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The TFL Explorer 1158 is TFL’s newest RC boat, arriving as a compact ready-to-run package with brushless power, a self-righting hull, and a $199 price. A product announcement published Oct. 22 lists a stated top speed of 50+ km/h and 5–7 minutes of runtime per pack, with a 3S battery and charger included in the box.

Self-Righting When Conditions Get Rough

When the Explorer flips in rough water, the self-righting recovery system is designed to bring the hull back upright so the run can continue. The ABS V-hull is compact at 450 x 126 x 78 mm, and the announcement says the durable design is aimed at lakes and open water. Retailer listings also emphasize a sturdy ABS hull meant for choppy conditions and everyday use. The announcement also lists it as ready to run out of the box.

Brushless Power and Metal Hardware

Power comes from a 2818 KV3000 outrunner brushless motor paired with a Hobbywing 30A ESC. The announcement credits the Hobbywing controller with smooth throttle response, precise speed control, and stable power output during high-speed runs. The ESC also has one-button power control, which the announcement says provides quick response and safe operation.

The drive package uses a 30mm copper propeller, a CNC split rudder blade, stainless steel turn fins, and a breakaway rudder for impact protection. The CNC metal hardware is adjustable, and the driveline runs through a flex shaft with a 4mm stub. A composite display and work stand are included with the boat.

Radio, Hatch, and Battery

The included FlySky 2.4GHz radio is a four-channel transmitter with auto-frequency hopping, giving it a stable long-range connection and reduced interference. Beginner and Pro modes are built in, so new drivers get an easier learning setup while experienced boaters can use the full control range. The package includes the transmitter, and one retailer listing also includes four AAA batteries for it.

The quick-release hatch uses a tool-free twist-lock mechanism, so battery swaps are fast and no waterproof tape is needed. The announcement says the waterproof seal helps protect the electronics compartment. The supplied pack is a 3S 1950mAh battery with an XT60 connector. A charger is also included.

Two Colors, Same Price

The Explorer 1158 is offered in blue and pink, listed as FMS1158Z-A-BL and FMS1158Z-A-PK, each at $199. The package includes the boat, transmitter, battery, charger, and composite display and work stand. There is no price difference between the two colorways.

Where It Fits in TFL’s Lineup

A September 2026 RCBoatHQ brand guide ranks the Explorer 1158 as TFL’s best compact or first boat. RCBoatHQ’s conclusion is that it is the current TFL package that includes radio, battery, charger, and self-righting; the guide says no other current TFL package matches that combination.

The same guide identifies the Explorer 1158 and the Pursuit 1106D2 as the only two current TFL models with self-righting. It positions the Explorer as a budget-entry complete package and notes that most other TFL boats are sold as ARTR or hardware-only performance hulls. The guide also describes TFL’s catalog as split between a small direct storefront and a larger specialist channel, and says its current direct lineup includes seven complete boats, with the Explorer among them.

RCBoatHQ also flags a practical buyer warning: because the Explorer uses an unusual battery format and OEM replacement parts can be difficult to source in some regions, it suggests verifying spare-part access before purchase.

The announcement positions the boat for owners moving up from an entry-level RC boat and for hobbyists adding a new model to their collection. Both colors carry the same $199 price.

The next LEGO Ideas Gift with Purchase celebrates the model-kit hobby in miniature—and it includes a long-awaited addition for Classic Space fans. 40889 Build, Paint and Play arrives 28 October 2026, with a sprue that includes the modern light bluish gray Classic Space helmet and air tanks for the first time in that shade.

The set started as “Build, Paint and Play!”, the winning entry in the LEGO Ideas Build Your Favourite Hobby Challenge by fan designer Doomslizer. It recreates a model-maker’s workspace with a green cutting mat, cutting tool, sprue, glue, paint tubes and a brush. A teal Classic Space astronaut sits at the center as the completed project.

How to get it

From 28 October, 40889 will be offered with qualifying purchases while stocks last, at LEGO.com and local LEGO Stores. Shoppers need to spend US$130 / AU$210 / €130 / £115 / CAD$170 / SGD$190. There is no confirmed end date for the promotion yet; Dutch site BrickTastic lists the window as 28 October through 3 November 2026.

