Remember the Tamiya TXT-1 from over a decade ago? If you loved that wicked beast of a monster truck, then we doubt you'll feel any differently for its sequel: the Tamiya TXT-2 Agrios.
Billed as a 4x4x4 monster truck, the 1/10-scale vehicle boasts not just four-wheel drive, but also four-wheel steering. You will need to add a second servo controlling the rear axle to enable that (doesn't come in the original box), but we doubt it's something you'll want to pass up doing.
The Tamiya TXT-2 Agrios features a polycarbonate stadium truck body that's mounted on a newly-designed chassis constructed from both tough plastic and aluminum. Since monster trucks need monster power, it runs on two 540-type brushless motors, allowing it to crush every scale car in sight. Features include a centrally-positioned gearbox, a resin-covered aluminum shaft side frames, shielded ball bearings, resin upper frame, and special front and rear axle cases with 3-bevel differential gears and a two-level transmission.
Named after the mythical Greek giant Agrios, the vehicle should handle itself well over any terrain, ably overcoming every obstacle in its path. Do note this ships as a kit, so you're likely to have a gargantuan workload putting this together.
You can get the Tamiya TXT-2 in stores now, priced at $729.
[Tamiya]
Specifications:
Scale: 1/10 scale
Construction type: assembly kit
Terrain use: multi-purpose
Drive-train: 4WD
Drive type: gearbox
Drive line: solid axle
Differential type: gear
Suspension: 4-link
Steering mechanism: direct servo
by sunny on September 18, 2011
Back when the Mitsubishi Pajero (or Montero, in parts of the world where "pajero" can mean "wanker") first came out, it came loaded with features that were previously unseen in the same category. A four-wheel drive that comes integrated with passenger car amenities, it was a pretty big deal in its day, made even bigger by its participation in many off-road races. Now, you can enjoy this classic in an RC package with the Tamiya Montero Wheelie.
Sold as a 1/10-scale assembly kit, the vehicle is based on the racing-configured models that were used in events like the Dakar Rally. It's only a 2WD, though, so don't expect all that capable off-road performance. Looks mighty badass driven through relatively tame terrain, though.
The Tamiya Montero Wheelie uses a box-type 2WD chassis, equipped with a front swing axle and rear rolling rigid suspension. Body is injection-molded for durability, with a spare tire, roll cage and cargo bed details thrown in for realism.
It features a fully-enclosed gearbox for keeping off dirt and debris, 115mm tires, a wheelie bar, a Tamiya 540-type brushed motor and TEU-104BK ESC. Since it's a kit, you need your own tools and paint to get the ride done, along with a two-channel radio and battery.
No pricing yet, but the Tamiya Montero Wheelie should hit stores this October.
[Tamiya]
by sunny on August 23, 2011
While the name sounds like it's lifted straight off the Kama Sutra, there's nothing Tantric about the Tamiya Vajra. Instead, it's an electric 4WD racing truck based off the 2011 Avante chassis.
Sold as a kit, the 1/10-scale truggy is built on the shaft-driven 4WD Avante that's been converted to a truck with a locked center differential in place of the ball diff and ball diffs in place of the open gear units in the front and rear. It retains the longitudinally mounted motor and battery pack, as well as all the other properties that made the platform quite the attractive racer.
The Tamiya Vajra uses 2mm-thick carbon fiber for the upper and lower decks, as well as a 2mm carbon plate steering rack. Other details include a 4-wheel double wishbone suspension (with aluminum front knuckles and durable resin suspension arms), universal drive shafts, aluminum wheel hex hubs, 3.5mm-thick carbon fiber damper stays, and bumper guards (both front and rear).
The polycarbonate truck body (at least, the one on the product photo) looks very ordinary, though. Same with the included V-pattern block tires. Suffice to say, you'll probably want to look for something better to do the Avante chassis the justice it deserves.
MSRP for the Tamiya Vajra is $812. Radio gear, motor, battery and ESC are available separately.
[TamiyaUSA]
by sunny on June 22, 2011
We love Tamiya's RC releases of Japanese street cars and this sexy beast from 1978 rightfully makes me just a little giddy. I know, that's a stupid thing to say about radio-controlled cars, but the Mazda RX-7 is one of my favorite Japanese machines ever.
The Tamiya Mazda RX-7 is a 1/10-scale model, available in kit form. While you won't exactly be putting together a front mid-engine rotary engine (since it's, you know, a model toy), we reckon you can still geek out assembling this.
The dual-seater coupe body (polycarbonate, with a full set of stickers for the trim) is mounted on an M-06 mini chassis, with a rear wheel drive and a long wheelbase configuration. You get a 4-wheel double wishbone suspension, dog-bone driveshafts, transmission gear differential and oil-filled CVA plastic damper shock units.
Tamiya 540-J brushed motor and ESC are included, but you'll have to buy the radio gear and batteries (it's compatible with NiCad, NiMh, LiPo and LiFe) separately. It uses 60D Radial tires in front and 60D Super Grip Radial tires in the rear.
