Lego Cars was based on the Disney·Pixar's Cars film franchise, which focused on the story takes place in a world populated by anthropomorphic talking cars and other vehicles. Lego Cars aimed to recreate the main characters in Lego form, including Lightning McQueen, Mater, Sally Carrera, Doc Hudson, Ramone, Mack, Sheriff, Flo, Guido and Luigi.[7]
In addition, Lego Cars 2 trailer was released on YouTube shortly before the film, recreating it in Lego form.[8][9][10][11]
The sequel film, Cars 3, was released in May 2017 on YouTube. Lego produced various toy sets based on the Cars 3 film ahead of its release.[6] In addition, Lego Juniors Cars 3 trailer was released shortly before the film, recreating it in Lego form.[12]
Development
Lego Cars was inspired by Cars film franchise. The Lego construction toy range was based on the animated film franchise series and developed in collaboration with Disney Consumer Products. The construction sets were designed to recreate the story and characters of the film in Lego form.[13][14]
Launch
Duplo Cars sub-theme was launched at the American International Toy Fair in June 2010.[15] The Lego Group released four Duplo sets based on the Cars film. Next year, Lego Cars 2 sub-theme was launched at the American International Toy Fair in 2011.[16][14] As part of the marketing campaign, The Lego Group released fourteen Lego sets based on the Cars 2 film. Each set featured different World Grand Prix, vehicles and Radiator Springs. Lego Juniors Cars 3 sub-theme was launched at the American International Toy Fair in 2017. The Lego Group released eight Lego Juniors sets and three Duplo sets based on the Cars 3 film.[6][17]
Red: A 1960s style fire engine (most closely resembles a mid-1960s) and Jerry Recycled Batteries, the mean Peterbilt truck whom Lightning McQueen mistakes for Mack while lost.
The Queen: A classic Rolls-Royce Phantom car watching the race from Buckingham Palace. She knights Mater for his bravery in foiling Axlerod's plot. Her roof racks are made to look like a crown.
According to BrickLink, The Lego Group released a total of 20 sets of Duplo Cars, 27 sets and promotional polybags associated with Lego Cars 2 and 8 sets of Lego Juniors Cars 3.[1][2][3]
Duplo Cars sets
In 2010, The Lego Group announced a partnership with The Walt Disney Company and Pixar.[4] It was officially announced by The Lego Group that the four sets based on the Cars film was released on 4 June 2010 have been released as part of the Duplo theme.[22][13] The four sets being released were Lightning McQueen,[23] Mater's Yard,[23] Flo's V-8 Cafe[23] and Mack's Road Trip!.
In 2011, the six sets based on the Cars 2 film was released on 12 May 2011. The six sets being released were Agent Mater, Luigi's Italian Place, Tokyo Racing,[24] Big Bentley, The Pit Shop and World Grand Prix.[24]
In 2012, the three sets was released on 24 July 2012.[25][26][27] The three sets being released were Red,[25] Race Day[25] and Siddeley Saves the Day.[25]
In 2015, Classic Race set was released on 1 January 2015. The set consists of 29 pieces.[28]
In 2017, three sets[29] based on the Cars 3 film. The 3 sets being released were Flo's Café,[29] Mater's Shed[29] and Piston Cup Race.[29]
In 2020, Lightning McQueen's Race Day set was released on 24 August 2020.[30] The set consists of 42 pieces. Later, The Lego Group announced the Lightning McQueen's Race Day set was retired at the end of 31 December 2021.[31]
In 2023, Lightning McQueen & Mater's Car Wash Fun set was released on 1 January 2023. The set consists of 29 pieces.[32] Buildable characters including Doc Hudson, Guido, Fillmore, Flo, Luigi, Lightning McQueen, Mack, Mater, Red, Sally Carrera and Sheriff were released as well. These sets are twice the length, height, and width of traditional Lego bricks, making them easier to handle and less likely to be swallowed by younger children. Despite their size, they are still compatible with traditional Lego bricks. The sets were designed primarily for children aged 2 to 5 years old.
