Origins & Concept (2015 Launch)
LEGO Speed Champions made its debut in March 2015 with a focus on iconic racing and supercar models, blending precision design with fun buildability. The theme included cars from Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche, and even Iveco, featuring “six-stud-wide” designs that matched LEGO City’s scale and aesthetic. The first wave, released March 1, 2015, included seven sets: four standalone cars, an F1 pit stop, a race finish line, and an F1 truck.
At its core, Speed Champions delivered compact yet accurate representations of real-world vehicles, complete with driver minifigures and play elements like tools, trophies, and flags.
The Six-Wide Era (2015-2019)
The first “era” spanned 2015 to 2019, featuring six-stud-wide builds. Highlights by year:
- 2015: Ferrari LaFerrari, Ferrari 458 GT2, McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, McLaren-Mercedes pit stop, Porsche finish line, Ferrari F14 & truck.
- 2016: Chevrolet Corvette Z06, Ford Mustang GT, Audi R18 e-tron quattro, Audi R8 LMS Ultra, Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F‑150 Raptor with racing car, Porsche pit lane set.
- 2017: Mercedes‑AMG GT3, Bugatti Chiron, Scuderia Ferrari SF16‑H, McLaren 720S, Ford GT & GT40, Ferrari FXX K & Dev Center, Mercedes F1 team car, plus the Mercedes AMG Petronas Team Gift set.
- 2018: 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback, Ford Fiesta M‑Sport WRC, Ferrari 488 GT3 “Scuderia Corsa,” Porsche 919 Hybrid, Porsche 911 RSR & 911 Turbo 3.0, plus the Ferrari Ultimate Garage.
- 2019: Ferrari F40 Competizione, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, McLaren Senna, 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon & 1970 Dodge Charger R/T, Mini Cooper S Rally & MINI John Cooper Works Buggy, 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0.
This period established Speed Champions as a favourite among builders and auto enthusiasts alike.
The Era Shift: Eight-Wide (2020-Present)
A major shift happened in 2020: the introduction of eight-stud-wide builds, allowing for increased detail and visual fidelity.
Standout sets:
- 2020: Ferrari F8 Tributo; Nissan GT‑R NISMO; Audi Sport Quattro S1; Formula E Panasonic Jaguar Racing GEN2 Car & Jaguar I‑PACE eTROPHY; Lamborghini Urus ST‑X & Huracán Super Trofeo EVO; plus a Lamborghini Huracán polybag.
- 2021: Koenigsegg Jesko; Toyota GR Supra; McLaren Elva; Chevrolet Corvette C8.R & 1968 Corvette; Mopar Dodge/SRT Top Fuel Dragster & 1970 Challenger T/A; Ford GT Heritage Edition & Bronco R; McLaren Elva polybag.
- 2022: 1970 Ferrari 512 M; Lotus Evija; Lamborghini Countach; Mercedes‑AMG F1 W12 E Performance & Project One; Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro & Vantage GT3; 007 Aston Martin DB5; Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T; Aston Martin Valkyrie polybag.
- 2023: Ferrari 812 Competizione; Pagani Utopia; Porsche 963; Fast & Furious Nissan Skyline GT‑R (R34) with Paul Walker minifigure; McLaren Solus GT & McLaren F1 LM.
- 2024: Ferrari F40 (remake of 2019 model), Lamborghini Urus ST‑X & Huracán EVO, many others; notable for consistently refreshing classic models.
- 2025: A landmark year: LEGO and Formula 1 teamed up to produce SPEED CHAMPIONS sets representing all 10 F1 teams, tied to F1’s 75th anniversary. Each set features about 250 pieces, priced around €26.99; notably, the Aston Martin model received criticism for its inauthentic green tone.
Also announced for 2025 is the Ultimate Formula 1 Collector’s Pack, a mega-box containing 10 F1 team cars and a poster, sometimes referred to in Brickset listings.
LEGO further showcased its Speed Champions, and by extension, F1 partnership, at the 2025 Miami GP by unveiling full-sized, drivable LEGO F1 car builds, each weighing over 3,000 pounds and reaching speeds up to 12 mph.
