TOPIC:

Info from several places indicate that the 58497 which everyone thought should be "Avante Truck" now is named "Vajra".
Varja is explained by Wikipedia HERE .

Judging by the selling price TowerHobbies is asking; USD 560 (!) the Vajra must be something special. Tower sells the Avante for USD 460....

-Lars

If the car is as cool as the symbolism of the name, I'd definitely want to have one.

Ouch.. defo not as cool as the symbolism in the name...



Thanks to Pininy for the picture.

-Lars

I don't care how cool the chassis is, even more than plastic whizzy buggies I hate "truggies" - the most unrealistic of all RC cars

I don't really like it either.

This is not the indestructable spark of divinity that will merge opposite energies thus achieving enlightenment!
I lean mostly towards the buddhist part of the Wiki page...

I notice Pininy has removed the picture from his TC showroom.
He is a Tamiya Retailer in Singapore (usually gets kits very early), and I will not be surpriced if Tamiya has called him and told him how thayt like him leaking the news...

-Lars

Ooops! Oh well, it's out there anyway...

Dutch forum

Honestly it reminds me of a Levant only with a lesser looking body.
Too bad I have to say this. The chassis is one of the coolest ever...
It started the TRF generation :

TRF history

New official pictures now available, including a chassis picture:






Description from Tamiyausa.com:

This is a 1/10 scale R/C assembly model kit of a racing truck. It is a longer version of the basic chassis from Item 58489 Avante (2011) and is matched with 100mm diameter V-pattern block tires. The truck uses a new 2.5mm thick carbon fiber lower & upper decks resulted in a longer wheelbase (275mm) which provides increased stability during high-speed off-road driving.

Specs and Features
1/10 scale R/C assembly kit.
Shaft-driven 4WD chassis features 2.5mm thick carbon fiber double-deck chassis layout with longitudinally mounted motor & battery pack.
4-wheel double wishbone suspension is equipped with aluminum front knuckles and resin suspension arms.
Front and rear CVA shock units are secured to durable 3.5mm thick carbon fiber damper stays.
Newly designed front & rear ball differentials included. Center unit is selectable from one-way or direct type.
Comes equipped with front & rear V-pattern block tires (Width/Diameter: 50/110mm).
Item 53779 GT-Tuned Motor (25T) included.
Comes with truck polycarbonate body shell (Super Levant body).

These are much better pictures. Guess it is almost a Levant body. Be it in the Superlative. Tyres too btw...

One word for the chassis : Awesome!

Too bad the basic kit comes with these dampers.

What would it take for this car to be short course legal?
Smaller tyres at least I would think...