LEGO Creates Replica of iconic Nissan GT-R NISMO

Lego has recreated replicas of numerous popular cars since it introduced the LEGO® wheel in 1962. Recently, Nissan partnered with the LEGO Group to make a model that pays homage to what can be termed as one of the most iconic Japanese supercars, the Nissan GT-R NISMO. This is the first time that LEGO has ever partnered with a Japanese car manufacturer.

The LEGO model was revealed in a ceremony held at Nissan’s global headquarters in Yokohama by LEGO Group CEO Niels B. Christiansen and Asako Hoshino, executive vice president at Nissan.

Speaking at the event, Niels B. Christiansen expressed his hope that in addition to offering a wonderful and fun building and play experience, the model would also inspire children to learn more about engineering and how to create things in real life. Engineers across decades have been engaged in refining the design and performance of the Nissan GT-R Nismo and it is expected that children across the globe would use the kit to build, unbuild and rebuild during play thus stimulating and developing crucial skills, like creativity, resilience, problem-solving and critical thinking. He concluded by saying that it is Lego’s mission to inspire children to become the builders of the future.

Asako Hoshino said: “The Nissan GT-R and the LEGO brand are both renowned and loved by fans of all ages throughout the world, and we are honored to be the first-ever Japanese car manufacturer to partner with the LEGO Group. Many of our Nissan customers can trace their automotive passion back to when they built LEGO cars as children. With this partnership, everyone can be a `takumi’ – the specialized craftsmen that build the GT-R. And, it’s the GT-R’s 50th anniversary this year, so what better way to celebrate than to share the GT-R with Nissan and LEGO fans around the world!”

Iconic taillights recreated in bricks

The LEGO Speed Champions Nissan GT-R NISMO will be available at the global level from January 2020. It will be one of the first in the 2020 Speed Champions themed sets and these sets will be 25 percent bigger than in previous years. The GT-R NISMO model has been fashioned from 298 LEGO elements and recreates the intricate details of the life-size race car in a LEGO model that is relatively small. This served as an interesting challenge for LEGO design lead Chris Stamp.

Stamp said, “In LEGO Speed Champions, we always aim to include new types of racing vehicles. And when we focused on drifting and racing, the record-breaking Nissan GT-R, and especially the new GT-R NISMO, was at the top of our wish list.”

He added that authenticity is always the key concern and the team spent quite a lot of time exploring different building techniques for correctly replicating the taillights, as they are one of the most recognizable details on the car.

Hiroshi Tamura, Nissan’s chief product specialist for the GT-R – known informally as “Mr. GT-R” – gave his nod of approval to the LEGO version of the Nissan GT-R NISMO: “The GT-R has been part of my life since I was 10 years old. Working with the LEGO Group was like awakening my inner 10-year-old self to rediscover what makes the GT-R so special to me. It’s amazing how much the LEGO Group’s attention to detail reminds me of our own craftsmen.”

At the launch event, the 2020 GT-R NISMO appeared alongside the LEGO Speed Champions Nissan GT-R NISMO. The 2020 model which is currently available is billed as the most extreme, most capable GT-R in history and comes with carbon-fiber front and rear bumpers, roof, trunk and rear spoiler; carbon-fiber front fenders with special scalloped vents; new lightweight wheels and new tires; tuned suspension and transmission; Brembo carbon brakes; and new turbochargers.