Volume & Variety Over the Years
- Through 2025, the Speed Champions line included approximately 89–90 sets across 21 subthemes, with Ferrari dominating (around 13 sets).
- Manufacturing ramped up significantly in 2025, introducing at least 17 new sets, more than any previous year.
- The shift to eight-wide vehicles has allowed LEGO to introduce new manufacturers. Pre-2020, the theme featured around 10 different brands; post-2020, that expanded to 17 within just five years.
Most Memorable & Collector-Favorite Sets
Brickfanatics recently ranked the “10 Best” sets in the first decade of Speed Champions:
- 77243 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20 (2025) – praised for its bold colour and printed parts.
- 76934 Ferrari F40 (2024) – a standout remake with high-quality print and detail.
- 76912 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T (2022) – notable for its movie tie-in and Dominic Toretto minifigure.
Other fan favorites include original six-wide legends like Ferrari LaFerrari, McLaren P1, Porsche 918 Spyder, and iconic muscle car pairs from 2019’s Dodge/Charger duo.
Evolution of the Theme & LEGO Strategy
2015–2020: Six-wide era – compact, fun, and matched LEGO City styling (ideal for play and display).
2020 onward: Transition to eight-wide – enabling more detail and accuracy, and appealing more as display pieces and collector items.
Manufacturer Growth: Initially featured 10 brands; post-transition, introduced 17, reflecting growing ambition and licensing expansion.
Volume & Accessibility: With nearly 90 sets, including polybags and builder packs, LEGO has delivered consistent accessibility and variety.
Collector Engagement: Sets like the Ultimate F1 Pack, high fidelity new releases, and full-scale builds at F1 events demonstrate a strategy to bridge collector appeal with experiential marketing.
Build Features
One of the most fascinating aspects of LEGO Speed Champions is how much detail the designers manage to pack into a relatively small footprint. In the early six-wide years, builders were often surprised by the clever use of slopes, cheese wedges, and stickers to replicate iconic headlights and logos. Cars like the 2015 Ferrari LaFerrari or the Porsche 918 Spyder were instantly recognizable, even though the core builds used very traditional LEGO techniques. But as the theme evolved, the introduction of eight-wide cars in 2020 unlocked an entirely new canvas. Suddenly, designers had space to create more authentic proportions: wider wheelbases, lower rooflines, and sculpted side panels that resembled the aggressive aerodynamics of real supercars. Builders immediately noticed the difference when constructing cars like the Nissan GT-R NISMO (76917) or the Koenigsegg Jesko (76900). New element molds also began appearing — such as the curved windscreen pieces custom-designed for specific vehicles — that gave Speed Champions models their trademark sleekness. Yet even with more accuracy, the theme has never lost sight of playability. Cars still come with removable roofs, space for a minifigure driver, and often a few accessories like wrenches, trophies, or trackside flags. The real joy lies in how these builds reward adult collectors and younger fans alike: the construction process is short but packed with inventive connections, like the off-stud mounting of headlights or the layering of slopes to create the flowing lines of a Lamborghini. As the catalog expanded, so too did the variety of building challenges — from recreating the boxy muscle of a 1970 Dodge Charger to capturing the futuristic curves of a Pagani Utopia. Every build tells its own story, and that’s part of why the theme remains addictive: each set is essentially a masterclass in microscale automotive design.
Designer Notes
LEGO Speed Champions designers have often spoken in interviews about the unusual challenges of this theme. Unlike fantasy or city builds, automotive licensing deals demand a high level of accuracy. Fans who buy a McLaren Senna or an Aston Martin DB5 want a model that feels instantly true to life. Designers therefore work closely with manufacturers, often receiving CAD files, 3D models, and technical drawings from the car companies themselves. This level of collaboration means designers are sometimes building from data before the real car has even reached public release — a thrilling but nerve-wracking responsibility. Jesper Nielsen and Chris Stamp, two of the most frequently credited designers, have described how they experiment with dozens of prototypes before settling on a final build, tweaking the curve of a bonnet by a single plate or swapping out stickers for printed pieces if it improves recognition. Another recurring theme in designer interviews is scale management. The shift from six-wide to eight-wide was hotly debated internally, as the design team weighed fan expectations against the creative opportunities a wider frame allowed. Ultimately, they pushed for eight-wide because it offered far greater authenticity without sacrificing play value. Many designers cite this as one of the best decisions the theme ever made, as it unlocked new brands like Lotus, Koenigsegg, and Pagani that simply couldn’t be captured convincingly in the smaller format. In terms of philosophy, Speed Champions designers emphasize “iconic silhouettes” over raw part count. Their mission is to ensure that when a child or collector glances at the finished model, they immediately recognize it as “that car.” To achieve this, designers rely heavily on shaping through slopes, subtle sticker usage, and clever combinations of new and existing parts. The results speak for themselves: cars like the Ferrari 512 M or the Toyota GR Supra are unmistakable even from a few feet away. The designers take pride in walking that fine line between play toy and collectible display model, and it’s this balance that has kept Speed Champions relevant for over a decade.