The final set contains 158 pieces and carries an 18+ recommendation. Product listings describe a compact display piece measuring roughly 15 x 14 cm across and 6 cm tall. Jay’s Brick Blog notes the bag count is just two and the build goes quickly.

A workbench full of little surprises

The mini workbench is packed with model-making touches. The cutting tool and a small brush, whose tip is made from the broom element, sit in a transparent cylinder and can be lifted out for play. The sprue holds pieces for a light bluish gray monofigure—including a wig—plus a walkie-talkie and a traditional Classic Space gun.

The paint system changed during development. Doomslizer’s original featured paint pots; the final model uses squeezable tubes. The tube numbers are a hidden LEGO detail: 107, 26 and 24 are LEGO’s internal colour codes for teal, black and yellow, exactly the shades needed to complete the astronaut. A sticker sheet provides Classic Space logos, smiley faces, ruler markings and tube labels.

There is also a pink frog in the scene, and the blue plastic glue bottle carries a nod to “Topi”, the fan designer behind the winning entry. Even the little blob of glue and blob of paint on the mat add to the illusion of an active hobby bench.

The Classic Space reason to care

For many fans, the most important part of the set is not the teal figure but the two recoloured parts on the sprue: light bluish gray helmet and air tanks. These parts previously existed only in the older light gray shade, found mainly in 1980s Classic Space and Castle sets. With the torso from Series 17’s Rocket Boy, builders can finally assemble a fully consistent light bluish gray Classic Space astronaut from official elements, without mixing in old light gray parts. The review notes that this is an update Classic Space fans have been waiting almost 10 years for.

The set’s teal astronaut continues a colour introduced to the theme by fan vote in 2024. Teal previously appeared in 21358 Minifigure Vending Machine. The production model swaps out the blue astronaut from the fan design, but keeps the classic space motifs and decals.

From contest to checkout

Doomslizer’s design won the Build Your Favourite Hobby Challenge, which drew 484 fan submissions. The original project was 235 pieces; the release version is 158. Jay’s Brick Blog calls the result one of the most interesting and highly anticipated GWPs of 2026, noting the natural crossover between LEGO builders and model-kit fans.

Because the threshold is relatively accessible, the GWP is easy to pair with upcoming November sets. Jay’s Brick Blog specifically points to 11390 Shenron & Goku, 21065 Sagrada Família and 11388 Venetian Neighbourhood as sets that should get shoppers across the qualifying spend.

40889 Build, Paint and Play launches Wednesday, 28 October 2026, while stocks last.

Inf1nity pro driver Jilles Groskamp is preparing for the electric touring car World Championship in Thailand, and he is doing it on camera.

A video shared by RC Car Action on Oct. 19 shows Groskamp walking through his Worlds prep and pointing to several new performance-oriented optional parts for the Inf1nity IF14-2, a platform the company also calls the IF14 Spec1ale. The clip comes from Inf1nity, which points viewers to the CreationModel.com Inf1nity section for more on the platform.

The IF14-2 Family

The IF14-2 family includes the IF14-2 MID, a 1/10-scale electric touring car kit. A product listing from Wallace Motorsports — for the IF14-II MID 1/10-scale EP touring car chassis kit, product code CM-00011 — says the MID was developed through numerous tests in actual races from the 2023 JMRCA All Japan Championship through the 2024 TITC, and that its basic suspension and drivetrain structure comes from the IF14-2 Team Edition.

The MID changes the layout in a key way: the front and rear drive belts are made equal in length, and the spur gear is placed almost in the center of the wheelbase. That significantly changes front and rear weight distribution. According to the listing, the car keeps the IF14-2’s stability while becoming faster in corners.

The MID also changes the suspension approach. The product description says the integrated front and rear suspension blocks simplify assembly and setup tuning, while the earlier split-type holders allowed fine setting changes but added weight and complexity. The listing adds that this style offers easier maintenance, letting drivers spend more time on track, and that the car has evolved to make it easier to maintain its condition and enjoy circuit driving more easily. The conventional split-type blocks can still be used as an option.

The MID listing also notes that its main spare parts and optional parts are the same as those for the IF14-2.