While this isn't the first time Tamiya released a Mazda RX-7 model, this is the first one I remember with the very first one in the line. It should be available in your local hobby stores now, priced at around $235.
[TamiyaUSA]
by sunny on December 16, 2010
Can't get enough of those Tamiya buggy reissues? Here's one more to join your Buggy Champ and Hotshot: the Tamiya Avante.
During its first release in 1988, the electric buggy made some heads turn for its innovative design. Sporting a formula-type body, a double-deck chassis layout, and longitudinal motor and battery positions, it brought a sophistication to the RC scene that has kept it a nostalgic favorite among the current crop of buggy enthusiasts. In fact, unopened examples of the original vehicle continue to fetch a higher price today compared to any other Tamiya collectible from the same period.
The 2011 Tamiya Avante sticks to the same general design and dimensions of the classic RC, but gets a number of improvements to bring it up to par with today's crop of buggy racers. Updates include the use of carbon fiber for the main frame and various parts (instead of fiber-reinforced plastic composite), universal shafts at both front and rear to reduce friction, easier damper maintenance, duralumin front knuckles and pin-secured wheel axles.
It's compatible with all of Tamiya's current radio systems (including 2.4Ghz), as well as their wide range of battery packs. Just to further feed your sense of nostalgia, they're releasing it in the original packaging, with all parts stored in blister packs.
The 1/10-scale 2011 Tamiya Avante will hit store shelves starting January, with an MSRP of $745.
[TamiyaUSA]
Specifications:
- Length: 420mm
- Width: 240mm
- Height: 115mm
- Wheelbase: 260mm
- Tread (L/R): 200mm
- Minimum Ground Clearance: 40mm
- Weight: 1300g
- Double-Deck Frame
- Tires (F/R): 38/88mm
- Polycarbonate Body
- F/R Multi-Link Suspension
- F/R Metal Oil Dampers
- Gear Ratio: 1:8.33
by sunny on March 3, 2010
Here's something new for fans of older racers to watch out for: an upcoming Tamiya model of the 1971 East African Safari Rally superstar, the Nissan Datsun 240Z. If you're not familiar with that 6,200 km race, the #11 240Z basically took it all - Overall Victory, Class Victory, Team Victory and Manufacturers Championship, along with the hearts of every spectator looking on.
The Tamiya RC Datsun 240Z Rally Version is a 1/10th scale model that revives the legendary vehicle that both Herrman and Schuller drove during that period. Reproduction looks very good from the photos, managing to produce a really cool-looking vehicle that will continue to turn heads even to this day.
Available as a kit, the package includes a polycarbonate body (with bundled, non-applied stickers and masking seals), all the molded resin exterior components in the photo (including the front/rear bumpers, hood spotlights sans the LEDs and light cases), black offset wheels and Rally Block tires. A Type 540 motor and a TEU-104BK ESC comes with the box as well, although you'll have to purchase the 2-channel R/C system, battery pack and charger separately.
Not much info on the chassis, along with the rest of the parts, so it's best to wait for more details before deciding on this one. While I doubt this can stand up to HPI's awesome Cup Racer version of the same vehicle, the Tamiya RC Datsun 240Z Rally Car is easily the better-looking one. The scale reproduction is just hot. There's no exact availability date, although pre-orders are priced between $220 and $250.
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 14, 2010
Looking for something to add to your collection of high-performance GT replicas? The Tamiya Corolla Axio apr GT should ably hold its own among your favorites, recreating the multiple-time racing champion to gorgeous detail.
Dressed to look like the version that raced at the 2009 Super GT Round 3 in Fuji (GT300 class), the kit comes with an unpainted, lightweight, polycarbonate shell (with those sleek, aerodynamic lines copied to perfection) and a slew of authentic-looking decals. The resin side mirrors, rear wing and polycarbonate fender fins are all separately molded, providing intricate realism. Hopefully, you know how to paint your way to something that looks as cool as the photo above.
The Axio apr GT uses a two-belt-driven TA05 chassis, which has been evolved to race specifications for its latest iteration (ver. II). It boasts reduced width for better roll movement range during cornering, repositioned battery mounts for enhanced handling, separate suspension mounts for easier maintenance and a one-piece motor mount with cantilever center shaft.
It includes a Type 540 motor, which should provide ample push for the tracks. Other features include a four-wheel double wishbone suspension (with short, reversible arms and 1050 ball bearings for the upright), single-speed transmission, medium-type racing slick tires and six-spoke gun metal wheels.
You'll need to pick out a two-channel radio system, battery and charger to get your Tamiya Corolla Axio apr GT ready for racing. There's a whole pile of compatible hop-ups, too, which should help you render this beauty into a more competitive ride.
Specifications
- Length: 14.7 in (373 mm)
- Width: 7.4 in (188 mm)
- Height: 4.8 in (122 mm)
- Wheelbase: 10.1 in (257 mm)
- Weight: 2.3 lb (1060 g)
- Requires: 2-channel radio with 1 servo, ESC, Paint, 6-cell NiCd/NiMH battery with standard connector and AC/DC peak charger
