Race into the past!
The RC Nitro Flash is back!

Relive the thrill of remote-controlled LEGO racing with this classic 2002 set. Build the car and take control!

🏛 RC
Set #4589

RC-Nitro Flash

RC-Nitro Flash is a thrilling blast from LEGO's early-2000s experiment with remote-controlled racing.

Before you buy

Who it's for
Ages 7+ · Intermediate build Perfect for nostalgic builders and fans of vintage LEGO Technic and Racers themes.
Build
136 pieces · about 2 hours Build time is an estimate.
Price
$69.99 list price · 51.5¢ per piece
Availability
Likely retired
★★★☆☆ 3.2 community rating from 5 ratings

Fans love the nostalgic throwback to early 2000s RC tech and the vibrant color scheme, but some note that vintage electronics can be finicky to operate today.

MSRP
$69.99
Best Price
$62.99
You Save
10% OFF
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📝 Our Take

AI-assisted editorial summary, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI

RC-Nitro Flash is a thrilling blast from LEGO's early-2000s experiment with remote-controlled racing. Combining traditional system bricks with specialized electronic components, this 2002 set let builders construct their own functioning RC cars right out of the box.

This set is perfect for nostalgic LEGO fans and enthusiasts of retro tech themes. The build offers a fun, classic Technic-infused experience with plenty of vibrant lime and green pieces, clocking in at around 2 hours of assembly time.

Skip this if you are looking for modern electronic reliability or a traditional display model. The vintage 3-channel RC tech is dated compared to modern smartphone-controlled or Technic Control+ systems, making this more of a collector's novelty today.

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How does the 3-channel RC system work on the Nitro Flash? Can I still find replacement parts for the electronic controller? Is this set compatible with wheels from other LEGO Racers models? What is the difference between the primary build and the alternate dune buggy model?

🧱 Building Experience

AI-assisted build estimate, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI
🧩
136
Pieces
⏱
2.0h
Estimated Build Time
📊
Intermediate
Difficulty
👤
7+
Ages
Build Highlights:
  • Integration of early 3-channel RC electronic components within a standard brick build
  • Two-in-one alternate build capability allowing you to convert the 4x4 into a high-speed dune buggy
  • Interchangeable wheel system designed to affect speed and handling
  • Vibrant color palette featuring striking lime and green elements

📈 Investment Analysis

AI-assisted investment analysis, grounded in our LEGO database and public community discussions. How we use AI
↑ Trending up since release
B
Investment Grade
⏳ Retired
The RC-Nitro Flash sits in a fascinating niche for LEGO collectors: vintage electronic sets from the early 2000s Racers era. With a current market price hovering around $89 against its original $69.99 MSRP, it has shown steady appreciation typical of retired sets with unique functional gimmicks. While the electronic components introduce a risk regarding long-term functionality, the nostalgic appeal to millennials who grew up with this era of LEGO keeps demand relatively stable. From an investment grade perspective, it earns a solid B. It's unlikely to skyrocket in value like a UCS Star Wars set or a modular building, primarily due to the specialized electronics which can be difficult to test and maintain over two decades later. However, complete-in-box (CIB) copies with working controllers and mint condition packaging command a strong premium among dedicated LEGO Racers and tech-theme completionists.

Not Financial Advice: Content is for educational purposes only. Past performance doesn't guarantee future results. Full disclaimer

📖 About This Set

Put the sleek Nitro Flash together and make it go with your RC controller! Three channels lets up to three cars race at once. Build a tough 4x4 off-road style racecar, then take it into the pits and turn it into a high-speed dune buggy! Swap wheels with other Racers models to change how fast the Nitro Flash can go, and how well it handles the curves. You're on your way to the checkered flag! Includes all the pieces needed to build the Nitro Flash, controller, and extra set of two small wheels.

⚖ Compare Similar Sets

Compared to standard LEGO Racers pull-back cars from the same era, the RC-Nitro Flash is much more ambitious due to its dedicated remote control system. While pull-back motors offered simple, reliable friction power, the Nitro Flash traded mechanical simplicity for the thrill of electronic radio control, putting it in the same evolutionary tier as classic Technic RC sets of the early 2000s.

1 Minifigure Included

Includes a classic Race Driver minifigure with a red torso, red legs, and a red helmet specific to the Nitro Flash subtheme.

