Team Azarashi have some photos of their new prototype 4WD buggy on their site. The Azarashi guys have been building various interesting and sometimes wacky 4WD concepts for years with no intention of release - but this time it seems things are moving toward a release.
The prototype currently features Tamiya suspension and steering - Associated dampers & Hot Bodies D4 drive train parts. But the main interest is the chassis design - which features an interesting and unique (in modern times) layout with three nimh cells laid end-to-end down either side of the car. The motor is situated between the cells along with electrics - and the whole drive train is raised up in the centre to occupy the 'driver cabin' area on the body.
The chassis on the prototype shown uses an aluminium sheet braced with thick carbon fibre ribs.
However the car progresses is anyones guess at the moment, but it's one to watch. Azarashi state a release date around 'spring' 2009.
http://www.team-azarashi.com
