LEGO updates the bug with the all new 10252 Volkswagen Beetle

June 14, 2016 | 39

LEGO have officially revealed the next Creator Expert set, the utterly adorable 10252 Volkswagen Beetle! This amazing reproduction of the iconic VW Beetle is LEGO’s latest inclusion into the range of Creator Expert cars, joining an illustrious club that boasts the Volkswagen T1 Camper Van, Mini Cooper and Ferrari F40 as members.

UPDATE: If you’d like to see what I thought of this set, please check out my review of 10252 Volkswagen Beetle – it’s seriously shaping up to be one of the best sets of 2016 and an instant classic!

Weighing in at 1167 pieces, the LEGO Volkswagen Beetle will cost LEGO fans US$ 99.99 | UK £69.99 | CA $129.99! That’s a pretty fantastic price for such an impressive looking model. Unfortunately, there is no Australian price yet, but my prediction is that it will cost AU$150.

Update: The Australian price has been confirmed as AU$150. Yay!

The release date for the LEGO VW Beetle is 1 August 2016 and it will be available for sale directly via LEGO.com or LEGO stores. LEGO VIP members will be able to get early access to this set from 14 July onwards.

Here’s the product links to LEGO.com if you want to buy the VW Beetle:

• 10252 Creator Expert Volkswagen Beetle (US) – US$99.99
• 10252 Creator Expert Volkswagen Beetle (AUS) – AU$149.99

The Volkswagen Beetle is undoubtedly one of the most recognizable cars in the world thanks to the bug’s distinctive features and shape.

The 1960s Beetle that this model is based on features a groovy Azure Blue colour scheme and faithfully re-created characteristics such as curved fenders, flat windshield, VW logo, and an authentic 4-cylinder air-cooled engine and fuel tank.

The insides of the LEGO VW Beetle features beige-colored, forward-tilting seats, dashboard and steering wheel.

To celebrate the laid back, surf and beach culture that’s synonymous with the Volkswagen Beetle, LEGO have also included a surfboard and an esky (slang for cooler in Australia) filled with ice and a couple of bottles of umm, water. Yes, water. I like to think that the surfboard proudly bears Australia’s national colours as a nod to how important surf culture is to us antipodeans.

Just like the Mini Cooper, the LEGO Volkswagen Beetle comes with an option of 4 license plate stickers to customise your Beetle. In addition to the Californian plates, we also get to choose from Queensland, Australia, WOB (Wolfsburg, headquarters of Volkswagen) and MAT. I’m not too sure what MAT stands for. The designer video suggests that it’s from the UK. If you know what it means, please let me know in the comments!

Edit: Ken has pointed out in the comments that the Queensland CAD plates are possibly an easter egg, referencing LEGO designer Mel CADdick who hails from Queensland!

Here’s a look at the bonnet and boot of the car, which hold the authentic 4-cylinder air-cooled engine and access to the spare tyre and fuel tank.

And here’s a comparison with a real Volkswagen Beetle. I daresay that LEGO have done a damn fine job replicating the bug’s overall shape and look.

The LEGO VW Beetle including surfboard and cooler measures over 11” (15cm) high, 10” (29cm) long and 4” (12cm) wide.

I’m pretty excited about the LEGO Volkswagen Beetle. The T1 Campervan is in my personal top 5 favourite LEGO sets of all time – the VW Beetle would go very well alongside it. I love the attractive azure-blue colour scheme and most of all, how well the designers have captured the curves and iconic shape of the Beetle.

The curves on the car and all the SNOT (Studs Not On Top) goodness gives it a very organic and natural feel to it. Check out how the previous Volkswagen Beetle (10187) looks and you can definitely see how far LEGO designs have in just 8 years!

I drive a Volkswagen in the real world, so I’m naturally a big fan of the brand and can’t wait to get my hands on the new LEGO Volkswagen Beetle! This set has all the makings of an instant classic and yet another impressive vehicle in LEGO’s rapidly expanding garage of Creator Expert cars.

Check out the designer video:

So what do you think of the new LEGO Volkswagen Beetle? Let me know in the comments and take the poll below!