Option Parts on the Shelf

Some IF14-2 option parts are already available in Inf1nity’s catalog. One example is the T299 IF14-2FWD aluminum/titanium screw set in red, listed with a regular price and a sale price of $62.00 USD. The Infinity RC Cars page shows the set as sold out. The page adds, “We have both spare parts and optional parts for this car available! Order them together with your car!”

That screw set is one existing option; Groskamp’s clip also showcases several new performance-oriented parts for the same platform.

Elsewhere in On-Road Racing

For on-road context, Red RC Events’ annual coverage of the MonTech New York Grand Prix — scheduled for Oct. 15-18 at the 360v2 RC Raceway indoor track in New Rochelle — describes the eighth edition of the Donny Lia-promoted race as one of the highlights of the US on-road calendar. Awesomatix’s Sam Isaacs, winner of both Mod 1:12 and Mod Touring Car at the previous edition, heads the 2026 entry. Nosram joins as a new sponsor. According to Red RC Events, the schedule will see the 10 categories that make up the MonTech NYGP run two qualifying rounds on Friday and two more on Saturday, with the grids for Sunday’s finals set from those rounds.

Next Stop: Thailand

Groskamp’s focus is the upcoming electric touring car World Championship in Thailand. The option parts he highlights in the clip are part of that preparation, and Inf1nity has pointed viewers to the CreationModel.com Inf1nity section.

Daft Punk fans who tuned into the duo’s latest WDPK RADIO LIVE broadcast got an unexpected parting gift: a teaser that looks a lot like a LEGO announcement.

The stream’s closing sequence pans through rows of servers toward a DJ-style control panel, where a white box marked “Confidential” sits. After a metallic gloved hand throws a switch, Tron-inspired light trails form the outline of a red LEGO brick, accompanied by the codes GM08, TB3, 2007 and 22.10.

For anyone fluent in Daft Punk lore, those codes line up suspiciously well. GM08 and TB3 are almost certainly nods to Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter, the two musicians behind the robot personas. The 2007 marker points directly to Alive 2007, the duo’s last worldwide tour and a landmark electronic-music production. The 22.10 marker, meanwhile, points to October 22 — and the obvious guess is that a fuller reveal is on the way.

A mystery with no official answers yet

No one has confirmed yet what the tease actually means. LEGO fan sites that spotted the sequence, including Brick Fanatics and The Brick Fan, noted that the broadcast included no details about what the LEGO Group and Daft Punk might be collaborating on. The visual clues, however, are hard to ignore: a red 2×4 brick outline, a control-desk box labeled confidential, and the machine-filled room all point toward a product reveal of some kind.

That “confidential” box may be doing a lot of work in fans’ imaginations, but the timing is notable. The stream aired on October 21, and the “22.10” date in the same teaser suggests the next piece of information could land on October 22. Several outlets read it that way.

This isn’t the first Daft Punk-LEGO crossover

The electronic duo and the brick company have crossed paths before. Daft Punk appeared as playable LEGO Fortnite minifigure skins, and the robots made cameos in Pharrell Williams’ LEGO biopic, Piece by Piece.

There’s also a long-running fan project that fits the teaser almost too well. Daft Punk Concert, a LEGO Ideas submission by fan designer RobotRock, has been sitting in the platform’s Parking Lot since October 2025, after qualifying for the first review stage of 2025. The roughly 2,000-piece concept is built around the Alive 2007 stage, with a motorized rotating box of transparent bricks inside a pyramid and lights arranged to echo the tour’s lightshow. It began in 2020 as a father-son project: the designer’s eight-year-old son built an early prototype while his father developed the concept digitally. The design previously won the top prize in the “Music To Our Ears!” building contest about four years ago, although that win didn’t lead to a real LEGO set.

All eyes on October 22

Is the teaser connected to that Ideas project? Fan sites are careful not to overstate the link. LEGO and Daft Punk have not confirmed that any upcoming set is based on RobotRock’s creation, and the red outline in the stream could still mean something else entirely. What is certain is that the broadcast ended with a deliberate, brick-shaped tease — and that it appeared just one day before the date written in the same frame.

The partnership itself hasn’t been formally detailed. What fans know right now is limited to the stream: a red brick, two member codes, one tour year and a date. That has been more than enough to get the LEGO community speculating.