📦 Parts Inventory

Official piece count
136
Parts cataloged in this inventory
60 unique parts, 134 pieces
Minifigures
1

LEGO counts 136 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 139, including the 5 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Control Unit / Remote, RC Racer, Black Bottom, Red Buttons [Complete Assembly] Control Unit / Re...
Part #: 2162c01 1× Dark Gray
Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2412b 2× Lime
Tile Special 1 x 2 Grille with Bottom Groove Tile Special 1 x ...
Part #: 2412b 3× Black
Tile 1 x 4 with Groove Tile 1 x 4 with G...
Part #: 2431 2× Lime
Plate Special 2 x 2 with Pin on Bottom Plate Special 2 x...
Part #: 2476a 2× Light Gray
Wheel 30 x 13 Model Team Wheel 30 x 13 Mod...
Part #: 2695 2× Medium Orange
Tyre 24 x 13 Model Team Tyre 24 x 13 Mode...
Part #: 2696 2× Black
Brick 2 x 2 Brick 2 x 2
Part #: 3003 4× Dark Gray
Brick 1 x 2 Brick 1 x 2
Part #: 3004 3× Green
Brick 1 x 8 Brick 1 x 8
Part #: 3008 1× Lime
Brick 1 x 6 Brick 1 x 6
Part #: 3009 4× Green
Brick 1 x 4 Brick 1 x 4
Part #: 3010 1× Black
Plate 1 x 2 Plate 1 x 2
Part #: 3023 4× Yellow
Brick Special 1 x 2 with Handle Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 30236 2× Lime
Plate 6 x 10 Plate 6 x 10
Part #: 3033 2× Lime
Plate 2 x 8 Plate 2 x 8
Part #: 3034 2× Lime
Brick Sloped 18° 4 x 2 Brick Sloped 18° ...
Part #: 30363 1× Lime
Hinge Brick 2 x 2 Locking with 1 Finger Vertical [No Axle Hole] Hinge Brick 2 x 2...
Part #: 30389a 1× Black
Brick Sloped 45° 2 x 2 Brick Sloped 45° ...
Part #: 3039 1× Red
Hook with Towball Hook with Towball
Part #: 30395 1× Dark Gray
Brick Sloped 45° 2 x 1 with Bottom Pin Brick Sloped 45° ...
Part #: 3040b 4× Trans-Red
Brick Sloped 45° 2 x 1 with Bottom Pin Brick Sloped 45° ...
Part #: 3040b 2× Trans-Neon Green
Brick Special 1 x 4 with 4 Studs on One Side Brick Special 1 x...
Part #: 30414 1× Green
Brick Curved 2 x 2 with Lip, No Studs Brick Curved 2 x ...
Part #: 30602 1× Lime
String Reel 1 x 4 x 2 Drum with Friction Spokes String Reel 1 x 4...
Part #: 30635 1× Black
String Reel 1 x 4 x 2 Holder with 2 Technic Pins String Reel 1 x 4...
Part #: 30636 1× Red
Motor, RC Racer Car Base 8 x 23 x 5 2/3 with Black Base [Complete Assembly] Motor, RC Racer C...
Part #: 3162c01 1× Dark Gray
Technic Axle 2 Notched Technic Axle 2 No...
Part #: 32062 2× Red
Technic Brick 1 x 2 with Axle Hole Type 2 [X Opening] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 32064b 2× Yellow
Technic Block 3 x 5 x 1 2/3 Technic Block 3 x...
Part #: 32310 2× Pearl Dark Gray
Brick Sloped Inverted 45° 2 x 2 [Ovoid Bottom Pin, Bar-sized Stud Holes] Brick Sloped Inve...
Part #: 3660 10× Green
Brick Sloped Inverted 45° 2 x 1 Brick Sloped Inve...
Part #: 3665 4× Lime
Plate 1 x 6 Plate 1 x 6
Part #: 3666 1× Yellow
Plate 1 x 6 Plate 1 x 6
Part #: 3666 1× Lime
Technic Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise Technic Pin witho...
Part #: 3673 4× Light Gray
Technic Brick 1 x 4 [3 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3701 1× Yellow
Technic Brick 1 x 8 [7 Pin Holes] Technic Brick 1 x...
Part #: 3702 1× Black
Technic Axle 12 Technic Axle 12
Part #: 3708 1× Black
Plate 1 x 4 Plate 1 x 4
Part #: 3710 1× Green
Technic Bush Technic Bush
Part #: 3713 5× Light Gray
Technic Axle Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise Technic Axle Pin ...
Part #: 3749 6× Light Gray
Plate 2 x 6 Plate 2 x 6
Part #: 3795 1× Green
