What Should the Next Lego Technic Flagship Be?

[DLuders]

Ever since the Lego Power Functions System (PFS) was launched in 2007 with the 8275 Motorized Bulldozer set, the Lego Technic "flagships" (released in the summer) have been more daring and complex with each passing year. The 8297 Off-Roader II (from 2008), 8258 Crane Truck (from 2009), 8043 Motorized Excavator (from 2010), and 8110 Unimog U400 (to be released in 2011) are all well-received.

The question is, what should The Lego Group do for an encore? What would you want as the next (2012) Technic flagship? Does it have to be a wheeled vehicle, or can it be something else? What kinds of features do you want it to have?

Edited July 4, 2011 by DLuders

[efferman]

next flagship?

with the new 94,8x38 tires at the tractor unit and with the 5571 black cat tires on the trailers.

i know that is a insane wish, but this flagship would be for long years the king of all flagships

Edited July 4, 2011 by efferman

[Seluryar]

i think we are overdue for an airplane as a main model flagship model(main model as in not an alternate build in a set)

[Krize]

If we want recognizable, why not a garbage truck? Either with a system on the back to empty the garbage bins into the container, or a system like 8479 (Scanner Truck) primary model or 8868 secondary model. Of course this also has a tipping mechanism. maybe even the same mechanism as this years 8052 (Container Truck). Along with Power Functions driven drive train and steering you could have five functions, which seems reasonable for a flagship model, if everything would be remote controlled.

-driving

-steering

-tipping

-unloading

-loading arm (either at the back or at the front).

This could become an interesting model and something Technic doesn't see everyday, yet can still be recognizable :D

As Erik Leppen suggests last year I would go for an orange garbage truck, too. The truck should have both a system on the back to empty the bins and a system like the 8479 Scanner truck has and you could switch between these two modes, like TLC did with the unimog. In the front TLC could use some pneumatics. Of course, it should have a tipping function (with the use of 2 big LAs) to unload the bricks.

Like TLC did with Unimog, you could switch between compressor mode (to handle the pneumatic front arm) and the "rear mode" (emptying the garbage bins and tipping the whole big container). I think there no need to make it fully remote controlled.

So, we would get more and perhaps new orange parts, TLC could use the new "torque tube" as well. The truck should be fully suspended, too, perhaps with a new kind of leaf spring for the rear.

BTW, Mercedes Benz did some nice garbage trucks, too.

[allanp]

How about a huge monstertruck, or a huge jcb, or a huge supercar, or a huge space shuttle, or a huge robot arm, or a huge.....erm.....dinosaur?

Seriously tho I don't care what the flagship is as long as it's got some really cool new parts which allow for more realistic functionality.

[Pauger]

Next time their going to make a remotely controlled flagship I'm thinking a crawler crane could be very likely. Maybe with a similar gearbox system as the 8043. Though it might be to similar...

[olaf9198]

mayby a Crawler Crane

or a Tracked Paver

Edited July 4, 2011 by olaf9198

[Pauger]

Bad timing Olaf haha

[Alasdair Ryan]

How about a huge monstertruck, or a huge jcb, or a huge supercar, or a huge space shuttle, or a huge robot arm, or a huge.....erm.....dinosaur?

Seriously tho I don't care what the flagship is as long as it's got some really cool new parts which allow for more realistic functionality.

i am for a dinosaur maypay one with longer pneumatics.

[Dutch_EE]

A dinosaur

JEAH, like the Tyrannosaur in the 'Control Center'. If it is then remote controlled and walking _drool

And if it were in Black, with green and/or orange, I'm sold

[bord4kop]

I really couldn 't care..

As long as it is as challenging and complex as par example; the 8043, and it has not too many new parts!

Why not use the regular parts? There is more than enough to build cool things. Just take a look at the MOCS that are build by some people here!

Edited July 4, 2011 by bord4kop

[P4trickvH]

They should give us a BIG goodlooking MONSTERTRUCK. Have seen some great MOC monstertrucks, i think it's now time that LEGO brings us one.

[nielsvdv]

i really woud like a hauler, like a volvo D40, with longer pneumatics for the bucket and pneumatic steering :) OOO! and full 6X6 rc, if tlg would like that :P

i don't think we will ever see a "rubber tire" rc vehicle, TLG only uses tracks fo rc vehicles like the bulldozer. kids would stop the vehicle cousing damage :(

[allanp]

Or what about a huge remote controlled forklift, with longer pneumatics (obviously ), and a servo motor to control the steering and pneumatic valves.

[Ultimario]

Unlike many others i don't care most what the flagship is, as long as it gives us new and possibly unique pieces. If the unimog wouldn't contain so many unique pieces i likely wouldn't drool after it but they are the dealmakers for me, especially since i have all basic pieces I'll ever need. In other words, why buy the flagship if i can just build it from my existing pieces. Also explains why my most wanted sets until a while back were the 80's super cars because they had those old special and pretty unique 2x2 pistons for larger and cooler looking engines.

Of course there are flagships consisting of basic pieces that I like and would buy in any case, such as the 8043 which had some new stuff but not really that much, but the Unimog is in a whole different magnitude of desirability because it contains both basic and lots of special but at the same time useful pieces.

And then the secondary objective, white! I want even more white pieces and as the present white sets don't attract me i won't buy them for the few panels and beams, I need a flagship.