The date the teaser asks everyone to watch is 22.10 — October 22. Whether that brings another tease or the real thing remains officially unexplained.

BBR is adding the Pagani Utopia to its 1:12 lineup as a sealed resin model. DiecastSociety.com reports that the announced colorways include seven versions, ranging from traditional exterior treatments to less conventional looks.

DiecastSociety.com says the complete product-number list covers seven codes. The Grigio Rinascimento edition is BBR1231A, the full carbon-fibre version is BBR1231CF, and the Chameleon finish is BBR1231CHA. Blu Midnight is listed as BBR1231G, Bianco Benny with carbon-fibre red accents as BBR1231H, Giallo Ginevra as BBR1231M, and the Utopia Coupe The Coyote as BBR1231P.

The BBR12 series

The Utopia joins BBR’s BBR12 series, which the company bills as a new line of resin models in 1:12 scale. According to BBR’s official pages, the cars are designed in Italy and assembled in China, and all are limited and numbered. BBR Models lists its address at Via Grieg 73, 21047 Saronno, Italy, and splits its catalog into 1:64, 1:43, 1:18, and 1:12 series plus accessories.

The real Pagani Utopia

BBR’s product pages also fill in the story of the real car. The Pagani Utopia is the third load-bearing project from Pagani’s San Cesario sul Panaro factory, following the Zonda and the Huayra. It took six years of design and development, and Pagani presented it in Milan at the Teatro Lirico.

BBR connects the car’s styling to Italian racing heritage from the 1950s and 1960s. Compared with the angular Zonda, the Utopia is considerably more sinuous, and unlike the Huayra, it abandons active rear aerodynamic elements. BBR credits a new air-penetration study integrated into the body for a 20 percent reduction in body components and for what it calls a more aerodynamically refined profile.

Of the seven announced finishes, Grigio Rinascimento has a direct tie to that debut. BBR describes it as the color of the Utopia’s press presentation, rendered as renaissance grey.

More company in the BBR12 range

The Utopia is not alone in the BBR12 range. The same range includes the Ferrari F80 in several liveries, such as Giallo Modena with silver wheels, matte black with carbon details and yellow brakes, and Rosso Corsa with a gloss black roof and red brakes. There is also a carbon-optional F80 in Rosso Supercar with red brakes.

The BBR12 list also has limited Ferrari 812 Competizione editions. One Coburn grey example, limited to 48 pieces, includes a Cuoio Schedoni spare key case; a Rosso Corsa edition with a yellow stripe and yellow tires is limited to 100 pieces.

Racing Ferraris appear too. The 2023 Le Mans-winning 499P car No. 51 in its dirty version, with drivers Pier Guidi, Calado, and Giovinazzi, is limited to 299 pieces. The 2025 Le Mans-winning car No. 83, with drivers Kubica, Ye, and Hanson, is limited to 81 pieces. A LaFerrari Test 2012 in Rosso Corsa and Matt Black is listed as an exclusive BBR edition limited to 20 pieces.

More Pagani on the store page

BBR Model Store’s Pagani page shows a broader lineup beyond the new Utopia finishes. The Huayra Codalunga appears in Iridescent Bronzo Aymara. The Huayra R is listed in Met Grey and White Benny with a gloss carbon roof, among other finishes. The store also lists a Huayra Codalunga Speedster in Verde Speedster and a Pagani Imola 2020 in matt carbon fiber black. The same page includes a Utopia Coupe in Arancio Marbella and a Giallo Ginevra Utopia with carbon fiber and opened rear wings.

Buying through BBR

BBR’s main site is aimed at resellers. Private buyers are directed to the company’s separate model store website, which describes itself as carrying 1:43 and 1:18 models produced by BBR and other companies, with prompt delivery for items actually in stock.

Ten colorways, 30 each

Henson & Heaven has a new Rolls-Royce Spectre MANSORY replica on the way, and it’s built in sealed resin. The model will be issued in ten exterior colorways, with each colorway capped at 30 units.

