42177 Mercedes G500 4X4

[Jockos]

It would indeed be a big bonus, but I shouldn't be too optimistic about that. Seeing recent years I realised licensed themes/models (Technic on top) don't really get the freedom to maximise their sets in functions/looks. I want to be pleasantly surprised, though.

[2GodBDGlory]

20 hours ago, Aleh said:

Absolutely agree! If not the Gelandewagen would have 3 diffs - who then?

Why? Obsolete 10 years ago cylinders still attract?

Oh, my preferences for what a Lego set would model have little to do with the real-world advantages and disadvantages of different systems! It's just that a model of the EV version in Lego would have far less potential for interesting functions than an ICE one. If it's a model of an ICE one, there's potential for differential locks, a transfer case, a transmission, and a piston engine, while if it's an EV one, I guess at best there's U-joints running from the suspension to simulated electric motors. Though on re-reading that article, it does mention that the real-world EV one has a two-speed transmission attached to each of the four electric motors, so if Lego were to model that, it would actually be decently interesting. I just think it's a lot more likely to have mechanical complexity if it models an ICE one!

[Aleh]

7 hours ago, 2GodBDGlory said:

 EV version in Lego would have far less potential for interesting functions than an ICE one.

I'm sure that we will get regular V8 version, but electric one would be challenging - how about 4 electric motor (one per will), imitating all possible locks + turning around itself like tank?)

[2GodBDGlory]

17 hours ago, Aleh said:

I'm sure that we will get regular V8 version, but electric one would be challenging - how about 4 electric motor (one per will), imitating all possible locks + turning around itself like tank?)

Well, if it were an RC model that would definitely be interesting, but I don't think anything suggests it will be

[damian_kane_iv]

Im only really holding out for new parts in new colors. LEGO fans are just as capable as any pro LEGO designer of creating great technical solutions to mechanical functions. The one thing we cannot do is manufacture our own parts to the same ABS spec as LEGO (but European AFOLs and companies featured here have gotten quite good at making their own custom lego-compatible parts)

 

I think the real value proposition (for serious hobbyists) that LEGO has with these new licensed sets is generating new parts in new colors and sometimes with branded stickers and prints. The existence of bricklink and bricks and pieces ordering means anyone can get what they need to mod these models to satisfaction

Edited May 2, 2024 by damian_kane_iv

[gyenesvi]

33 minutes ago, damian_kane_iv said:

Im only really holding out for new parts in new colors. LEGO fans are just as capable as any pro LEGO designer of creating great technical solutions to mechanical functions. The one thing we cannot do is manufacture our own parts to the same ABS spec as LEGO (but European AFOLs and companies featured here have gotten quite good at making their own custom lego-compatible parts)

I think the real value proposition (for serious hobbyists) that LEGO has with these new licensed sets is generating new parts in new colors and sometimes with branded stickers and prints. The existence of bricklink and bricks and pieces ordering means anyone can get what they need to mod these models to satisfaction

100% agreed :)

[NV Lego technic]

On 3/13/2024 at 6:13 PM, Fluwoeb said:

picture from Reddit 

It's a scam. Once I've seen an image of 42146 Wich turned out nothing like the actual set, but here it's even more obvious, as there are a lot of crude surfaces and seemingly upscaled system parts, which suggests that this image is AI generated.

On 3/13/2024 at 6:13 PM, Fluwoeb said:

 

Edited May 5, 2024 by NV Lego technic

[2GodBDGlory]

After reading some more about the electric version of this, I realized that it has a De Dion rear suspension, as well as the four hi/lo gearboxes. If a Lego model of the electric version modeled both of these features, I'd be quite satisfied with it, though I doubt they will do that much if it does end up being an electric version

[Rebel_Lego]

I don't know if the model number is definitive for the Lego set, but the electric version is called G580, so that would mean this isn't the EV.

Saw a video about the offroad capabilities of the electric one and it is quite impressive! (especially the Gturn :) )

Edited May 14, 2024 by Rebel_Lego

[allanp]

Ide be happy if they do the same old functions as we've had before, just done much better. A realistic gearbox with low friction, large CV joints, differential with a high ratio (the ones with the red crown gear), Ackerman steering geometry, proper (as in not cam style) piston engine and a good transmission and suspension setup for off roading. It seems like slowly they have been releasing all the needed elements, the gearbox of the Yamaha (could do with perhaps a few more sizes of clutch gear), the stiffer suspension springs from the BMW/Yamaha/Ferrari, the newer diffs, the larger CVs from the Audi. Now it's time, finally, to bring it all together.

But still, most of this good stuff is not new to this flagship. And I get the feeling these wonderful new parts will still be all the colours of the rainbow! Do they not realise? These parts to us are like the most desired minifigs of other themes, these are our minifigs, and look at the love those minifigures get. Dual moulded legs, gun metal grey helmets/armour and rarely does a part of a minifig escape without being printed. Why can't our most treasured and desired parts of the Technic theme get such treatment and love from the coin counters? Imagine all the gearbox gears being gun metal grey, with a tasteful ring of colour printed on them to help the casuals tell them apart. Or all pneumatic hoses in black with their end faces printed different colours. This would allow far more colour coding options but also done in a much more visually pleasing way, the best of both worlds. How about a dual moulded textured rubber over plastic steering wheel?

