LEGO Technic 40894 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear Steering Wheel is not the prettiest gift-with-purchase from every angle, but it packs in a brilliant slice of Technic functionality.

Free with all orders of LEGO Technic 42232 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear from July 1 to 6 (while stocks last), 40894 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear Steering Wheel could easily have been a fairly simple companion model. A steering wheel, a bit of branding, maybe one small function: job done.

Thankfully, it is far more interesting than that.

LEGO Technic 40894 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear Steering wheel 5

At 228 pieces, this is obviously working on a much smaller scale than the full 1:8 megacar, but it does a surprisingly good job of mirroring one of the main features of the larger model: the nine-speed transmission. The paddle gear system is genuinely fun to use, satisfyingly snappy, and far more technical than you might expect from a gift-with-purchase.

It’s also a smart way to tie this smaller model directly to the main set. Rather than simply offering a displayable accessory, 40894 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear Steering Wheel takes one of the most impressive mechanical ideas from 42232 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear and shrinks it down into something you can actually pick up, tilt, press and play with.

The paddles feel great, the gear changes are nicely responsive, and the whole thing has a tactile quality that makes it immediately more enjoyable than the average promotional set.

There is also a neat gimbal-like system for the central display, allowing the screen to remain upright as the steering wheel is tilted. It’s a clever bit of compact engineering and another reminder that this is a more considered model than its size might suggest. It’s not quite the star of the show, but it adds another satisfying layer of functionality and helps the steering wheel feel a little more authentic.

Visually, things are more mixed. From the front, it actually looks very cool – but from the side, it’s a very different story. There’s no getting around it: this thing looks really ugly and unfinished in profile. Of course, this is partly the trade-off for squeezing so much functionality into such a small Technic model, but it does mean 40894 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear Steering Wheel is best admired head-on.

There are a few stickers included alongside printed elements, which is fine for a Technic gift-with-purchase of this size. Thankfully, the main 42232 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear model avoids stickers entirely, so this smaller set taking on a little of that compromise feels much easier to accept.

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Overall, this is the best kind of GWP: one that is actually interesting to build, satisfying to use and mechanically connected to the larger set it is designed to accompany. It is not the most beautiful thing LEGO Technic has ever produced, but the paddle gear system is so much fun that it more than earns its place next to the main Koenigsegg model.

40894 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear Steering Wheel is included for free when purchasing 42232 Koenigsegg Sadair’s Spear from July 1 to 6, or while stocks last.

The larger Technic set rings in at £399.99 in the UK, $449.99 in the US and €449.99 in Europe. Check out our full review of the latest 1:8 megacar here.