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

[Percymon]

I think they junked the Avante name with the DF-03 to be honest - nothign wrong with the DF-03 as such but using the iconic name from a then (and now) over engineered buggy was plain silly.

I don't think too many Avante owners will be buying the DF-02 and conversely new comers to the Tamiya world who may like the Aero Avante will most likely be unaware of the iconic models.

[Sayer]

it's that new "grow your brand" thinking that often forgets that the whole reason the name means anything is because the product used to be awesome.

"There's a lot of brand loyalty to the name Avante so we're guaranteed to move more of these TT01 buggies we call them Avante XT's."

[speedy_w_beans]

Sign me up for a R390GT1 and M06R. I'm a little curious about the Aero Avante body on the DF02 chassis as well as the Sand Viper II body.

-Paul

No longer curious. I'll stick with the original Sand Viper and Gravel Hound/Plasma Edge bodies. The R390GT1, M3 Jagermeister, and M06R announcements are the highlights of that release list for me.

-Paul

[atf300]

i still wish there would do an old rally bodied XV01, anything WRC please

[redzone]

I wonder if asterion is japlish for s10? As that is definitely the same body.. You can see the bowtie in the grille area..

[Grastens]

I was hoping that the S-10 shell would just be a mockup, but the shell being a stock item is more likely. Can we expect cool graphics, though?

[94eg!]

Production pic is out of the Fighter Buggy SV. Looks good in these colors. I can't seem to understand Tamiya's fascination with 4WD front tires on the front of 2WD buggies.

http://www.tamiyausa...roduct-id=58553

[atf300]

Production pic is out of the Fighter Buggy SV. Looks good in these colors. I can't seem to understand Tamiya's fascination with 4WD front tires on the front of 2WD buggies.

http://www.tamiyausa...roduct-id=58553

if the tire compound is any good , i might put a pair on my df03

[TA-Mark]

The decals are the same as the Sand Viper with a different name and body colour. A pogo-stick Sand Viper? This would need to be real cheap, as I see Sand Vipers for ~$130 on ebay (ex-HK).

***EDIT: Upon comparing the decals again. They are identical !! The Sand Viper is even on the side. Only difference in appearance is the body colour.

So it's a blue Sand Viper with non-adjustable suspension, plastic drive, pogo-stick shocks and new tyres.

Buy a Sand Viper and paint it blue!!

[XV Pilot]

I know it is just a rehash of existing parts wearing a slightly altered sticker set, but I find myself rather liking the Fighter Buggy SV. The Sand Viper shell has pleasing lines no matter what name they slap on it. I also like the idea of front tyres with a wider contact patch, as I find the DF02 tends to push a bit in stock form, and a bit more grip up front wouldn't go amiss.

Anyone know if there is an official picture of the DF02 Aero Avante out yet?

[TA-Mark]

if the tire compound is any good , i might put a pair on my df03

The 2WD narrow front tyres appear to be narrower than the DF03 medium width 4WD front tyres. Rear tyres look to be the same as the DF03.

[94eg!]

The tires in the picture are Tamiya "Dual Block K" tires. Not DF03 "High Density Spike Tires K". And those are 4WD fronts on narrow 2WD wheels. That's why they look skinny. Tamiya did the same thing on the TRF201 production pictures.

Dual Block K front from DB-02 kit:

High Density K front from DF-03/DB-01 kit:

[TA-Mark]

The tires in the picture are Tamiya "Dual Block K" tires. Not DF03 "High Density Spike Tires K". And those are 4WD fronts on narrow 2WD wheels. That's why they look skinny. Tamiya did the same thing on the TRF201 production pictures.

Ok. DN-01 rear tyres, not DF03. I would have expected the 4WD medium front tyres to bulge more being fitted onto 2WD narrow width front astral dish wheels.

[XV Pilot]

I'm almost positive that those are wide 2WD front wheels there. Apart from the colour, they look identical to the wide 2WD fronts fitted to my Desert Gator, which are a few mm wider than the narrow 2WD fronts that came with my Super Fighter GR.

[94eg!]

XV-Pilot, Are you talking about the wheels or the tires?

[GregM]

Some more photos:

http://tamiyablog.co...c-car-releases/

As I assumed, the Fighter Buggy SV is basically a Super Fighter G with a Sand Viper body on top. Some items are in different colour than standard: Black friction shocks, black Astral Dish wheels. 2WD Minipin tires (Nissan Titan/DN-01/TRF201) all around.

[XV Pilot]

I am referring to the wheels/rims, not the tyres. I have no personal experience of the tyres used on the Fighter Buggy SV.

[Theibault]

After all the re-re's over the years, I'm surprised we haven't seen an iconic re-re mentioned for the hobby show. I really hope Tamiya surprise all of us with another blast from the past. I keep holding my breath for a 959/Celica re-re but I've almost given up hope for that.

[M pro]

Owww dear... what have they done...

[kontemax]

AAAARGHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!

Max

[Tamiya Era]

Veery disappointing

[Grastens]

I will admit that I see why people think it is unsightly now, but I will wait until the final photos to make a true judgment. I mean, the shape is not really there for an Avante but the right scheme could make it bearable

I wish it really did have the aerodynamic benefits of the Mini-4WD car; then at least it could be a matter of form (very much) over function

Those other releases are looking good; liking the Fighter Buggy SV and the R390!

[94eg!]

Perhaps you mean function over form?

[XV Pilot]

I don't suppose anybody knows what material the DF02 Aero Avante bodyshell is made of?

[Percymon]

I'll put my neck on the block with it being lexan, the aero additions will be screw or sticky pad attached.