First seen at the Toy Fair in Nuremberg last week, Schumacher have now released the full details on their new Cougar SV2 Competition 2WD EP Buggy. Moving forward from the successful Cougar SV, winner of the British Off Road Nationals, Schumacher have raised the bar yet again. The new SV2 is lower, sleeker and above all faster! It now includes a hard anodised, laser etched, alloy chassis, a new heavy duty differential, transmission bearings and driveshafts. Using the mid-motor position, ultra compact design, perfect centre line balance and revolutionary constant radius steering system the Cougar SV2 is sure to be a winner. The Cougar SV2, take it up a level.

- NEW Hard anodised, laser etched, alloy chassis + 8mm longer. – Lower C of G, easier to drive.
- NEW Heavy duty, big bearing differential – Small diameter, lightweight unit offering low rotating mass.
- NEW 26 Piece Red seal ball bearings – For longer bearing life.
- NEW Larger transmission bearings – Strong and reliable.
- NEW Interchangeable, CNC internal and external gears, with optional ratios  -  Optimise your gear ratios for all track conditions.
- NEW Strengthened rear wheel – Stronger, but still with industry standard wheel fitment.
- NEW Super strong steering levers, unique constant radius steering system  -  Offers true ackermann and linear steering response.
- NEW UJ Driveshafts – Longer bone and shorter axle for more traction – With the ability to dissasemble.
- NEW Easy to assmble, rigid wing mount system – Stronger, with less wing flex.
- NEW Moulded gear cover – Better spur gear protection.
- NEW “Super cool” Alloy motor plate – Larger surface area offers better cooling and rigidity.
- NEW Sleek aerodynamic body and undertray design – New look and great functionality with minimum dirt pick up.
- NEW Rear wishbones – Offers more lower position shock mounting options.
- NEW Rear anti-roll bar – Better handling.
- NEW High Tensile Steel Turnbuckles.

- Optional length chassis available using same body.
- Accepts either saddle or shorty lipo batteries as standard. Stick pack with optional lipo tray U4047. Superb versatility.
- Mid-motor position – Delivers awesome balance on the track and when jumping.
- Pro spec 13mm big bore shocks with titanium nitride shafts, CNC machined pistons with recessed ‘e’clips, threaded collars, twin O ring sealing and diaphragm volume compensation.
- PTFE coated shock bodies – Hard, and super smooth shock action.
- Quick release topdeck system – For optimised rigidity, yet fast, easy battery removal.
- Multi position rear shock layout, behind as std or infront of the drive axle with optional parts. Offers improved suspension tuning for both smooth and heavily rutted track types.
- Industry standard wheel fitment, with medium width front wheels as standard.
- Ultra compact transmission design – Minimal weight, with maximum strength.
- All CNC machined internal geared transmission – Super quiet and efficient.
- Reverse motor direction – For increased traction under acceleration.
- Perfect centre line balance – Great control for all track surfaces.
- Adjustable height differential, with zero geometry change – Allows for optimised driveshaft plunge angle.
- Multi adjustable bushed pivot control system – Super smooth, multi position suspension action.
- Fully optimised suspension geometry – Fast, consistent handling.
- Maximum dimension rear wing – Superb airflow control, offering maximum down force.
- Purple 7075 T6 alloy motor plate, lower diff mounts, rear suspension pivot straps and front axles. – Strong yet lightweight.

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

Roche RC has released the Rapide, a F103/F104 conversion kit. The wheel base is based on the F104 as 270mm, with a selectable width of 187mm (F104) and 200mm (F103). With a newly designed motor mount set, the width between the left & right mount is wider than the Tamiya original by 5mm meaning the main drive shaft bearing is closer to the wheel adaptor. At the back there is a simple design with adjustable “U Plate” rear suspension and there are different thickness “U Plate” to setup for different track condition. A narrow main chassis design makes it more stable with faster corner speed and moreover the chassis is compatible with Tamiya F104 bodies.

Source: Roche [roche.hk]

Losi have introduced their updated 1/24th Scale RTR 4WD Short Course Truck and 4WD rally car. With their 8750Kv brushless system, both cars are super fast and you can run it practically anywhere, inside or out. And when running it with friends, you won’t run into interference problems as the newly included Spektrum 2.4GHz DSM radio system offers a bulletproof interference free link.

4wd Rally car features
- Two-in-one brushless ESC/2.4GHz DSM receiver combo unit
- Powerful 8750Kv brushless micro motor
- Adjustable composite coil-over shocks
- Durable, molded composite 4WD chassis
- Shaft-driven transmission gear differential
- Micro all-terrain rally car tyres
- Simple bottom-load battery compartment
- Threaded axles (no E-clips required)
- Euro-style rally wheels
- Micro steering servo
- Side nerf bars for collision protection
- 4.8V 220mAh rechargeable battery pack and charger

4wd Rally car specifications
Length: 163mm (6.42 in)
Width: 94.5mm (3.72 in)
Wheelbase: 99mm (3.9 in)
Weight: 165 g (5.3 oz)
Chassis: Extended composite tub
Suspension: Independent 4-wheel
Radio System: Pistol-style 2.4GHz DSM
Speed Control: Brushed/brushless, LiPo compatible
Battery: 4.8V 220mAh NiMH (included)
Charger: Peak wall charger (included)

Short Course Truck features
- 4.8V 220mAh battery pack and charger
- 2-in-1 brushless ESC/2.4GHz DSM receiver combo unit
- Powerful 8750Kv brushless micro motor
- Adjustable composite , oil-filled, coil-over shocks
- Durable, molded composite chassis
- Shaft-driven transmission gear differential
- Micro all-terrain short course tires
- Simple bottom-load battery compartment
- Threaded axles (no e-clips required)
- Beadlock-style Short Course wheels
- Micro steering servo
- Side nerf bars for collision protection
- Realistic front and rear bumper with skid plates

Short Course Truck specifications

Length: 6.42 in (163mm)
Width: 3.72 in (94.5mm)
Wheelbase: 3.9 in (99mm)
Weight: 5.3 oz (165 g) 
Chassis: Extended composite tub
Suspension: Independent 4-wheel
Radio System: Pistol-style 2.4GHz DSM
Speed Control: Brushed/brushless, LiPo compatible
Battery: 4.8V 220mAh NiMH (included)
Charger: Peak wall charger (included)

Source: Horizon Hobby UK [horizonhobby.co.uk]

Seen at last weekend’s Euro Touring Series Rd2 in Italy, Schumacher have officially launched their new Mi4CXL 1/10th Competition Touring Car. The Mi4CXL is the latest version of the highly successful Schumacher Mi4 touring car range. Now with 2 British national titles, numerous European and World event wins including the ETS Pro Stock Championship, the CXL takes winning to the next level. Schumacher’s World Championship winning design team, with the help of top drivers such as Chris Grainger and Martin Hofer have improved the Mi4CX chassis design, making a car that is faster, yet easier to drive than ever before. Mi4CXL drivers will reduce their lap times and improve their positions in both qualifying and race conditions.

- NEW 2mm Aerospace carbon fibre “Soft Weave” chassis and long top deck with optimised flex. Easier to drive with more traction.
- NEW Extreme lightweight 7075- T6 transmission housings.
- NEW Anti- Roll Bar system, lightweight with a near linear response.
- NEW Bridged layshaft mounting with quick release layshaft design for ease of maintenance.
- NEW CNC alloy, 20 tooth layshaft pulley.
- NEW Steering geometry incorporating centre point steering with forward facing balls to fine tune geometry. Fully adjustable Velocity Ratio, Ackermann Angle and Ackerman Rate.
- NEW Stiff 3mm rear shock tower with more shock mounting positions.
- NEW Carbon Fibre wishbones with moulded Roll Bar Ball, for increased traction, lighter weight and better impact absorption.

- Clamp motor mount to adjust side to side weight distribution. The car can be perfectly balanced with different lipo batteries and radio gear.
- Split rear transmission housing.
- Carbon fibre upper link design with options to adjust roll centres.
- Anti roll bar mounts with precise vernier adjustment to minimise play.
- Purple Alloy CNC ‘O’ ring retained wheel hexes.
- Lightweight moulded pivot blocks. Optional twin pivot block system allows infinite adjustment of roll centres, toe- in, anti- squat, and track width on front and rear.
- Fully adjustable, suspension geometry, wheelbase, caster, camber, roll centre, track width, ackerman, droop, front toe in/out, ride height. Anti dive, anti squat can be changed with Speed Secret parts.
- Efficient transmission with twin Kevlar belts and precision CNC pulleys.
- Alloy eccentric adjusters for optimum belt tension. Easy diff height adjustment to allow changes in drive shaft plunge. This can be used to increase or decrease traction.
- Symmetrical chassis layout with few screws minimises tweak.
- Ultra smooth Nickel- Teflon plated threaded alloy shock absorbers for extreme smoothness and durability.
- Lightweight machined diff pulley, Ceramic diff balls, aerospace thrust bearing.
- Narrow efficient thin back belts.
- Ultra lightweight front spool. Improved durability.
- Dedicated front & rear, reverse cup, high tensile steel, CVD driveshafts. Improves all round traction. Differential and spool plastic inserts “sliders”. Offer a lightweight, efficient driveshaft interface.
- Incorporating larger pins and joints, improves strength and durability.
- Lightweight foam bumper.
- High tensile spring steel pins.
- Purple alloy M3 nuts.
- Battery fixing with tape or optional battery strap.

Source: Schumacher [racing-cars.com]

Kyosho’s Inferno GT2 1/8 scale on-road cars receive a Race Spec upgrade and now sport a hardened main chassis plate, composite chassis stiffeners, KE25 big block engine with polished tuned pipe and header, and a 3-piece racing clutch that works the updated 2-speed transmission. Included in the ReadySet called package are also Kyosho’s latest KT-201 computerised 2.4GHz radio system, KS-200 high-torque metal gear servos and your choice of a Corvette 2007 C6-R or Audi R8 LMS body shell. Both cars will be available from March.

Source: Kyosho [kyoshoamerica.com]

Serpent are close to release their 1/8th GT car with Billy Easton performing the last few tests with the pre-production Cobra GT. The car is based on the Cobra buggy platform and shares many parts and is aimed at the Japan, USA and Central and South America markets which have seen growth. We can expect more details within the coming week.

Source: Serpent [serpent.com]

Mugen have announced an updated MTX-5 kit which will come supplied with additional optional parts as standard. Included in the kit now is machined aluminium front and rear upper bulkheads, as well as a steel pins and gears for the front and rear gear diffs. Other new parts include an updated rear upper arm mount plate, a steel clutch spring cup and a new brake disc adapter. The updated kit will go on sale in late January.

Source: Mugen [mugenseiki.co.jp]

Losi have introduced their new 1/10 22T 2wd RTR truck. The 22T is ready to run and ready to tear up the track with a 13.5 sensored brushless system. It’s based on the Team Losi Racing 22T Truck Race Kit and comes with a Spektrum DX3E transmitter and SR300 receiver. This truck is equipped with everything you need to race through the neighborhood, bash in your back yard or dominate the track, including an extra high-torque servo that gives the 22T a precise steering response.

Spektrum DX3E and SR300
The 22T RTR comes ready-to-run with a Spektrum DX3E radio system with 2.4GHz DSM technology. Packed with features, the DX3E, paired with the installed SR300 receiver, gives you everything you need to take complete control of the 22T RTR. It’s tough to beat this easy-to-use radio with modern Spektrum styling and interference-free reliability. The DX3E comes with added features, including battery voltage, indicator LEDs and steering dual rates adjustment controls.

Features
- 2.5mm low-centre-of-gravity Aluminium chassis
- Losi® 13.5T sensored brushless motor
- Losi programmable, sensored ESC with LiPo cutoff
- Ultra low resistance, high-power EC3™ connectors
- Spektrum SR300 receiver with 2.4GHz DSM® technology
- 12mm threaded Aluminium, oil-filled, coil-over shocks
- Losi extra high-torque steering servo
- Sealed viscous gear differential
- Adjustable dual-disk slipper clutch
- Full ball bearing equipped
- Gull wing suspension arm design (front)
- Pre-mounted race-compound tyres (BK-Bar)
- Secure battery straps
- 3.5mm heavy-duty turnbuckles
- Innovative steering rack design

Specifications
Length: 15.75 in (400mm)
Width: 12.99 in (330mm)
Wheelbase: 11.3–11.41 in (286–290mm)
Height: 5.63 in (143mm)
Weight: 66.6 oz (1890 g)
Motor: 13.5T sensored brushless motor
Speed Control: Programmable, sensored brushless
Radio: Spektrum DX3E with 2.4GHz DSM technology
Receiver: Spektrum SR300
Shock Type: Aluminium, threaded, oil-filled
Body: Custom decorated, available in two colors (White or Black)
Tyre: BK Bar (front and rear)
Ball Bearings: Complete

Source: Horizon Hobby UK [horizonhobby.co.uk]

The follow up to the Motonica P8C, 2009 UISP Italian Champion, the P8C 2 Extreme is designed for the highest level of competition. Updates include a new ‘Multi Frame’ chassis with PHS bending control system and a new ‘Hi-Torque’ front suspension plate with 4 adjustment points. A new suspension plate rotating on spherical supports instead of elastomer discs gives the benefit of having more precise movements.  Other improvements include new fixing clamps for the body mount that soften the hopping of the car in the curves and new stronger versions of the front and rear hub mounts. Finally the 20T and 48T kevlar pulleys are now included in the kit.

Source: Motonica [motonica.com]

Since its release in 2003 the RC10B4 remains undefeated on a world level, having won five IFMAR World Championships in a row. In commemoration of their most recent 2WD Off Road World Championship win, Associated are proud to bring you the RC10B4.1 Worlds Car kit. The kit comes with the chassis spec’d out the same as the Team Associated buggies that were driven by Ryan Cavalieri, Ryan Maifield and Neil Cragg at the 2011 IFMAR World Championships in Vaasa, Finland. It has all the latest Factory Team features, starting with the +8mm B4.1 chassis conversion which greatly improves the overall stability and handling of the buggy, making it easier to drive and lower your lap times. Topping off the +8mm B4.1 chassis is the Pro-Line Bulldog +8mm body. Other features include the Factory Team 0° rear hubs, Factory Team rear ballast weight, and the new B4.1 Worlds Car setup sheet.

Source: Associated [rc10.com]