LEGO® Technic parts review: sets 42152, 42153, 42154 & 42155

Four new LEGO® Technic vehicles roll out of the garage on 1 March 2023, equipped with all sorts of recently-introduced parts, plenty of recoloured elements, and even a few new panel moulds. Whether the set's got two wheels, four wheels, or two wings, they all make use of modern LEGO Technic bits while further expanding the selection for MOCs.

For my first review of this wave, I'm pulling the most noteworthy elements out of the boxes for your consideration. Pictured above from left to right we’ve got: 42154 2022 Ford GT, 42155 THE BATMAN - BATCYCLE™, 42153 NASCAR® Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and 42152 Firefighter Aircraft. I will return with reviews of these sets' features and techniques soon.

Products in this article were provided by LEGO®; the author's opinions are their own.
All four sets are available from 1 March 2023.

42152 Firefighter Aircraft

US$99.99/ £94.99/ 109.99€/ AU$179.99
1134 parts
Already available to pre-order in many countries including the US and UK from LEGO.com. Please consider using our affiliate links, we may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

The first set of this wave is the only non-licensed entry: an aerial firefighting airplane. The closest real-life counterpart may be the "Dash 8" De Havilland Canada DHC-8 Q400-MR which are used by France in firefighting roles. I'll take a deeper dive into the similarities in my coming build and features review; let's get into the new parts included in this brightly-coloured water bomber.

New moulds in 42152 Firefighter Aircraft

• Technic, Round Corner 5 x 3 x 2 Right (6422626 | 2442)
• Technic, Round Corner 5 x 3 x 2 Left (6422624 | 2438)

This wave's most intriguing new moulds are literally front-and-center in the blaze-busting bird: these oblate spherical corners make up the eyebrow area above the cockpit's front opening. With lots of curved LEGO System slopes getting corners, this is a welcome addition to the typically rigid and mechanical Technic System family. Here, one copy each is included in Bright Yellow/ Yellow, and further down you'll see printed Trans-Clear versions, in the Ford GT.

With each flat side of these moulds fitting different profiles (2 x 3 and 2 x 5 Technic curves) this "round" corner is nearly a wedge. Both profiles received a large number of panels and quarter ellipse liftarm moulds in recent years; this rounded corner makes using them even more versatile.

New recolours in 42152 Firefighter Aircraft

• Technic, Liftarm, Modified Perpendicular Holes Thick 1 x 7 (6426477 | 2391)

Just one newly recoloured element graces the wings of the Firefighter Aircraft, though it is worth highlighting this mould was only recently introduced, and this is the first time New Elementary has reviewed it. 

The useful flip-flop liftarms now receive a short 7L beam which here is Bright Red/ Red, after being introduced in Dark Green/ Green with 42149 Monster Jam Dragon in January. These are the only coloured flip-flop beams to date — the longer 11L and 15L perpendicular hole liftarms only appear in Light Bluish Grey or Black.

Rare parts in 42152 Firefighter Aircraft

• 2x Technic, Panel Plate 5 x 11 Tapered in Bright Red/ Red (6258093 | 18945)
• 4x Technic, Panel Plate 5 x 11 Tapered in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6310998 | 18945)
• 4x Technic, Panel Plate 3 x 7 in Bright Red/ Red (6379345 | 71709)
• 4x Technic, Panel Plate 3 x 7 in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6334490 | 71709)
• 2x Technic, Panel Curved 3 x 13 in Bright Red/ Red (6334499 | 18944)
• 4x Technic, Panel Curved 7 x 3 with 2 Pin Holes through Panel Surface in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6257077 | 24119)

Much of the aircraft's brightly-coloured fuselage uses panels which were recoloured recently in red or yellow. The above panels have all appeared in fewer than five sets, such as the long 3 x 13 curved pieces introduced in 42125 Ferrari 488 GTE.