The color list leans heavily on Arabian Carbon. Buyers can pick Diamond Black/Arabian Carbon, Pearl White/Arabian Carbon, Storm Grey/Arabian Carbon, Matte Black/Arabian Carbon, Chartreuse/Arabian Carbon, Silver/Arabian Carbon, Black/Golden Arabian Carbon, Sequin Silver/Arabian Carbon, or Chrome Gold/Flash Gold. The tenth release is the Supercar Blondie Edition. The result is a broad paint lineup, but every version stays small: 30 units per colorway.

The MANSORY car behind the model

The replica’s subject is a heavily modified version of the Spectre. MANSORY’s official page details a full conversion of Rolls-Royce’s first all-electric model. The exterior treatment includes a visible-carbon front lip with side flaps, a blackened grille that can be illuminated in a chosen color at the push of a button, an ultra-light carbon bonnet, LED daytime running lights, carbon fender air outlets, black painted door handles, a tailgate spoiler, carbon taillight surrounds, and a carbon rear diffuser. The rear diffuser can be ordered with a central brake light on request.

MANSORY also fits forged FD.15 wheels in two sizes. The 23-inch set uses 9.5×23 front and 10.5×23 rear wheels with 255/40 R23 and 295/35 R23 tires. The 24-inch set uses 10×24 wheels all around with 295/30 R24 tires. MANSORY notes the rims are designed for the very high load capacities of the all-electric Spectre. Both sets get fixed, non-rotating hub caps carrying the MANSORY logo.

Inside, the tuner’s conversion uses fine leather, a leather-carbon sports steering wheel, extended carbon inlays, LED lighting in the door panels and dashboard, carbon pedals, and high-pile floor mats. MANSORY lists combined CO2 emissions of 0 g/km and electrical consumption of 22.2 kWh/100km for the Spectre.

Spectre miniatures already have a home

Henson & Heaven is not the only brand putting a Spectre on a collector’s shelf. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars’ boutique lists a 1:18 Spectre replica in three specifications: Crescendo, Symphony, and Prophecy. The official model includes replica interior and exterior trim, detailed replica upholstery, a gloss black stand with clear display case, and a presentation storage box with RR branding.

The Crescendo version uses a Chartreuse and Black Diamond two-tone Aero paint finish with a 23-inch seven-spoke part-polished wheel. Its interior is Grace White, Chartreuse, and Peony Pink, with Peony Pink stitching and piping, illuminated leather doors and fascia, Peony Pink RR monograms on the headrests, Grace White headlining, Peridot Green instrument dials, Blackwood open-pore veneered steering wheel spokes, and an Indulge Bespoke clock.

Symphony uses Morganite and Gunmetal upper two-tone paint with a 23-inch seven-wing-spoke part-polished wheel, plus a Grace White and Ardent Red interior with Peony Pink stitching. Prophecy uses Wittering Blue with a Mandarin coachline, a Scivaro Grey and Charles Blue modular interior, Mandarin monograms on the headrests, Chalcedon Blue instrument dials, and a thick two-tone steering wheel.

The new Henson & Heaven release translates MANSORY’s carbon-heavy look into resin.

Familiar brand, next release

Henson & Heaven is a brand that specialist retailers already stock. Prestige Model Cars, a Melbourne-based model-car shop, carries the brand and lists a Henson & Heaven Ferrari LaFerrari in 1:18 among its inventory. The retailer describes itself as a leading model-car shop and sells brands including Ferrari, Bugatti, MR Collection, and BBR Models.

Delivery is estimated for the second or third quarter of 2027. Until then, the key numbers are straightforward: ten colorways, 30 units each, and product numbers HHJL270301SM through HHJL270310SM.

Hitec has a new compact charger for RC hobbyists who want a simple way to balance-charge the packs they already use. The RDX1 Nano 60W AC Simplified Balance Charger combines a built-in AC power supply, a 60W charge circuit, and a two-button interface in a case that fits on a workbench or in a field box.

Hitec positions the RDX1 Nano as an easy, affordable solution for beginners and casual hobbyists. The company says you can plug it into any 100–240V AC outlet and get up to 60 watts of charging power without a separate power supply. An AC power cord is included, so the charger is ready to use out of the box. Hitec calls the RDX1 Nano a dependable, no-stress charger for the workbench or the field box.

