Canadian International Autoshow brought Lego and Hot Wheels to life

Mar 9, 2023 | Arts, Culture

Hot Wheels and Lego showcased full-scale replicas of several iconic cars, from Feb. 17 to Feb. 26, 2023, at the Toronto Metro Convention Centre.

The vehicles showcased at the autoshow ranged from cult-classic muscle cars, to modern-day supercars, to infamous models created by Hot Wheels themselves.

Particularly popular was the 2001 Hot Wheels Twin Mill, a custom vehicle now most synonymous with the Mattel company in its decades-long running collection since 1968.

The Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 utilized over 154 different Lego Technic elements to perfectly replicate the life-sized model down to the block.

The Lamborghini Sian FKP 37 utilized over 154 different Lego Technic elements to perfectly replicate the life-sized model down to the block. Photo credit: Chatrron (Eric) Sadhu

Other standouts included the 2014 Star Wars Darth Vader Car and the 1974 Ford Gran Torino modelled in homage to television show Starsky and Hutch.

Ruben Beltran, area expert for Hot Wheels, emphasized the sense of community he experienced working the event’s 50th anniversary.

“Now that the auto show is back, we are very excited to be sharing the floor with the biggest names in the industry,” Beltran said.

“Hot Wheels is not just a toy. It’s an automotive legend and there were many outlets where the property has been participating in not only the toy world, but the auto world and fashion world,” he said.

Hot Wheels, known for its extensive collection of licensed and imaginative vehicles, displayed 10 life-sized models from the Hot Wheels Garage of Legends.

Each model was a one-off built in homage to either Hot Wheels or modern pop culture, all of which are owned by car collectors across Ontario.

Hot Wheels’ lineup of ever-expanding collectible cars includes the Lamborghini Sian FKP 37, a supercar first debuted in 2022.

The Sian saw its own life-sized iteration at the autoshow, but from the first Lego block up.

Italian automotive group Automobili Lamborghini and Lego Technic Group worked extensively to replicate the Sian FKP 37, using over 400,000 Lego Technic pieces.

Lubor Zelinka, chief designer for Lego, confirmed that the project was a 10-month venture, at a media preview day for the autoshow on Feb. 16, 2023.

He said a team of 15 people worked nearly 9,000 hours cumulatively to see the project through, and the vivid lime-green on the model was chosen and painted by Lamborghini themselves.

Hot Wheels continues to proudly represent car culture with its ever-growing collection.

Mattel also worked with video game developer Milestone to launch “Hot Wheels Unleashed” in 2021 for fans of all ages, currently available for current and previous-generation consoles.