LEGO vehicle models have always been one of the most popular collector themes, from the Creator series focusing on exterior styling, the Technic series emphasizing gear mechanisms and linkages, to the Speed Champions series that brings numerous race cars to life in a unified scale, each has its own passionate fanbase! Today, Toy People's unboxing report brings you the latest product from the LEGO Icons series, officially launching on April 4, 2023: "Land Rover Classic Defender 90"!
LEGO and Land Rover have joined forces to celebrate Land Rover's 75th anniversary, creating the Land Rover Classic Defender 90 based on the original 1983 model. It's a LEGO model that allows you to experience both the fierce wildness of an off-road vehicle and the refined beauty of a retro classic. Furthermore, this set lets you experience the fun of vehicle customization. The combination of aesthetic beauty achieved through standard LEGO brick-building and the mechanical structures and suspension provided by Technic parts makes this Defender 90 more than just a beautiful model car. So, let's get right to the unboxing!
▼ The front of the box features the signature premium black background of the LEGO ICONS series, which highlights the model car itself while clearly displaying the Land Rover logo.
▼ The back shows the vehicle's appearance with the equipment removed, alongside a photo of the real car. The assembled LEGO model measures an impressive 32 cm in length.
▼ The top displays a side view of the vehicle and a 1:1 scale image of the sand green tire.
▼ The sides show a top-down view with all the tools laid out, and a rear view of the vehicle fully equipped.
▼ Now for the contents! It includes one instruction manual, a sticker sheet, and a total of 2336 pieces.
▼ The numbered bags go up to 15, for a total of 17 bags plus one unnumbered bag for the tires, and one 8×16 plate.
▼ The instruction manual showcases classic Land Rover models from each era, from 1948 to the present, leading up to this new LEGO model.
▼ The designer of this Land Rover Classic Defender 90, Kurt Kristiansen.
▼ Alright, let's start building!
▼ Although you can still admire the interior, Technic parts, and gear linkages after the build is complete, some details are worth appreciating beforehand! For instance, the realistically shaped seats and the mechanical components that can only be described as intricate. The building technique for the seats is also well worth studying!
▼ This part is crucial! Since this Defender 90 allows you to choose between left-hand and right-hand drive, LEGO implemented a dual-gear design here to simplify the assembly changes and avoid major structural alterations. This ensures that the steering linkage connects to the front wheel gear assembly regardless of the configuration.
▼ Let's admire the Land Rover Classic Defender 90 from all angles! We'll start with LEGO's featured "Expedition Model." The "90" in Defender 90 refers to the wheelbase, which is now representative of a short wheelbase. This three-door, short-wheelbase Defender 90 has a compact and stylish appearance.
▼ With all the rich equipment loaded up, it truly evokes the visual of heading out on an expedition to remote lands. It also embodies the image of Land Rover as a pioneer of all-terrain special vehicles, capable of taking people to the most rugged places.
▼ The front end, equipped with a winch bumper, and the spare tire and tools placed on the hood give the vehicle an even more rugged feel.
▼ There's another spare tire at the back, along with a fire extinguisher and a ladder mounted on the sides.
▼ Here you can clearly see the printed Land Rover logo piece and the fuel cap.
▼ Next up is the roll cage, the roof rack above it, and the abundant equipment. Lights have been added to the front and back of the roof rack. The top can hold a toolbox, jerry cans, and a jack, while the gray traction boards are clipped to the side.
▼ Using a rope to tie down and secure all the equipment looks incredibly realistic!
▼ Let's take a closer look at the design of each accessory! The cross-shaped groove on the jerry can is formed by four triangular tiles, creating a very realistic look. The high-lift jack is also highly accurate, and the toolbox that can actually open is simply stunning.
▼ The side mirrors also use transparent pieces.
▼ Tools that can be mounted on the side include a hammer and an axe.
▼ Next, let's move on to the play features of the Defender 90! It's equipped with functional front-wheel steering that is genuinely controlled by turning the steering wheel.
▼ Then we have opening doors, adjustable side mirrors, and an opening rear door. The snorkel for water wading also has a certain range of adjustment.
▼ The yellow license plate on the left side of the rear not only features the model number L316 but also has the letters "HUE" below it, a nod to the classic 1948 Land Rover Series I, HUE 166.
▼ Now let's look at the interior. It has movable accelerator and brake pedals, a gear shifter, and a handbrake. The seats are also adjustable.
▼ The interior is beautiful. Just seeing that cup of coffee tells you the designer knows how to live (laughs).
▼ Opening the rear door and looking forward, you can see the scenery reflected in the rearview mirror (a sticker).
Now for the other main feature of this set: customization! First is Version A, equipped with a Turbo Diesel Engine. It presents a sleek, refined appearance that lets you appreciate the beauty of the vehicle's lines. The front grille and headlights are especially gorgeous. In addition to the windshield, the rear section also uses many transparent pieces.
▼ The hood is built to accommodate the taller dimensions of the diesel engine, resulting in a more prominent bulge. The manual refers to this as the "Bulge" hood, which can be compared with the other version later.
▼ Next is another play feature we didn't cover earlier: the hood opens. This was obstructed in the "Expedition Model" because of the spare tire mounted on top.
▼ Take a look at this realistic turbo diesel engine.
▼ You can easily remove the diesel engine and swap it for a gasoline V8 engine. At the same time, you can change the hood to a different style, creating Version B, which is more suited for city driving. The manual refers to this as the "Sleek" version.
▼ Let's compare the appearance of the two engines! Although they are just brick-built models without moving parts, the level of detail is truly excellent.
▼ Of course, the suspension on this Defender 90 is also incredible!
▼ Next, I want to mention what I personally consider a drawback of this Defender 90: the winch at the front. Although it's equipped with a rope and a hook to pull objects, the winch bumper is only connected to the front of the vehicle by a 2×4 area (8 studs total). It isn't reinforced with any additional Technic parts or clip connections. This might be for ease of removal, but it falls off far too easily.
▼ This is where the roof assembly connects to the body. As you can see, it's only held by 8 studs, making it very easy to remove for admiring the interior. On the other hand, this is something to be careful about when moving the car! Never pick it up just by the top section—fellow toy fans should take note.
▼ Now that we've finished building this Land Rover Classic Defender 90, it would be a shame not to take it out for a spin!
LEGO 10317 "Land Rover Classic Defender 90" Unboxing Summary:
This LEGO Icons version of the Land Rover Classic Defender 90 successfully combines the pursuit of aesthetic accuracy found in Creator Expert vehicles with the captivating mechanical functionality of the Technic series. It features the essentials of a flagship model car, such as steering-wheel-controlled front wheels and a detailed interior. Plus, the inclusion of three hood options, two engine types, and a host of freely interchangeable accessories gives this Defender 90 a unique appeal, distinct from the "42110 Land Rover Defender".
During the build, you get to experience the fun of Technic linkages and the satisfaction of shaping an excellent exterior with bricks. The customization, a key feature of this set, is a simple and quick process. The difference between the Expedition Model and the standard Land Rover Estate look is so significant that it makes you want to switch between them again and again! Despite the aforementioned drawback of the easily detachable winch, I believe the pros far outweigh the cons. For any toy fan who loves Land Rover, this is definitely a masterpiece worth getting!
LEGO® 10317 Icons Land Rover Classic Defender 90
Suggested Retail Price: NT$7,299
Piece Count: 2336 pieces
From April 1-3, 2023, LEGO VIP members can enjoy Early Access for purchase. Officially launches on April 4 at LEGO Certified Stores.