Fan builds LEGO version of Renault 5 Turbo 3E – official model could follow

Dave Collins, an engineer from Devon, is also a dedicated Lego enthusiast. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he began building what adult Lego fans call ‘MOCs’ (My Own Creations), referring to self-designed models rather than official mass-produced kits. Nearly 40 years after receiving his first LEGO and Technic sets in the 1980s, Collins has now achieved something remarkable with his fourth meticulously designed MOC.Collins, better known in the MOC community by his Instagram handle @devonbricks, has created a custom Lego version of the all-electric mini sports car Renault 5 Turbo 3E – before the actual vehicle has hit the roads. The real R5 T3E is set to be produced in a limited edition of just 1,980 units, with a staggering price tag of €155,000.The R5 Turbo 3E is a modern interpretation of the R5 Turbo and Turbo 2, the iconic rally models from Renault in the 1980s. “I grew up as a petrolhead in the eighties and nineties, and the original Renault 5 Turbo was a dream car for me, although I never managed to own one. Getting back into Lego, and recreating the dream cars of my youth, has been a really fulfilling experience, particularly when other people are able to enjoy them too,” says Collins.Within three months, the Briton constructed the scaled-down R5 Turbo 3E using around 1,200 Lego bricks. “I built it to approximately 1:12 scale using hand drawn front, rear and side profiles which I backed with card and repeatedly held up against the developing model to make sure the proportions were spot on. I drew the bespoke stickers manually in AutoCAD and printed onto adhesive sheet,” explains Collins.Now, the Lego and Renault fan hopes that the Danish toymaker will release an official Lego set of the R5 Turbo 3E based on his creation. To achieve this, he must first gather 10,000 supporters on the Lego Ideas online platform, which will then trigger an automatic review of the idea by Lego. Renault is now promoting this campaign through its own channels, aiming to give “more people the chance for more people to own a piece of that story” with a potential Lego version. The manufacturer is therefore encouraging fans to vote for Dave Collins’ project on the Lego Ideas page (link below).Renault’s decision to support a fan project for a Lego version of one of its vehicles is unusual. After all, the Danish toymaker regularly acquires licences for miniature versions of production cars for its Speed Champions and Technic product lines and also enters into marketing partnerships with OEMs. However, these have so far primarily involved vehicles from premium and luxury brands such as Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Lamborghini, Mercedes-Benz, or Porsche. Lego Ideas, in contrast, is a grassroots initiative where fan product ideas are brought to life.renault.co.uk, ideas.lego.com (Supporter Page)