The handling is vastly different. Avante had short wheelbase and wide front tires (can you say oversteer). The drivetrain also featured front & rear open gear diffs (planetary design), as well as a non-adjustable center ball diff to split the drive front & rear.

The Egress had a nearly 1 inch longer wheelbase, narrow front tires (with better spikes for the day), and featured ball diffs front & rear (tuned via shims). The center diff was replaced with an optional locked center or one-way center. So you can see how the fundamentals are pretty different.

As for brushless power, I doubt either would fair too well. These cars were designed when 19T motors and 1400mah packs were the hottest things going. As a result, there was never a slipper option.



For those interested in the upcoming re-release, here are some pics of my original to wet the appetite:

I am jealous guys! I can't wait for february! Brushless motor and lipo are already waiting!

Some Japanese guy made a Tamtech version of it:

+ YouTube Video

Yup i've seen this vid before, it's really very cool...Here's more info on the re release Avante.

http://www.tamiya.com/english/info/avante2011/index.htm

I think I am going to put a 5.5T brushless in the new Avante with 7.4V lipo. IT hope they reinforce the drivetrain for brushless.
I also hope they use the chassis of the 2001 or the Egress instead of the original 1988 chassis.

The re release Avante at the Tamiya Fair 2010. Looks very much like the 1988 original...

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/tamiya-live

I preordered already one in Japan! This is a MUST HAVE kit!

Looks just like the original but with better materials and structural improvements to strengthen it...After all these years, it's still one of the best looking buggy ever made!!

I definately will be buying 1 or 2 of these highly wanted true classic cars.
The tamtech version looks also awesome, tamiya should make there own tamtech version of it.
Wish it was allready rebruary

ME TOO Different is the rear shocktower: it is in one piece. Very nice! I also like the uprights instead of casting they are cnc.

I started out with a frog back in the 80's....It's really cool to see the cars of my youth being brought out again.

Granted, even the performance of a Slash is like an Olympic athlete when compared to these older designs, but it's still cool to get out and play. After all, most of these cars are from the era when it was as much about having fun, as it was about racing competitively.

Very nicely done! Looks to be a great Tamiya re-re just enough updates and minor changes to keep the Original a classic and collectable but yet be true to the design. I have 2 of these kits on pre-order. I just wonder if they are going to offer any hop-ups for this kit later on.

More pics...

I also see a much wider bumper than the original but what about the weakest part: the front c-parts? Metal of plactic?

The front C parts are most likely gonna be plastic...hopefully better plastic though.