Lego Cars 2 sets
In 2011, it was officially announced that the fourteen sets[16][33] based on the Cars 2 film was released on 12 May 2011. The fourteen sets[34] being released were Radiator Springs Lightning McQueen, Radiator Springs Classic Mater, Tokyo Pit Stop,[35] World Grand Prix Racing Rivalry,[35] Mater's Spy Zone, Escape At Sea, Ultimate Build Lightning McQueen, Mack's Team Truck,[35][36] Flo's V8 Café,[35] Spy Jet Escape,[35] Big Bentley Bust Out, Ultimate Build Mater,[35] Ultimate Build Francesco and Tokyo International Circuit.[35]
Later, the eight sets was released on 16 December 2011. The eight sets being released were Francesco Bernoulli, Ivan Mater, Finn McMissile, Jeff Gorvette, Agent Mater's Escape, Red's Water Rescue, Ultimate Race Set and Oil Rig Escape. In addition, the three polypag sets have been released as a promotions are Guido,[37][38] Grem[39][40] and "Torque" Redline Promotional Set.[a] Buildable characters including Acer, Battleboat, Carla Veloso, Crane, Francesco Bernoulli, Finn McMissile, Holley Shiftwell, Jeff Gorvette, Grem, Leland Turbo cube, Miles Axlerod, Professor Zundapp, Pit Crew Helper, Rod "Torque" Redline, Raoule CaRoule, Max Schnell, Shu Todoroki, The Queen and Tony Trihull were released as well. The sets were designed primarily for children aged 5 to 12 years old.
Lego Juniors Cars 3 sets
In 2017, the seven sets[41][42][43] based on the Cars 3 film was released on 2 May 2017 have also been released as part of the Lego Juniors theme. The seven sets[44][45][46][47] being released were Lightning McQueen Speed Launcher,[48] Cruz Ramirez Race Simulator,[48] Guido and Luigi's Pit Stop,[48] Mater's Junkyard,[48] Willy's Butte Speed Training,[48] Smokey's Garage[48] and Thunder Hollow Crazy 8 Race.[48]
Later, Florida 500 Final Race set was released on 1 August 2017. The set consists of 266 pieces.[49][50] Buildable characters including Broadside, Cruz Ramirez, Junior Moon, Jackson Storm, Miss Fritter and Smokey were released as well. These sets were specifically designed to be simpler to build with fewer pieces and slightly larger building elements. The sets were designed primarily for children aged 4 to 7 years old.
Web shorts
The product line was accompanied by a series of animated short films that was released on YouTube.
Lego Cars 2 (2011 shorts)
The 13 web shorts have been released on YouTube inspired by both the Cars 2 film as well as the Lego toyline. It also available in Lego Cars 2 video disc as a free gift for qualify purchase of Cars 2 Blu-ray combo pack at Toys "R" Us.[51]
The 2 web shorts have been released on YouTube inspired by both the Cars 3 film as well as the Lego toyline.
Cars 3 As Told By LEGO Bricks (2017) - An official web short was released on YouTube on 21 December 2017, that is inspired by both the Cars animated series as well as the Lego toyline. The film tells the story of Lightning McQueen, Cruz Ramirez and Jackson Storm.[65]
Mater, Cruz Ramirez, Lightning McQueen and The Stig Race Europe (2018) - BBC, Disney and LEGO released a short film via YouTube, on 13 April 2018, that is inspired by both the Cars animated series as well as the popular TV series Top Gear. The film tells the story of Lightning McQueen's trip to the Top Gear track, where he achieves his dream of racing against the Stig.[66][67][68]
In 2011, The Lego Group reported that due to the Lego Toy Story, Lego Prince of Persia, Lego Pirates of the Caribbean and Lego Cars 2 lines, it had for the first time in its 50-year history in the American market surpassed $1.0 billion in consumer sales of Lego products, reaching its highest share of construction toys and total U.S. toy market ever.[75]
^This polybag set only available from US Toys "R" Us stores on Saturday 15 October 2011, between 2pm & 4pm, as part of their month-long 'Bricktober' promotion. Set included instructions and sticker sheet, but no other packaging.
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