When I first laid eyes on the Pantasy Envision Formula E Electric Race Car building set, I knew I had to get it. Why? Because it’s probably the most accurate brick-built—not Technic—recreation of the race car on the market right now. The model, based on Envision Racing’s 2023 Formula E season car, relies heavily on SNOT techniques. For the uninitiated, SNOT stands for “Studs Not On Top”—a fancy way of saying the studs are cleverly hidden.
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, here are the basics:
- Brand: Pantasy
- Product Name: Envision Formula E Electric Race Car
- Product Number: 11028
- Piece Count: 805
- Scale: Unknown (but more on that later)
- Dimensions: 34.6 cm x 14.3 cm x 8.8 cm (13.6 x 5.6 x 3.5 inches)
- Recommended Age: 6+
Overview
This set is a design triumph, packing impressive details into just over 800 pieces. Despite the relatively low part count, the finished model is nearly 35 cm long, thanks to some clever engineering. Kudos to the designer(s) for balancing size and complexity without crossing the 1,000-piece mark—a feat that seasoned MOC creators might shrug off, but casual builders will appreciate. The build feels solid for the most part, though there are a few fiddly bits near the rear section. It’s not a dealbreaker, but worth noting.
Package
The set comes in a sturdy box featuring product graphics on five sides and key details on one. Inside, you’ll find a 58-page instruction booklet and baggies for five major build sections. Sadly, there are no light-up elements, but to be fair, it doesn’t really need them.
Instruction Booklet
Pantasy clearly knows its audience. While the set is rated 6+, the perfect-bound instruction booklet screams “adult collector” with its “ADULTS WELCOME” tagline. Further sealing it as a collector’s set is the tagline in Chinese that loosely translates to “live to collect”.
The first few pages introduce you to the world of Formula E motorsports, the Envision Racing team, and the car itself (in Chinese because it is a China copy). Moving past the introduction, you will find a 3-panel comic teaching beginners the general step of assembling a brick-built set followed by instructions on using the pink LEGO-style brick separator.
As far as main instruction goes, it is not great. Distinguishing dark blue pieces can be tricky—they often look black. However, I later realized black elements are outlined in white. So, it is just making sure it is dark blue and not dark gray. I’ll say it’s just a matter of getting used to the color convention. Oh, and there’s no glossary.
Design
This is the part where my love-hate relationship with this set becomes clear. On the one hand, I love the size. It’s big enough to capture all the details, including side mirrors, the V-shaped rear wing, and the two-tier front spoiler, while avoiding an overwhelming number of pieces that might wear out putting it together. The set does an excellent job of showcasing the high-tech vibe and sleek lines of the actual race car. But alas, the design is not without its flaws.
On the other hand, there are some glaring flaws. The front suspension uses a crowbar element for aesthetic purposes. This means it’s purely decorative and not connected to the chassis. The front wheels don’t steer, which feels like a missed opportunity given the model’s size. And then there’s the Halo system. The use of a translucent blue fire element and a bendy tube is, frankly, bizarre. It sticks out—literally and figuratively.
This brings us to the rear air vent, which is supposed to be a through hole but instead features a blue element. OK, maybe this part is tricky to recreate using bricks. But the vertical section of the Halo system? Ugh, it’s just painful to look at.
Finally, the transfer decals are a nightmare. Yes. Transfer decals—the nightmare of any model builder. Unlike regular stickers, these decals are very unforgiving. They require pinpoint precision. One misstep, and you’re stuck with a misaligned logo forever.
Oh, and about the scale—it’s somewhere between 1:14 and 1:15. Close, but no cigar. A proper scale would’ve been nice, and I wouldn’t have minded a larger model, perhaps 50 cm long, at a more standard 1:10 scale.
Build Experience
The build took me just over five hours, though it might’ve been quicker if not for the dark blue elements that had me scratching my head, adding additional time to the build. And then there were those dreaded decals. Thankfully, the build process itself is logical and frustration-free. Unlike some sets, there are no “loose” sections that only secure later.
Quality
This is my second Pantasy set (the first being Astro Boy), and the quality doesn’t disappoint. The pieces fit together snugly with a satisfying click, comparable to LEGO. There’s some minor freeplay with single-stud elements, but nothing major. No missing pieces or defects, which is always a relief.
Final Thoughts
This set is a mixed bag. It’s a must-have for Formula E fans, especially since there’s no other officially licensed set of this size. The overall design is impressive, but the flaws—especially the Halo system and lack of steering—are hard to overlook. Still, the joy of building and admiring it outweighs the frustrations, even if the Halo system occasionally makes me wince.
Verdict
Pros:
- Great balance of size and detail.
- Clean SNOT-based design.
- Logical, frustration-free build.
- Accurate brick-built replica of the Envision Formula E race car.
Cons:
- Front wheels don’t steer.
- No connected steering or suspension.
- Unforgiving transfer decals.
- Awkward Halo system design.
Availability and Pricing
As of now, the Pantasy Envision Formula E Electric Race Car is only available in China, likely due to licensing hurdles. If you can navigate online stores like Taobao [CH], you might snag one for 349 yuan [CH] (approximately 48 USD). Good luck—and may your decals align perfectly.
All images by Mike for Mikeshouts.com.
