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Category: Technic history 2000s

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In 2000 again a lot of new sets are released. This year a huge number of 37 sets is released. First time is the release of Starwars sets under the Technic theme. In 1999 the first Starwars set was released in the Mindstorm theme. This years release contains 3 droids; Pit DroidTM, Battle DroidTM and the Destroyer DroidTM. The sets are considerably detailed counting the pieces ranging from 236 to 654 pieces per set.
New is a kind of tuning sets for cars. This contains a tyre set a side skirt set and 2 different chassis with which you can design your own racing cars.
Additionally a few smal starter sets are introduced. Strange thing is that the same sets for Asia get a different model ID. Probably because of the fact that the text on the boxes are in Japanese.
Besides the small starter sets and the Starwars sets a big formula 1 set is released consisting of 1443 pieces named the Silver Champion. This set introduces new tyres specifically for racing cars reused in later F1 Ferrari and Williams sets. Also a new part is introduced to mimic the wishbone suspension technic we know from racing cars in real live making this model very realistic.
Also this year the Slizers aka Throwbots are continued from 1999 with 3 new sets. Additionally a new series of RoboRiders was a TECHNIC theme launched by LEGO in 1999 as a successor to the Slizers theme. It was short lived, and was discontinued in 2001, when it was replaced by BIONICLE. These sets were well marketed by Lego including dynamic designs and bidon like packaging in stead of the oldfashioned carton boxes. It also came with a story and a website. Nevertheless this theme only lasted for one year.
In this year sveral new technic parts are launched like the reinforced shock absorber to carry bigger sized cars.
Technic Liftarm
The liftarm was introduced first time in 1989 with just one type. In the years after new once were introduced one by one. In 2000 however 10 new liftarms are introduced which is a big amount considering the release of 14 liftarms in the 11 years before. The 3, 5 and 15 long and the L-shape 3x5 and some thin once.
2000 sets:1290 Volcano Climber1291 Dirt Bike1292 Ice Explorer1293 Swamp Craft5206 Speed Computer5218 Pneumatic Pack5219 Tyres and Drives Pack5220 Styling Pack5221 Motor Base Pack5222 Chassis Pack8000 Pit DroidTM8001 Battle DroidTM8002 Destroyer DroidTM8003 Volcano Climber8004 Dirt Bike8005 Ice Explorer8006 Swamp Craft8236 Bike Burner8237 Slammer Racer8238 Slammer Dragsters8300 Action Figures8305 Duel Bikes8307 Turbo Racer8457 Power Puller8458 Silver Champion8509 Robo Riders Swamp8510 Robo Riders Lava8511 Robo Riders Frost8512 Robo Riders Onyx8513 Robo Riders Dust8514 Robo Riders Power8515 Robo Riders Wheels8516 Robo Riders The Boss8521 Flare Slizer8522 Spark Slizer8523 Blaster Slizer79974 Race Pack (consists of 1268-Bike Blaster and 5704-LEGO Racers - PC CD-ROM)

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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The year 2001 two big events; the introduction of Bionicles and the introduction of a new 'Super Car', although not everybody will consider this model 8466 '4x4 off-roader' as 'Super Car'.
BIONICLEThe theme word is a combination of "biological" and "chronical". The concept can be seen as a continuation or successor of the former themes; Slizers/Throwbots and RoboRiders. Also the characters of Bionicles are based on classical elements Earth, Water, Fire and Air. Although the earlier sets of Bionicle were interoduced under the flag of Lego Technic it rapidly evolved into its own theme by the enormous success it has.
Strong point is probably the story lines for which Greg Farshtey is responsible. Even Lego Group still mantains a Bionicle site although the Theme was discontinued in 2010.
 Showdown In The SkyMata Nui has been busy since defeating the Skrall leader Tuma and helping Glatorian and Agori unite on Bara Magna. His quest to free his people, enslaved by the evil Makuta, continues as he journeys to the north. There, he finds an ancient fortress of the Great Beings, his creators. Inside, Mata Nui discovers a source of power so great that it could bring the smaller robot found on Bara Magna back to life. See for more stories Bionicle Site.
8466
  I consider the 8466 Off-Roader released just 2 years after the Street Sensation as a Super Car also because it has the same features as 8448, but with an additional feature of all wheel drive! This off-roader is still a cross over model from technic bricks to technic lift arms. In this model however the amount of lift arms used is much more than technic brick used. The front and rear train are build out of technic lift arms so looking good. Funny is that the chassis is still designed with technic bricks which rises your eye brows during building this model.
The technic design of the all wheel drive is very like reality. Differentials in front and rear train and a differential incorporated in the gearbox. This model also uses the approach of a chassis with different coach models. Besides you could build a pneumatic tow hook with set 5218.
Sets for 2001:1416 Bionicle Vakama1418 Bionicle Matau1419 Bionicle Nokama1420 Bionicle Nuju5223 Wind-up Motor8007 Starwars C-3POTM8008 Starwars StormtrooperTM8240 Slammer Stunt Bike8241 Battle Cars8242 Slammer Turbo8463 Forklift Truck8464 Pneumatic Front-End Loader8465 Extreme Off-Roader8466 4x4 Off-Roader8525 Bionicle Kanohi Box8530 Bionicle Kanohi8531 Bionicle Pohatu8532 Bionicle Onua8533 Bionicle Gali8534 Bionicle Tahu8535 Bionicle Lewa8536 Bionicle Kopaka8537 Bionicle Nui-Rama8538 Bionicle Muaka Kane-Ra8539 Bionicle Manas8540 Bionicle Vakama8541 Bionicle Matau8542 Bionicle Onewa8543 Bionicle Nokama8544 Bionicle Nuju8545 Bionicle Whenua8546 Bionicle Power Pack8548 Bionicle Nui-Jaga8549 Bionicle Tarakava880001 Trike Race880010 Roboriders Value Pack880011 Roboriders Value Pack880012 Roboriders Value Pack

