The Mugen MBX-6T is now available and it looks pretty good. The 1/8 scale 4WD nitro powered racing truggy is the latest offering from Mugen Seiki. Already in the current 1/8 scale stable at Mugen is the racing buggy version (the MBX-6) and the racing car (the MRX-4X). They also have a stadium truck and touring car that are both 1/10 scale, all nitro. Despite some of the loyal Mugen customers’ desire for Mugen to enter the world of electric RC they have resisted that temptation so far.
Mugen MBX-6T 4WD Gas Truggy - with shell
Mugen MBX-6T 4WD Gas Truggy - shell off
Here’s a video of the MBX-6T in action:
Here are the release notes from Mugen Seiki:
Mugen Seiki Racing have announced the upcoming release of the MBX6T 1/8 scale nitro powered Truggy kit based on the championship winning MBX6 buggy. The Mugen engineering team has created the MBX6T which will follow the same exceptional handling, strength, durability and overall performance of the MBX6 Buggy, with special features such as hard coated big bore shocks with adjustable collars, graphite front and rear shock towers, hard anodized machined chassis with optimum balance and weight distribution, lightweight drive system, every area of the MBX6T was designed with performance and durability.
Chassis:
• Hard anodized 7075-T6 aluminum chassis. The wheel base of the MBX6T is 10mm longer than the MBX5T. the corner speed has greatly improved as well as the overall stability of the MBX6T
• New designed chassis braces. The front brace is designed and mounted on the chassis in a location that will best produce the most consistent steering. The rear chassis brace is located so that it will create the most traction and stability too.
• New designed side guards will help keep dirt and dust from the inside of the Truggy.
Front suspension:
• Quicker and more consistent steering is obtained with new aluminum front wheel hubs.
• More rear traction while at full steering and overall control of the Truggy has been created with new upright steering arms and new ackerman geometry.
• Overall corner speed and handling has been improved with the combination of new front upper and lower suspension arms.
• Full aluminum pivot ball pivot balls are used for accurate suspension adjustments.
Rear suspension:
• Rear traction has been increased the new designed aluminum wheel hubs.
• The stability and traction in corning has increased with the new design of the rear suspension are as well and the improved shock location.
• Mud guards that attach to the front of the suspension arm will help reduce dirt and mud attaching to the rear shocks.
Misc items:
• Lightweight conical 46T gear
• Bevel gear 10T
• Lightweight 4mm graphite front shock tower
• Lightweight 4mm graphite rear shock tower
• Flexible rear body mounts to reduce damage to the MBX6T body
• New designed down stop screw to reduce wear on the chassis
• Throttle servo space to reduce damage to the servo
• 150cc fuel tank
• Low profile MBX6T body
Just browsing around YouTube and I came across this pretty neat video of a huge 4 engined remote control bomber that launches a remote controlled jet plane when in flight. The bomber then gets put into a flat spin before doing an inverted fly-pass and finally landing. Thought I’d share as I kind of liked it.
Kyosho are planning to bring out a ‘Standard Edition‘ of their incredibly successful MP9 off-road 1/8 nitro buggy. The claim from Kyosho is that the Inferno MP9 Standard Edition will have the ‘Same MP9 performance with an unbelievable price!‘. Which sounds pretty good to me.
The MP9 racing buggy series has won 7 World Championship victories, so the pedigree for this Standard Edition is pretty high. The Standard is due out in June ‘09 but there are no pricing details yet – don’t worry, when the price is released we’ll post it here.
Basically the Inferno MP9 Standard Edition is like the full on MP9 International but with some downgraded parts. See full detailed comparison below, taken from the Kyosho site. Not surprisingly the Standard looks pretty similar to the classic Kyosho MP9 as you can see.
If you can’t wait until June you could always take a look at the other Gas / Nitro RC Buggies we feature.
Kyosho Inferno MP9 Standard Edition - Rear
Kyosho Inferno MP9 Standard Edition - Open
Key features and comparison with the Standard Edition’s big brother from Kyosho:
Kyosho Inferno MP9 Standard Edition Features
Ultra Low C.O.G – Ultra low center of gravity, lightweight and optimal weight balance all combine to deliver the ultimate racing weapon.
New Body Design – Newly developed body is slimmer and lower in height to realize aerodynamic characteristics for powerful down force and stability.
More Down Force – Bolted on large wing generates powerful down force. New ribbing at the back results in improved rigidity.
Composite Torque Rods – Roll center can be adjusted by changing the direction of the spacer inserted into the lower arm of the rear suspension. Also, the one-piece ball and washer ball-ends are an added maintenance feature.
