42083 - Bugatti Chiron

[Seasider]

Well done @Jim. I think between you and @Sariel we’ll get amazing feedback on the Chiron.

I won’t ask any questions for obvious reasons.

looking forward to the reveal on the 1st

[TeamThrifty]

21 minutes ago, dforce said:

which parts determined the scale of the entire build

must be the wheels, they're the most restrictive component - short of designing brand new ones, i suspect thats where they started. plus they'll want the sub-range to be in the same scale i suspect. but would be interesting to find out

[dforce]

2 hours ago, TeamThrifty said:

must be the wheels, they're the most restrictive component - short of designing brand new ones, i suspect thats where they started. plus they'll want the sub-range to be in the same scale i suspect. but would be interesting to find out

That's the thing, they did design new wheels, based on the scant photos we've seen so far.  I do agree that those are probably the starting point, but it would be interesting to see how that all gets decided.

[TeamThrifty]

They're the same size as the Porsche ones though i think, so its a new design but the tyres and all other due diligence will carry over.. so maybe 5% new? I agree though, knowing what TLG's design process is would be interesting.

Is it mapped out in great detail, or is it progressive refinement for example. I'm a .net developer and it seems counter intuitive, but progressive refinement is often the better approach... maybe a pile of bricks and experimentation is better than agonising over plans and 3d renders.. that way can be paralysis by analysis. how's it done at Lego HQ?!!

[Jim]

Progressive refinement and prototyping. It’s almost certain they simply picked the Porsche scale rims and wheels and went from there. Iteration after iteration with feedback from the Bugatti team.

[Seasider]

2 hours ago, TeamThrifty said:

must be the wheels, they're the most restrictive component - short of designing brand new ones, i suspect thats where they started. plus they'll want the sub-range to be in the same scale i suspect. but would be interesting to find out

I don’t think they’ll end up with the range in the same scale.

the creator series of cars/vehicles (VW camper, beetle, mini, f40, routemaster) are all different scales and the UCS Star Wars vehicles are all different scales too

However one thing in favour of them being the same (or at least very similar scale) is that when you do a calc on the effective wheel/tyre diameter I don’t think the GT3 and the Chiron are a million miles apart 

[Sariel]

I can confirm that I will be at Denmark on June 1st, taking part in the unveiling and possibly joining live stream build session. Stay tuned for videos on my channel, I'm planning to film the Danish Legoland, too.

[Leonardo da Bricki]

YEEEESSSSS!!!! Finally! It's almost here! Man... This almost like waiting for Christmas as a kid...

 

@TeamThrifty That was the Claas Xerion!

 

@Jim and @Sariel Some questions to consider asking if you don't mind...

1. Did the Lego designers get to drive the real Bugatti?!

2. What was the most difficult component of this model to design?

3. Did you prototype any functions that did not make it into the final design?

And for my last question:

4. Boxers or briefs?

[Trace17]

My apologies if this has already been mentioned and I looked back a few pages, but are we expecting this to release worldwide June 1 along with the reveal? Or would the release be at a later date?

[1gor]

3 hours ago, Leonardo da Bricki said:

2. What was the most difficult component of this model to design?

Engine + transmission 

[allanp]

A few more questions from me.

Is there a reason for sticking to a tyre diameter of exactly 81.6mm? It appears to me they could be made just a little bit bigger to better fill out the wheel arches while keeping to 1:8 scale and also allow 4 modulus long steering arms, same as 8880 and the test car before it. The Porsche wheels are just a few mm too small for this. It's a shame because the longer steering arms reduced wibbly wobblyness, combined with the Ackerman geometry it made cars like 8880 and the test car before it feel nicer and of higher quality when "driving" them compared to new cars with only a 3 modulus long steering arm without Ackerman geometry. 

Most real life cars compress their suspension springs slightly under their own weight while not moving. (For context the test car does this and the suspension works very well, 8880 doesn't do this because the springs are too hard, and so it doesn't really work and is basically non existent when rolling it on the floor). Not having played with the Chiron yet I don't know if this question applies, but why are Technic suspensions usually way too hard?

For the Chiron, will the gearbox, drive train and it's components, such as differential and CV joints, be upgraded, strong enough and suitable for comfortably handling motorisation without risk of breaking gears or anything like that? Right now the only way to achieve this for a large car model is using some form of gearing down after the steering joint, as seen in 42070, which for a car is unrealistic.

When designing new parts, do you wait for a set to really need that part to release it, or can you release a new part because you know it will be useful in improving later sets in some way?

 

 

Edited May 9, 2018 by allanp

[Jim]

9 hours ago, Sariel said:

I can confirm that I will be at Denmark on June 1st, taking part in the unveiling and possibly joining live stream build session. Stay tuned for videos on my channel, I'm planning to film the Danish Legoland, too.

If you want to be in your own video, let me know. I can help you out  

As for the questions...Boxers...and I have noted all of them. Thanks. Keep 'em coming.

6 hours ago, Trace17 said:

My apologies if this has already been mentioned and I looked back a few pages, but are we expecting this to release worldwide June 1 along with the reveal? Or would the release be at a later date?

Honestly, we don't know what to expect. Could be available right away, but it could very well be the first of August. We are still in the dark. All we now is that there will be an unveiling of the 2018 supercar in Billund, The LEGO House, on the 1st of June.

[tpvelo]

Excited to see how the Chiron turns out :)

Suggestion for a question:

-How do you choose what model to make and what are the criteria for choosing it?

-Maybe further why the Chiron?

-Could we see a classic supercar in the future (like 250 GTO, Miura, 300SL etc.) or will the line continue focusing on new supercars?

