I believe that alot of it has to do w/ the lack of losi drivers. Losi didn't have the same drivers that associated has had the past few years & horizon is just trying to sale more kits. These cars have pretty much reached their peak. If you want to go faster then learn more about setting up cars & what materials you want where. I mean, associated & losi have both been playing the materials game. When you run on 1/8th scale tracks the soft stuff shines. When you are on indoor blue groove tracks the stiff stuff shines.