47th Shizuoka Hobby Show 2008

[jimmy]

Here are some first views of the new Kyosho ZX5 FS and Hotbodies D4 Sport. http://teamnovi.blog.drecom.jp/

The new Kyosho ZX5 FS uses a different layout to the prototype mid-motor cars used at the World Championships in 2007. The motor has moved far forward - similar to the Atomic Carbon S4 and Atomised B44 chassis. It also looks like Kyosho tried to make this car relatively narrow - a low profile servo being a clue. And whilst those cars were carbon fibre - this production car uses a moulded composite material.




The D4 Sport accepts a stick pack across the chassis - though it's not entirely clear how the drive to the rear is acheived! We'll see - but it looks firmly aimed at the beginner market, something the sport desperately needs.

See more photos on the Team Novi blog here: http://teamnovi.blog.drecom.jp/

[ben]

I reckon they have drilled a hole through the stick pack on the D4 for the shaft to go through

[Scouser]

Trivial I know, but I am so glad Kyosho have used a moulded chassis! Top plate looks prime target for the Atomic Carbon treatment aswell.

[jimmy]

this is the car from the Worlds that I mentioned - so you can see the layout is different. The weight on this new car is further spread out and more toward the front - which I guess in theory will make it turn a little slower because of the intertia, but make it more stable?
I wish I could say this car will be popular but Kyosho haven't been proactive in off road at all - instead losing the momentum they had when hitting the scene again back in 2005.

[jimmy]

Another photo:



Source: http://www.yaggy.jp

[jimmy]

[vinny20]

Originally Posted by jimmy

this is the car from the Worlds that I mentioned - so you can see the layout is different. The weight on this new car is further spread out and more toward the front - which I guess in theory will make it turn a little slower because of the intertia, but make it more stable?
I wish I could say this car will be popular but Kyosho haven't been proactive in off road at all - instead losing the momentum they had when hitting the scene again back in 2005.

i dont get this why where the kyosho team testing this car in carbon chassis and whats the point of releasing them in plastic i did hear after the worlds the team drivers that where racing these cars such as mark pavidis had to take it back to the factory for some more testing and working on the car so the FS could be a good car

[Welshy40]

Well I am a bit surprised. I dont like shaft drives but i would buy either one of those cars. The Lazer, well I think it actually is more balanced than the other versions and a bit of thought has gone into it - well done, its about time Kyosho. Also HB is stunning as well. What to buy when I have the cash.........

[terry.sc]

Originally Posted by vinny20

i dont get this why where the kyosho team testing this car in carbon chassis and whats the point of releasing them in plastic

Simple answer, it's a lot easier to cut carbon sheet to play around with different layouts than it is to mould a tub for each idea they come up with. Layout not right, just cut another chassis.


When it comes to production if you can afford the investment it works out a lot cheaper to mould tubs than have every chassis cut from carbon, especially as a moulded tub can be stiffer and stronger than carbon sheet with the right material.