• 3x Technic, Liftarm, Modified Frame Thick 3 x 19 Open Center in Black (6377025 | 67491)
• 1x Technic, Gear Rack 1 x 14 x 2 Housing in Dark Stone Grey/ Dark Bluish Gray (6328090 | 18940)
• 2x Technic, Pin Connector Perpendicular 3L with 2 Pins in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6408168 | 2393)
• 1x Technic, Gear 20 Tooth with Clutch on Both Sides in Dark Green/ Green (6391159 | 81346)
• 2x Technic, Gear 20 Tooth in Dark Azure (6396480 | 69779)
• 2x Technic, Gear 12 Tooth in Bright Blue/ Blue (6396479 | 69778)
• 1x Technic, Liftarm, Modified L-Shape Quarter Ellipse Thick 2 x 5 in Bright Red/ Red (6407068 | 80286)
• 10x Technic, Liftarm, Modified L-Shape Quarter Ellipse Thick 2 x 3 in Bright Yellow/ Yellow (6332412 | 71708)

Several other recently-introduced moulds and recolours make up the structure and functions of Firefighter Aircraft. Most notable is the U-shaped 3L pin connector in LBG. This mould was introduced earlier this year in the small 42147 Dump Truck as a pared down version of the versatile four-pin 65489, versions of which have existed since 2004.

42153 NASCAR Next Gen Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

US$49.99/ £44.99/ 49.99€/ AU$79.99
672 parts
Affiliate links: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

To celebrate NASCAR's 75th anniversary, the LEGO Group are releasing this #75 NASCAR Chevrolet Camaro. The second-smallest set of this wave comes with a bevy of modern Technic parts, with few exclusive elements of its own — though a fantastic prismatic sticker sheet adds some dazzle to the finished model. I'll give you a close look at that bling in my coming build review.

New prints in 42153 NASCAR Next Gen Chevy Camaro

• Technic, Panel Car Mudguard Arched 9 x 2 x 3 Straight Top with Blue and White Stripes Pattern in Bright Red/ Red (6426361 | 42531)
• Technic, Panel Car Mudguard Arched 9 x 2 x 3 Straight Top with Red and White Stripes Pattern in Bright Blue/ Blue (6426360 | 42531)

The United States-inspired livery of the roundy-round racecar brings stripes to these mudguards. There's yet to be an unprinted blue 9 x 2 x 3 mudguard — you may recall two that were printed with metallic hexagons in 42123 McLaren Senna drew ire from writer-turned-TLG-designer Áron Gerencsér. Let's hope he's fixing his print woes from within!

New recolour in 42153 NASCAR Next Gen Chevy Camaro

• Technic, Liftarm Thick 1 x 2 - Axle Hole (6390264 | 60483)

The set's sole recolour is the 2L axle/pin beam. It's always surprising to get a part this old recoloured in such a basic colour like Red — since 2008 this part has appeared in wild hues such as Medium Azure and Neon Yellow before red. Even Blue wasn't available until last year, introduced en masse in 42143 Ferrari Daytona SP3. One blue copy is also included, shown below. Since the Camaro has an asymmetrical paint job with red on one side, blue on the other, many red parts have a blue counterpart.

Rare parts in 42153 NASCAR Next Gen Chevy Camaro

• 1x Technic, Panel Curved 3 x 5 x 3 in Bright Red/ Red (6285602 | 24116)
• 2x Technic, Panel Car Mudguard Arched 9 x 2 x 3 Straight Top in White (6254784 | 42531)
• 1x Technic, Panel Plate 3 x 11 x 1 in Bright Blue/ Blue (6057722 | 15458)
• 3x Technic, Panel Curved 2 x 3 x 1 in White (6334548 | 71682)
• 8x Technic, Panel Curved 2 x 1 x 1 in Black (6396456 | 89679)
• 6x Technic, Liftarm, Modified L-Shape Quarter Ellipse Thick 2 x 3 in White (6345327 | 71708)

The panels here all were introduced in these colours no earlier than 2020 and have appeared in just a few sets since. The black 'comma panels' included in my review copy all feature the almost-invisible lines from the redesigned mould which was detailed in the Ferrari Daytona SP3's companion book, The Sense of Perfection.   

