qatmix 794 Posted February 2, 2023 This is a cool looking and very versatile new M-Chassis Loads more info here https://www.thercracer.com/2023/02/58721-tamiya-fiat-abarth-mb-01-photos.html 7 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikko85 3453 Posted February 2, 2023 It does look interesting. I am really hoping there is a way to make it 4WD, although I can't get my head around the geometry quite yet! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
markbt73 5316 Posted February 2, 2023 Looks brilliant! So if I'm understanding it right, all you do is flip-flop the diff and move the steering linkage to the other end to change from FWD to RWD? That's the cleverest M-chassis layout since the original. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bRIBEGuy 3044 Posted February 2, 2023 I can't believe it took a full day for a thread to start on this....LOL. Design is interesting... will likely be a great "tinkerer" kit as it has so many setup options out of the box. Will be interesting to see performance compared to the other M-Series cars. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Juls1 1661 Posted February 2, 2023 It looks like a bottomless pit for hopups… on the other hand, thank god we can stop getting rwd cars released on m05… a 4wd conversion kit would certainly open it up to mini size rally driving and the like. The rear motor mf01x just doesn’t handle right for most rally cars. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
bRIBEGuy 3044 Posted February 2, 2023 14 minutes ago, Juls1 said: on the other hand, thank god we can stop getting rwd cars released on m05… Ha ha ha.... TRUTH! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kowalski86 3034 Posted February 2, 2023 55 minutes ago, Juls1 said: It looks like a bottomless pit for hopups… on the other hand, thank god we can stop getting rwd cars released on m05… . Thats very likely one of the reasons Tamiya made this chassis, less fuss over which body goes to which chassis. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frog Jumper 3661 Posted February 2, 2023 6 minutes ago, Kowalski86 said: Thats very likely one of the reasons Tamiya made this chassis, less fuss over which body goes to which chassis. One chassis to rule them all. One chassis to find them. One chassis to bring them all, and in Tamiya bind them. 1 5 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wun1jee 343 Posted February 2, 2023 I'm diggin' it. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sayer 742 Posted February 2, 2023 looks like a cross between an ABC Gambado and an HPI Switch in the front motor config Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
wun1jee 343 Posted February 2, 2023 Hopefully it'll allow you to use square-case batteries. Finding the 2s packs in the old NiCD/NiMH formfactor seriously limits options. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
qatmix 794 Posted February 2, 2023 In the article above, it has photos that show it can take a square cased lipo 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ruebiracer 1046 Posted February 2, 2023 Seems to be clearly a kind of "TT01/02" of the M-series. It will definetely not outperform M07/M08. Lengthwise motor is a bit odd for high power engines (which it is probably not intended to). I´m quite sure, a 16t Carson dragster set, which is still used in Tamiya Euro Cup series, could initiate some torque steer in such a small chassis... But for some nice scale driving and getting into M-chassis it´s probably the most versatile solution since M01/M02. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Blista 1519 Posted February 3, 2023 I like the concept of this chassis. The B in the name is almost like they're saying it's a modern interpretation of the spirit of the original m-chassis cars. It looks like something that people will do all sorts of interesting things with. I recall an Australian m-chassis race group saying that the M07 basically killed off their hobby because it was so damned good as a race car. They were used to tinkering endlessly with the M05 and M03. The M07 out of the box was too competent and a lot of them lost interest. Not saying the MB01 isn't competent of course! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
OoALEJOoO 3127 Posted February 3, 2023 21 hours ago, Juls1 said: on the other hand, thank god we can stop getting rwd cars released on m05… This is a really interesting point. A re-re of the Renault 5 Turbo on the MB-01 would indeed be great. It was quite a troubled release in the M-05Ra chassis with it being FWD and also the rear width not matching the fat end of the body. Even if you try to fit the Renault 5 body on a M-06 it would not fit, since the motor handing at the end of the M-06 interferes with the body. The MB-01 opens the possibility of having RWD with many short rear overhang rally cars. 3 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
