How come it's on these sites but not on Tamiya?
Having taken a closer look at it whilst having my 501 in front of me, the changes are actually pretty major, and all look like they are following the touring direction they've gone in, eg more symmetrical, and more flex. Changes I've spotted:
1. Centre Bulkhead only goes as far back as the spur, the whole section and cross brace behind that seems to have gone.
2. Rear upper deck no longer goes under the rear top bulkhead, again more flex!
3. motor mount/centre bulkhead changed, and looks more symettrical (much more metal on the side opposite the motor)
4. Front upper bulkheads redesigned, hard to tell how, looks like maybe more flex again
5. rear top deck has less "centre piece", more flex again
6. Looks like rear hinge pins are mounted differently?
7. Front hub carriers look different, maybe like they are protecting the joint on the driveshafts
8. The chassis itself is different, Slightly different shape around the back, looks like batteries maybe moved forward.
9. New bodyshell/wing (basing that on the part number on a canadian site!)
10 New belts (presumably lower friction)
If the bulkheads are as they look by the way, diff access will probably be MUCH easier than on the 501!
All in all, actually a lot more change than it looks at first glance (probably becasue the general shape is similar and looks like the shock towers are too), probably enough to be worth having a new name.
If it ends up available for less than the stated price (72800 Yen!!), am getting very tempted to make this my 2009 ride!
Its part 42139, due 20th March.
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