Looks like a new Shaft Drive Tourer will be released in September this year. And it will have horizontal motor layout as pioneered by the Awesomatix.



More info available here with some small CAD thumbnails. Looks to have a gear diff, new 6 degree C-hubs and possibly short shocks. Here's the google translated blurb:

"TB-04" will finally appear. I adopt the layout of innovation overturned the stereotype that every motor drive shaft = vertical. I realize the "maneuverability and stable without the habit" advantage of the motor horizontally while "excellent driving efficiency and pickup of" advantage of the shaft.

Good results and to allow mounting the AMB transmitter from the main chassis bottom designed to tight, and layout that put first for use in Tamiya and Tamiya Grand Prix can be expected. It refines → 6 degrees 4 degrees, the suspension was also achieved a more natural, by a combination of (short) new development TRF damper further feeling the C-hub is an important point of handling.

Will be interesting to see if an EVO 6 will come out...

Looks interesting and maybe a base for an EVO 6 model , I would buy an EVO 6 in an instant . Even have my EVO 5 on my work bench being dusted off and toying with the idea of using it again.

Tamiya TB04 Pro indepth Review here
http://www.thercracer.com/2013/11/ta...nd-review.html

This has been a bit of a surprise!

Take a look
http://www.thercracer.com/2013/08/ta...irst-pics.html

Key features are:

• low profile shocks
• gear diffs
• Vertical motor fitting to reduce torque steer
• 6 degree Caster Hubs

Fingers Crossed for a TB Evolution 6

I think that these dampers will be on the new 418
short+standard springs

I would love to see an Evo 6! I still use my Evo 4 in VTA, but it may be time to retire the old horse. The big question is if Tamiya would return to producing 2 top line cars, belt and shaft? My Visa card is ready and waiting.

Horizontal motor pioneered by the Tamiya TA01 you mean :P

That is not cool at all! All the inconveniences from the shaft architecture and the belt architecture in one car. Strange idea from Tamiya. Awesomatix tried it few months ago, and nobody's using this transversal tranmission...

And there is a reason we abandon the architecture... R/L balance...

Yes please, i'll take one.... maybe two.. looks like a nice evolution to the TB0* series..

There are some pro Awesomatix drivers using the transverse setup in modified to aid in rear traction. However, I would have preferred the motor inline with the shaft like the previous TB cars...

Anyways, interested in the TB06 Evo if there will be one...

Looking at the pics I dont think you can change the layout like the awesomatix

I just want that gear diff to work on my Exotek EVO 5's! The bigger shaft pinion would also lower the gear ratio of the evo and that would be great!

beat me to it........

Bigger images:

last two






the rest of the images aren't any bigger.