Two-button setup

The charger’s whole setup uses two buttons. Press BATT to select the battery type, press A to set the charge current, then hold A for two seconds to start. Four LEDs show charge progress in 25% steps, and a separate malfunction light alerts you to connection errors or a cell imbalance.

Hitec’s description of the charger:

The RDX1 Nano is an easy, affordable charging solution for beginners and casual hobbyists alike.

That simplicity is reflected in the feature list: a beginner-friendly two-button interface, built-in balance charging, selectable charge current, LED charge status and malfunction alerts, and an included AC power cord. The two buttons and four LEDs are the entire interface.

The “Simplified” in the model name points straight at the control scheme. The only controls are the BATT button, the A button, and the four status LEDs. Hitec’s spec list also covers the operating voltage range, cell counts, charge currents, dimensions, and weight.

Battery and power specs

Charge current can be selected at 1, 2, 3, or 5 amps. The charger balance-charges 2–4S LiPo, LiHV, and LiFe packs and also charges 6–8 cell NiMH packs. Hitec says that covers the batteries common in ready-to-run cars, trucks, boats, and park flyers. The 60W output is the charger’s AC charge-circuit rating.

The spec sheet for the RDX1 Nano includes:

• Operating voltage: 100–240V AC
• Charge circuit power: 60W AC
• LiPo/LiHV/LiFe cell count: 2–4 cells
• NiMH cell count: 6–8 cells
• Charge currents: 1A / 2A / 3A / 5A
• Dimensions: 4.33 x 2.76 x 1.50 in.
• Weight: 0.373 lb

The AC power cord is part of the package, and the charger’s built-in AC supply means a separate power brick is not needed.

Single-port lineup and price

The RDX1 Nano is part of Hitec’s single-port charger family. As a single-port model, it handles one pack at a time. It joins the RDX1 200, a one-port charger rated at 200W DC / 100W AC, and the RDX1 Mini, a one-port 65W AC charger. Hitec describes the RDX1 200 as an economically-priced, compact and versatile charger designed to speedily charge packs and meet the diverse needs of the entire RC community. The RDX1 Mini, meanwhile, is described as a sleekly-designed, compact AC charger that packs 65 watts into a fraction of the size of most chargers.

The new model carries part number #44353 and is listed at $39.99 on HitecRCD.com. Hitec’s single-port charger page, titled “Single Port RC Battery Chargers,” describes the chargers as “fast, reliable, and built for radio control enthusiasts.” The page also advertises free shipping on orders over $49.

BBR is expanding its 1:18 sealed-resin Ferrari 296 Speciale lineup with seven new exterior color options. The Italian model maker has confirmed the finishes, each carrying its own product code, but it has not provided any context on a potential release date.

Seven new colorways

The confirmed list:

• P18269G – Argento Nürburgring
• P18269H – Giallo Modena with Blu Nart stripes
• P18269I – Nero DS with an Ambra stripe
• P18269B3 – Rosso Corsa with Bianco Avus stripes
• P18269M – Rosso Taormina
• P18269N – Verde Germoglio with black stripes
• P18269O – Azzurro La Plata with an Italian stripe

The lineup mixes single-color finishes with striped combinations. The Nero DS version adds an Ambra stripe, the Verde Germoglio version gets black stripes, and the Azzurro La Plata version carries an Italian stripe. The Giallo Modena version pairs yellow with Blu Nart stripes, and the Rosso Corsa version is finished with Bianco Avus stripes. BBR has not offered a timeline for the new 1:18 colorways, leaving availability open.

Official catalog listings

The same seven finishes are already reflected in BBR’s official product catalog, where the Ferrari 296 Speciale appears in the 1:18 series. The listed colors match the newly confirmed set: Argento Nürburgring, Giallo Modena with Blu Nart stripes, Nero DS with Ambra stripe, Rosso Corsa with Bianco Avus stripes, Rosso Taormina, Verde Germoglio with black stripes, and Azzurro La Plata with Italian stripe.

