LRC EXCLUSIVE: TLR 4WD Spy Shots!

0 Aug. 12, 2013, 8:06 a.m.

8/12/2013

LiveRC.com

Only one day after the ROAR Nationals comes to an end, we have some breaking news in the 1:10 electric off-road market; the highly anticipated new TLR 4WD buggy DOES exist, and we got pictures through sheer luck!

The LiveRC crew stopped by the Silver Dollar Raceway this morning on our way to the airport to do some last minute planning for the upcoming worlds. While we were walking around the outer perimeter of the track and talking with the event promoters and looking for the ideal spot for our trailer, we saw the TLR van pull up. We thought nothing of it at the time, until newly crowned national champion Dakotah Phend hit the track in a vehicle we didn't recognize...and it is most definitely a new 4WD vehicle. The entire TLR pits was on lockdown, but on our way out, we managed to snatch these pics from outside the fence with our new 400mm super-zoom lens, which has proved very worthy.

But first, let me apologize for the brevity of this write-up. We literally grabbed these photos within a 3 minute period and then had to jump in the car to make it to the airport. I am writing up this report as I am waiting to board the plane, so it will be short and sweet, but I am sure all of the Internet engineers out there will explain even the most inner workings :)

WHAT WE KNOW:
The car is belt drive. We can't really prove that with pics, but any racer can tell the difference between the sound of a belt drive and a shaft drive car. This was definitely the smooth sound of a belt drivetrain. We can also tell it has an aluminum chassis. Outside of that, you can depict the rest from the pictures...we are being called to board right now!

(click on each picture for a super-high resolution version)

TLR van.

Sleek looking body.

The geometry of the towers looks quite XX-4ish.

TLR crew pulling it in for some adjustments every couple laps. Rightfully so...we believe this to be the first time the car has seen dirt.

Back out for a couple more laps.

Even weight transfer rolling through the turns (this pic is from about 200 feet away...love the new Nikon lens!)

Looking through the window of our car as we leave. TLR tens had walls on ever side except a small opening for airflow. It must be hot in there!

Dakotah Phend taking the first laps on the new car.

Under braking.

Under acceleration.

Jumping. Looks to have more droop than XXX-4.

It looks like an aluminum chassis...

Yep...definitely aluminum.

Roller jump. The tower definitely look beefier than 4WD's past.

Kevin (team manager) and Mike (engineer) tweaking on the car every couple laps.

There you have it folks! No more rumors...now you can start drooling until we get to see under-body shots. I'm sure we will see more details at the worlds next month.

TLR

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