Top Gear’s Top 9: the best Lego cars to build right now

The Bugatti Chiron’s place in history is assured, as the first hypercar to smash the 300mph barrier. Unfortunately, at £1.9m for the 'standard' car, the chances of us mere mortals ever owning one are slim. Unless of course, you're happy to build it yourself... out of small plastic bricks.

Points to note. It’s big. We’re talking 3,599 pieces, constructing a model measuring 14cm tall, 56cm long and 25cm wide, making it 1:8th scale. That hints at the complexity beneath, with Lego’s Chiron faithfully recreating some of the life-sized version's engineering.

There's a W16 engine with moving pistons, an eight-speed gearbox, working paddleshifters and  proper steering. Under the bonnet, you’ll find a unique serial number and there’s a collector’s booklet included in the set too. It will, however, still set you back £329.99.

If that’s too much to justify, you can find out how we got on building it by clicking here. And, if you want to see what a life-sized Lego Chiron looks like, well... step this way.

Wondering why there’s a wide-bodied 930 911 Turbo and an open-roofed Targa in the image here? Well, Lego’s 1,458-brick retro 911 kit features ‘dual building routes’ that allows you to swing either way. 

Both get a proper recreation of a 3.0-litre flat six, plus a tan interior, handbrake, a gearstick and functioning steering. The whale-tailer gets a mini Lego turbocharger add-on too. Very cool. 

It’ll set you back £124.99, but you’re essentially getting two kits in one. We’re sold.

Add this to your wish-list right away: it’s a Lego Technic Porsche 911 RSR. Made up of 1,580 pieces, it features include a working differential, independent suspension, a six-cylinder boxer engine with moving pistons, and a rear wing complete with swan neck mounts.

There's more. Opening doors. Working steering. Black spoked rims, realistic head and taillights. An authentic white, red and black colour scheme, plus sticker detailing. Meanwhile, the cockpit features a radar screen, fire extinguisher system and even a track map of the Laguna Seca circuit.

The 50cm long 1:8-scale model will set you back £139.99.

Welcome to the Lego Creator Expert Ford Mustang GT. Looks good, doesn’t it? Featuring dark-blue bodywork with white racing stripes, a bonnet scoop, GT emblems and classic five-spoke wheels, it’s as authentic as they come.

And that’s before you modify it. Oh yeah, what muscle car would be complete without a spot of hot-rodding? As well as the option to raise the rear suspension for a mean front-leaning look, the ‘Stang comes as standard with additional parts to build a hood-sprouting supercharger, a deeper front air dam, a side-exit exhaust and a ducktail rear spoiler.

The roof is designed to be easily unclippable for viewing the cockpit too. Under the bonnet there's a representation of a 390 cubic-inch V8, and somehow Lego has also found room for a nitrous tank. In total, there’s the small matter of 1,471 pieces to assemble in return for your £119.99.

If you want a closer look, you can discover how we got on putting it together by clicking here.

Apparently there’s a new Land Rover Defender out. Anyone know anything about that?

Clearly someone told Lego, because you can now have your very own 2,573-piece Technic Defender with a host of realistic functions, including all-wheel drive with three differentials, independent suspension on both axles and a working winch. Proper.

The rear seats fold forward to view the four-speed sequential gearbox, and when you lift the bonnet you'll find a six-cylinder engine with moving pistons. Plus, turning the rear-mounted spare wheel opens the rear door. And all for £174.99. Impressive.

More Technic. Can you tell we're fans? This time it's the Lego Lamborghini Sian - a ridiculous 3,696-piece kit with a replica V12, a functioning eight-speed sequential gearbox, front and rear suspension, a retractable spoiler and those wild scissor doors. No hybrid system though. Probably for the best. 

The £349.99 kit is over 13cm tall, 60cm long and 25cm wide, but that's nothing compared to the 2,200kg life-size version that Lego also built...

Yes that is a motorbike, but bear with us. This is Lego’s take on BMW’s first ever M-badged bike, and it’s very special indeed. 

The M 1000 RR Technic replica costs £174.99 and features 1,920 pieces that come together to create a working three-speed gearbox, proper front and rear suspension and a dashboard with three different display options. Mega work on the graphics, too. 

Oh yes, 1989’s Batman had one of the best-ever Batmobiles – a turbine-powered, afterburner-equipped, jet-black menace of a vehicle – that has since been re-cast in Lego form. And, it’s probably one of the best interpretations we’ve seen, particularly considering the lithe lines of the original article.

With 3,306 pieces, highlights include a wrap-around windscreen, a sliding canopy, pop-up machine guns and grappling hooks. Or, to put it another way, everything your inner eight-year-old could desire. For the (reasonably) respectable price of £219.99, you’ll also receive a Lego figurine of Nicholson’s Joker, complete with that famous purple suit. Winning.

Behold the remote-controlled Lego Technic Top Gear Rally Car. Yep, not only is this a 463-piece LEGO Technic kit, but once you’ve built it, you can practice your hand as a rally driver using the LEGO Technic Control+ app.

Details? It measures 10cm tall, 26cm long and 14cm wide, and features a rally-style body kit, roll-cage, and twin exhausts. Sticker detailing, including Top Gear and Stig livery, help add the final touches. Once built, the free smartphone app offers full driving functionality, along with multi-touch and gyro controls. It also contains challenges and records your achievements.