by sunny on April 16, 2010
Kyosho just announced a new model in the Ultima line, which they are billing as "the car to beat for the 2010 season." Called the Kyosho Ultima RB5 SP2 Edition, the buggy features enhancements that the company describes as a "further development of the breed."
The 1/10th scale vehicle comes with the laundry list of standard features that fans will recognize from past Ultima models: carbon composite chassis, externally-adjustable three-gear transmission, low-profile rear shock tower (which improves both cornering ability and crash damage), silky smooth triple cap shocks, hard rod ends and all the usual goodies. It gets a ton of upgrades and new features too.
Noteworthy additions include revised rear suspension arms (2mm longer than the original buggy), updated rear suspension mounts and a medium-sized step wing for better overall control. It also boasts a new sword body, with chiseled lines, flowing sections and bold styling. Kyosho claims the body modifications provide greater downforce, increased traction and better stability at high speeds.
Filled with enhancements tested by Jared Tebo and other notable RC drivers, the Kyosho Ultima RB5 SP2 will be available as kit (radio, servo, motor, ESC, tires and battery not included). No pricing yet, but expect it in stores sometime in May.
Specifications:
Scale: 1:10
Width: 249mm
Length: 380mm
Height: 140mm
Wheelbase (max): 270mm
Weight: 1620g
Final Drive: 2.6:1
[Kyosho America]
by sunny on March 1, 2010
If you've been shopping for an eight-scale buggy, you must have come across the Tamiya TRF801X, the company's competition-level off-road kit. While we have heard some complaints about it (mostly the heft), our own experience was actually very satisfying.
There isn't much to distinguish it in the looks department, although we found it to be an attractive ride all the same. Building does require some amount of time (designed for advanced hobbyists, beginners will definitely find the manual a little lacking), although the decision to bundle screws with the parts that use them made sorting through the pile a heck of a lot easier (thanks for that, Tamiya).
Equipped with an anodized duralumin chassis and enclosed by a tough body shell, the TRF801X fosters dependable strength all while offering good mobility. It does feel a little hefty (while driving) compared to other top players in the class, which actually helps with stability, although it's nowhere near "tank-like" as some people have described.
Overall vehicle performance is great. The drivetrain is very smooth (Mugen-like quality), the acceleration is downright quick and handling is very forgiving. Driving it against other buggies, you'll notice the car practically saving itself while everyone else's vehicles are tipping over during corners and rough patches of ground. Jumps are a little harder, though, because of the weight, which tends to result in its falling nose-down a little more than other models in the same class. You should be able to iron it out with a little tuning, so give it time - this is the kind of ride that grows on you.
The Tamiya TRF801X 1/8 Off Road Competition Buggy is easily one of the best vehicles in its class. Like all top-of-the-line performers, it requires a little getting used to. The time you put in should be worth it, though.
Tamiya TRF801X Specifications:
Wheelbase: 320-327mm
Length: 495mm
Width: 307mm
Gear ratio: 11.34:1
Kit/RTR: Kit
Experience Level: Advanced
Items Needed for Completion:
- .21 Off Road Nitro Engine
- Tuned Exhaust System
- 2 Channel Radio System & 8AA Batteries
- High Torque Steering & Brake Servo's (2)
- 6V Receiver Battery
- Glow Driver
- Starter Box & Batteries
- Nitro Fuel & Fuel Bottle
- Paint for Body
- Charger for Reciever Pack & Starter Box Batteries
- Tires & Tire Glue
by sunny on February 22, 2010
The Kyosho Inferno GT2 Corvette C6-R comes from the Inferno series, one of the best-selling RTR nitro kits of all time. That should say a lot about what this car is about and, I have to say, it's hard to be disappointed.
Like most of the Inferno line, the GT2 comes in different championship-winning bodies, including the Red Bull Audi D4, the McLaren F1 GTR and the Aston Martin DB9 Gulf. Why choose the Corvette C6-R? Sure, there's accounting for taste, but in my mind, it's easily the sexiest of the lot. The fully-licensed replica body is just downright grand.
A long wheelbase chassis provides the foundation for the car. Being stretched, in this case, allows for greater stability, which you will notice when performing neck-breaking runs and turns at high speed. The added length also enhances the look, leaving it more proportional.
The Inferno GT2 comes with a big 4.6cc (.28 c.i.) pull start engine. A pilot-type crankshaft allows the clutch to be perfectly aligned with the motor, producing more power, as well as allowing owners to easily slot in an aftermarket replacement engine. The 150cc fuel tank features a quick-fill spring-loaded top, allowing you to refill the tank while the engine is running. It can manage runtimes of up to 15 minutes, then top-up again without shutting off. Other notable features include durable double A-arm suspension (extreme durability), two-channel radio with high torque servos, double disc brakes and a smaller 34mm flywheel.