[Jim]

4 minutes ago, tpvelo said:

-Could we see a classic supercar in the future (like 250 GTO, Miura, 300SL etc.) or will the line continue focusing on new supercars?

These are the answers TLG will give to these two questions "Maybe, we'll see" and "We'll see" 

Your first question is interesting though. They will be happy to answer that.

[WvG_853]

My question: In how far the existence of MOCs of a model play a role in the decision of Lego to create an official Lego model?

Second question would be if the designers have been inspired by or have reused solutions presented in MOCs?

[Jim]

1 minute ago, WvG_853 said:

My question: In how far the existence of MOCs of a model play a role in the decision of Lego to create an official Lego model?

Second question would be if the designers have been inspired by or have reused solutions presented in MOCs?

Noted. However...

1. We don't look at MOCs when we decide. So many MOCs have been made, that would limit our options. So we choose based on partnerships and unique models.

2. [LIES] We never use MOCs for inspiration or solutions.

 

[1gor]

1 hour ago, tpvelo said:

-Could we see a classic supercar in the future (like 250 GTO, Miura, 300SL etc.) or will the line continue focusing on new supercars?

I'm afraid that Ferrari 250GTO, Lamborghini Miura or Mercedes Benz 300SL have to rounded shape to be accurate made with LEGO panels...so I do not think they will be ever as official sets, but never say never...

[Skiing Biology God]

Possible questions for the people at Technic: 

1. How did you use the criticism from past models (42056) to better the Chiron?

2. How many new molds do you make a year and how do you control the budget of making new pieces in general?

3. Are you informed about the expectations of Lego fans and do you make changes before a set's release based on community commentary? How seriously do you consider suggestions or criticism from Lego fans?

4. How many stages of quality control and testing does a set go through before it becomes official? Is the team getting better at resolving mechanical errors like the extreme gear backlash in 42056?

5. Is Lego Technic willing to go to higher levels of complexity (6k+ piece sets, $500+) Is there a point where the magnitude of a Lego model is "too much"?

6. Is Lego Technic thinking about branching outwards and creating separate themes for different categories? (Supercars, Construction, Off-Road, Farming) Technic seems like too broad of a category to have so little sets released a year (Less than 10 sets a year with 400+ pieces where in total, Lego releases hundreds of them a year across all themes. Also, some Lego themes are specifically created for one film, while Technic encompasses almost all vehicles and had been around for 41 years now.

7. How does the team come up with new ideas and avoid recycling the same thing year after year? Where do you get inspiration from and do you think there will be a point where you will have no more ideas?

8. Will Technic integrate other forms of technology (Bluetooth, WiFi, cameras, hydraulics, circuits/logic gates) into its models over time? This will overall make more possibilities for advanced creations.

9. In 20 years, where do you see the yearly flagship model? (This year's being the rough terrain crane 42082) How do you envision the evolution of Technic as a whole?

10. How complicated is the licensing process and why aren't more licensed models made?

Thanks, would be nice if Lego answered some of these.

[Bublehead]

@Skiing Biology God, Some of the questions you have asked can be answered by watching all the TLG Technic designer videos on the web, and there are a couple of interviews and other videos that pull back the curtain, even if ever so slightly. One thing is for sure, the design cycle for Technic is longer and more rigorous due to the nature of mechanical design. Other themes have to "play well" and follow the TLG builders mantra, where the Technic designers have to do that AND make the machine work, and work at the first go once the model is complete.  If you followed the directions, and didn't squeeze your gears, then the model should work without having to "tune" any feature to get it to work. That can be a tall order. One interesting thing I learned from one interview was the designers don't make the instructions or determine how to put the model together. Once they have a working model it goes to a whole different group to determine building steps, order of construction, and graphics for the instructions. Check the videos out on the web.

Some of your questions however, I would love to hear answers to. Will they answer them? Probably not. ☹️

Edited May 10, 2018 by Bublehead
Typo

[JonathanM]

A couple of questions:

1. How much iteration (if any) there is between designer + building instruction people. i.e. once the designer is done with it, is it further refined based on feedback from instruction makers (e.g. to reduce or replace parts, improve build process etc?)

2. How much iteration is there between designers? Often I see different building techniques in different models (i.e. clear influence of the lead designer) but I wonder if other designers have much influence in design elements.

3. I think this was mentioned earlier, but I'd really love to see images/video - even digital models - of how designs evolved. Some of the best threads on here are the WIP ones, and I imagine LEGO must have some excellent stories about how specific models are refined through time.

[TechnicRCRacer]

I cannot think of any smart questions to ask 

I do want to know @Skiing Biology God‘s question #2. 

@Ngoc Nguyen Don’t start this again. 

[Saberwing40k]

I have some questions:

What dictates the number of functions a set has?

Why did Lego introduce colored axles yet eliminate stepped bags? That seems self defeating.

Did you agree or disagree with Porsche over any design decisions regarding 42056?

How important is fan feedback? / Was there hype backlash over 42056?

[TeamThrifty]

3 hours ago, TechnicRCRacer said:

@Ngoc Nguyen Don’t start this again

+1

[Milan]

@Ngoc Nguyen

No more calling someone out. Stick to the topic.

[zux]

5 hours ago, Saberwing40k said:

I have some questions:

What dictates the number of functions a set has?

Why did Lego introduce colored axles yet eliminate stepped bags? That seems self defeating.

Did you agree or disagree with Porsche over any design decisions regarding 42056?

How important is fan feedback? / Was there hype backlash over 42056?

To follow up with similar question:

What lessons (both design and functions) you've learned from Porsche and improved for Chiron?