LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) review

Releasing outside the usual schedule for LEGO Speed Champions, 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) leads the theme into 2023 with its most interesting build yet.

We’re only at the third movie-based car for LEGO Speed Champions, but this new collection of brick-built vehicles is already proving to be an impressive and worthwhile addition to your shelf. Thankfully, that doesn’t change with 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) as the latest effort from the LEGO Speed Champions design team proves that there’s still plenty of potential in the theme after eight years.

Inspired by Brian O’Conner’s vehicle from the Fast & Furious sequel, 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is more than just a LEGO set, it’s one of the most challenging models yet – even for the most experienced fans. That should be a breath of fresh air for those with anywhere between one to 1,000 LEGO sets in their collection.

— LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) set details —

Theme: LEGO Speed Champions Set name: 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) Release: January 1, 2023

lego

Price: £19.99 / $24.99 / €24.99 Pieces: 319 Minifigures: 1

LEGO: Available January 1, 2023

— Where to buy LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is the only LEGO Speed Champions set launching on January 1, 2023. That puts it outside the usual release schedule for the theme. Despite this, it should be widely available at LEGO.com, official LEGO Stores and other retailers throughout the year.

— LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) build —

LEGO Speed Champions’ exploration of vehicles taken from films is still relatively new at the time of writing, debuting with both 76911 007 Aston Martin DB5 and 76912 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T midway through 2022. The latter vehicle was close to one that the Speed Champions team had recreated before in 75893 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon and 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. Even with the updated width, there were a few similarities in the techniques used between them. However, that’s not exactly the case with 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34).

The closest comparison in LEGO Speed Champions to 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is 76896 Nissan GT-R NISMO from 2020, but the two cars have more than a couple of differences in their overall design and shape. Despite this, the rear of both cars follows a similar pattern with two large red backlights next to two smaller red lights. In the 2020 set, these were recreated with four round tiles of the same size angled appropriately. 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) opts for a more complicated (but still ingenious) design, with an exposed stud and tile to perfectly capture the back of this iconic car.

The back is just one example of the expert building techniques featured throughout 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34). The decision to use any available element to cram in every detail possible does come at a cost though. To best depict the real vehicle entirely in LEGO, a variety of pieces with small or otherwise difficult-to-access surfaces are used with stickers intended to be placed on them. This includes three on the grille at the front.

As demonstrated in our images, this means it can be extremely challenging to apply some of the stickers. Even attempting to use a brick separator or the sticker sheet to line them up proved a pointless effort as once they’re in place, it can be hard to remove them without affecting their quality and integrity. The stickers are a necessary evil in 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34), however – especially on the side, where they’re used to properly recreate the blue stripes running over the wheel arches (which are thankfully printed). As long as you take your time with these stickers and can accept that some parts may not be perfect, it’s a small price to pay for what is otherwise a stellar building experience and final result.

The exposed studs on the hood mean that there’s no room for the full livery from the film’s car, with some of the sponsors missing. This seems likely to be a deliberate design choice to avoid additional requests during development and to be perfectly honest, you won’t notice their absence as there is far too much going on in the set otherwise to appreciate. Take, for example, the exclusive six-spoke wheel trim element designed specifically for 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34).

Just like every LEGO Speed Champions car, the interior is an integral aspect of the model and no expense has been spared inside 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34). The racing seat is printed, the passenger seat has been replaced with tanks of nitrous, and a selection of stickers adorn the dashboard with details ripped straight from the film. Transparent pieces have also been used to tease additional legroom beneath the dashboard, even though LEGO minifigures don’t need them and you’ll only see this detail during assembly.

The rear seats are present too, but don’t expect to be able to fit two more minifigures in the space. In this case, it’s an appreciated detail that’s best used for storing the included wrench. The undercarriage has more to it than most LEGO Speed Champions sets with the neon lights featured as well, though you won’t see them unless you flip the car over, and there’s just not enough space to integrate a light-up feature.

It almost goes without saying, but 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) looks great alongside 76912 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. That said, this build isn’t at all reliant on the other LEGO Speed Champions set. Those that have both of the LEGO Speed Champions Fast & Furious creations would be wise to display them next to one another to reunite these members of the family and won’t be upset with the results.

— LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) characters —

There’s an exclusive Brian O’Conner minifigure in 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) and its single expression is a good match to the Fast & Furious character, with suitably wavy hair to boot. As in the film, the clothing doesn’t give the LEGO Speed Champions team much to work with as the minifigure sports a simple white shirt and plain grey legs.

That said, the presence of dual-moulding on the arms for the short sleeves and printing on the front and back of the shirt is a nice touch. Considering that this minifigure is mostly going to be sat in the driver’s seat of 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) anyway, the printing on the back of the shirt could have been excluded without being missed. It’s not the most detailed or appealing minifigure in the history of LEGO, but it doesn’t need to be.

— LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) price —

With 319 pieces for £19.99 / $24.99 / €24.99, LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is good value on the not-always-reliable price-per-piece scale. Beyond that metric though, there’s no doubt that 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is well worth the asking price wherever you’re buying it.

We found that this model took around 55 minutes to put together, but it could easily last you an hour or more and be split into multiple building sessions. For a set that’s packed with detail, includes an exclusive minifigure and has a lengthy assembly time, £19.99 / $24.99 / €24.99 is more than fair and a perfect price to be an easy add-on to a larger order – or a worthwhile purchase on its own.

— LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) pictures —

— LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) pros and cons —

We’re very impressed with 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34), and it was a wise decision to launch it outside the usual LEGO Speed Champions release schedule. While no other builds in the theme are confirmed for 2023 so far, 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) would have likely overshadowed any movie or manufacturer-centric models due to its immaculate detail and value. That’s not talking down any other Speed Champions sets: the latest Fast & Furious build is just that good, but with a few frustrating and challenging sticker-related moments during the build process.

There are likely a few models on your January 2023 shopping list, but take a moment to consider 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) if it’s not on there already, especially for those with 76912 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T on the shelf already. Whatever the future holds for LEGO Speed Champions, 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is an incredibly strong start for the theme in 2023.

76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) pros76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) cons
Lengthy build time for the priceSome stickers can be difficult to place perfectly
Challenging build for the many details and techniques – feels more like a puzzle than a LEGO set
Minifigure is even more detailed than it needs to be

This set was provided for review by the LEGO Group. 

Please support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your copy of LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) through one of our affiliate links.

— Alternatives to LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)

There are plenty of other options available across the wider LEGO Speed Champions theme, but if you’re looking for something inspired by the silver screen specifically, it’s also worth checking out 76911 007 Aston Martin DB5 and 76912 Fast & Furious 1970 Dodge Charger R/T. Other highlights from the racing theme include 76906 1970 Ferrari 512 M and 76908 Lamborghini Countach.

— LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) FAQs —

How long does it take to build LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)?

Even with considerable experience building LEGO sets, 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) took us 55 minutes to build, but those with fewer models under their belt or wanting to take their time could easily spend a full hour or more putting together this LEGO Speed Champions set.

How many pieces are in LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)?

319 elements are featured in 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34), making up one minifigure, a wrench accessory and the car itself.

How big is LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34)?

At 5cm high, 16cm long and 7cm wide, 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is the same scale as the eight-stud-wide LEGO Speed Champions sets. At that size, it shouldn’t be hard to find a place for it on your desk, shelf or LEGO street.

How much does LEGO Speed Champions 76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) cost?

76917 2 Fast 2 Furious Nissan Skyline GT-R (R34) is launching on January 1, 2023, for £19.99 / $24.99 / €24.99, the same price as the most recent LEGO Speed Champions sets.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *