By Allison Watkinson
TLL Reporter
LEGO has partnered with Land Rover to release a licensed LEGO Icons set based on the Classic Land Rover Defender 90.
The new LEGO Icons Land Rover set includes over 2,000 LEGO pieces and is based on the classic design of the Land Rover Defender from 1983 to 2016. The set features numerous accessories for off-road adventure-themed customization.
These accessories include a roof rack, engine snorkel, offroad front bumper, working winch, side rails, toolbox, traction plates and more.
“Bringing the iconic Classic Land Rover Defender to brick life was no easy challenge,” said LEGO’s Kurt Kristiansen. “This prestigious car can take you anywhere, so during the design process we wanted to infuse the LEGO set with that sense of adventure. The two-in-one format means you can load up with all the necessary kit, whether you want to race through the Scottish Highlands like our adventurers Raha Moharrak and Aldo Kane, navigate water or even sandy dunes. We can’t wait to see fans reactions.”
To celebrate the launch of the set and Land Rover’s 75th anniversary, the LEGO Group placed a Land Rover Defender LEGO Store in the Scottish Highlands and challenged experienced survivalists to successfully reach and build the new Land Rover set on film.
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The challenge-based LEGO film features mountain-climbing and survival expert, Raha Moharrak, and extreme locations expert, Aldo Kane, in a car race to reach the Land Rover LEGO Store and build the new set before the other challenger.
Raha Moharrak is an adventure sports specialist and graphic designer that is known for being both the first Saudi woman and the youngest Arab woman to reach the peak of Mt. Everest in 2018. Moharrak has also successfully climbed several other mountains including Mt. Vinson in Antarctica, Mt. Elbrus in Southern Russia, Mt. Kosciusko in Australia, Aconcagua in South America, Kala Patthar in Nepal, and Pico de Orizaba and Ixtacihuatl in Mexico.
“I was so excited when the LEGO Group asked me to be part of this campaign,” said Raha Moharrak. “I build at least one LEGO set each month so working with the two brands together has been an epic adventure.
“From getting to race across the Scottish Highlands in a classic Defender to trying to be the first to reach the hardest to reach LEGO store in the world and being one of the first to play with the new set, it really was a dream come true.”
Aldo Kane is an experienced Scottish survival adventurer, TV personality and veteran of the Royal Marine Commandos. During his time in the UK armed forces, he become one of the youngest people to receive the position of Elite Commando Reconnaissance Sniper. Since then, he has adventured to numerous harsh environments including Mount Nyiragongo in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
“This was my first time building a LEGO set in years but I was pretty confident that I would have the driving aspects of the challenge down – after all, I grew up in the Highlands, so I had that to my advantage,” said Aldo Kane. “Despite that, the rugged terrain and icy conditions did make it quite the adventure! I think my favourite part of the whole experience has been that Raha and I became friends through it all. That and playing with the new LEGO set – it’s pretty spectacular!”
The LEGO Icons Classic Land Rover Defender 90 set will be available for purchase beginning April 1, 2023 through both LEGO retail stores and the LEGO e-commerce website.
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