In early 2019, the biggest LEGO Technic set ever was revealed, and it was a replica of a Liebherr model. After months of collaboration with LEGO designers, Liebherr is proud of the launch of the LEGO Technic set 42100: A replica of the giant 800-t (880-st), 4,000 HP Liebherr R 9800 mining excavator.

Developed in partnership with Liebherr, the 4,108-piece model of the R 9800 excavator comes with an array of true-to-life features and functions, introducing LEGO builders to advanced elements of engineering, while the LEGO Technic Control+ App puts the builder in complete control of the model. The Liebherr replica is not only the new flagship of LEGO Technic models but also the first smart device connected kit, which allows programming. The feature enables the user to control the model entirely via a smart device, reproducing the operations and applications of its original Liebherr counterpart.

“I think that for any brand, being contacted by LEGO Technic for a project like this is a great honor! Even more, when it’s to develop the flagship of the range for the year to come, this is clearly a strong signal. This means that your brand is attractive and conveys values of quality and performance. We experience the fascination for our huge machines and the sophisticated technology behind them – for example with visitors at our trade fairs. We believe that the LEGO team has done a great job in capturing this fascination and turning it into an impressive model, that can ignite the joy for engineering,” said Grégory Schuh, marketing manager at Liebherr-Mining Equipment Colmar SAS in France.

“We wanted to give fans an even more authentic experience when they build for real with LEGO Technic elements. This new way of controlling your LEGO Technic set bridges the physical and digital world and gets you even closer to the real-life model replicas that you build,” said Niels Henrik Horsted, marketing director at the LEGO Group.

In the course of the partnership, Liebherr provided comprehensive support to the LEGO project team. The LEGO team gained unrestricted access to the machines, logistical support and contact with the customer to make this project possible.

Liebherr is also pleased to be associated with the launch of the Control+ App, a major innovation that complements the consumer experience. This new smart device connected platform that delivers a richer and more immersive LEGO play and building experience for LEGO Technic fans, regardless of age, replacing the Power Function system.

Control+ App enables super-precise movement and functionality, while delivering authentic digital play combinations. The multi-function control screen on the app enables users to drive the excavator in all directions, rotate the superstructure, extend and raise the boom, open and tilt the bucket, play realistic sound effects and get real-time feedback, such as boom position, power usage and drive distance – authentically mimicking the original.

The Liebherr machine, on which the LEGO model is based on, is produced at a Liebherr site in Colmar, France.

The mining excavator is one of the heaviest machines in the Liebherr universe. With its 810-t (890-st) weight, the Liebherr R 9800 weighs approximately three times more than a large passenger aircraft. The bucket size comprises 42m³ and can hold 80 t (88 st) of material in one bucket. Because of its size and heavy parts, 28 trucks are required for the shipment of one R 9800. For assembling the full size R 9800, 12 weeks are required.

The replica model LEGO Technic Liebherr R 9800 excavator can be put together faster and comes in just one box.