REVIEW - 42048 - RACE KART

HEADER

[url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/22875476590_4bd14caa41_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/22875476590_e5d0385a20_c.jpg[/img][/url]

INTRODUCTION

If you are old, like me, there's a pretty good chance the [url="http://brickset.com/sets/854-1"]854 Go-Kart[/url] (or [url="http://brickset.com/sets/948-1"]948 Go-Kart[/url] for the US) was the first Technic set in your collection. I remember my dad had to help me building this set. Actually, I think he did most of the building and I watched in awe. If you are a dad and have a son (or daughter) this might very well be the set to introduce your kid to LEGO Technic. Is it interesting for us AFOLs too? Let's find out. [b]854/948 GO-KART FROM 1978[/b] Here you can see a picture of the kart I am referring to. One of the first LEGO Technic sets, although it wasn't called Technical LEGO back in the days. Wikipedia: [i]The concept was introduced as the Expert Builder series and originally Technical Sets in 1977,[1] and was renamed Technic in 1984.[/i]. [img]http://img.bricklink.com/SL/948-1.jpg[/img] [i]Note: All images can be clicked for hi-res versions.[/i]

SET INFORMATION

Number: [b]42048[/b] Title: [b]Race Kart[/b] Theme: [b]Technic[/b] Released: [b]2016[/b] Part Count: [b]345[/b] Box Weight: [b]558 gr[/b] Box Dimensions: [b]15,4 cm x 13,8 cm x 5,9 cm[/b] Set Price (MSRP): [b]€ 26,99[/b] Price per Part: [b]€ 0,078[/b] Links: [url="http://brickset.com/sets/42044-1/Display-Team-Jet"]Brickset[/url], [url="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItem.asp?S=42044-1"]Bricklink[/url]

THE BOX

The box shows the Race Kart on the starting grid and in the lower right corner you see the piston moving. There's also an arrow near the lever, going two ways, so there's probably a gear box of some sorts. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/600/23043421116_6a0dd54511_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/600/23043421116_3768fb9a2d_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]BACKSIDE[/b] The backside shows the alternate model and a reference to the digital building instructions apps. The instructions weren't available in the app when I built the model, so I can't tell whether they are any good. They are probably up to par with the other instructions in the app, which are quite good. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5707/22651063928_d8b2f0e897_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5707/22651063928_7f4b365dcb_c.jpg[/img][/url]

CONTENT OF THE BOX

The box contains: [list] [*]2 Instruction Booklets (A- and B-model) [*]1 Sticker Sheet [*]5 Bags [/list] [b]INSTRUCTION BOOKLET A-MODEL[/b] The instruction booklet for the main model. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/666/23171291795_f8caf4a5eb_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/666/23171291795_706b68f2bf_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]INSTRUCTION BOOKLET B-MODEL[/b] Noteworthy is the inclusion of an additional booklet for the B-model. This is common in smaller sets, but I didn't expect it in a set this size. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/629/22544240293_fcb715ddbf_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/629/22544240293_37ee94bccd_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]STICKER SHEET[/b] One look at the sticker sheets and it's obvious where these stickers need to be applied. The small round sticker is for the tank cap. The purple and orange color scheme is clearly present in the sticker sheet as well. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5688/22542763814_2b368feceb_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5688/22542763814_2c3acbb455_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]BAGS[/b] Five bags containing all the parts for the model. No unbagged parts in this set. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5637/22803319699_eca5c840ba_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5637/22803319699_e82420c284_n.jpg[/img][/url] [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5749/22777126337_d3cbf09133_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5749/22777126337_af5b4fdc6d_n.jpg[/img][/url] [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/676/22544240803_c46af1e05b_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/676/22544240803_852034880c_n.jpg[/img][/url] [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/746/22544240883_5426e2506e_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/746/22544240883_6366ef7c54_n.jpg[/img][/url] [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5765/22542764424_fe151c8fb2_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5765/22542764424_35f7bca42e_n.jpg[/img][/url]

