Mattel Brick Shop and Hot Wheels Build Iconic Audi Models
Mattel Brick Shop Hot Wheels Audi sets bring iconic RS2 Avant and R8 LMS models to life for collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.
Audi and Mattel bring performance legends to collectors’ hands
There’s something about shrinking a performance icon into brick form that tickles both the child and the collector in us. Mattel has announced two new sets under its Mattel Brick Shop label in collaboration with Hot Wheels and Audi. The 1:32 scale Audi Avant RS2 and the 1:16 scale Audi R8 LMS are now available for pre-sale through Amazon, Walmart, Target, and Mattel Creations, with deliveries and retail shelves set for later this fall.
It’s not Mattel’s first Audi partnership the company first cast an Audi in Hot Wheels form back in 1993. But this collaboration signals a new chapter, moving into a category once dominated by LEGO, and delivering models aimed squarely at enthusiasts who demand authenticity. Both cars feature accurate proportions, licensed details, and customization options to keep even the most obsessive petrolhead busy well into the evening.
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Why does this matter right now?
The timing couldn’t be better. Collectibles are booming, with enthusiasts looking for ways to connect with their passion that extend beyond full-scale ownership. At a moment when Audi is reshaping its lineup toward electrification, these models remind fans of two of the brand’s most storied internal combustion legends: the RS2 Avant, a cult hero estate from the mid-1990s, and the R8 LMS, a GT3 monster that has dominated endurance racing since 2009.
By merging toy culture with car culture, Mattel positions itself at the crossroads of nostalgia and modern enthusiasm. Brick-built kits offer a tangible connection for collectors who may not be able to park an RS2 or R8 LMS in the garage, but still want to engage with their legacy.
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How does it compare to rivals?
LEGO’s Speed Champions series has long been the go-to for enthusiasts looking to snap together miniature versions of their favorite cars. Yet Mattel’s Brick Shop raises the stakes with details uncommon at these scales. The RS2 Avant features four opening doors, front and rear windscreens that actually open, and a removable greenhouse roof unheard of at 1:32. The R8 LMS offers the sort of FIA GT3 authenticity that racing fans will appreciate, down to Toyo Proxes tires and OEM wheels.
Pricing is equally competitive. The RS2 comes in at $19.99, positioning it squarely in the impulse-buy category, while the larger and more intricate R8 LMS lands at $49.99, putting it in line with LEGO’s more premium sets. Where LEGO offers broader variety, Mattel leans on the cachet of Hot Wheels’ decades of brand heritage and accuracy.
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Who is this for and who should skip it?
These sets are squarely aimed at adult collectors and Audi loyalists. Ages 17+ on the box isn’t just a formality; the complexity and detail suggest this isn’t a stocking stuffer for a six-year-old. Fans who remember the RS2 as the car that rewrote what a wagon could be, or who still watch the R8 LMS hammering around the Nürburgring, will find these builds immensely satisfying.
If you’re looking for playability for younger enthusiasts, LEGO remains the safer bet. If you’re seeking something collectible, display-worthy, and just a touch more faithful to the real thing, Mattel Brick Shop is making a strong case.
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What is the long-term significance?
For Mattel, this represents more than a one-off experiment. It’s a statement of intent: the Brick Shop line is here to compete for collector mindshare in a space once dominated by LEGO. With Hot Wheels already entrenched as the world’s top-selling toy brand, combining brick-based builds with recognizable automotive legends could cement a new revenue stream and a deeper relationship with enthusiasts.
For Audi, the partnership preserves the heritage of combustion-era legends as the company pivots toward an electric future. Instead of fading into the history books, the RS2 Avant and R8 LMS are immortalized in miniature, building brand loyalty among both seasoned fans and the next generation.
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For more automotive news, reviews, and the stories behind the cars, follow Nik J Miles and Test Miles across all platforms.