Market Popularity
From a market perspective, LEGO Speed Champions has been one of the most successful modern LEGO themes outside of the big evergreen lines like City, Technic, and Star Wars. When the theme launched in 2015, many collectors were skeptical. Would kids really care about scaled-down Ferraris or McLarens, and would adults bother collecting them? The answer was a resounding yes. The blend of affordability (most single cars retailing between €20 and €30), strong brand licenses, and instantly recognizable builds made the line a hit with both demographics. For children, the appeal is obvious: who doesn’t want to race a Lamborghini against a Dodge Challenger in their LEGO City? For adults, Speed Champions quickly became a display collectible — a way to own a miniature “garage” of the world’s most desirable cars without the price tag. The aftermarket reflects this popularity. Early six-wide sets like the Ferrari F40 Competizione (2019) and Porsche 911 Turbo (2019) have appreciated significantly in value, often trading above double their original RRP on secondary markets like BrickLink and eBay. The 2022 movie tie-ins — notably the Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger and the 007 Aston Martin DB5 — became instant sell-outs, demonstrating how licensing crossover supercharged demand. LEGO themselves have leaned into this by expanding the theme’s footprint, releasing larger dual-car packs and even an unprecedented full Formula 1 lineup in 2025. That launch, timed with F1’s 75th anniversary, has been widely regarded as one of the boldest Speed Champions moves yet, cementing its status not just as a toy line but as a motorsport collectible phenomenon. Sales data backs this up: according to BrickEconomy and other market trackers, Speed Champions routinely ranks among LEGO’s top-performing non-licensed “secondary” themes, often outselling more niche lines like Hidden Side or Vidiyo by a large margin. Collectors also appreciate the relatively small space commitment compared to larger Technic supercars, which makes it easier to build full collections. In short, Speed Champions sits at a perfect intersection of price, accuracy, and nostalgia — offering kids a way to play out races and adult fans a way to celebrate automotive icons. That unique positioning is what makes the theme one of LEGO’s most enduring modern successes.
Summary Table: Year-by-Year Releases (Key Highlights)
| Year | Standouts & Trends |
|---|---|
| 2015 | Launch year: Ferrari, McLaren, Porsche – six-wide era |
| 2016–17 | Broad variety: American muscle, F1 & supercars |
| 2018–19 | Expansion: classics (Mustang), race cars, movie tie-ins |
| 2020 | Shift to eight-wide builds; new detail, broader scope |
| 2021–22 | Exotic marques: Koenigsegg, Lotus, Aston Martin, movie cars |
| 2023 | Ferrari 812, Pagani Utopia, Nissan Skyline (Fast & Furious) |
| 2024 | Iconic re-releases; supercar showcases in eight-wide |
| 2025 | Full F1 team lineup, Ultimate Pack, real-world big builds |
Final Thoughts
LEGO Speed Champions has evolved from compact six-wide models into a powerhouse eight-wide theme, offering unmatched detail and a massive array of iconic vehicles and racing legends. Whether you’re chasing nostalgia with vintage muscle cars, celebrating automotive icons like Ferrari or Bugatti, or diving into high-octane F1 thrills, there’s a set for every kind of car lover.
Noteworthy eras include:
- Six-wide Era (2015–2019): Playful, compact, representative of the early vision.
- Eight-wide Era (2020–present): Highly detailed collector-focused models.
