JimBricks

REVIEW - 42137 - FORMULA E PORSCHE 99X ELECTRIC

INTRODUCTION

I received this set together with the Shelby and it will actually be my last Technic review for this year. This time I mean it hehe. Unless you are into Formula E, this is quite an unusual car which you won't see every day. Since a lot of you probably have no clue what the real car looks like, here's a picture. More pictures can be found here.

PICTURES
Pictures can be clicked to view hi-res versions. My Flickr album contains all the photos taken for this review.

DISCLAIMER
The CEE Team of TLG has provided this set. It's not my goal to promote this set. It's my goal to give you an honest opinion about it. Therefore, the opinion in this review is my own and is in no way linked to TLG.

SET INFORMATION

Number: 42137
Title: Formula E Porsche 99X Electric
Theme: Technic
Released: 2022
Part Count: 422
Box Dimensions: 38,0 cm x 25,7 x 6,7 cm
Weight: 787 gr
Set Price (RRP): €49,99
Price per Part: €0,118
Links: Brickset, Bricklink

THE BOX

I aready mentioned this in my Shelby review, but I am not too happy with the inclusion of pullback motors in this set. And I would have probably used a different angle for the main image, since the inside of the front fender isn't the best part of this car.

This model also features a launch mechanism, which was to be expected. This one seems to be fixed to the car, instead of the removable one on the Shelby.

CONTENTS OF THE BOX

The box contains:

1x Instruction booklet
1x Sticker sheet (undamaged)
4x Numbered bag

INSTRUCTION BOOKLET

STICKER SHEET

BAGS

HIGHLIGHTED PARTS

This section describes new or interesting parts (possibly in new colors).

PANELS
This set contains a set of new panels, in two colors (red and black). These panels are very useful in this set, but I'm sure they've been designed for something more important. We'll probably find out later.

PULLBACK MOTOR
This is the first set (together with the Shelby from this year) containing not one but two pullback motors.

1x3x5 PANEL
This panel recently appeared in a 3L variant, but this time it's 5L. A welcome addition to the collection.

AXLE PIN CONNECTOR WITH 2 AXLES
This is the first appearance of this piece in white.

PART LIST

The complete part list for all 422 parts.

THE BUILD

Like the Shelby, this model boasts two pullback motors and a gear-less launch mechanism.

No steering in this model either, which makes the build straightforward and not that interesting.

End of the first stage from a different angle. Here you can see the (non-detachable) launch mechanism attached to the car.

The leftover parts after the first stage (which are all the leftover parts, since the second stage didn't have any).

The result after the second (last) stage. The build wasn't really interesting, since this model doesn't pack any features besides the pullback mechanism.

COMPLETED MODEL

The rear of the model looks nice, but the fenders in the front seem a bit too high. I highly doubt the driver will be able to see anything on the front sides of the car. Looking at the actual model, placement of the cockpit could probably be raised by one unit. Another option would be do lose the fenders and use flex axles, like we did in the past. Having nice fender parts doesn't automatically mean you have to use them in every model. The Batmobile is another set which proves my point.

Stickers all over the place, but unfortunately that is something we've gotten used to.

"Nothing to see here, move along."

This picture clearly shows that the front design doesn't really work with the rest of the car.

FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS

This set packs a single function...the pullback mechanism. The launch mechanism is fixed to the rear of the car and it kinda blends in with the spoiler. I do like this version better than the one on the Shelby, although that one can be detached.

SUMMARY

To summarize, we get a 50 euro set without any functionality besides the pullback mechanism containing only 422 parts. I simply cannot fathom why we need two extra pullback vehicles in the line-up. I'm pretty sure TLG has asked a bunch of kids in a focus group, so this decision will probably be well-founded, but as an AFOL the tears are rolling down my cheeks.

PROS