Avante 2011
Model Number: 58489
Released
Feb 2011
Drive
4WD Shaft
Suspension
Multi-link
Body Type
Lexan/Polycarb
Original Price
MSRP: $782
Width
240mm
Length
420mm
Height
115mm
Wheel Base
260mm
Tread Front
200mm
Tread Rear
200mm
Ground Clearance
40mm (min)
Weight
1300g
Scale
1/10
Tires
front:38/88mm
Rear:38/88mm
In March 1988, Tamiya released an electric R/C 4WD racing buggy called the 'Avante' and it has since become a special machine in Tamiya's R/C history.
The machine featured a unique shaft-driven 4WD system which was taken from Tamiya's first 4WD R/C buggy, the Hotshot.
It also featured a highly sophisticated design including a FRP double-deck chassis layout, longitudinal motor & battery positions, and a formula-type body with chassis fairing.
It was equipped with innovative components such as a compact gearbox with 3 small planetary gears, a center diff to increase stability, a fully adjustable suspension, and cam-lock wheel caps.
The Avante was a distinctive R/C machine which featured an innovative design.
After 20 years, some of the Avante's mechanisms have become standard features on modern R/C cars.
The ultimate pure racing buggy returns in 2011.
Tamiya has given the Avante (2011) the special re-release treatment just like other re-released buggies such as the Buggy Champ and Hotshot.
Here is a brief introduction of the improved points.
Main frame material has been changed from FRP to carbon fiber. Original FRP upper/lower decks have been replaced with 2.0mm thick carbon fiber decks to further increase chassis strength and rigidity. Chassis layout is optimized for installing modern R/C equipment.
Carbon Fiber Rear Damper Stay: Rear damper stay is thicker than the original and its material has also been changed to carbon fiber. Left and right stays are connected to further increase rigidity.
Easier Damper Maintenance: The gold-colored oil damper cylinders feature bottom caps for easier maintenance such as replacing o-rings.
Durable Polycarbonate Body Shell: The body, wing, and chassis fairing have been made with polycarbonate for superb off-road durability.
Wheel Axle/Clamp Type Wheel Hubs: Wheel axles have been changed to standard pin-secured type.
In conjunction with aluminum wheel hubs, secure wheel attachment is possible.
The hex wheel hubs enable attachment of off-road wheels such as Item 53880 Large Dish Wheels (4WD/Front, 62/25) and Item 53881 Large Dish Wheels (Rear, 62/35) in addition to the original cam-lock type wheels.
Duralumin front knuckles: The original die-cast front knuckles have been replaced with duralumin knuckles to further increase strength and durability. New knuckles feature the same shape as the original.
Compatible with a wide range of battery packs: The Avante (2011) is compatible with a wide range of Tamiya battery products such as Ni-Cd, high-capacity Ni-MH, and lightweight LF battery packs.
Latest R/C Systems: The Avante is compatible with all Tamiya R/C systems including the 2.4GHz systems.
The Original Packaging is also Revived!
The package for this re-release model comes with the same design and dimensions as the original Avante.
In addition, just like the original Avante, all the parts are stored in blister packs.
The 'Avante' logo and rear wing sticker will remain the same as the original.
Other stickers will be of a new Tamiya design.
Specs & Features
Length: 420mm
Width: 240mm
Height: 115mm
Wheelbase: 260mm
Tread (L/R): 200mm
Minimum Ground Clearance: 40mm
Weight: 1300g
Double-Deck Frame
Tires (F/R): 38/88mm
Polycarbonate Body
F/R Multi-Link Suspension
F/R Metal Oil Dampers
Gear Ratio: 1:8.33
Reviews
VagabondStarJXF
First of all I need to say that I'm one of the many that didn't own the Avante when it first came out. Then I wasn't into RCs when the subsequent 2001 model came out and the Mk2 looked nice, to me at least, but not nice enough for me to get one. I was more into my TA04 and M04 chassis' when it came out and really wasn't interested in going off road again. Things change as time progresses and I ended up getting into the vintage RC thing when I decided to build a Sand Scorcher. Thus my path back to eventually come back to this model began, albeit unknowingly.
When I heard that this model was getting the re-re treatment I was suddenly all starry eyed as I remembered seeing this model in a video playing at the local model shop as a kid, thinking it looked awesome then leaving unhappy in the knowledge that I would never have one because it was too expensive. Now things are different and I preordered mine as soon as I was able. When it arrived, well... when I picked it up from my local depot and paid the import fees, I was as excited as a child on Christmas morning. I had to force myself to take my time opening everything up instead of tearing into the box and the contents! I hadn't been so excited about opening a box in a long time.
The chassis build was a lot more complicated than I was prepared for. To put things into perspective... A stock TA04SS chassis takes me half an afternoon to build, about 3-4 hours start to finish, and this took me almost 17 hours. I wasn't in the best mental and physical condition, mega tired and a little bit down with the flu, when I went ahead with the build so I'm sure that really slowed my progress down. What I loved about the look of the design, the suspension arms, turned out to be more time consuming than I thought it'd be and the gearboxes were simple enough to build and seem quite solid once assembled. The only gripe in the design I have is the fact that the motor is impossible to change out without having to disassemble a major amount of the chassis so you have to be absolutely sure you want that motor in there when you build this kit up. Changing the pinion gear after assembly is also a bit of a task but not impossible so if you need to change it out it's still do-able.
The bodyshell is exactly the same as the original moulding. Mine was even moulded with the original model number from the original vintage release. Cutting it out properly is difficult to say the least. Unless you're really good at cutting out lexan shells with a modellers scalpel I would definitely recommend cutting a little away from the line with lexan scissors then tidying up with a rotary tool. I had to do it this way to get a semi-decent finish. Painting is a doddle being a lexan shell but painting the driver, something I've never been good at, was a nightmare. The helmet was easy enough but I still managed to mess that up a couple of times. The cockpit took me a month to get not 'right' but 'acceptable'. Not really the fault of Tamiya, I know, but it really wasn't easy for me to get it all painted. Another thing about the body that I'd heard is that sometimes the rear body hole doesn't reach the mounting point. I found that this is due to the rear gearbox not being assembled correctly. It's easy to get it just a little bit off so that the top casing is off by about 0.5mm which makes the rear point off by about 1-2mm. Decals look good, even if the sponsors decals have been altered for the re-re, and the overall look has been maintained.
All in all I still love this model, re-re or vintage, because it looks awesome and actually handles as good as I thought it would when I first saw that vid way back when. The only recommendations to anyone doing their first build of one of these would be to make sure you know which motor & pinion combo you want in it as you assemble, make sure you do all the camber and toe adjustments before you add a rubber cover set and make sure your rear gear case is assembled correctly. Grease and Threadlock where the instructions say, don't skimp on these points, and most of all make sure that you have fun with both build and the running.
In short... Get one. You know you want it!