LEGO’s stranglehold on the brick-building world just got a serious challenge, and it’s coming from a direction most people weren’t expecting. While everyone’s been focused on knockoffs and cheap alternatives, a Chinese company called CaDA has been quietly perfecting their own take on premium building sets. Their latest release, a 1:14 scale Audi R8 Coupe 2019, isn’t just impressive for an alternative brand, it’s genuinely stunning by any standard.
This isn’t your typical “close enough” competitor trying to ride LEGO’s coattails. CaDA has built something that looks like it could sit right next to official LEGO Technic supercars and hold its own. The attention to detail, the build quality, and the sheer ambition of this set signal that the brick building landscape is shifting in ways that should have everyone paying attention.
Designer: CaDA
CaDA burst onto the scene in 2016 as part of the Double Eagle Group, but don’t let the relative newness fool you. They’ve been laser-focused on creating original designs that push boundaries rather than simply copying what LEGO does. While most alternative brick companies stick to basic builds or obvious recreations, CaDA goes after complex mechanical sets, licensed vehicles, and architectural marvels that require serious engineering chops. Their catalog reads like a wish list of builds that LEGO fans have been asking for but never got: detailed Japanese street scenes, intricate motorcycles, and now this beast of an Audi.
What makes CaDA different isn’t just their willingness to tackle ambitious projects, it’s their approach to hybrid building. This R8 perfectly demonstrates their philosophy, mixing Technic-style framework construction with smooth system pieces to create something that’s both mechanically interesting and visually polished. The result feels more like those ultra-premium LEGO sets that cost $400+ but with a price point that won’t require a second mortgage.
The R8 itself is a masterclass in automotive brick building. At 1:14 scale, this thing has presence, measuring roughly 14 inches long and packing around 1,600 pieces. The proportions nail the aggressive, low-slung stance of the real car, with a front end that captures the R8’s signature wide grille and razor-thin headlights. CaDA didn’t just approximate the look either, they secured official Audi licensing, so all the badges, Sport branding, and details are authentic.
The build technique is where things get really interesting. Instead of going full Technic with exposed beams everywhere, CaDA uses the structural framework as a foundation and then skins it with curved panels and smooth elements. The open sections above the doors and around the engine bay give you that peek into the mechanical complexity underneath while maintaining the sleek supercar aesthetic on the outside.
From a technical standpoint, the set includes working steering, opening features, and the kind of mechanical precision that Technic fans expect. The wheel design mimics the multi-spoke rims of the real R8, and the rear section features proper diffuser detailing and realistic exhaust placement. Even the interior gets attention with brown seats that actually look like premium automotive trim rather than basic brick approximations.
What’s really wild about this release is how it positions CaDA in the market. They’re not trying to undercut LEGO on price while sacrificing quality, they’re going head-to-head on premium builds with comparable complexity and superior value. Reports from builders suggest the brick quality is remarkably close to LEGO standards, with tight tolerances and good clutch power throughout the build process.
For LEGO, this has to be concerning. CaDA isn’t just making cheaper alternatives, they’re making desirable alternatives that fill gaps LEGO hasn’t addressed. When a Chinese startup can secure Audi licensing and deliver a set that looks this good at this scale, it suggests the brick building world is about to get a lot more competitive. The R8 proves that innovation and ambition aren’t exclusive to Denmark anymore.
The post LEGO Has Serious Competition – China-based CaDA’s Audi R8 Brickset looks WILD first appeared on Yanko Design.