HIGHLIGHED PARTS

This section describes the new or highlighted parts. [b]YELLOW 5L AXLE[/b] The [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?id=540#T=C"]5L Axle[/url] has never been released in yellow. As far as I can tell, this is the only 1H 2016 set with a yellow 5L axle. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/22544241233_e7e4ef2962_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5753/22544241233_b995e45d4c_n.jpg[/img][/url] [b]RED 4L AXLE[/b] The [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?id=676#T=C"]Axle 4L[/url] in Red hasn't been released since 2005. It has only been released in [url="http://www.bricklink.com/catalogItemIn.asp?P=3705&in=S"]4 sets[/url] in red, so it's not a very common part. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/22544241143_406de4517d_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5675/22544241143_562497ed5b_n.jpg[/img][/url] [b]SILVER 3L TECHNIC LIFTARM[/b] The [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?id=3162#T=C"]3L Technic Lifarm[/url] has only been released in Silver in the [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?S=10242-1#T=I"]10242 - MINI Cooper[/url]. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5808/22803320089_5e2f7eb574_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5808/22803320089_0aa85effef_n.jpg[/img][/url] [b]DARK BLUISH GREY 3x11 TECHNIC PANEL PLATE[/b] Also unique to this set is the [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=15458&idColor=11#T=C&C=11"]3x11 Panel Plate[/url] in Dark Bluish Grey. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/729/22803320309_5c7824355a_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/729/22803320309_3e44acfdf5_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]3x13 CURVED PANEL[/b] The [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=18944&idColor=36#T=C&C=36"]3x13 Curved Panel[/url], which was introduced in Bright Green in last year's [url="http://brickset.com/sets/42039-1/24-Hours-Race-Car"]24 Hours Race Car[/url], is being used in Purple. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/575/22777127037_38901a8c92_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/575/22777127037_5fc4e35ecb_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]WHEELS AND TIRES[/b] The model uses [url="[url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=55978&idColor=11#T=C&C=11"]37 x 22 ZR Tires[/url] and [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=56145&idColor=11#T=C&C=115"]30.4mm D. x 20mm Wheels[/url]. Both are very common, but I mention them for easy reference. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/719/22544241543_7f6f261d62_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/719/22544241543_5b5092ab7b_c.jpg[/img][/url]

PART LIST

The Race Kart consists of 345 parts. Here's the complete part list. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/667/23199487952_5806d98571_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/667/23199487952_7943dfb5d5_n.jpg[/img][/url] [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/585/22680655903_0f26bec4a6_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/585/22680655903_bcb8f9e13d_n.jpg[/img][/url]

THE BUILD

The build is pretty straightforward, although the rear side with gearbox can be a bit tricky for the younger builders. The picture below shows the model halfway of the build. You can see the steering mechanism and lever for switching gears. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5715/23145180066_cf0a29d13c_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5715/23145180066_cfe43e2f49_c.jpg[/img][/url] The finished model looks quite good. The purple orange scheme makes the model standout. I like it a lot. Now that TLG introduced Purple panels, I hope that TLG will release more parts in Purple. Purple will also work very well with White. Steering is actually done via the steering wheel, something most car models lack nowadays. Of course the steering is easily accessible which facilitates the steering. The turning radius is quite big, which slightly reduces playability. This is clearly visible in the second video. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5695/23145180156_7b39220af4_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5695/23145180156_fc7b06edc0_c.jpg[/img][/url] The rear of the vehicle looks great too. One can criticize that using a big panel lacks ingenuity, but I think the panel is perfect solution. Admittedly, I am a big fan of the [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=18944&idColor=36#T=C&C=36"]3x13 Curved Panel[/url]! Hopefully this panel will be introduced in White in the near future. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/587/23171294645_7fdd2f88c0_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/587/23171294645_ba9ccc485d_c.jpg[/img][/url] The next picture shows the chassis of the vehicle. As you can see, the White [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=18948&idColor=1#T=C&C=1"]Driving Ring Connector[/url] is used multiple times as a 3L connector, where you normally might use a [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=32034&idColor=11#T=C&C=11"]180 Degree Axle and Pin Connector Angled #2[/url]. This is something you will find in the other new sets as well. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5774/22777128527_b4372c2d7d_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5774/22777128527_ae890f5aec_c.jpg[/img][/url] To be honest; I can't stop looking at the Kart! I also imagine a Bright Green and White version, using the panel from the [url="http://brickset.com/sets/42039-1/24-Hours-Race-Car"]24 Hours Race Car[/url]. Actually, I have built the Kart in Bright Green and White. You can see the result and comparison at the end of this review. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5624/22542765564_5ca95fc674_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5624/22542765564_8bff35cf8c_c.jpg[/img][/url] The front and rear view of the Kart. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5712/22803321349_c1381dd741_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5712/22803321349_c0a115c87c_n.jpg[/img][/url] [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/585/23171294115_13f40a0074_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/585/23171294115_efca933623_n.jpg[/img][/url] [b]VIDEO[/b] [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dpExyPci-FI[/media] [b]PARTS LEFT[/b] [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5647/22875479680_d9ddd5c9e5_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5647/22875479680_21b4162382_n.jpg[/img][/url]

FUNCTIONS AND FEATURES

This model has the following features: [list] [*]Steering [*]Gearbox [/list] [b]STEERING[/b] The steering wheel actually steers the Kart, which is a plus. On the other hand, the Kart from 1978 already featured steering like this, so it's not very special. Hand of God (HoG) steering wouldn't make any sense on this model. The Kart does have a pretty big turning radius, which does affect playability. I know the options are limited on a small model, but I would have liked some ingenious way of steering that would result in a smaller turning radius. [b]GEARBOX[/b] The Kart has a 2-speed gearbox, and a neutral. The gearbox is operated by the red lever. [b]VIDEO OF FUNCTIONS[/b] The video below demonstrates the features of the Kart. [media]http://youtu.be/fVhb2WpcOHo[/media]