Upright Servo – Servo is mounted upright for easy maintenance and is dropped 2mm to contribute to the lower center of gravity.
Extremely Light Weight – The smaller differential units on front and rear with grooved cup joints, aluminum balls and the flexing shape of resin parts effectively lightens the weight while giving the chassis rigidity, more durability and strength.
New Fuel Tank – Newly designed fuel tank features finger hook for fast and reliable refueling and realizes stable fuel supply in even under severe posture changes.
Wraparound Side Guards – Grooved face in side guard matches the thickness of velcro tape and prevents dirt getting inside the chassis. Complete wraparound side guards only found on Kyosho MP9.
Equipped With Mud Guards – Mud guards on the rear arm prevent dirt entering the drive shaft and getting inside the wheels.
We Have You Covered – 3 types of servo horn included for various R/C systems (SANWA / KO / for JR, FUTABA and Hitech)
Hex Screws – Kit includes all hex screws enough said!
Weight Balance – Engine position moved 15mm forwards and 5mm to the center compared to the MP777. Also the height has been lowered by 1mm for ideal weight balance.
New Suspension Design – Newly developed suspension uses bushing for easy maintenance and rationalizes the setting order.
Increased Diff Case Capacity – Center differential realizes improved heat dissipating brake disc and increased case capacity for stable control through to the end of the race.
Optimal Race Settings – Fine tune for the optimal race setting with adjustments to wheelbase, tread, roll center, caster angle, toe angle and camber change.
3 Differentials = Real Time 4WD – Features the Inferno’s signature shaft-driven 3-differential full time 4WD chassis.
Same Kyosho Quality – The New Inferno MP9 Standard Edition is crafted with the same attention to detail as all previous Infernos. Proudly manufactured in Japan, same MP9 performance with a new unbelievable price!
MP9 Standard Edition vs. MP9 Team Kyosho International Main Chassis
MP9 International: 7075 with hard anodized coating.
MP9 Standard: Same 7075 with standard gunmetal anodized coating.
Front Shock Tower
MP9 International: 7075 with hard anodized coating.
MP9 Standard: Same 7075 with standard gunmetal anodized coating.
Rear Shock Tower
MP9 International: Large rear shock tower 7075 with hard anodized coating.
MP9 Standard: New medium rear shock tower same 7075 with standard gunmetal anodized coating.
Rear Big Bore Shocks
MP9 International: Large rear shock 7075 with hard anodized coating.
MP9 Standard: New medium rear tower same 7075 with standard gunmetal anodized coating.
Shock Case Front & Rear
MP9 International: Velvet Coated Shock Case.
MP9 Standard: Standard gunmetal anodized coating.
Springs Front & Rear
MP9 International: Color coating
MP9 Standard: Black dyed
Knuckles
MP9 International: 7075 with hard anodized coating.
MP9 Standard: Same 7075 with standard gunmetal anodized coating.
Turnbuckles
MP9 International: Gold anodized
MP9 Standard: Black dyed
Suspension Balls
MP9 International: 7075 high quality balls
MP9 Standard: Steel balls, black dyed coating
Wheel Nut
MP9 International: Nylon threaded
MP9 Standard: Non nylon
Flywheel
MP9 International: 7075 with hard anodized coating.
MP9 Standard: Same 7075 with standard gunmetal anodized coating.
Brake Rotor
MP9 International: Special vented disk
MP9 Standard: Non vented
Diff Axles
MP9 International: Special light weight
MP9 Standard: Non light weight
Diff Oils
MP9 International: Included
MP9 Standard: Included
Tire & Wheels
MP9 International: AKA Tires and Kyosho Wheels
MP9 Standard: Not Included
Required For Operation
2-channel, 2-servo R/C System for cars
Batteries for R/C system
21-class Engine
Engine starting tools
Wheels & Tires
Pipe & Header
*Note engine, pipe, header, tires, wheels, and servos are not included.
Ok so apparently this thing is never actually going to available to the general public, but I can dream can’t I? This cute little heli weighs around 20 grams and is about 100mm long, yet it carries a pretty neat spy camera on it!
PD-100 Black Hornet Nano RC Helicopter
Designed for military and civilian (though government only) use this cool nano helicopter is in development at Proxy Dynamics in Norway. The company do a couple of other pretty cool micro rc helicopters as well but this is the latest as is due to be released in 2010 – I guess to the military initially.
As you can see from the video below this thing is no toy and is pretty maneuverable. Add to that the camera and 6 inch display on the control panel and you’ve got a serious bit of rc kit in a very little package.
