LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange review

LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange comes off as an impressive recreation of the supercar in an even more striking colour, but its timing is questionable.

Recolours are becoming more and more common across the LEGO portfolio but no theme has been quite as taken with them as LEGO Technic. 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange is the latest example, delivering an exact copy of 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica but in orange instead of green.

Arriving next month – a full seven months after the debut of 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica – 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange has a tougher task than most at earning a spot within the LEGO Technic portfolio and standing out from the crowd. Its vibrant colour scheme should help with this matter, but it’s still a near-exact copy of a set launched over six months ago.

— LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange set details —

Theme: Technic Set name: 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange Release: April 1, 2024

Price: £46.99 / $49.99 / €52.99 Pieces: 806 Minifigures: 0

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— Where to buy LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange —

LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange launches on April 1, 2024, on the official online store and in other retailers. The original model – 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica – is available now and you can read our review of that set by clicking here.

— LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange build —

Much of our impressions of 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange are similar to that of 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica. The build remains a satisfying experience from start to finish and there’s no doubt that the shaping and angles of the real vehicle have all been captured as well as can be expected at this scale. The use of stickers in a Technic set disrupts the building process, though they add a lot of detail to the set that pieces wouldn’t be able to replicate at this size.

The bendable elements to capture the roof are especially interesting and work well for this purpose. The larger angular Technic parts are similarly used to good effect and it’s a strong build throughout.

Still, there’s no doubt that this is the same LEGO set that we saw seven months ago in all but its colour. Swapping green out for orange is the only difference and out of the two, the orange is arguably more striking and so happens to blend better with the yellow pistons and red lights.

That said, it’s a recolour of an existing LEGO Technic set that many enthusiasts will likely have already driven home from the LEGO Store. Those who already own 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica won’t find any reason to acquire this model unless you’re collecting every single LEGO Technic set. Those who have been patient now at least have a choice between orange and green, though whether this choice is best introduced seven months later is another debate entirely.

As with any LEGO Technic set, functions are essential, and the number of functions on offer here is surprising. There are moving pistons in the engine with only small movements that make them harder to recognise during play; the doors can open allowing you to appreciate the angles captured on them; and the wheels at the front can turn via a knob on the roof.

This ‘hand of god’ steering unfortunately sticks out and affects the otherwise sleek profile of the set. Other LEGO Technic models have managed to integrate these functions more seamlessly, though we’re not sure how to approach it at this scale while making it accessible. Placing it inside the car is one option, but it would be harder to turn.

LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange follows a promising formula set out by 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica and its build remains reliable, satisfying and functionally interesting – but now in orange.

— LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange price —

For £46.99 / $49.99 / €52.99, you can feel the value in 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange. The LEGO Technic model uses 806 pieces and a significant number of these are larger elements that you would expect to drive up the price. Yet they don’t, offering a decently-sized, detailed and recoloured LEGO Technic model for a fair price.

— LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange pictures —

— LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange pros and cons —

It turns out our review and thoughts on 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica are just as applicable seven months later, as these LEGO Technic recolours – by design – add nothing new to the models beyond a fresh coat of paint.

They certainly have a place in the LEGO Technic portfolio, though they might benefit from being released in tandem with their counterparts. Most who own 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica will likely feel obligated to skip 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange, and it’s hard to blame anyone for feeling that way as this really is just 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica in a different colour.

It’s still a great set with notable details, fun features and at a good price, but now it’s orange seven months later. Had this released nearer to the original set offering more time for LEGO Technic enthusiasts to choose their favourite colour, it may have had more of a place in the portfolio. As it stands, it’s only going to appeal to those who like the colour orange, want the original 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica and haven’t picked it up since August 2023.

42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange pros	42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange cons
Accurate shaping, especially at this scale	Not the most necessary recolour seven months later
A surprising number of functions	Won’t be a must-have, by design
Genius angles and part usage

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group.

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— Alternatives to LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange —

The best alternative to 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange is unsurprisingly 42161 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica. It’s the same build but swaps the orange for green. Those struggling to find stock of the orange model next month may settle for the green version of this set.

Otherwise, at this scale and price point, 42153 NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 stands out with some vibrant stickers, and 42151 Bugatti Bolide is also a good alternative (along with its recolour, 42162 Bugatti Bolide Agile Blue).

— LEGO Technic 42196 Lamborghini Huracán Tecnica Orange FAQs —