New Tamiya RC items to be presented at 52th All Japan Model Hobby Show 2012

[XV Pilot]

Looking at the Mini 4wd Aero Avante, it seems to have quite a few fiddly details such as barge boards behind the front wheels. This concerns me, as they would probably need to be reproduced in ABS, adding cost and reducing durability. Tamiya may even produce the whole shell in ABS, a-la Super Fighter GR, Grasshopper II, etc, which might look nice, but would take the vehicle even further from the performance-oriented spirit of the original.

I really hope this is not the case. I am keeping my fingers crossed for a sleek Lexan shell with no fiddly bits, that will come in at a price point comparable to the Rising Storm and Gravel Hound/Plasma Edge, and will allow me to indulge my desire to own an Avante (of sorts) without laying out much cash.

[94eg!]

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[Grastens]

Oddly enough, after seeing those pictures of the chassis and the Aero Avante, I actually do see how it could work. Granted, the nose clearance would still be an issue, but the bodywork could be extended slightly to fit the DF-02 tub in a manner similar to the Avante 2001's bodywork extensions to fit the modified lower deck.

Other than that, should I feel bad for mentioning the Avante 2001 and this upcoming release in the same paragraph?

Edit: I guess I just keep thinking that somehow the Aero Avante's original concept will be retained, even though the DF-02 does not appear entirely accommodating to a diffuser or cooling apertures...

[kontemax]

Oh my God, don't wanna know.

Max

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[redzone]

Could the xv01t be a short course truck I wonder?

[speedy_w_beans]

Could the xv01t be a short course truck I wonder?

I doubt it. I expect it to be a replacement for the TA02T (F150/Toyota/S10/Desert Fielder).

-Paul

[redzone]

The fact that they have only just released the ta02t in 2 new guises tells me otherwise!

[speedy_w_beans]

When the XV01 came out, it was touted as a kind of universal touring/rally/truck platform. I'm thinking more long-term, like over the next 2-4 years. Tamiya needs to ramp up volumes on the XV01 to pay for their tooling investment. If the XV01 takes off, expect to see prices on that chassis come down over time and expect to see some of the older platforms put to rest. I could see a bushing/friction damper/fixed arm XV01 replace the TT01, or a large tire XV01 replace the TA02T, or a rally block XV01 replace the DF03Ra. Think about how the TA02T is a specialized platform linked only to truck sales -- nobody runs a TA01 or TA02 anymore as a touring car. The same thing goes for their DF03Ra -- the DF03 buggy is no longer sold. The TT01 is still mass produced, but it's not a great rally car or drifter in stock form. Switching to a front motor XV01 with slipper clutch, sealed belt drive and some ground clearance enables better rally and drift configurations; it might work acceptably as an entry-level touring car too. They need this to stay competitive with other manufacturers.

Like any manufacturer, consolidating platforms as much as possible equals more efficiencies and better profits. There's really no need for as many chassis as they manufacture currently. Focusing on fewer, better engineered chassis would be better for both Tamiya and its customers. I think the XV01T is the TA02T replacement over the long haul with a simpler drivetrain and semi-sealed chassis. Right now the XV01 is a gamble; if it takes off expect to see other specialty platforms put to rest. If it fails, well, expect to see TT01s, DF03Ras, and TA02Ts continue on...

-Paul

[TWINSET]

Looking at the Mini 4wd Aero Avante, it seems to have quite a few fiddly details such as barge boards behind the front wheels. This concerns me, as they would probably need to be reproduced in ABS, adding cost and reducing durability.

Thankfully, with the Avante II they didn't copy the chassis from the Mini 4WD, only the main bodyshell

Even the little front 'spoilers' were left off

[Percymon]

This could purely be Tamiya pitching a slightly more complex truck into the short course style arena - dangerous ground given Traxxas and others reputation, but might be relatively low risk option for Tamiya with generic chassis and bodies and hence minimal bespoke parts

[redzone]

Errrr.. The XV01 IS the replacement for the df03ra isnt it?? I really don't think they will bring out any more 03ra's... This chassis blows it out of the water...

[GregM]

New items have been added:

September 19

Even more new Tamiya RC items to be presented at 52th All Japan Model Hobby Show

58546 Lunch Box Black Edition

58547 Midnight Pumpkin Black Edition

51497 VW Golf 24 Body Parts Set

51514 BMW M3 EVO Jägermeister Body Parts Set

51517 Subaru BRZ Body Parts Set

54426 RM-01 Front 850 Bearing Adapters

54430 Sponge Tape for Bumper (10 Pcs.)

54433 TA06 Lightweight Main Shaft

54434 TA06 Lightweight Front Mid Shaft

54455 TA06 Carbon Reinforced N-Parts

Source; http://tamiyablog.co...del-hobby-show/

[94eg!]

I knew something was funny about the new 417 picture (now dubbed TRF417WX). Looks like Aeration dampers have finally made it to touring cars. I'm kinda at a loss for words here:

Aeration damper

Aeration newly developed type of touring car damper size in order to maximize the effect "argument damper so-called".

Pre-coated cylinder HL.

Read the full translated article here:

http://kentech.blogs...417wx-14778761/

So what do you guys think of putting off-road dampers on touring cars?

[GregM]

Please excuse me for my silly question, but what is an aeration damper at all?