foz75 93 Posted February 4, 2023 I'm not sure it can be built 4wd, looks like the only change between fwd and rwd is to attach the steering servo to the other set of wheels, and turn the shell round the other way? Steering arms, etc will be built on one end or the other as needed. 4 wheel steer might be a possibility though? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Nikko85 3453 Posted February 4, 2023 12 minutes ago, foz75 said: I'm not sure it can be built 4wd, looks like the only change between fwd and rwd is to attach the steering servo to the other set of wheels, and turn the shell round the other way? Steering arms, etc will be built on one end or the other as needed. 4 wheel steer might be a possibility though? Yes it looks like the motor always attached to the same wheels. However 4WS looks possible, not quite sure for an M class anyone would need that, but you never know. Perhaps some smaller urban cars have 4WS to get into tight parking spots etc? I am just frustrated you don't have an option for front motor 4WD or RWD, but I think it still looks cool and will help Tamiya owners have a few more realistic options for motor and wheel drive. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Badcrumble 4203 Posted February 4, 2023 From my post on the other thread.... As for 4WD, I think it will depend on whether there is the ability to add a shaft to the other side of the transmission and the ability to accept it at the second gearbox. I don't think we are necessarily looking at an M-sized WT-01 as the chassis appears to have something like the M-08 arrangement for changing the wheelbase and the 'front' gearbox (looking at the RWD car) is keyed into that and won't necessarily accept a shaft. Starting with the premise of an RWD car, you might need another 'rear' gearbox that accepts a shaft input and a shaft to run from the transmission to it, however, will it key into the chassis? We need a manual! Of course, I have been wrong about the MB-01 before Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Badcrumble 4203 Posted February 4, 2023 26 minutes ago, Nikko85 said: Yes it looks like the motor always attached to the same wheels. However 4WS looks possible, not quite sure for an M class anyone would need that, but you never know. Perhaps some smaller urban cars have 4WS to get into tight parking spots etc? I am just frustrated you don't have an option for front motor 4WD or RWD, but I think it still looks cool and will help Tamiya owners have a few more realistic options for motor and wheel drive. Looking at the photos and diagrams, it seems to me that the car is built with steering hubs and arms at both ends regardless of whether it is RWD or FWD. I can see ball cups, etc. Perhaps you then lock out the non-steering end? This would make 4WS far easier to achieve? Or am I going mad? 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Raman36 1656 Posted February 4, 2023 6 hours ago, Badcrumble said: Looking at the photos and diagrams, it seems to me that the car is built with steering hubs and arms at both ends regardless of whether it is RWD or FWD. I can see ball cups, etc. Perhaps you then lock out the non-steering end? This would make 4WS far easier to achieve? Or am I going mad? Allows for adjustable rear toe using the turn buckle, as well as active rear toe, eg when suspension compressed, toe increases. A lot of touring cars have this feature now. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
TurnipJF 9192 Posted February 4, 2023 10 hours ago, Nikko85 said: However 4WS looks possible, not quite sure for an M class anyone would need that, but you never know. Perhaps some smaller urban cars have 4WS to get into tight parking spots etc? 4WS is pretty much essential for a competitive racing teapot, for which this chassis appears well-suited. 😀 2 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Frog Jumper 3661 Posted February 8, 2023 Tower Hobbies showing $140 pre-order. Terry 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Kowalski86 3034 Posted February 8, 2023 25 minutes ago, Frog Jumper said: Tower Hobbies showing $140 pre-order. Terry $140 Wouldn't be half bad, if they re-release the air cooled VW shells on the MB-01 it'd make them a bit cheaper than the M06 releases...in theory. 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
GreatDane 70 Posted February 8, 2023 A small glimpse from the manual taken from Mikanews' video on Youtube: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Busdriver 6209 Posted February 8, 2023 1 hour ago, GreatDane said: A small glimpse from the manual taken from Mikanews' video on Youtube: Very interesting. Almost looks like a solid axle fitted to the chassis either at the front or the rear, presumably flipping it gets round using fixed rotation motors? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites