle cars, with the Ford Mustang, Chevrolet Corvette and Camaro. It also included a Ford Model A Hotrod and F-150 Raptor, as well as LMP race cars from Audi and Porsche.[8]
For 2017 Speed Champions returned to Formula 1 cars from Ferrari and the championship-winning Mercedes AMG Petronas team.[9]
In 2018 the theme returned with six new sets featuring Ferrari and Porsche Race cars, including the Nurburgring Lap Record holding car, the Porsche 919 Hybrid. The line also included more classic vehicles such as a 1967 Ford Mustang. The largest set for this year included Ferrari race-cars, and also the Ferrari 250 GTO.[10][11]
The theme aims to take standard Lego elements and create built versions of iconic and exotic racing cars and supercars.[12] These are built with a "6-wide" format (referring to the width in Lego studs) not previously used for cars, differentiating them from other lines like Lego City by adding more detail.
It was announced at E3 2019 that The Lego Group and Playground Games have partnered together to add a new expansion pack to Forza Horizon 4 featuring several cars from the line and a new location made out of Lego bricks. The expansion pack was released on June 13, 2019.[13][14][15]
In late 2019, The Lego Group announced that all 2020 Speed Champions sets would be upscaled to 8 studs wide from the previous standard of 6. The 2020 sets include a Lamborghini Huracan Super Trofeo and Nissan GTR Nismo. Prices also increased with the shift in scale.
In June 2021, Lego Speed Champions sets were delayed until Summer, causing speculation amongst fans that the theme had been cancelled. Featuring in the range is a Toyota Supra, Corvette C8.R and Koenigsegg Jesko.[16]
In September 2021, Matthew Ashton, The Lego Group's Vice President of Design announced the Lego Speed Champions theme will continue until 2023.[17]
