58742 Hornet Evo coming!

[Badcrumble]

2 minutes ago, nowinaminute said:

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.

Oddly enough, that's why I likely won't be getting one.

The 3D printed AmPro front end on mine has gone floppy and I have always planned to re-make it in metal.

If I fail, then I'd consider replacing it with a Hornet Evo. But I'd miss the 'slap, slap, slap'.

[ABigChungus]

What's next, the Striker Evo? Lunchbox EX Plus?

[Kowalski86]

2 hours ago, Elbowloh said:

Comments suggest a DT02 gearbox?

That's what it looks like by the box art, I'm curious to know how Tamiya got that to work with the Hornet chassis. If these end up cheap enough I might have to get one and compare it with my Super Hornet.

I'll definitely take it over the flood of expensive, "racey" re-releases from another brand that still come with bushings(!).

[Wandy]

I must have missed it when people were clamouring for a Hornet with a different rear end bolted on to it. 

Here we are, patiently waiting for a 959, Blazer, Ranger XLT, Falcon & Avante 2001, and then they go and do this. They are a strange company sometimes. When was the last genuinely exciting vintage release that they did? The Egress? Mountain Rider? Since then, nothing to get people in a frenzy.

Part of the Hornet’s charm is how elegantly simple the design is. Nothing cluttered or out of place. This new version seems to undo that design completely.

Knowing me though I will still end up buying one. 

[Mad Ax]

2 hours ago, Grastens said:

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

ooh, good point!  I don't have (and have never had) a Hornet - but they would both look so cool together on the shelf.  OK, that's 2 new kits on my wishlist!

1 hour ago, gogsyfinnie said:

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

I love what Tamiya have done here and I definitely feel like buying one, but I don't feel this should be the norm - for a start, there's absolutely no way this will be legal to race at Revival, whereas almost every other re-re is legal.  IIRC, the Yokomo Dogfighter re-re had some changes that went beyond the scope of the original car and although it was allowed to race at vintage meetings, it was (and I think still is) a contentious issue.  (I don't know the full details as I know nothing about the original or re-re, but I'm on a group chat that got swept up in the whole debacle).

I'm all for Tamiya reinforcing known weaknesses or adding support for modern batteries and electronics, but I still want my re-releases to be fundamentally the same as they were back in the day.

That said, I hope Tamiya do more of these - an updated Grasshopper and the later Grasshopper II-based buggies would be superb.

I wonder if the chassis tub has changed in any way, or if this was all designed to bolt right up to the standard tub?  And if that means it'll bolt up to the Lunchbox tub also?

[markbt73]

From the looks of it, it all bolts up to the stock tub. I'm anxiously waiting to see a manual for this one. The tiny box-lid photo is really promising, though.

[Nikko85]

Yes, they've finally done it. I really hope this sells. Now we need a grasshopper, and the the LB/Pumpkin and Clod! 

On 7/15/2024 at 10:31 AM, Nikko85 said:

I've said it before, but I've love them to do some remakes of the classics. Nothing too extreme, but an attempt to make something like the Lunchbox of Grasshopper work to more modern standards, whilst keeping the general feel. 

[matisse]

Into this, would be even better if it had a slipper.

i have no issue with them re-mixing the old classics to make them slightly better. much like the SuperG I guess.

Better handling and drivetrain, but the servo placement and overall geometry will keep a lot of the charm imo.

[gogsyfinnie]

16 minutes ago, Mad Ax said:

ooh, good point!  I don't have (and have never had) a Hornet - but they would both look so cool together on the shelf.  OK, that's 2 new kits on my wishlist!

I love what Tamiya have done here and I definitely feel like buying one, but I don't feel this should be the norm - for a start, there's absolutely no way this will be legal to race at Revival, whereas almost every other re-re is legal.  IIRC, the Yokomo Dogfighter re-re had some changes that went beyond the scope of the original car and although it was allowed to race at vintage meetings, it was (and I think still is) a contentious issue.  (I don't know the full details as I know nothing about the original or re-re, but I'm on a group chat that got swept up in the whole debacle).

I'm all for Tamiya reinforcing known weaknesses or adding support for modern batteries and electronics, but I still want my re-releases to be fundamentally the same as they were back in the day.

That said, I hope Tamiya do more of these - an updated Grasshopper and the later Grasshopper II-based buggies would be superb.

