inpuressa

iTrader: (10)

looks good. But I'm gonna have a crap load of extra c-hubs and knuckles from all the old generations. How come they went back to the diaphragm dampers? I thought aeration was the new trend?

skyball

...picture from Marcs Facebook page...

losi888

iTrader: (1)

Any word on a release date yet.

kentech

iTrader: (6)

Official release is still December 2013. No exact date yet.

Don't know if you guys noticed the info released by Tamiya last week about bonus parts for the TRF418?

Tamiya is delighted to announce that the export version only of the exciting new high-spec TRF418 chassis kit will feature exclusive bonus parts.

These parts are not to appear in the Japanese domestic version of the kit, making them a highly attractive and welcome addition for overseas users.

Damper Springs - soft & hard, 2pcs. each
Soft Stabilizer Rods- front & rear, 1pc. each
1 additional set of Suspension Arms - enough to kit out the chassis
1 additional set of Front Uprights - enough to kit out the chassis
1 additional set of Rear Uprights - enough to kit out the chassis

Finally, official photos of the car.

Christian82

WOW

CraigM

iTrader: (34)

Hmm no more coating on the hinge pins

SS LS1

iTrader: (23)

Nice looking car, just some observations in no particular order.......

I can't imagine the blue aluminum spring retainers are included in the kit.

New sway bar end links look nice, easy to adjust length too.

Bulkhead machining is very nice.

The lower chassis appears to have more carbon fiber after the rear suspension block screws to help prevent chassis breakage around these screw holes. Need a bottom photo to confirm this.

New floating servo mount attaches to servo with 4 screws vs. 3 like on the V5 car, but is way uglier.

Lightening holes drilled in front spool to reduce rotating mass.

New spool out drives use protective blades so they could have possibly used aluminum for the out drive material (granted the weight savings would be marginal)

New motor mount moves motor closer to centerline like aftermarket kits do. (Smokem, Sepes, Raceberry)

Overall nice looking package from Tamiya.

kentech

iTrader: (6)

- Since the alu spring retainers are in the pictures they will be included. Tamiya have always shown their cars in these pictures as it comes out of the box.

- V5 servo mount also mounted the servo with 4 screws. But agree it is ugly!

Csaari77

iTrader: (34)

Is there anyone in the US that has a preorder up for it yet? Speedtech has it listed but I don't think theirs is up yet?

sohlman

iTrader: (89)

Yeah, kinda weird. But they countersunk the screw holes on the rear shock tower for the body posts. Bumper brace too.

Qatmix

I imagine the kit will include them.

The bulkheads might be higher than the V5, the shims for the roll Center are really low 2mm front and 1mm rear

andy3000

TRF418 on carpet:

+ YouTube Video

skyball

...first runs on carpet seemed to be a bit "unimpressive". This is what Marc posted on facebook today:

"...sitting at Vienna airport after a very interesting weekend at the Mibosport cup.
I had no pace against Ronald and Fischer, couldnt find the right set-up for the 418 yet.

Had no steering and no cornerspeed.
Now my work starts to get the right set up for the ETS.
I will go to Longwy/France next weekend to test some more stuff and hopefully get the car good on carpet for the ETS.

Right now i´m a little lost in set up, but i´ll try hard to get it to work.

I have some ideas what to test, so i hope it will be ok."

syndr0me

iTrader: (32)

I'm shocked to hear a new car that was probably never tested on carpet during its design doesn't work on carpet. Hopefully they can figure something out with setup.

Tamiya needs an Umino to help these guys out. Or maybe Jilles.

Qatmix

its almost the opposite of the 417 that has a crazy amount of steering on carpet (Albeit too much to help be consistent)

As mentioned, its a totally new car and it will take time to find the set-up for carpet.