• 1x Technic, Gear 20 Tooth with Clutch on Both Sides in Dark Green/ Green (6391159 | 81346)
• 1x Slope, Curved 4 x 2 in Bright Blue/ Blue (6429287 | 93606)
• 1x Technic, Liftarm Thick 1 x 2 - Axle Hole in Bright Blue/ Blue (6392955 | 60483)
• 1x (+1 extra) Technic, Liftarm Thick 1 x 1 (Spacer) in Bright Blue/ Blue (6392879 | 18654)
• 3x Technic, Gear 12 Tooth in Bright Blue/ Blue (6396479 | 69778)
• 3x Bionicle 1 x 3 Tooth with Axle Hole in Bright Blue/ Blue (6336385 | 41669)
• 2x Wheel 30mm D. x 14mm in Black (6251174 | 56904)

More modern non-bevel gears permeate this wave. The blue 4 x 2 curved LEGO System slope is easily replaced by two abundant 4 x 1 slopes; though this double-wide version has only been in three sets including LEGO Speed Champions 75881 2016 Ford GT & 1966 Ford GT40 — fitting it's back in the wave containing today's Ford GT. Speaking of which, let's see what's under that car's hood.

42154 2022 Ford GT

US$119.99/ £104.99/ 119.99€/ AU$199.99
1466 parts
Affiliate links: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

The largest and only 18+ set of the bunch is the 2022 Ford GT, designed by Milan Reindl. Finished in a handsome Earth Blue/ Dark Blue colour, many parts have been recoloured to fit the aesthetic, and a few new moulds have been introduced as well.

New moulds in 42154 Ford GT

• Technic, Round Corner 5 x 3 x 2 Right with Ford GT Headlight pattern (6426366 | 2442)
• Technic, Round Corner 5 x 3 x 2 Left with Ford GT Headlight pattern (6426365 | 2438)

In addition to the airplane's yellow versions, this wave's new Technic corner arrives in printed Trans-Clear. The car's headlights are bracketed in halo light strips, represented here with metallic silver ink.

• 2x Technic, Panel Car Mudguard Arched 11 x 2 x 5 Rounded Top (6437973 | 3538)
• 2x Technic, Panel Car Mudguard Arched 11 x 2 x 5 Straight Top (6437967 | 2509)

It seems the number of custom size Technic fenders is continuously growing, with eight introduced for various large-scale cars since 2019. This new size might be an annoyance for Technic MOCcers who looked forward to recolouring their favourite build and now have to adjust their scale to use these Earth Blue/ Dark Blue fenders, though an 11-module long arch fills a gap in Technic wheel arch sizes.

One more new mould graces the rear axle of the GT:

• 2x Axle 5L CV Joint Both Ends (6408171 | 2405)

This space-saving axle has knobbly ends to mesh with the smaller continuous-velocity joint receptive end, design ID 92906, and wheel hubs. Just like the CV axle extension piece (32494), the protrusions of the ball ends are too wide to slot into an axle or pin hole, leaving the traditional Technic cross axle shape in the middle purely decorative.

New print in 42154 Ford GT

• 1x (+1 extra) Tile, Round 1 x 1 with "GT" pattern (6426364 | 98138)

Besides the new headlights, only one unique printed piece is found in the Ford GT. The grand touring acronym sits between the supercar's tailpipes, just under the rear spoiler.

New recolours in 42154 Ford GT

• 4x Bionicle 1 x 3 Tooth with Axle Hole (6434422 | 41669)
• 2x Technic, Panel Curved 7 x 3 with 2 Pin Holes through Panel Surface (6434559 | 24119)
• 3x Technic, Panel Plate 3 x 7 (6434565 | 71709)
• 1x Technic, Panel Curved #61 5 x 7 Tapered Left (6434567 | 80267)
• 1x Technic, Panel Curved #60 5 x 7 Tapered Right (6434568 | 80268)
• 3x Technic, Panel Curved 2 x 1 x 1 (6434570 | 89679)
• 14x Technic, Panel Curved 2 x 3 x 1 (6434563 | 71682)

The Dark Blue paint of the Ford GT naturally requires plenty of panels to take on a midnight hue. The long-running Bionicle tooth mould has seen many opaque and translucent colours in its two decades, though this is the first time the Bohrok eye is seen in 'Metru' blue.

• 2x Technic, Liftarm, Modified L-Shape Quarter Ellipse Thick 2 x 5 (6434566 | 80286)
• 3x Technic, Liftarm Thick 1 x 9 (6434420 | 40490)
• 6x Technic, Liftarm Thin 1 x 5 - Axle Holes (6434424 | 11478)

Some liftarms find themselves newly drenched in navy blue, including last year's 2 x 5 quarter ellipse shape.