I wonder if the chassis tub has changed in any way, or if this was all designed to bolt right up to the standard tub?  And if that means it'll bolt up to the Lunchbox tub also?

Thats a good point on the vintage racing, I hadn't thought of that!  I was really thinking along the lines of the more budget models like the buggies listed there, also the ORV and CW-01 chassis models which have fundamental issues that require fudges to address long known issues like excessive slop, bump steer, reliabilty flaws etc.  It would be great to have factory fixes built in.

Although I must admit, solving such problems by flipping steering tie rods, shimming or getting a well fitting after market part is quite satisfying!

 

[scoobybooster]

24 minutes ago, Wandy said:

Part of the Hornet’s charm is how elegantly simple the design is. Nothing cluttered or out of place. This new version seems to undo that design completely.

I absolutely second that.
To be honest ,i am a little disappointed that they did not change the color of the body, or the decals. It does not even show "EVO", they even kept the "Anytime Baby" due to saving cost ( or laziness?)

Well, i should not moan to much - at least they did not let the same designers (un-)do the body who were responsible for the TD-2 /TD-4

[Evoman]

£169.99 from TTP so I've pre ordered one. It's the got a DT02 rear gearbox mounted to the original chassis and CRP looking front suspension mod with super mini CVA's. The Hornet was my first RC and I still have her and I got the metallic special when that came out so I could race one again but this will be fun to race.

[Nikko85]

I wonder if Ampro enginnering helped with this? 

[hairyjon]

[Kowalski86]

1 hour ago, Nikko85 said:

Yes, they've finally done it. I really hope this sells. Now we need a grasshopper, and the the LB/Pumpkin and Clod! 

Considering that the DT02 gearbox has an adapter for a 380 motor, I could see a "Super Hopper" being an option in the future.

[Mad Ax]

2 hours ago, scoobybooster said:

i am a little disappointed that they did not change the color of the body, or the decals. It does not even show "EVO"

that's actually a good point - I'd noticed the new number and flamey adjustments on the stripes but it really needs an updated name at least, in the same style as that on the box.

With a little while before release, maybe we can hope for some final updates?  Fingers crossed - otherwise I'll have to design my own!

[kyosho1]

With all round long double wishbone suspension and realistic dimensions, I can see a WRC Subaru GC8/ Mitsubishi Evo, or Lancia 037 car body sitting on top, slapped with Honda City Turbo big wheels, giving fun, trashable, affordable rally racing with great ground clearance on a buggy off road track. 🤩

[Elbowloh]

The rear wheel arch looks different, but that could just be the angle.

[Ferruz]

Wow, just saw this and can't believe it. Awesome in every way, starting with some gorgeous box art! 

One great step in the right direction for Tamiya, and a testeful mix of nostalgia and innovation this time.

I love everything I see about this so far. Only one little note: it'll take me some time to get used to seeing the rear shocks in that far forward position 😅

[Grastens]

3 hours ago, ABigChungus said:

What's next, the Striker Evo? Lunchbox EX Plus?

Looking forward to the Striker Evo. in 2027 - Tamiya, if you're reading this, I'm available for your R&D! 

[markbt73]

What would be the icing on the cake with this is if Tamiya sold all the Evo bits as a new "HP Suspension/Gearbox Kit." It would be fun to have all the components in one box to convert an older GH/Hornet. I doubt they'll do it, though.

[GTodd]

OK Tamiya, I see you. Well done. Thats a proper Rere/Update. Heck yeah. 

[GTodd]

....with front turnbuckes.  Very nice Tamiya, very nice. Keep going. 

[Rinskie]

I am completely unsure how I feel bout this. I like the idea but the looks seems slightly off. If I am honest, I am not sure why I'd pick this over a DT02 or a classic Hornet. 

[GTodd]

2 minutes ago, Rinskie said:

I am completely unsure how I feel bout this. I like the idea but the looks seems slightly off. If I am honest, I am not sure why I'd pick this over a DT02 or a classic Hornet. 

If you like the old school lookls but cant stand the driving dynamaics and/or the lack of there of this is for you. 

[Rinskie]

Just now, GTodd said:

If you like the old school lookls but cant stand the driving dynamaics and/or the lack of there of this is for you. 

I get the idea but I kinda see it like Jennifer Grey from Dirty Dancing. Man she was so hot.....right up until she got a nose job then she wasn't Baby anymore.