Based on the Pratt & Miller racer that ruled the GT1 roost of the LeMans/ALMS series, the Kyosho Inferno GT2 Corvette C6-R marries both aggressive looks and tight performance in a downright sleek package. It's big, it's sexy, it's powerful - just the way on-road racers should be.
Specifications:
- Length: 20.28 in. (515mm)
- Width: 12.2 in. (310mm)
- Height: 5.31 in. (135mm)
- Wheelbase: 14.17 in. (360mm)
- Tread (F/R): 10.31/10.43 in. (262/265mm)
- Tire size: 3.82x1.89 in. (97x48mm)
- Gear Ratio: 10.14:1/6.3:1 (1st/2nd)
- Weight: approx. 8 lbs. 1 oz. (3650g)
- Engine: GXR28SG
by sunny on February 19, 2010
Just released last January, the Kyosho Airium Piper J3 Cub sounds like a great choice for anyone in search of an RC plane that's ready to fly. With nearly all parts fully assembled, you can take it to flight shortly after opening the box.
Kyosho claims you might mistake it for a display plane, though I wouldn't go that far. As far as desktop display models, I've seen way better. It's not exactly "stunning," as they like to claim, but it does look nice up in the air on some of the videos the company posted. Scale is very well-done, though, managing to capture the lines of the real plane accurately.
The Airium Piper J3 Cub uses the same lightweight design as Kyosho's micro-sized MINIUM series, which combines a lightweight body with a 5g KS-21 servo and styrene fuselage. Slow flights can go up to twelve minutes long (one of the longest for similarly-sized planes), courtesy of the optimal lift provided by the lack of heft.
It runs using a factory-installed AF400 BLS B/07/15 (29mm) brushless motor with Sky Victory ESC, which delivers the thrust directly to the propeller (direct drive). On high speeds, the plane can manage a variety of stunts, including loops and inverted flight. Notable features include a pre-decorated body, a hatch under the fuselage (for easy battery changes) and KT-21 transmitter.
Designed for casual hobbyists and novices looking to enjoy a plane-like flight experience, the Kyosho Airium Piper J3 Cub makes taking to the air easy. Just add batteries and you're set.
Specifications:
- Width: 524mm
- Length: 700mm
- Weight: 200g
- Wing Area: 8.15dm2
- Wing Load: 24.5g/dm2
- Wing Type: Clark Y
- Motor/Engine: AF400 BLS
- Radio: 2.4 Ghz
by sunny on February 12, 2010
With seven world championships under its belt, Kyosho's MP9 is one of the most successful racing platforms around. The new Kyosho Inferno MP9 E takes the same winning design and transforms it into a brushless-powered performer.
A 1/8th scale racing buggy, it borrows majority of the kit from the MP9 Racing Buggy, but throws on an easily identifiable body. Slimmer and lower in height, it brings a more aerodynamic design that should lend it extra-powerful down force. The box comes with racing decals, but you'll need to buy both the wheels and threaded tires separately.
Tired of RC makers claiming a low center of gravity? Kyosho goes further, calling their setup "ultra low," thanks to the race-tuned lightweight, rolling chassis. One nitpick: from the detailed pics on the website, they used exactly the same chassis plate as the nitro version, choosing to cram plugs into the holes instead of molding one from scratch. Not sure how bad of a thing that is, though.
Since it's a kit, you'll have to supply your own brushless motor, speed control, radio system and battery. It uses an EZ Motor Mount, allowing you to find the perfect mesh by simply sliding the whole motor using two screws. Other included features include double A-arms suspension, medium rear shock towers, lightweight universal driveshafts and full ball bearings.
Not only does the Kyosho Inferno MP9 E look wicked with its low-profile design, it's got the racing DNA to inspire confidence when you take it to the tracks too. Expect it to drop in your local hobby shops anytime this month.
Specifications:
- Length: 490mm
- Width: 307mm
- Height: 180mm
- Wheelbase: 325mm
- Tread: 254mm (F) /254mm (R)
- Weight Approx 3370g
- Gear Ratio: 12.6:1
by sunny on February 11, 2010
Announced by Kyosho for March 1st, the Ultima SC Truck is a ready-to-run kit designed for competition RC short course racing. Fully-compliant with all of ROAR's short-course regulations, the vehicle boasts a race-ready configuration, similar to the high-performance Ultima RT5.
