Meticulously Crafted Lego Volvo Wagon Surpasses Every Other Build You've Encountered

      The term "project car" is somewhat vague, but a Swedish enthusiast has expanded it considerably by constructing a life-sized replica of a Volvo V70 wagon using Lego bricks. This monumental endeavor (since you can't find this kit at a local store) becomes even more remarkable when you learn about the extensive list of functional features it includes— it may well be the most well-equipped Lego vehicle we've encountered.

      The project is comprehensively documented on an Instagram account named Brick Scale, with the earliest post dating back over four years. This indicates the significant amount of planning that went into creating a life-sized Lego version of a V70. Like most Lego builds, it begins in a typical fashion: with a vast assortment of loose bricks. However, unlike typical builds like F1 cars, these bricks arrive in cases rather than small plastic bags.

      One brick at a time, the Volvo takes shape. The builder utilizes his actual V70 as a reference, but there are no available building instructions, making the entire project improvisational. Nonetheless, the dimensions are remarkably precise. The steering wheel is accurately designed (complete with a tiny Volvo logo in the center!), the taillights operate, and the door mirrors are both adjustable and can fold automatically. The aesthetically pleasing Waterfall center console, a beautiful design feature that Volvo incorporated into various models during the 2010s, is also faithfully replicated.

      Not every section of the wagon is constructed from bricks. The body is mounted on a custom-built steel frame, which likely provides the necessary structural stability to keep it intact. While there isn’t an engine, a remote-controlled electric motor allows the vehicle to move slowly on its own. Additionally, the wagon is equipped with actual wheels fitted with real tires. Brick Scale even took the V70 through Sweden's safety and emissions testing just for fun. The outcome? "They were not pleased that a 3,300-pound car lacks brakes." At least it's likely to have passed the emissions test.

      For perspective, a European-market 2010 V70 weighs between 3,454 and 3,974 pounds, varying based on its configuration. Volvo offered three engine options, including a beloved 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder. Thus, the Lego model isn’t significantly lighter than the real vehicle, which is impressive considering it lacks a drivetrain, suspension, air conditioning, and other components. Incorporating a remote-controlled electric motor appears to have been a smart choice. We still have numerous questions, such as how many bricks are needed to construct a life-sized car.

      Brick Scale’s V70 is currently on a minor tour with various stops throughout Sweden and one event in Riga, Latvia. What happens after that remains uncertain, but we hope the car either joins the Volvo collection, which already features a first-generation XC90 made from Lego bricks, or makes its way to Lego headquarters, where it would be a stunning display. And who knows, it might even inspire a (much) smaller V70 kit!

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