September 17, 2013

More Tamiya news from the Tokyo Hobby Show

More Tamiya news from the Tokyo Hobby Show

Following the release of first images of Tamiya’s upcoming TRF418 touring car tamiyablog.com captured some of the other Tamiya Fall 2013 news. First up is the highly anticipated 2013 Egress, the re-release of the iconic 1989 4WD buggy based on the Avante. The 2013 edition will feature some updated parts in order to improve the rigidity and durability of the drivetrain and suspension allowing to use modern motor and battery technology to power the vehicle. The kit will include updated ball differentials, universal driveshafts, new rear suspension mounts and some other refinements as well as the original Egress body shell and an updated decal sheet. There is no release date yet but expect the kit to hit the shops well before Christmas.

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September 17, 2013

Kyosho Ultima RT6 2wd Stadium truck

Kyosho Ultima RT6 2wd Stadium truck

Kyosho have released images of their soon to be released Ultima RT6 2wd Stadium truck. Seen in the hands of Jared Tebo in recent months the new truck has already claimed the 2013 National title. Essentially a truck version of the new RB6 buggy the chassis is hard anodised aluminium, it allows both mid and rear motor configuration and is compatible with various types of battery packs. Rear gull wing type lower suspension arms offer efficient grip while the proven RB6 steering crank system allowing linear controls is also included. Other items included are velvet coated big bore shocks, X-Gear Ball diff grease, hi-graphite grease and shock springs.

View more images of the RT6 here


September 16, 2013

Tamiya TRF418 – First images

Tamiya TRF418 – First images

As expected some weeks ago japanese company Tamiya introduced their new TRF418 touring car during this week’s Tokyo Hobby Show. The revised top-of-the-foodchain TC sports a large array of new parts such as a new upper and lower deck as well as a new carbon fibre bumper brace and rear shock tower. On the aluminium side of things the 418 has redesigned front and rear bulkhead parts, new front bulkhead covers, a new motor and layshaft mount and an updated spool body and new 20T pulleys to offer. The new motor and layshaft mount separates the parts from the upper deck allowing for more torsional flex while the steering knuckles make for a more linear steering feeling. Other updated parts include revised front and rear A-arms for the use with ball-type anti-roll bars, new steering knuckles and rear hubs, as well as updated springs and spool outdrives with the latter scrubbing 2g of weight from the drivetrain. We bring you more information on the 418 kit as soon as we get them.

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September 13, 2013

Yokomo B-Max2MR Ver.2 announced

Yokomo B-Max2MR Ver.2 announced

After introducing the updated B-Max4 III a couple of days ago Yokomo now announce the soon release of the new B-Max2 Ver.2 2WD buggy. Included in the kit will be some of the option parts Yokomo have to offer for their 2WD platform as there is the recently introduces aluminium chassis with composite side pods, aluminium idler gears for the transmission and steel diff gear internal. The chassis will greatly improve handling especially on medium to high grip surfaces while the idler and internal diff gears make for better durability and also a more efficient drivetrain. The buggy that can be built in mid or rear motor configuration will hit the stores from End of September.

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September 12, 2013

Pro-Line Pro-2 2wd SC kit

Pro-Line Pro-2 2wd SC kit

Pro-Line have announced the release of their Pro-2 SC kit combing their highest quality and best performing SC accessories into one box to create the ultimate Short Course Truck. The Pro-2 SC Performance Chassis is 3mm thick Hard Anodized 7075-T6 aluminium and extends the full length of the truck for maximum durability and keeps everything in-line and extremely low for optimum performance. The Performance Transmission has been a popular upgrade for many other vehicles and has now found a permanent home in the Pro-2 SC. The oil-filled, tunable differential coupled with the steel top shaft, idler gear and internal diff gears offer durability and proven performance.

View more details & images here


September 12, 2013

Tamiya Egress 2013 4WD buggy kit

Tamiya Egress 2013 4WD buggy kit

Tamiya America today released first information on the Egress 2013 4WD electric off-road buggy. The re-release of the 1989 buggy builds on a long wheelbase Avante-type carbon fibre chassis and includes newly designed parts such as ball differentials, universal driveshafts and fibre-reinforced parts in order to make the buggy ‘2013-ready’ in terms of durability and overall rigidity. Included with the kit comes a full ball bearing set, a clear polycarbonate body shell with Egress sticker sheet and black lightweight rims with pin tyres. There is no official release date yet but according to Tamiya America the item is ‘coming soon’.

Source: Tamiya [tamiyausa.com]


September 12, 2013

Serpent Spyder 2WD buggy kit

Serpent Spyder 2WD buggy kit

After releasing first teaser images Serpent now have body-off images and additional information on the Spyder 2WD buggy available. Thought out by  Cobra 1/8 buggy designer and former World Champion Billy Easton the Spyder is a purpose-built rear motor buggy with a composite rub chassis, 3-gear gearbox with 3-pad slipper clutch and adjustable differential height. The differential itself is a ball-type unit with large balls for improved power transfer while retaining good drivability on slippery surfaces. The suspension is highly adjustable and allows for easy castor changes using 0° to 2.5° inserts while at the rear toe-in, roll centre and anti-squat settings are adjustable inboard with the rear hubs allow also outboard toe changes. Included are 12mm RCM-type big bore shock absorbers, carbon fibre shock towers, metric hex hardware, lightweight yet durable spring steel driveshafts and an aerodynamic cab forward body shell. A dedicated mid motor buggy for high-traction surfaces will follow soon.

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September 12, 2013

Yokomo SD Sport 4WD touring car

Yokomo SD Sport 4WD touring car

Yokomo now have the SD Sport 4WD sport-level touring car kit available. Based on Yokomo’s drift chassis the SD Sport features standard drivetrain and suspension components making it ideal for cost-efficient touring car racing. The car is based on a moulded composite tub chassis and features an efficient shaft drivetrain, aluminium die-cast motor mount, front spool axle, rear ball differential, double wishbone suspension, moulded shock absorbers, and full ball bearings. By using optional drivetrain components and drift tyres the chassis can also be converted back to a drift car. The kit comes as rolling chassis without electronics, tyres or body shell.

Click here to view the features and more photos