• 1x Technic, Pin Connector Block, Liftarm 1 x 3 x 3 (6317655 | 39793)
• 4x Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Angled #4 - 135 degrees (6434417 | 32192)
• 10x Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Hub with 1 Axle (6437883 | 22961)
• 25x Technic, Pin with Friction Ridges and Pin Hole (6434425 | 15100)

Even connectors aren't immune to indigo infection. Handfuls of pin and axle connectors get the Earth Blue/ Dark Blue treatment too.

• 5x Technic, Liftarm, Modified Perpendicular Holes Thick 1 x 7 in Dark Stone Grey / Dark Bluish Gray (6432397 | 2391)
• 4x Technic, Shock Absorber 6.5L - Hard Spring, Tight Coils at Ends in Black (6414768 | 731c07)

The stubby flip-flop beam now comes in three colours in addition to this wave's red and January's green versions. The reliable ol' 6.5L Technic spring assembly finally comes in Black, a funereal tone likely made for the Batcycle, as you'll see further down.

Rare parts in 42154 Ford GT

• 2x Technic, Panel Curved 11 x 3 with 2 Pin Holes through Panel Surface in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6411452 | 62531)
• 4x Technic, Panel Fairing # 2 Small Smooth Short, Side B in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6174851 | 87086)
• 4x Technic, Panel Fairing # 1 Small Smooth Short, Side A in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6174850 | 87080)
• 1x Technic, Panel Fairing # 6 Long Smooth, Side B in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6218005 | 64393)
• 1x Technic, Panel Fairing # 5 Long Smooth, Side A in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6218007 | 64681)
• 2x Technic, Panel Curved 2 x 3 x 1 in White (6334548 | 71682)
• 4x Technic, Panel Fairing # 7 Very Small Smooth Short, Side A in Black (6426589 | 2387)
• 3x Technic, Panel Fairing # 8 Very Small Smooth Short, Side B in Black (6426590 | 2389)
• 5x Technic, Panel Fairing # 7 Very Small Smooth Short, Side A in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6415056 | 2387)
• 5x Technic, Panel Fairing # 8 Very Small Smooth Short, Side B in Black (6415057 | 2389)
• 1x Technic, Panel Curved 2 x 1 x 1 in Black (6396456 | 89679)

Plenty of modern moulds are included in the Ford GT, including the very small fairing panels introduced in the January 2023 Technic wave with 42147 Dump Truck and 42151 Bugatti Bolide.

• 22x Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular (6434414 | 6536)
• 2x Technic, Liftarm Thick 1 x 15 (6151070 | 32278)
• 2x Technic, Liftarm, Modified Bent Thick 1 x 9 (6 - 4) (6279908 | 6629)
• 6x Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Double Split, Reinforced Sides (6434562 | 69819)
• 8x Technic, Liftarm Thick 1 x 3 (6434419 | 32523)
• 8x Technic, Liftarm Thin 1 x 3 - Axle Holes (6434411 | 6632)
• 22x Technic, Liftarm Thin 1 x 2 - Axle Holes (6437884 | 41677)
• 24x Technic, Liftarm Thick 1 x 2 - Axle Hole (6344867 | 60483)

Several rare beams fill out the GT's construction with many parts returning to Dark Blue after a long hiatus. The single perpendicular connector and 1 x 3 thin liftarms only appeared in Bionicle Titans 8623 Krekka from 2004, while the dark blue double split perpendicular connector (as the old 41678 version) and 1 x 2 thin liftarms appeared in just two sets each, both found in LEGO Star Wars 8009 R2-D2 from 2002.

• 2x Technic, Liftarm, Modified Frame Thick 3 x 19 Open Center in Black (6377025 | 67491)
• 1x Bar 4L (Lightsaber Blade / Wand) in Glow in the Dark Opaque (6384681 | 21462)
• 2x Hose, Soft Axle 7L in Earth Blue/ Dark Blue (6225776 | 32580)
• 1x Technic, Pin Connector Perpendicular 3L with 2 Pins in Medium Stone Grey/ Light Bluish Gray (6408168 | 2393)
• 1x Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Hub with 2 Axles in Black (6396457 | 27940)
• 2x Technic, Liftarm Thin 1 x 5 - Axle Holes in Dark Stone Grey/ Dark Bluish Gray (6370946 | 11478)
• 1x Technic, Gear 12 Tooth in Bright Blue/ Blue (6396479 | 69778)

More recently-introduced Technic parts proliferate here, such as the 3 x 19 frame, Light Bluish Grey connector, and non-bevel gear seen elsewhere in this wave. If you're like me and love glow-in-the-dark parts and can't wait for the next installment of these reviews to see where it's installed, don't get your hopes up — I applaud the GitD bar's inclusion, but it is hidden behind the car's rear bumper.

