Schumachers new 2WD - The checklist

[glypo]

I have been thinking about this all day. I'm sure it's no secret that a 2wd is on the drawing board and I have heard its release is pending on the success of the CAT SX. That's certainly the rumour flying around the internet anyway, so nothing secret.

I have heard other rumours about it, but don't think I should really disclose them. However, I have been thinking what I would really like to see on a new 2wd, and basically have come to a conclusion.

I would like a Schumacher Cougar 3.

Firstly, and most importantly a nice shallow chassis like the original Cougar and Cougar 2 (and Top Cat). And either made of aluminium like these originals, or how about carbon made in this style? Check this out:

http://tinyurl.com/3jk366

A great looking Top Cat - I bet that chassis would be ideal for modern 2wd, i.e. the Cougar 3. I expect tooling would be be expensive though perhaps. I am sure all will agree with me though, these earlier Schumacher 2wd's were better to drive than the later stuff like the Fireblade?

Secondly, belt transmission. I still have the original belt from '93-'94 in my Cougar 2, and it is as quiet and as effcient as ever. Not that the gearbox wasn't okay on the Fireblade, I just think the belt is better. Less maintainence, more effcient and less noise.

Thirdly, front bulkhead being non-existent. One of the major weak points on all the 2wd Schumacher I have owned are the plastic bulkheads up front. If it was an alloy chassis, I would prefer a technique like the Havoc. With the Havoc they just bent the chassis at the front to provide the kick-up - then the suspension mounted direct to chassis via pivot pins / blocks.

Finally, and probably easiest to achieve as all 2wd's are, LiPo ready.

Over to you, if Schumacher decide to release their 2wd - what would you like to see?