And then the tertiary objectives, themewise i hope they'll go to something spacerelated, like a huge spacestation with launchpad, or an apollo rocket with moonlander and all that. A passengerplane is also something I would count the days until release for. The possibilities with these would be endless, reintroduction of an improved flex-system and motorised functions and complex aileron etc. control, detailed "technic" models of the engines. Basically endless possibilities on this front.

ps: Anything with powerpuller wheels or similar would also get me awing, those darn critters still elude my grasp.

Edited July 4, 2011 by Ultimario

[Nazgarot]

i really woud like a hauler, like a volvo D40, with longer pneumatics for the bucket and pneumatic steering :) OOO! and full 6X6 rc, if tlg would like that :P

i don't think we will ever see a "rubber tire" rc vehicle, TLG only uses tracks fo rc vehicles like the bulldozer. kids would stop the vehicle cousing damage :(

I'm for a hauler as well, but make it a MOXY. It's a unique construction, with an advanced independent front suspension, 6x6 drive and a unique tipping system. It also has a very interesting frame construction, and would be a worthy challenge for TLG. Include some longer pneumatic cylinders, and a remote controlled pneumatic switch, with return to center function, and it's sure to be a hit!

-ED-

[Brickend]

I wonder if there will ever be a flagship without a motor in the future? I guess not since 2005.

I think the next model will be linear not pneumatic and quite a bit smaller (affordable) than the Unimog to avoid alienating parents too much.

[Erik Leppen]

They revamped 8868 with the Unimog, now it's time to revamp 8480 with a new Space shuttle (or similar).

I also agree on the color remark by Ultimario. Therefore I'm glad the Unimog is orange, there's too much red and yellow already.

[Cwetqo]

I heard something about full rc offroader, but I'm not sure if its technic or "racers" set, like Dirt Crusher. This came from reliable, but non-afol source, so it's really hard to tell, but remote is supposed to be different from current PF remotes. Maybe my longe time wish about pf-compatible, variable speed, non train based remote will finally come to life (I am talking about remote where small movement of remote stick would result in low speed).

Remember, this is all just my speculation and even if we will get such a set it will be in 2H2012, so we will have to wait for a long time before we will know for sure.

OK, back to theme: I personally would be very happy if we could get succesor of 8480 space shuttle, with PF , led-s and so on. The time is right for it (last shuttle mission) and it be pleasent offset from current car-truck-construction vehicle lineup.

edit: eric surpassed me for a few minutes :)

Edited July 4, 2011 by Cwetqo

[Matt The Tuba Guy]

As much as I like astronomy, I am going to have to say no to the space shuttle. that should have been this year's one since this year is the last of the shuttle age.

How about a fully functional Mars rover? the Mars Science Laboratory perhaps. it is due to land on Mars around this time next year, so it would be appropriate to be released then.

I actually really like the idea of a large crawler crane. I never ended up getting the last one, but it looked really awesome. something similar, but bigger and remote control would be awesome.

[jasonsmith]

I'd like to see a real detailed and large helicopter with some new parts to easily build the rotor system.

[garson]

Unlike many others i don't care most what the flagship is, as long as it gives us new and possibly unique pieces. If the unimog wouldn't contain so many unique pieces i likely wouldn't drool after it but they are the dealmakers for me, especially since i have all basic pieces I'll ever need. In other words, why buy the flagship if i can just build it from my existing pieces. Also explains why my most wanted sets until a while back were the 80's super cars because they had those old special and pretty unique 2x2 pistons for larger and cooler looking engines.

Of course there are flagships consisting of basic pieces that I like and would buy in any case, such as the 8043 which had some new stuff but not really that much, but the Unimog is in a whole different magnitude of desirability because it contains both basic and lots of special but at the same time useful pieces.

And then the secondary objective, white! I want even more white pieces and as the present white sets don't attract me i won't buy them for the few panels and beams, I need a flagship.

And then the tertiary objectives, themewise i hope they'll go to something spacerelated, like a huge spacestation with launchpad, or an apollo rocket with moonlander and all that. A passengerplane is also something I would count the days until release for. The possibilities with these would be endless, reintroduction of an improved flex-system and motorised functions and complex aileron etc. control, detailed "technic" models of the engines. Basically endless possibilities on this front.

ps: Anything with powerpuller wheels or similar would also get me awing, those darn critters still elude my grasp.

apparently nasa is retiring the space shuttle and making a new rocket so i could just see the clear beams being used with linear actuators in a scissor lift mechanism to raise a rocket with fiber optics that has technic style functions within as a possible flagship

[Phantom59]

I have agree it would have to have unique pieces other wise what is the point. That said I would love to see a Road Grater

Edited July 5, 2011 by Phantom59

[JunkstyleGio]

Just an idea:

How about 4 separate (and stand-alone) sets (Price range 25-100)of which you can build one big model out of...

The end model should be sold as buildinginstruction with a few extra and special parts....

[Bulle]

Model: Something unlike last years.

New parts: A new even smaller linear accurator for even smaller applications with Maximum 2 stud expansion. that will make perfect for alot of things, like very compact 3 speed linear gearbox. Or small cosmetic functions which do not require alot of force.

Edited July 5, 2011 by Bulle