423LikesTamiya TRF420 Thread
01-27-2022, 11:53 PM
#376
I am very happy that Tamiya is continuing to make new TRF cars. I am surprised however that it doesn’t seem to come with an active rear suspension after it being an big option on the 420 and now standard in the TA08.
01-28-2022, 05:17 AM
#377
Hard to tell for sure...but look at the photo above of the rear end of the car...there is carbon plate sitting above the chassis that appears to be pocketed for eccentric pills...presumably for an active rear suspension mount? The question is 'included or optional?'
01-28-2022, 05:43 AM
#378
My thoughts on TRF420X:
Most probably the 420X will not contain the ARS Axle, was it would furtherly increase the kit price. I would assume, that not all TRF420 customers were buying the ARS axle. In that sense it's everybody's own choice for ARS or not. On the pictures the TRF420 suspension can be clearly seen (with no obvious modifications). Also the suspension blocks will remain the same (why change a pretty new system, that has proofed it's performance in the past 2,5 years again?).
Interesting is the center pivot mount with a ball bearing in the topdeck. I know such a solution only from the Square Parsec-C (there it works pretty good). However, the 420X solution seem to work in a different way.
The rear lower chassis stiffener is also a solution that was successfully proofed in early TRF419X stage as prototype part (thanks to C. Donath!). Due to not enough space it was not continued for TRF420.
Rear motor layout is still used, as I also don't see any performance related reason for using mid-motor (as many other manufacturers nowadays).
Other smaller refinements, which I took from the teaser video:
- New more durable stabilizer bar mounts
- Shorter damper cylinders compared to TRF420 SSBB-V2 with less "space" left from the spring adjster to the top - resulting in lower CG and less mass - where at using 20mm springs the 420 dampers were just a bit too long
- New battery mount (... what will the glass fiber tape industry do from now on?)
- Asymmetrical topdeck (my first thoughs were: "what is the spare part number of that?")
All in all a pretty good "facelift" of the still well performing TRF420. Detailled specification, pricing and delivery dates will be available soon (most likely presented at official release at the 2022 Nuremberg Toy fair in February).
Most probably the 420X will not contain the ARS Axle, was it would furtherly increase the kit price. I would assume, that not all TRF420 customers were buying the ARS axle. In that sense it's everybody's own choice for ARS or not. On the pictures the TRF420 suspension can be clearly seen (with no obvious modifications). Also the suspension blocks will remain the same (why change a pretty new system, that has proofed it's performance in the past 2,5 years again?).
Interesting is the center pivot mount with a ball bearing in the topdeck. I know such a solution only from the Square Parsec-C (there it works pretty good). However, the 420X solution seem to work in a different way.
The rear lower chassis stiffener is also a solution that was successfully proofed in early TRF419X stage as prototype part (thanks to C. Donath!). Due to not enough space it was not continued for TRF420.
Rear motor layout is still used, as I also don't see any performance related reason for using mid-motor (as many other manufacturers nowadays).
Other smaller refinements, which I took from the teaser video:
- New more durable stabilizer bar mounts
- Shorter damper cylinders compared to TRF420 SSBB-V2 with less "space" left from the spring adjster to the top - resulting in lower CG and less mass - where at using 20mm springs the 420 dampers were just a bit too long
- New battery mount (... what will the glass fiber tape industry do from now on?)
- Asymmetrical topdeck (my first thoughs were: "what is the spare part number of that?")
All in all a pretty good "facelift" of the still well performing TRF420. Detailled specification, pricing and delivery dates will be available soon (most likely presented at official release at the 2022 Nuremberg Toy fair in February).
01-28-2022, 07:31 AM
#379
Source: https://tamiyablog.com/2022/01/cancellation-of-the-nuremberg-toy-fair-spielwarenmesse-2022/
01-28-2022, 07:40 AM
#380
01-28-2022, 11:59 AM
#381
Tech Rookie
The new car looks so nice, and I’ll be honest even though I definitely don’t have the skill for this car, I want it!
I know this is just me reminiscing about the world of RC from my teens, but I wish TRF would come back in a big way and Marc Reinhard would head back to Tamiya to race it. Probably not as quick as an Awesomatix or though…
Luke
I know this is just me reminiscing about the world of RC from my teens, but I wish TRF would come back in a big way and Marc Reinhard would head back to Tamiya to race it. Probably not as quick as an Awesomatix or though…
Luke
01-28-2022, 12:33 PM
#382
My thoughts on TRF420X:
Most probably the 420X will not contain the ARS Axle, was it would furtherly increase the kit price. I would assume, that not all TRF420 customers were buying the ARS axle. In that sense it's everybody's own choice for ARS or not. On the pictures the TRF420 suspension can be clearly seen (with no obvious modifications). Also the suspension blocks will remain the same (why change a pretty new system, that has proofed it's performance in the past 2,5 years again?).
Interesting is the center pivot mount with a ball bearing in the topdeck. I know such a solution only from the Square Parsec-C (there it works pretty good). However, the 420X solution seem to work in a different way.
The rear lower chassis stiffener is also a solution that was successfully proofed in early TRF419X stage as prototype part (thanks to C. Donath!). Due to not enough space it was not continued for TRF420.
Rear motor layout is still used, as I also don't see any performance related reason for using mid-motor (as many other manufacturers nowadays).