BBR’s catalog also includes other Ferrari 296 Speciale variants. The 296 Speciale A is listed in Rosso Fiorano and Rosso Corsa with silver stripes, while spider versions appear in Grigio Ingrid, Giallo Kuramochi, Giallo Kuramochi matt with black and grey stripes, and Blu Capri with silver stripes. Those are separate entries from the newly confirmed Speciale color range, but they show the wider 296 Speciale family in BBR’s lineup.

Scale and model background

The new colors are for BBR’s 1:18 sealed-resin Ferrari 296 Speciale, a model in the company’s 1:18 series. BBR’s store says it sells model cars in 1:43 and 1:18 scales produced by BBR and other companies. The storefront also lists 1:64 and 1:12 series, plus accessories, alongside the 1:18 and 1:43 ranges. BBR Models is based at Via Grieg, 73, 21047 Saronno (VA), Italy.

Beyond the 296 Speciale, BBR’s catalog includes other Ferrari models. A Ferrari Mondial Quattrovalvole Cabriolet is listed in Oro Chiaro with cream interiors, Rubino Mica with cream interiors, Azzurro California with Blu scuro interiors, and Argento with cream interiors. There are also limited 1:18 die-cast LaFerrari entries: a full-carbon version limited to 200 pieces and a 2012 open die-cast special pack with a White Birdcage Carbon blu display case, limited to 155 pieces. The same store catalog lists Mercedes-AMG F1 E Performance Kimi Antonelli boxed sets tied to the 2026 Japanese Grand Prix win, the Chinese Grand Prix win, and the Chinese Grand Prix pole position.

Separately, a retailer pre-order listing shows a BBR 1:64 Ferrari 296 Speciale in Rosso Corsa Red, described as a limited edition. That listing includes rubber wheels, acrylic headlights front and rear, a licensed model, and metal for body and base, with an estimated arrival of February 2027. It is a different scale and listing from the 1:18 announcement.

What’s confirmed

For collectors, the confirmed details are the seven exterior finishes and their product codes. BBR has not given a release date or further availability details for the 1:18 Ferrari 296 Speciale colorways.

LEGO’s Botanicals range is growing another pair of expressive potted pals. Set 10371 Cozy Plants will land on November 1, 2026, with 248 pieces and two plant-pot models: a chamomile plant in a lavender pot and a peppermint plant in a medium nougat pot. The plants can be swapped between the pots, so builders can mix and match the display.

The set is priced at $22.99 in the US, £17.99 in the UK, €19.99 in Europe, and AU$29.99 in Australia. It carries a 9+ age rating, includes no minifigures, and uses printed pieces rather than stickers for the plants’ faces.

Another chapter in the smiling-plant series

Cozy Plants is the third small, cheerful planter set in the Botanicals line, following 10349 Happy Plants from June 2025 and 11506 Rocking Plants from May 2026. Like those sets, it is an unofficial little sub-line that continues to build personalities into brick planters. The two pots are described by LEGO as decorative, customizable, and interchangeable, so builders can decide which plant sits in which pot.

The peppermint model measures roughly 11 cm high, 8 cm wide, and about 7 cm deep, according to LEGO’s product listing. The set also works with the LEGO Builder app, where builders can zoom, rotate, and track progress.

What the hands-on reviews say

A hands-on review from The Rambling Brick describes Cozy Plants as a fun, satisfying build that is different enough from the Happy and Rocking plants to be a worthwhile addition. The model arrives in a small dark-green box with four numbered bags and two numbered manuals, making it easy to split the build with someone else.

The lavender pot gets the chamomile model, which sits up holding a cup of tea, with white flowers and yellow yarn-ball centers. The medium nougat pot gets the peppermint plant, which lies down reading an open book. The pots use curved slope elements, SNOT bricks, and tiles to create smooth rounded shapes; the reviewer notes the lavender pot still displays four studs around its rim, a small nod to the fact that this is a LEGO model.

One of the most interesting changes is how the arms are attached. Earlier planters used an axle/pin arrangement on each side, while the new models mount the arms on a stud at the front. That opens up a new sitting pose, but it also means these plants cannot hold hands with each other or with earlier sets unless the builder modifies them.

The same review flags inconsistent lavender pigment between molded parts; under poor lighting, some lavender elements looked almost grey. The reviewer says the variation was disappointing but does not overshadow the largely positive build experience.