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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This year nothing spectacular was released. A lot of technic educational packages are released in stead. Besides that the series of Lego Technic Starwars was extended with a figure for R2-D2, Darth Vader, Jango Fett and Super Battle Droid.
From real Lego Technic 3 non complex starter sets are introduced. There was a Formula One set released '8461 Williams F1 Racer' but not in the Technic category although it contains a lot of Technic Lego.

This year however a few technic parts are released which will become the hit of the decades to come like the blue "Axle Pin with Friction Ridges" and other small elements which will support the design of smaller future Lego sets like the "Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular 3L with 2 Pin Holes" and "Axle and Pin Connector Perpendicular Double Split". These parts will make it much easier to change building directions in small areas.
    
In line with the current strategy for Lego Technic, making models more realistic several new panel fairings were introduced.
   
Besides the small parts a new big rim was introduced for the bigger cars:
sets 2002
8009 R2-D28010 Darth Vader8011 Jango Fett8012 Super Battle Droid8429 Aero Hawk II8430 Motorbike8431 Crane TruckK8008 Darth Vader / Stormtrooper Kit

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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Several technic parts were released for tuning cars. These parts are mainly used for non Technic Category technic cars.
 
sets 20034481 Star Wars Episode 2 - Hailfire Droid8438 Pneumatic Crane Truck8441 Fork Lift Truck8451 Dumper8453 Front End Loader8454 Rescue Truck8455 Backhoe Loader
Non-Technic Theme sets8365 Tuneable Racer8366 Supersonic RC8369 Dirt Crusher RC (Yellow)8370 Nitro Stunt Bike8371 Extreme Power Bike8376 Hot Flame

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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sets 20048433 Cool Movers8434 Aircraft8435 4WD8436 Truck with Pneumatic Crane8439 Front End Loader
Non-Technic Theme sets8378 Red Beast RC8386 Ferrari F1 Racer 1:10

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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sets 20058415 Dump Truck8416 Forklift8418 Mini Loader8419 Excavator8420 Street Bike8421 Mobile Crane / Crane Truck
Non-Technic Theme8369 Dirt Crusher RC (Blue)8653 Enzo Ferrari 1:10

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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sets 20068281 Mini Tractor8282 Quad Bike8283 Telehandler8284 Dune Buggy8285 Tow Truck8287 Motor Box8288 Crawler Crane8289 Fire Truck
Non-Technic Theme8674 Ferrari F1 Racer 1:8

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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sets 20078270 Rough Terrain Crane8271 Wheel Loader8272 Snowmobile8273 Off Road Truck8274 Combine Harvester8275 Motorized Bulldozer
Non-technic theme sets
8145 Ferrari GTB Fiorano 1:108146 Nitro Muscle

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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sets 20088290 Mini Forklift8291 Dirt Bike8292 Cherry Picker8294 Excavator8295 Telescopic Handler8296 Dune Buggy8297 Off Roader9628 Mechanisms Power Add-on Set9641 Mechanisms Pneumatics Add-on Set

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Category: Technic history 2000s

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sets 20098063 Tractor with Trailer8256 Super Kart8258 Crane Truck8259 Mini Bulldozer8260 Tractor8261 Rally Truck8262 Quad Bike8263 Snow Groomer8264 Hauler8265 Front Loader9686 Simple and Motorized Mechanisms Base Set66318 Technic Supper pack 4 in 1 (8259,8290,8293,8294)991426 Black Plates - Large Package991451 Tracks991452 SprocketsW991526 Homeschool Introduction to Simple and Motorized Mechanisms Pack