42155 THE BATMAN – BATCYCLE™

US$49.99/ £49.99/ 54.99€/ AU$89.99
641 parts
Affiliate links: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop.

Last up is Battinson's two-wheeler, the Batcycle. This murdered-out café racer oozes cool, even if it doesn't seem a particularly fitting gadget for Gotham's vigilante billionaire. Despite sharing the US price with the NASCAR Camaro, other countries get charged an extra 10% for a similarly-sized set — one lacking glitzy stickers too.

New recolours in 42155 The Batman Batcycle

• 2x Technic, Shock Absorber 11L with Internal Spring, Dark Bluish Gray Shaft, and Black Tip (6410048 | 65151c01)
• 2x Technic, Shock Absorber 6.5L - Hard Spring, Tight Coils at Ends (6414768 | 731c07)
• 1x Technic, Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Double 4L (6428363 | 98989)
• 3x Wheel 75mm D. x 15.8mm Motorcycle (6409584 | 46334)

Hollywood's most brooding superhero wouldn't ride anything unless it's blacked out, and the visible suspension of Batman's softail bike recolours the oldest and one of the newest Technic shock absorbers in the Bat's signature noir tone.

Rare parts in 42155 The Batman Batcycle

• 1x Tire 94.3mm D. x 38mm Motorcycle Racing Tread in Black (6427244 | 46335)
• 1x Technic, Liftarm, Modified L-Shape Quarter Ellipse Thick 2 x 5 in Black (6407066 | 80286)
• 1x Large Figure Armor Plate Small in Black (6188823 | 28220)
• 1x Technic, Panel Curved #63 5 x 4 Tapered Left in Black (6400130 | 80278)
• 2x Technic, Panel Curved #9 3 x 3 Tapered Left in Black (6426603 | 2395)
• 2x Technic, Panel Curved #10 3 x 3 Tapered Right in Black (6426604 | 2403)
• 1x Technic, Panel Fairing # 8 Very Small Smooth Short, Side B in Black (6426590 | 2389)
• 1x Technic, Panel Fairing # 7 Very Small Smooth Short, Side A in Black (6426589 | 2387)
• 4x Technic, Panel Curved 2 x 1 x 1 in Black (6396456 | 89679)
• 3x Technic, Steering Brake Disk 6 x 6 (6285654 | 65416)

Several other new parts fill out the bike's fairings and wheels. The fat tire is the namesake of 10269 Harley-Davidson Fat Boy, while the smaller triangle fairings are new for 2023, introduced with 42151 Bugatti Bolide.

Phew, that's a lot of recoloured elements in just four boxes! Which parts are you most excited to build with? Do any of the new moulds inspire you? New E will be back soon with build and feature reviews for each of these vehicles, so stay tuned if you're interested in seeing how all these new parts are utilized.

Buying these from LEGO.com? Please consider using our affiliate links, we may get a commission: USA LEGO Shop | Australia LEGO Shop | UK LEGO Shop. Other countries, follow any link and change region at the bottom of the LEGO page. 

READ MORE: More new cars for March: LEGO® Speed Champions release a Pagani Utopia

Help New Elementary keep publishing articles like this. Become a Patron!

Huge respect goes to all our patrons, especially our 'Vibrant Coral' tier: Antonio Serra, Beyond the Brick, Huw Millington, Big B Bricks, Dave Schefcik, David and Breda Fennell, Richard Selby, Gerald Lasser, Sue Ann Barber & Trevor Clark, Baixo LMmodels, Markus Rollbühler, Elspeth De Montes, Megan Lum, Andy Price, Chuck Hagenbuch, Jf, Daniel Church, Wayne R. Tyler, Timo Luehnen, and Lukas Kurth! Thank you all for supporting us.

LEGO® Shop at Home
USA: FREE SHIPPING every day on orders over $35!
UK: Free delivery when you spend £50 or more at LEGO!
Australia: Discover the latest promotions and offers on LEGO.com

All text and images are © New Elementary unless otherwise attributed.