Sure, it's not as intimidating as many of the race trucks it will likely line up with in races. The 1mm-thick Think High-Impact Lexan Body provides a tough exterior, though, that should see it survive the rigors of one of the fastest-growing RC racing classes in the world. For even more durability, it integrates impact-resistant front and rear bumpers.
The race-readiness begins with the Ultima SC's high-performance carbon fiber composite chassis. Lightweight and strong, it claims to strike a balance in durability and performance. It comes with changeable mounting positions for the battery, allowing you to shift weight depending on the tracks you're running on. The separate front and rear clips make for quick removal, making maintenance an easy undertaking.
Kyosho is bundling it with a G20 Turn HP motor (with an internal cooling fan), which should provide decent speeds for casual races around your local tracks. The three-gear transmission is housed in a compact case, kept as close to the motor as possible, for a lower center of gravity. Other features include symmetrical suspension arms, floating axles and threaded composite shocks.
The Kyosho Ultima SC Truck Kit is compatible with most RT5 parts, making hop-ups just a little easier to acquire. Available for only $209.99, it's an affordable kit too.
Specifications
- Scale: 1/10
- Length: 445mm
- Height: 150mm
- Weight: 174g (approximate weight)
- Gear Ratio: 2.6:1
by sunny on February 10, 2010
A racing champion from the past makes its way through competition RC tracks in the form of the MR-03LM Sauber Mercedes C9 from Kyosho Racing. Known for rallying its way to become the winner of the 1989 World Sports Car Prototype (WSCP) against the Jaguar XJR-9, the full-scale version remains one of the most gorgeous automobiles my eyes have seen.
Included in Kyosho's Mini-Z racer series (which pays tribute for vehicle excellence), the model comes with a pre-finished body shell (complete with the accurately-applied decals) that recreates the original to dazzling effect. Those lines, those curves, that stylish rear wing - if looks could kill, I'd probably die upon seeing one in a local track (okay, I won't die, but I'll definitely salivate).
For racing performance, it boasts a low center of gravity, a coreless motor (instantaneous pickup and stopping), a newly developed steering gear unit (posting three times the gear ratio of previous versions), variable camber suspension, FET speed control amp and precision geometry settings. Even better, it allows for a ridiculous amount of adjustments, with suspension spacers and a removable motor mount. It's also compatible with all body styles from the Mini-Z series, allowing you to deck it in your choice of some of the most gorgeous car bodies in RC racing.
Released just last month, the Kyosho MR-03LM Sauber Mercedes C9 is not likely to be the fastest RC car in your roster. With that stylish design and a generous room for adjustment, though, it sounds like a definite winner in my book. It's priced at around $190.
by sunny on January 29, 2010
For many of us, exotic cars are just a tad out of reach in our banal, ordinary lives. That's where scale models like the Kyosho PureTen GP Fazer come in, giving a taste of the exciting world of GP touring machines, with none of the costs you will usually associate with one.
Certain to appeal to new and old nitro fans alike, this model GT ships with factory-licensed, ultra-detailed body shell, plated wheels and high-grip tires. You get the choice of six different pre-built designs, each one resembling the full scale racers from which it is based from. From the front to the rear to the sides, it's truly a high-end looking car, making it a real bargain at its affordable price.
A sturdy aluminium plate, with molded upper deck chassis, forms the base of the PureTen GP Fazer. Chassis components have been placed on the lowest possible part of the frame, allowing it to attain a low center of gravity, which translates to better cornering, balanced weight distribution and greater top speed.
Power is delivered by a GZ-15 engine (which comes with a low-profile cooling head) providing decent entry-level nitro speeds - just right for beginning racers. Other features include four-wheel independent suspension with oil filled shocks, a sealed radio box, molded composite drive shafts, a two-channel / two-servo RC system and a set of 18 ball bearings.
Want to experience GP touring cars, but keeping a tight watch on your RC spending? The Kyosho PureTen GP Fazer should deliver the goods, bringing supreme looks and exciting performance at a budget-friendly price.
Specifications:
Category: 1:10 4WD Nitro Touring Sedan
Wheelbase: 260mm (10.2 in.)
Width: 200mm (7.9 in.)
Ground clearance: 10mm (0.4 in.)
Track width: 176mm (6.9 in.)
Height: 90mm (3.5 in.)
Weight: 1775g (62.6 oz.)
Chassis: Aluminum plate w/molded upper deck
Drivetrain: Shaft w/enclosed gearboxes
Differential: Sealed 4-gear (rear); solid axle (front)
Transmission: Single speed with 17/39T gears
Final drive ratio: 7.06:1
Radio system: Kyosho KT-6 2-channel
Engine: GZ-15 w/recoil starter
Kyosho's official US site