I kinda felt a small glimmer of this looking at the mars rover, with it's new tyres coloured grey, printed wheel caps and new printed arch pieces. That's great! But this is Technic, where the mechanisms, both external and internal, should be the stars of the show. Make the internal mechanisms look authentic and good enough to show on the box. I think this is what I'm always looking for. How is this flagship moving the theme forward (perhaps I'm looking too far forward!) in terms of mechanical authenticity. Sure the outer body work has to look good on the box, but bodywork is boring! 

So let's see. Will this be a greatest hits of much of the good stuff that we already have (which I really wouldn't have that much to complain about if done well), or will it be something more.....astounding? 

Edited May 14, 2024 by allanp

[Maaboo the Witch]

16 minutes ago, allanp said:

Ide

*I'd.

[TeamThrifty]

50 minutes ago, allanp said:

most of this good stuff is not new to this flagship

Is this set a flagship then? Been working mental hours for the last 5 months so a bit out of touch

[allanp]

1 hour ago, Maaboo the Witch said:

*I'd.

You also missed my spelling of Ackermann!

1 hour ago, TeamThrifty said:

Is this set a flagship then? Been working mental hours for the last 5 months so a bit out of touch

As far as I know yes it is. 

[Maaboo the Witch]

2 minutes ago, allanp said:

You also missed my spelling of Ackermann!

Oh keep it away mother, it hurts!

[allanp]

4 minutes ago, Maaboo the Witch said:

Oh keep it away mother, it hurts!

[Zerobricks]

I expect to see a Low and High range gearbox and a 4 speed gearbox, same as defender, but using new parts for more efficiency. Diff locks would be an icing on the cake, but I'm not sure of their usefulness for a non-motorized model.

[SNIPE]

2 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

I expect to see a Low and High range gearbox and a 4 speed gearbox, same as defender, but using new parts for more efficiency. Diff locks would be an icing on the cake, but I'm not sure of their usefulness for a non-motorized model.

I agree , I don't know why people just whine that 42110 has "too many gears". Its technic. Yes its a shame they slip in certain circumstances but thats no reason not to try.

What do people expect them to do? make a boring model that only looks good?! how is technic supposed to evolve by removing functions!?

Edited May 15, 2024 by SNIPE

[BusterHaus]

4 hours ago, Zerobricks said:

Diff locks would be an icing on the cake, but I'm not sure of their usefulness for a non-motorized model.

Diff locks on a manual model would generate a lot of user complaints. "Why is there so much rolling resistance?" "The car doesn't want to turn." I would be very surprised to see them in this set. 

[efferman]

1 hour ago, BusterHaus said:

Diff locks on a manual model would generate a lot of user complaints.

A model without 3 Difflocks is not worthy to be called a G.

[pow]

Wow, I learned more about the G-Class in a very short time than I ever wanted to know in my life! It's impressive how many chassis were installed in the many versions of the G so far!

But I would like to start a different story with my post: Lego might want to present itself a little more grandiosely to the public again (after the relatively unpopular 42129 Zetros). Daimler has shown with the Cada AMG that they do NOT give their licenses exclusively to TLG.

Of course, the two vehicles (Cada's AMG and TLG's 42177 G500) have different target groups. But Lego would be well advised to try and make a statement with the G500.

I think we can expect an iteration of the 42110 Defender. No more and no less. I.e. there will be parallels like a single limited slip differential, more gears to shift through and the mechanisms will be a bit smoother. But I think that's it.

Question: Will the 42117 actually be sold through Mercedes dealers? If so, as a Daimler customer I would expect the Lego version to come as close as possible to the road version (especially as far as the chassis is involved).

[allanp]

Locking diffs you say? 

That would be cool, their usefulness is in replicating the real thing. Are they useless in a purely manual model? could you not say that about the whole engine and transmission?

On the other hand, their effect wouldn't be noticeable in a model you push yourself, and I'm pretty sure they would brake the diff gears if pushed round a corner too fast, unless it could be designed in a way that it disengages with enough force. 

If we do see locking diffs, great, but if not, it wouldn't be so bad. At least the axles won't be so horrendously massive (wasn't the axle of the zeros almost as thick as the whole wheel!) only obnoxiously massive!

[TeamThrifty]

5 hours ago, SNIPE said:

I agree , I don't know why people just whine that 42110 has "too many gears". Its technic. Yes its a shame they slip in certain circumstances but thats no reason not to try.

What do people expect them to do? make a boring model that only looks good?! how is technic supposed to evolve by removing functions!?

100% correct 

[Aleh]

11 hours ago, allanp said:

As far as I know yes it is. 

Aren't we expect another supercar as a flagship this year?

3 hours ago, efferman said:

A model without 3 Difflocks is not worthy to be called a G.

Indeed!

[Jockos]

53 minutes ago, Aleh said:

Aren't we expect another supercar as a flagship this year?

Yes, we are expecting one, but technically it won't be the flagship.

[nerdsforprez]

1 hour ago, Jockos said:

Yes, we are expecting one, but technically it won't be the flagship.

Forgive me... not keeping up with Lego as I once did. What is the expected flagship this year?