Chevrolet reveals full-size Lego Batmobile at Detroit show
Chevrolet and Lego have built a 1,695-pound Batmobile replica for the North American International Auto Show, using over 340,000 bricks and student help from Detroit.
Chevrolet has taken centre stage at the 2017 North American International Auto Show with a full-size Lego Batmobile, built to promote the release of The Lego Batman Movie. The carmaker worked with Lego Master Builders and students from Detroit’s Cody Rouge community, A World in Motion and First Lego League to construct the 1,695-pound replica, which is now on display in Detroit.
The car is modelled on the Batmobile from the upcoming animated film, standing 2.1 metres tall, 5.1 metres long and 2.81 metres wide. More than 344,000 Lego bricks in 17 different colours were used. The project required 222 hours of design and 1,833 hours of assembly, with the final build completed at the Lego Model Shop in Enfield, Connecticut.
Underneath the bricks, the Batmobile sits on an aluminium frame weighing 128.1kg. The tyres alone add another 45kg each. The result is a static display vehicle, but Chevrolet has added playful nods to its own technology, including mock-ups of hands-free calling, Apple CarPlay, Android Auto and even in-car Wi-Fi, features found in Chevrolet’s production range.
Collaboration with Detroit students and Lego
Chevrolet involved local students in the build as part of its STEM education initiatives, giving participants hands-on experience with design and engineering alongside Lego’s professional builders. The car was designed to match the exaggerated proportions of Batman’s vehicle in the film, rather than any real-world Batmobile from previous live-action adaptations.
- 1,695 pounds (768kg) total weight
- 344,000 Lego bricks used
- 222 hours design time
- 1,833 hours to build
- Aluminium frame: 128.1kg
- Tyres: 45kg each
Movie tie-in and show presence
The Lego Batmobile is part of Chevrolet’s marketing partnership with Warner Bros and Lego for the new film. Its prominent display at NAIAS draws attention to both the film and Chevrolet’s efforts to engage younger audiences and promote STEM careers. While the Batmobile is not drivable, the project highlights the brand’s willingness to experiment with unconventional showpieces alongside its conventional model launches.
For those interested in Chevrolet’s more practical offerings at the Detroit show, see our coverage of the 2016 Chevrolet Volt at NAIAS:/2015-naias-2016-chevrolet-volt