B-MODEL

Since this set includes instructions for the alternate model, I decided to build it. Apparently this is a Track Car, although that is a broad concept. I can't really tell by the image on the back of the box what kind of Track Car this is supposed to be. There's only one way to find out :wink: I still can't pinpoint exactly what kind of Track Car it is, but it is a pretty decent B-model. Unlike the main model, it does have Hand of God steering. And it features an opening bonnet/hood. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5651/22680656233_f6a62d0bd6_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5651/22680656233_ed14213b73_c.jpg[/img][/url] The steering wheel is for decoration purposes. It doesn't steer the model. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5637/23225188501_55a69798ca_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5637/23225188501_b6ba2a9f89_c.jpg[/img][/url] For a B-model the design is more than sufficient. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5671/22679427904_8831738109_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5671/22679427904_1bcec1ef30_c.jpg[/img][/url] The next picture shows the chassis of the car. All things considered, this is a high quality B-model. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/738/22939876059_53bddde9d9_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/738/22939876059_78268193a3_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]VIDEO B-MODEL[/b] The video below shows a short demonstration of the Track Car. [media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7r-IEHM99M[/media] [b]PARTS LEFT[/b] This image shows the parts left after building the alternate model. The leftover parts from the A-model are shown on the left. As you can see the B-model uses one red [url="http://alpha.bricklink.com/pages/clone/catalogitem.page?P=3713&idColor=86#T=C&C=5"]Technic Bush[/url] from the extra parts. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5734/22679427274_b18e715029_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5734/22679427274_b400864a90_c.jpg[/img][/url]

SUMMARY

Besides the rather large turning radius, there are no real downsides to this model. I love the looks and color scheme. It also it contains various unique and rare parts. It even features a working gearbox and working steering wheel. The set comes with printed instructions for the B-model, so it's basically a real 2-in-1 set. For around 25 euros you really can't go wrong with this set. Given the price, this also makes for a perfect gift. A gift for someone else, or gift for yourself?! You decide! I'd say this is definitely a worthy successor of me first Technic set ever!!

SCORE

How do I grade the good guy in this year's duo. [b][color=#800000][size=5]9[/size][/color][/b] [b]DESIGN[/b] [img]https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/16218294336_cc3a1c982b_m.jpg[/img] [size=3]Purple and orange work great together in this set. And it does look like a real Kart.[/size] [b][color=#800000][size=5]8[/size][/color][/b] [b]BUILDING EXPERIENCE[/b] [img]https://farm3.staticflickr.com/2841/10963348093_7485fc0cc2_m.jpg[/img] [size=3]Fun to build. Great introduction to gearboxes and steering.[/size] [b][color=#800000][size=5]7[/size][/color][/b] [b]FEATURES[/b] [img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/10963348123_21e427d778_m.jpg[/img] [size=3]Working steering wheel and gear box on a relatively small set.[/size] [b][color=#800000][size=5]7[/size][/color][/b] [b]PLAYABILITY[/b] [img]https://farm8.staticflickr.com/7340/10963348123_21e427d778_m.jpg[/img] [size=3]Limited turning radius slightly limits playability.[/size] [b][color=#800000][size=5]8[/size][/color][/b] [b]PARTS[/b] [img]https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8580/16244195165_2b8d3e102f_m.jpg[/img] [size=3]Some new parts and parts in new (rare) colors.[/size] [b][color=#800000][size=5]9[/size][/color][/b] [b]VALUE FOR MONEY[/b] [img]https://farm9.staticflickr.com/8669/16218294336_cc3a1c982b_m.jpg[/img] [size=3]Totally worth the money.[/size] [b][color=#800000][size=6]8,0[/size][/color][/b] [b][color=#000000][size=4]THE PERFECT GIFT[/size][/color][/b]

FINAL WORDS

As a bonus here are some picture of the Kart where the orange and purple color scheme has been changed to bright green and white. Not too bad, not too bad at all. It would probably look even better when the panels at the front could be replaced by bright green as well. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/598/23402910495_e89b6b6e93_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/598/23402910495_7dc36a1f77_c.jpg[/img][/url] My favorite picture of the Green Kart! [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5689/23034951189_e8a4cfdf23_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5689/23034951189_99f45aa1e0_c.jpg[/img][/url] The green fender works really well. [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/659/23107135980_00a32ed841_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/659/23107135980_14473feeae_c.jpg[/img][/url] [b]COMPARISON[/b] Here you can see a comparison between the Purple/Orange and Green/White kart. I personally like the Purple/Orange better, but it's fun to have options. [url="https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/22875476590_4bd14caa41_o.jpg"][img]https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5660/22875476590_e5d0385a20_c.jpg[/img][/url] [url="https://farm1.staticflickr.com/683/23034950399_455cfaa718_o.jpg"][img]https://farm1.staticflickr.com/683/23034950399_ccd1472854_c.jpg[/img][/url] More image can be found on my [url="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jimvangulik/albums/72157660513914978"]Flickr page[/url]. Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it.

Discussion about this set can be found here.