TQ R/C & Hobbies

Traxxas have introduced their all-new X-Maxx electric RTR monster truck. Starting with a white sheet of paper the X-Maxx is not just a bolstered-up E-Maxx but a totally new, and larger, design based on a modular 4WD chassis with the interlocking design keeping the motor and gear drive together as a unit to virtually eliminate gear-crunching chassis flex. Also the design provides easy access to critical components, making any needed maintenance or repairs a snap to perform. The all-new motor mount design cradles the motor so it can’t flex on the mount while gear mesh is held firmly in place by keyed pins.

Italian company Mon-Tech has introduced the Silvy 190mm touring car bodyshell. Specially designed for asphalt racing and tested on various tracks in Italy, the body is made from 0.75mm polycarbonate and it comes with window masks and a decal sheet with headlight details and logos.

KO Propo America have introduced the RSx2 Power HC limited edition servos. Coming as signature limited red version with red anodised centre case and Jared Tebo’s signature and also as limited blue version the servos offer the same specifications as the standard Power HC with up 31.6kg-cm of torque and 0.11s transit time at 7.4V input.

Back in February we brought you a first prototype image of Destiny’s forthcoming 1/10th electric touring car and now the Japanese company has released more photos and information to show the project’s progress. Still in prototype stages the car sports several rapid prototype parts such as the lower arm mounts and also the shocks seem to be borrow off a Yokomo but other details such as the symmetrical motor and layshaft mount, the honeycomb wishbone design and the rail-type steering look pretty production ready. The yet nameless car will be based on a 2.25mm carbon fibre chassis with 2.0mm top deck, it will come with 3.5mm carbon fibre shock towers, dual joint front CVD shafts, low-friction coated suspension and pivot balls, as well as front C-hubs with caster inserts and ball-raced anti-roll bars. The shocks will be of a low-profile design with 20mm springs. The final specifications, features and images should become available in time for the release although Destiny did not state yet when this is going to happen.

The latest Team Associated kit to receive the LiPo Combo treatment is the Apex Scion Racing 2015 Formula Drift car. Fitted with the same racing livery as the full-size FR-S driven by Greddy pro driver Ken Gushi, the kit features a Reedy brushless motor and digital speed control, sealed metal-gear diffs and a tough 4WD system with aluminium drive shaft. High-grip treaded racing tyres are mounted on 10-spoke hex drive wheels that include realistic-looking details such as brake rotors and callipers. Four adjustable fluid-filled, coil-over, tuned shocks make managing imperfections in the road effortless. Included with the LiPo Combo is also the Reedy compact balance charger as well as a WolfPack 3300mAh 30C 7.4V LiPo battery.

Coming soon from Kyosho is the MA-020VE Pro Mini-Z AWD kit. The all-wheel chassis features the VCS front suspension known from the MR-03 as well as a DWS rear double wishbone suspension for best possible handling. The 8500kV XSpeed VE brushless motor delivers a huge amount of power while being virtually maintenance-free at the same time. The chassis comes in the narrow track and M-size wheelbase configuration although parts for the wide track and L and LL wheelbase settings are included. Part of the package is also the MHS 2.4GHz system that, when used with the Synchro EX-6 transmitter, is up to 16-times faster than the ASF system and 4-times faster than the KO Propo EX-1 combo. Not included in the set are wheels, tyres and a bodyshell.

The Schumacher peripheral damping system has been developed for touring cars to help minimise tyre contact patch load fluctuations, caused by small bumps in the track surface. This means the tyre remains in contact with the ground more often, resulting in more grip and improved lap times. The damping characteristic is dependent upon the position of the piston within the shock body. The damping is softest when the piston is at the bottom of the shock, at which point the peripheral volume is at its greatest. Conversely the damping is hardest when the shock is at the top of the body, and the sleeve has the smallest opening. As a consequence of this, the damping characteristic progressively increases with bump/roll, compared to the kit damper assembly which offers linear damping throughout the damping stroke. The dampers are supplied in pairs to fit the Schumacher Mi5evo, but will also fit other touring cars on the market. Spare parts are available separately to update current Mi5evo shocks.

Losi have introduced the Night Crawler 2.0 ready-to-run rock crawler. Utilising an aluminium twin vertical plate chassis design the vehicle also features heavy duty front and rear worm-gear drives, a zero Ackermann steering, moulded 4-link suspension, 4″ adjustable aluminium shocks and a LiPo-ready crawler-programmed speed controller. Also included is a 35T Dynamite crawler motor and a high-torque steering servo. The set is rounded out by a full range Spektrum SR310 receiver, beadlock wheels with red chrome rings and grippy crawler tyres as well as rock lights and an LED light bar.