58742 Hornet Evo coming!

[Mokei Kagaku 2943]

https://www.facebook.com/mokeikagaku/posts/pfbid0jEDD3hs21PWv9LqatkGLgjNUYKwKh3va8wzUfWY93BtpZUQCQNbiM9YZYmSrSLbNl

 

[Andreas W 3311]

Now that is a welcome update. Sort of a mild approach like Kyosho has with their Legendary Series. This can be the Hornet of next the generation (with a friendly push from their parents/father), as the kids if today see no charm in the awful handling and hopping. 

[toyolien 6954]

Box says the rear has double wishbone suspension. Wonder if they've also chucked bearings in.

[Mokei Kagaku 2943]

1 minute ago, toyolien said:

Box says the rear has double wishbone suspension. Wonder if they've also chucked bearings in.

All ball bearings included.

[Badcrumble 4432]

CVA dampers and ball bearings? Tamiya, you're spoiling us!

But I guess that means the end of the 'slap, slap, slap' noise? Kinda sad, in a way.

[Grumpy pants 5713]

I think I like this twist, does it make more like a Super Hornet? 

I guess the shocks and fitting could go on a Grasshopper. 

[Saito2 8731]

Awesome! Where have you been all my life, Hornet Evo? While I find the original Hornet to a be a beautiful buggy, but I simply "outgrew" the charms of the hipity-hop, tramping solid rear axle. This fixes that right up. Looks like Tamiya has been paying attention to the effort's of folks on the 'net modifying their Hornets for 4 wheel independent suspension. And look at that...the Hornet Evo commemorates the 40th anniversary of the the original's introduction without the need for "limited edition" hype and "special" numbered chassis stickers. Thank you Tamiya. I wonder if an Evo Grasshopper or even Lunch Box/Pumpkin could be coming in the future? Great news overall. Any idea on a release date? Rumors of tariffs from the potential return of the orange man on imported goods next year are worrisome.

[Mad Ax 11908]

I absolutely love this, saw it on Facebook and hopped straight over to join the inevitable conversation on here.  Although part of me can't help but wonder if it's a hoax.  Mokei only broke the news an hour ago but I can't find any other references to it at all.  I genuinely hope it's real, I hope it isn't a hugely expensive limited release, although all that redevelopment is going to add some cost - will Tamiya try to get that back with a 10-year run of this as a new staple in their offerings, or will they do a Team Associated and limit the numbers to drive up the price?

I haven't had much on my Tamiya wishlist for quite some time, but suddenly I'm thinking about putting some money aside for this...  Please let this be real, and please let it not be ridiculously expensive!

[Mokei Kagaku 2943]

16 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

Any idea on a release date? 

End of November indicated.

[Mokei Kagaku 2943]

6 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

Please let this be real, and please let it not be ridiculously expensive!

As actual retail prices for Tamiya vary wildly from country to country, I can only say that it will be priced roughly the same as the new 58740 BT-01 Porsche 911, which to me seems to sell for about GBP 170 in UK. Cheapest source I know for 58740 in Germany, sells it for EUR 130, which is about GBP 109! 

[gogsyfinnie 714]

If the price is sensible thats top of my Christmas list 

I always wanted one in the 80s, I actually had a cabled "remote" control that was a cheap copy of a hornet as my first ever RC.

[Elbowloh 1498]

Comments suggest a DT02 gearbox?

[Aerobert 2328]

3 minutes ago, Saito2 said:

Awesome! Where have you been all my life, Hornet Evo? While I find the original Hornet to a be a beautiful buggy, but I simply "outgrew" the charms of the hipity-hop, tramping solid rear axle. This fixes that right up. Looks like Tamiya has been paying attention to the effort's of folks on the 'net modifying their Hornets for 4 wheel independent suspension. And look at that...the Hornet Evo commemorates the 40th anniversary of the the original's introduction without the need for "limited edition" hype and "special" numbered chassis stickers. Thank you Tamiya. I wonder if an Evo Grasshopper or even Lunch Box/Pumpkin could be coming in the future? Great news overall.

This. ⬆️ 

I always loved the look of Hornet, GH and GH2 but didn't like the bouncing behaviour. I really hope they also bring an updated GH and GH2.

[Grastens 2824]

But the Hornet and the Grasshopper use the same chassis, right? So, feasibly, we could see or make a Grasshopper Evo. with minimal work...

I came back to this forum once I heard about the Hornet Evo.  It reminds me of old homologation specials - though what the Hornet needs homologation for is unclear

I want one just to appreciate all these modifications in person! Along with a regular Hornet for comparison, of course 

[Andreas W 3311]

25 minutes ago, Aerobert said:

This. ⬆️ 

I always loved the look of Hornet, GH and GH2 but didn't like the bouncing behaviour. I really hope they also bring an updated GH and GH2.

It seems like the location of the bodyposts are the same as the original. Then you can mount a GH shell there, if you make a hole for the front bodypost and drill holes in the rear cage for a long body clip. 

[nowinaminute 3358]

Finally they seem to be getting it!

Probably every dozen or so posts from me on here is me lamenting why they won't update the classics just to make them drive nicer while still looking drop dread gorgeous.

Cash in on nostalgia but give a slightly better experience!

I could swear I even mentioned calling them evo or something like that.

I'll be all over the grasshopper version.

[nowinaminute 3358]

Found two of my previous moans already! Do you think they actually read forums like this and take stuff on board?

 

"And another one!"

[gogsyfinnie 714]

3 minutes ago, nowinaminute said:

Finally they seem to be getting it!

Probably every dozen or so posts from me on here is me lamenting why they won't update the classics just to make them drive nicer while still looking drop dread gorgeous.

Cash in on nostalgia but give a slightly better experience!

I could swear I even mentioned calling them evo or something like that.

I'll be all over the grasshopper version.

To me it should be the "norm" for most re-re kits, address some of the issues that have been solved over the years via hop ups and mods and modestly upgrade to more modern tech as you have said.

Still a place for the super duper, strictly original, blister pack containing, limited edition offerings, but keep these as occasional releases for the speciallity / collector market.

Hopefully a sign of things to come for future re-re kits!

[ABigChungus 267]

Let's hope this is secretly testing the waters for consumer response and feedback to see if fans are interested in these updated classics, and not just to commemorate 40 years of the Hornet.

[Twinfan 2705]

Oof, love it!

Definitely getting one of them for the collection!  

[nowinaminute 3358]

13 minutes ago, ABigChungus said:

Let's hope this is secretly testing the waters for consumer response and feedback to see if fans are interested in these updated classics, and not just to commemorate 40 years of the Hornet.

It would be unlike Tamiya to not recycle something. Seems like a license to print money!

As long as the original is still around, what's not to like!?

[Elbowloh 1498]

I think this could well be my Christmas present.

[nowinaminute 3358]

12 hours ago, Saito2 said:

I wonder if an Evo Grasshopper or even Lunch Box/Pumpkin could be coming in the future?

They better be 

I mean....that would be just lovely 

[nowinaminute 3358]

So it basically seems to have a DT02 rear end and an official equivalent to the old FX10 front end mod.

Clearly some influence from all the people who have tried to make their hopper style chassis work more effectively over the years.

Funny how inspiration works both ways, sometimes.

[markbt73 6500]

(Looks at pile of failed 3D prints of Grasshopper/Hornet IRS comversion parts)

Great! When can I get one?