February 5, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Hobbytech

Hobbytech Spirit STR8

Having been sent CAD images prior to the toy fair, Hobbytech are displaying their new Spirit STR8 1/8th scale buggy. Featuring high quality and heavily machined aluminium throughout as standard, the car that is on display is the first sample of this car and will feature anodised aluminium throughout when it goes on sale in mid June. Completely new from its predecessor, all that machining has brought the car in at a mere 3.2kg. Featuring a narrow 3mm thick lightweight chassis plate design, the engine features a 7 degree angle over the centre line, but this can be changed to the conventional straight up design by using the additionally supplied 0 degree engine mount.

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February 5, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Novarossi

Novarossi Buggy Plus4 Team

Having announced their two main releases ahead of time, Novarossi ran us through their complete line up of new engines for 2010. As we know the two main entrants are the Toro Nero Team and Buggy Plus 4 Team, both engines based on the previous versions but featuring some upgrades that their factory drivers were using last year. Both buggy engines sport the compact combustion chamber, essentially a dished piston with corresponding button that helps focus the combustion for better fuel economy, something team driver Adam Drake used to good effect at the Nitromania X event, getting 15 minutes from a tank. Apart from sporting a ceramic main bearing the engines have some hand work to the crankshaft and liner. Completing the new buggy engine updates, the new S21P5 XLT features the same lighter cooling head from the Team engines and has reworked internal fluid dynamics to improve the fuel delivery.

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February 4, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Associated

Associated RC18 T2

Associated have been showing of their new line of RC18, with the introduction here at the show of the T2 and B2. No longer shaft driven the new cars resemble mini B44 buggies with their 2 belt drive and slipper clutch. Supplied as an RTR, they have been redesigned from the ground up and also come with a new servo saver and with the company’s 2.4Ghz radio system. The bodies too have been given a redesign to freshen up the line an accommodate their new internals.

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February 4, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Agama

Agama A8 Evo

New to the scene, Taiwanese based Agama have presented their new car at the Buggy Sport Racing booth. The new A8 Evo, which we are told has been aided in development by a top Spanish driver is a rather conventional buggy with some unique features that may set it apart. The most visible change is around the centre diff, where the normally top plate is now mounted layed down, which we are told helps prevent the chassis twisting under braking which causes the car to turn slightly.

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February 4, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Mugen Seiki

Mugen MRX-5

As expected Mugen have introduced their new 1/8th scale on road concept. Unfortunately the car was not completed in time to be shown at the fair so we have had to make do with CAD images. The car is completely new over the MRX-4X and features some pretty unique features such as the mounting of the front steering block which removes the top pillow ball and replaces with a top mounted camber link. This allows for wider adjustment through the use of optional carbon plates on both the top link and also with the carbon arm on the steering block. As is standard with modern on road gas cars, it uses aluminum bulkheads and carbon plate for the mounting of the rear wishbones.

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February 4, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Hudy

Hudy Starbox for 1/8th off road

Slovakian company Hudy, who are sharing the stand with Xray, have introduced their new Starbox for 1/8th scale off road. Carrying on from the compact on road starter box that was introduced at the fair last year, it can take normal NiMh packs as well as LiPos and a neat feature, besides its diminutive size, is the inclusion of extra long feet which can be attached to raise the box in order to also start 1/8th scale truggies.

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February 4, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Xray

Xray 808E

Having already published the press releases of the company’s new products we all know what to expect on the Xray stand this year. We asked further regarding the 808E brushless 1/8th scale and were told that they are still currently testing configurations of the layout of the electrics in the car. As you can see in the photos, there is a version that has the receiver mounted forward together with a stand up steering servo, but they are also trying a version with a lay down steering servo and receiver mounted in the center. The weight balance is so critical with the brushless cars and this is something Xray have spent a lot of time trying to get right in order for it to fly straight and even. The 808E also has its own specific chassis plate which sees all the gas related mounting holes removed. Finally the car will not use a mechanical brake but will plan on offering a slipper diff as an option in the future.

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February 4, 2010

Toy Fair 2010 – Robitronic

Robitronic Avid V2

Austrian company Robitronic have a big stand here at the fair as always and are displaying their new Avid V2 190mm touring car which we got a preview off back in the middle of summer during the Touring car Euros. The main change with the car is the fact that it uses symmetrical mounting holes in the chassis, as well as a floating motor mount, which ensure even flex on both sides of the car. A new top deck with multiple mounting holes also allow you to experiment with the amount of flex by adding or removing screws. To aid ease of maintenance, the front and rear differentials can be easily removed with 4 screws, while the centre Spur gear can also now be removed by just taking of the top deck. A new steering system, and LiPo pack mounts complete the changes.

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