[Grastens]

The article did seem to roughly state the aeration dampers would optimize the tires' contact with the track surface, which was what I was thinking as well as some cars' setups are stiff enough to lift a wheel in a corner. Aeration dampers are usually used for off-road racers where suspension travel and a good damper system are paramount to performance. I think in this application could be an improvement so as long as the track surface is consistent; over rougher surfaces the car would bottom-out.

What had you at a loss for words?

[94eg!]

Please excuse me for my silly question, but what is an aeration damper at all?

It's a shock with no bladder in it. The air is allowed to mix with the oil, and the air-volume is "tuned" to afford different levels progressive stiffness as the damper is compressed (called "pack"). They have been used in off road racing since the 80's (The Dyna Storm was the 1st Tamiya).I'm at a loss for words because there is very little info on how to properly setup aeration dampers for off-road, let alone on-road. How do you know how & when to run less or more air. I don't understand how the performance can be consistent when the amount of air passing through the piston is continually changing? I thought the only reason they used them for off-road was because the "Pack" afforded by tuning minimal air would help the chassis from bottoming and increasing traction when landing jumps. I don't really know anything about off-road racing setup though.

[Grastens]

It's a shock with no bladder in it. The air is allowed to mix with the oil, and the air-volume is "tuned" to afford different levels progressive stiffness as the damper is compressed (called "pack")... I'm at a loss for words because there is very little info on how to properly setup aeration dampers for off-road, let alone on-road. How do you know how & when to run less or more air. I don't understand how the performance can be consistent when the amount of air passing through the piston is continually changing?

Oh, I see now. Maybe the instructions will rectify this shortcoming - recalling the entire discussion about geared differentials compared to ball types a while back, Tamiya's solution was to have the differential partially-filled in order to compensate for extra volume in the diff itself, or something like that.

Not saying that they would call for the dampers to be only partially-filled(!), but my point is that there could be a solution within the chassis' instructions, one which would strike a balance between tuning precision and the desired qualities the design team strove for.

[atf300]

woohoo bmw bodyset , no need to get a tt01

[OldSchoolRunner]

No Super Champ or Blazing Blazer? Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!

[XV Pilot]

Errrr.. The XV01 IS the replacement for the df03ra isnt it?? I really don't think they will bring out any more 03ra's... This chassis blows it out of the water...

The XV01 is another rally chassis, but I'm hoping that it isn't a DF03RA replacement. With any luck, Tamiya will keep both the DF03RA and the XV01 running concurrently to give buyers a choice of belt-drive or shaft-drive rally chassis, as they have done with the TA and TB series touring cars.

[XV Pilot]

So, anybody know where we can see any sneak peek photos of any of the new stuff?

[94eg!]

Oh, I see now. Maybe the instructions will rectify this shortcoming - recalling the entire discussion about geared differentials compared to ball types a while back, Tamiya's solution was to have the differential partially-filled in order to compensate for extra volume in the diff itself, or something like that.

Not saying that they would call for the dampers to be only partially-filled(!), but my point is that there could be a solution within the chassis' instructions, one which would strike a balance between tuning precision and the desired qualities the design team strove for.

PSH, Tamiya doesn't even explain it on their off road dampers. They explain how to drill out the caps, but not how or why to bleed them. I wonder if Jiles still has his thread going on RC-Tech, we could always ask over there.

[Grastens]

PSH, Tamiya doesn't even explain it on their off road dampers. They explain how to drill out the caps, but not how or why to bleed them. I wonder if Jiles still has his thread going on RC-Tech, we could always ask over there.

Come to think of it, I have seen aeration dampers before, having used the GB-01 units on my Buggy Champ. I had no idea at the time why they had to be filled with the damper at 2/3 stroke... A small script about aeration dampers does seem to indicate that the air content is better for handling small bumps while the shock oil disperses the heavier impacts.

To me, then, it would appear to make more sense as an upgrade on an entry-level vehicle as on-road bashers usually deal with imperfections on their cars' running surfaces. Maybe their appearance on the new TRF chassis is to gather more input on their performance, or is there a growing trend for street circuits?

The XV01 is another rally chassis, but I'm hoping that it isn't a DF03RA replacement. With any luck, Tamiya will keep both the DF03RA and the XV01 running concurrently to give buyers a choice of belt-drive or shaft-drive rally chassis, as they have done with the TA and TB series touring cars.

Are they still making TB-03s? I have only seen new developments for the TA-series chassis, even though I have admittedly not been following Tamiya that well. Is it because the same design is proven to be very effective, or a lack of interest in shaft-driven on-road cars??

On a more-related note: a good strategy, but I have to wonder if the advent of the XV-01 means the end of any DF-03ra development.

[speedy_w_beans]

TB03s are alive and well. They're all still listed as active on Tamiya USA's web site with the exceptions of the TB03R and TB03D. I have a few of them and like them quite a bit. One of them is going to get the full graphite/aluminum/bling treatment very soon. The hopups are in a box, it's just a question of making the time...

-Paul

[Raman36]

DF03ra development? The kit was developed 3 years ago and didn't go any further. Its a dead end product, you can't go anywhere with it. I know, I owned one and sold it and purchased the XV01 Pro.

The XV01 Pro is an incredibly capable chassis. The transmission is smooth and silk, unlike the loud clunky DF03ra. Aside from being a purpose built rallye chassis, it can easily compete with the likes of FF03 and TA06. With the motor in front, its steering response is quite brisk. On a tight technical track, it will be very competitive.

My guess for the XV01T.. perhaps longer suspension arms to be suitable for a truck.