Seeing how the theme continues to expand, with experiential marketing through F1 partnerships and ambitious collector packs, there’s every reason to expect further innovation and standout sets in the years ahead.
Six-Wide Era (2015–2019) Sets
- 2015
- 75899 Ferrari LaFerrari
- 75908 Ferrari 458 Italia GT2
- 75909 McLaren P1
- 75910 Porsche 918 Spyder
- 75911 McLaren Mercedes Pit Stop
- 75912 Porsche 911 GT Finish Line
- 75913 F14 T & Scuderia Ferrari Truck
- 2016
- 75870 Chevrolet Corvette Z06
- 75871 Ford Mustang GT
- 75872 Audi R18 e-tron quattro
- 75873 Audi R8 LMS Ultra
- 75874 Chevrolet Camaro Drag Race
- 75875 Ford F-150 Raptor & Ford Model A Hot Rod
- 75876 Porsche 919 Hybrid & 917K Pit Lane
- 2017
- 75877 Mercedes-AMG GT3
- 75878 Bugatti Chiron
- 75879 Scuderia Ferrari SF16-H
- 75880 McLaren 720S
- 75881 2016 Ford GT & 1966 Ford GT40
- 75882 Ferrari FXX K & Development Center
- 75883 Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula One Team
- 75886 Ferrari 488 GT3 “Scuderia Corsa”
- 2018
- 75884 1968 Ford Mustang Fastback
- 75885 Ford Fiesta M-Sport WRC
- 75886 Ferrari 488 GT3 “Scuderia Corsa”
- 75887 Porsche 919 Hybrid
- 75888 Porsche 911 RSR & 911 Turbo 3.0
- 75889 Ferrari Ultimate Garage
- 2019
- 75890 Ferrari F40 Competizione
- 75891 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Race Car
- 75892 McLaren Senna
- 75893 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon & 1970 Dodge Charger R/T
- 75894 1967 Mini Cooper S Rally & 2018 MINI John Cooper Works Buggy
- 75895 1974 Porsche 911 Turbo 3.0
Eight-Wide Era (2020–Present) Sets
- 2020
- 76895 Ferrari F8 Tributo
- 76896 Nissan GT-R NISMO
- 76897 Audi Sport Quattro S1
- 76898 Formula E Panasonic Jaguar GEN2 Car & Jaguar I-PACE eTROPHY
- 76899 Lamborghini Urus ST-X & Huracán Super Trofeo EVO
- 2021
- 76900 Koenigsegg Jesko
- 76901 Toyota GR Supra
- 76902 McLaren Elva
- 76903 Chevrolet Corvette C8.R & 1968 Corvette
- 76904 Mopar Dodge/SRT Top Fuel Dragster & 1970 Dodge Challenger T/A
- 76905 Ford GT Heritage Edition & Bronco R
- 2022
- 76906 1970 Ferrari 512 M
- 76907 Lotus Evija
- 76908 Lamborghini Countach
- 76909 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E Performance & AMG Project One
- 76910 Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Pro & Aston Martin Vantage GT3
- 76911 007 Aston Martin DB5
- 76912 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T
- 2023
- 76914 Ferrari 812 Competizione
- 76915 Pagani Utopia
- 76916 Porsche 963
- 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)
- 76918 McLaren Solus GT & McLaren F1 LM
- 2024
- 76919 Ferrari F40 (Remake)
- 76920 Ford Mustang Dark Horse
- 76921 Audi S1 e-tron quattro Race Car
- 76922 BMW M4 GT3 & BMW M Hybrid V8
- 2025(Formula 1 75th Anniversary Collection)
- 77233 Mercedes-AMG F1 W15 E Performance
- 77234 Scuderia Ferrari SF-24
- 77235 Oracle Red Bull Racing RB20
- 77236 Aston Martin AMR24
- 77237 McLaren MCL38
- 77238 Alpine A524
- 77239 Williams FW46
- 77240 RB F1 Team VCARB 01
- 77241 Stake F1 Team Kick Sauber C44
- 77242 Haas VF-24
- 77243 Red Bull RB20 (Ultimate F1 Collector’s Pack highlight)