A separate review at Jay’s Brick Blog gives the two plants names: Momi the chamomile and Remi the peppermint. That reviewer praises the new poses and accessories and calls the lavender color mismatch much less noticeable in person than in photos. It also notes that the yarn-ball element appears in this color for the first time. Momi’s limbs are both front-mounted, while Remi has front arms and splayed back legs, creating what that review describes as the most dynamic pose in the series so far.

What to know before launch

LEGO lists no stickers in the set, and both characters have printed smiley faces. The official product description says the set is designed as a gift for kids ages 9 and up, as well as book lovers and tea drinkers, and that the finished plants are meant for bedroom or living-space display.

The set goes on sale November 1, 2026, from LEGO.com and LEGO Stores. Its listed retirement date is December 31, 2028, giving builders and collectors a fairly long window to add this pair to their shelves.

Tamiya has released a new promotional video for its upcoming 1/12 scale R/C Lamborghini Cheetah kit. The new footage, which surfaced on 21 October 2026, shows the reissued model being driven over various types of terrain — a look at one of the strangest machines from Tamiya’s early R/C days.

The kit, item number 58754, recreates the Lamborghini Cheetah, a prototype military vehicle announced at the 1977 Geneva Motor Show. This 2026 release is an upgraded version of a kit Tamiya first produced in 1978, and the company calls it a “re-released and upgraded version” of that original model. TamiyaBlog and Big Squid RC both highlighted the new official product video.

The Real Cheetah Was a One-Off Off-Road Experiment

The full-size Cheetah was developed with the American company MTI (Mobility Technology International) as an all-terrain military vehicle for the U.S. market. The prototype was initially assembled in the United States, then finished at Lamborghini’s facilities in Italy. Its engine, mounted over the rear axle, was a waterproofed 5.9-liter Chrysler V8 rated at 180 hp, driving through a three-speed automatic transmission to a limited-slip differential.

The Cheetah never entered production, but it became an important experimental chapter for Lamborghini. Tamiya’s product material ties the project to later vehicles such as the Humvee and to the LM002, the first modern sports SUV. Tamiya’s 1978 kit, original item 58007, came from the very beginning of Tamiya’s electric R/C era, and this 2026 edition arrives 48 years later.

A Hard Styrene Body Packed With Scale Details

The 2026 Cheetah measures 400mm long, 174mm wide, and 140mm high. The durable styrene body is molded in PS Desert Yellow and recreates the car’s angular, doorless shape. Inside, the model includes a detailed meter panel, seats, a fire extinguisher, rear plate mesh, and a driver figure. The shell is mounted from inside at the front and rear, which keeps the exterior looking cleaner and more realistic. The instruction manual also includes a four-language background story about the actual vehicle.

XR311-Based Chassis Keeps the Vintage Feel

Under the body, the Cheetah uses the same chassis platform as Tamiya’s item 58004 1/12 XR311 Combat Support Vehicle, with a wheelbase shortened by 10mm. The drivetrain is rear-wheel drive, with a lightweight, rigid duralumin U-shaped plate running the length of the chassis. A battery pack sits lengthwise in the center and the motor is mounted at the rear. The receiver and ESC sit in duralumin trays on either side of the rear section for optimum balance.

Tamiya retained the vintage suspension approach: four-wheel independent double wishbones with upper and lower H-arms and four adjustable, flat-mounted, longitudinal metal torsion-bar springs. The sealed gearbox helps keep dust and small stones out. Semi-pneumatic tires with a flat chevron tread pattern are paired with durable three-piece wheels, each held to the hubs with five screws. A duralumin front underguard protects the model in crashes.

One notable difference from the full-size vehicle: the real Cheetah was conceived as all-wheel drive, while Tamiya’s model is rear-wheel drive.

Kit Contents and Release Date

The kit includes an ESC, a torque-tuned motor, and the Desert Yellow styrene body. Builders still need to supply a transmitter and receiver, a servo, a battery and charger, assembly tools, and optional LED lighting if they want extra scale effect. Tamiya’s official product page lists the kit as item 58754 in its All Electric R/C Car Series, with specifications current as of 1 October 2026 and subject to change. UK retailer Wonderland Models lists the kit as due for release on 31 October 2026.