Steering Stand 1 x 2 with Black Steering Wheel Steering Stand 1 ...
Part #: 3829c01 1× Yellow
Hinge Brick 2 x 2 Locking with 2 Fingers Vertical and Axle Hole, 9 Teeth Hinge Brick 2 x 2...
Part #: 40902 1× Dark Gray
Tile Round 2 x 2 with Bottom Cross Tile Round 2 x 2 ...
Part #: 4150 2× Yellow
Brick Wedged, Curved 8 x 3 x 2 Open Right Brick Wedged, Cur...
Part #: 41749 1× Lime
Brick Wedged, Curved 8 x 3 x 2 Open Right Brick Wedged, Cur...
Part #: 41749 1× Trans-Brown
Brick Wedged, Curved 8 x 3 x 2 Open Right with Red and Black Stripes and Green Scales Print Brick Wedged, Cur...
Part #: 41749pr0002 1× Lime
Brick Wedged, Curved 8 x 3 x 2 Open Left Brick Wedged, Cur...
Part #: 41750 1× Lime
Brick Wedged, Curved 8 x 3 x 2 Open Left Brick Wedged, Cur...
Part #: 41750 1× Trans-Brown
Brick Wedged, Curved 8 x 3 x 2 Open Left with Red and Black Stripes and Green Scales Print Brick Wedged, Cur...
Part #: 41750pr0002 1× Lime
Windscreen 8 x 6 x 2 Curved with Lime / Green RC Racer Print Windscreen 8 x 6 ...
Part #: 41751pr0007 1× Trans-Brown
Brick Curved 8 x 2 x 2 Brick Curved 8 x ...
Part #: 41766 1× Lime
Brick Wedged, Angled 4 x 2 Right Brick Wedged, Ang...
Part #: 41767 1× Green
Brick Wedged, Angled 4 x 2 Left Brick Wedged, Ang...
Part #: 41768 1× Green
Wedge Plate 4 x 2 Right Wedge Plate 4 x 2...
Part #: 41769 1× Lime
Wedge Plate 4 x 2 Left Wedge Plate 4 x 2...
Part #: 41770 1× Lime
Brick Curved 6 x 1 Brick Curved 6 x 1
Part #: 42022 4× Green
Brick Curved 6 x 1 Brick Curved 6 x 1
Part #: 42022 2× Black
Brick Curved Inverted 6 x 1 Brick Curved Inve...
Part #: 42023 2× Lime
Equipment Weapon, Loudhailer / Speaker / Blaster / Space Gun Equipment Weapon,...
Part #: 4349 4× Red
String Cord Thin (0.5mm) 50cm String Cord Thin ...
Part #: 56823c50 1× Black
Brick Curved 2 x 3 Brick Curved 2 x 3
Part #: 6215 2× Dark Gray
Tyre 20 x 30 Balloon Medium 49.6 x 20 Tyre 20 x 30 Ball...
Part #: 6581 4× Black
Wheel 20 x 30 Balloon Medium Wheel 20 x 30 Bal...
Part #: 6582 4× Medium Orange
🧱 Sticker Sheet for...
Part #: 43781 1× [No Color/Any Color]
A great parts pack for lime and green bricks, along with useful medium balloon tyres and specialized Technic pins suited for vehicle building.

🛒 Where to Buy

eBay
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Walmart
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$66.49
Target
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$69.99

💎 Notable Parts

Green Brick Sloped Inverted 45° 2 x 2 (10x) $2.50
Light Gray Technic Axle Pin without Friction Ridges Lengthwise (6x) $1.20
Black Tyre 20 x 30 Balloon Medium 49.6 x 20 (4x) $6.00
Medium Orange Wheel 20 x 30 Balloon Medium (4x) $5.00
Lime Plate 6 x 10 (2x) $3.50
Est. BrickLink Part Value
$18.20

💡 MOC Potential

🚗 Custom off-road buggies and modern remote-controlled track racers
🤖 Sci-fi rover vehicles utilizing the chassis and wheel configurations

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📖 Building Instructions 1

RC-Nitro Flash Instructions
BUILDING INSTRUCTION 4589
Download PDF

Charts Inventory Statistics

61
Unique Parts
136
Official Piece Count
134
Cataloged Inventory Pieces
1
Minifigures
1
Spare Parts

LEGO counts 136 pieces. This inventory comes from a separate parts catalog and lists 139, including the 5 parts inside the minifigures; the two do not always count the same elements, so their totals differ. Spare parts are counted in neither figure.

Inventory Version: 1

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