Other smaller refinements, which I took from the teaser video:
- New more durable stabilizer bar mounts
- Shorter damper cylinders compared to TRF420 SSBB-V2 with less "space" left from the spring adjster to the top - resulting in lower CG and less mass - where at using 20mm springs the 420 dampers were just a bit too long
- New battery mount (... what will the glass fiber tape industry do from now on?)
- Asymmetrical topdeck (my first thoughs were: "what is the spare part number of that?")
All in all a pretty good "facelift" of the still well performing TRF420. Detailled specification, pricing and delivery dates will be available soon (most likely presented at official release at the 2022 Nuremberg Toy fair in February).
Most probably the 420X will not contain the ARS Axle, was it would furtherly increase the kit price. I would assume, that not all TRF420 customers were buying the ARS axle. In that sense it's everybody's own choice for ARS or not. On the pictures the TRF420 suspension can be clearly seen (with no obvious modifications). Also the suspension blocks will remain the same (why change a pretty new system, that has proofed it's performance in the past 2,5 years again?).
Interesting is the center pivot mount with a ball bearing in the topdeck. I know such a solution only from the Square Parsec-C (there it works pretty good). However, the 420X solution seem to work in a different way.
The rear lower chassis stiffener is also a solution that was successfully proofed in early TRF419X stage as prototype part (thanks to C. Donath!). Due to not enough space it was not continued for TRF420.
Rear motor layout is still used, as I also don't see any performance related reason for using mid-motor (as many other manufacturers nowadays).
Other smaller refinements, which I took from the teaser video:
- New more durable stabilizer bar mounts
- Shorter damper cylinders compared to TRF420 SSBB-V2 with less "space" left from the spring adjster to the top - resulting in lower CG and less mass - where at using 20mm springs the 420 dampers were just a bit too long
- New battery mount (... what will the glass fiber tape industry do from now on?)
- Asymmetrical topdeck (my first thoughs were: "what is the spare part number of that?")
All in all a pretty good "facelift" of the still well performing TRF420. Detailled specification, pricing and delivery dates will be available soon (most likely presented at official release at the 2022 Nuremberg Toy fair in February).
Personally I disagree about the pricing strategy, not with your analysis – but if costs are the reason for Tamiya to ommit the ARS I think they are mistaken.
First, they were happy to rise the price of the TA08 compared to the TA07 but you get SSBB dampers and ASR for an arguably neglectible premium – and the car is better because of it.
Second, the pricing trend is definately going up – Xray just launched an 800 squid car (and rather successfully?). Tamiya is marketing this car towards competitive racers and enthusiasts. They should build the best car they can and price accordingly – there’s no need to hit a certain price point.
01-28-2022, 01:07 PM
#383
01-29-2022, 11:23 AM
#386
Looking to replace my tired TC7.2 (I know, I know 
, but I love this car...) and was looking very hard at the Mugen or the Xray - but now. I may just wait to see what TRF team has in the box. I'm not very good and have always been a fan of Tamiya cars, so who knows, definitely intrigued though, to say the least.
Very interested to see Kentech build of the car and initial impressions.
, but I love this car...) and was looking very hard at the Mugen or the Xray - but now. I may just wait to see what TRF team has in the box. I'm not very good and have always been a fan of Tamiya cars, so who knows, definitely intrigued though, to say the least.Very interested to see Kentech build of the car and initial impressions.
01-29-2022, 11:59 AM
#387
Only Tamiya could get away with releasing a race chassis that is three years out of date,
But the truth is, these won't sell to racers, and Tamiya don't need them to. There is a huge community of RCers that will buy anything with a Tamiya badge on it. 99% of the kits sold will spend the rest of their lives on a shelf. Many may not even get built.
But the truth is, these won't sell to racers, and Tamiya don't need them to. There is a huge community of RCers that will buy anything with a Tamiya badge on it. 99% of the kits sold will spend the rest of their lives on a shelf. Many may not even get built.
01-29-2022, 02:41 PM
#388
Tech Adept
Harsh but there's some truth to it lol.
Tamiya fanboys and club racers will still buy this car because it's Tamiya quality, and there genuinely isn't anything that sticks out that would make the car slow.
My 419X with updated suspension parts easily holds its own still, also can't forget the Tamiya blue in the sea of black coloured touring cars nowadays.
Tamiya fanboys and club racers will still buy this car because it's Tamiya quality, and there genuinely isn't anything that sticks out that would make the car slow.
My 419X with updated suspension parts easily holds its own still, also can't forget the Tamiya blue in the sea of black coloured touring cars nowadays.
01-29-2022, 03:11 PM
#389
Probably still a good car for normal folks, even though it might lack the latest developments.
01-29-2022, 05:26 PM
#390
Harsh but there's some truth to it lol.
Tamiya fanboys and club racers will still buy this car because it's Tamiya quality, and there genuinely isn't anything that sticks out that would make the car slow.
My 419X with updated suspension parts easily holds its own still, also can't forget the Tamiya blue in the sea of black coloured touring cars nowadays.
Tamiya fanboys and club racers will still buy this car because it's Tamiya quality, and there genuinely isn't anything that sticks out that would make the car slow.
My 419X with updated suspension parts easily holds its own still, also can't forget the Tamiya blue in the sea of black coloured touring cars nowadays.
In the mean time, I’m enjoying everyone buying the X4, bending bulkheads, breaking expensive parts and forking out $$$$ for replacements.
No thanks! I’ll keep driving my 6 year old TRF!