HB Racing unveils the new D418 1/10-scale 4wd buggy [GALLERY]

0 June 27, 2018, 11:23 a.m.

Main Photo: HB Racing unveils the new D418 1/10-scale 4wd buggy [GALLERY]

By Mike Garrison
LiveRC.com

New from HB Racing:
www.hbracing.com

The D418 from HB Racing builds on the success of the D413 electric 1/10 4WD competition buggy, adding features optimized for the new breed of high grip racetracks around the world. The D413 was legendary for its durability that allowed racers to push the car harder than the typically frail 1/10 4WD electric buggies. In the HB Racing tradition, designer Torrance Deguzman dedicated the new D418 design to focused improvement for competitive racing. The result is a thoroughly modern race car, ready to win straight from the box.

New for the D418 is an aluminum chassis with raised side guards, similar to the successful 1/8 D817 buggy. The aluminum chassis adds durability, lowers the center of gravity, dissipates motor heat, and helps dampen high frequency vibration. New molded nylon side guards help keep out dirt, and the side plates are now used to mount the body, eliminating the need for body posts and body pins. The chassis layout has been refined, taking cues from the successful E817 buggy, The D418 is optimized for the latest rules and LIPO/Brushless equipment.

HB’s trademark monocoque suspension arms now come in a harder material as standard equipment on the D418, delivering precise suspension and handling response. The monocoque design helps keep dirt from building up on the arms, and gives racers the advantage of being able to fine tune the stiffness of the arms to match track conditions. The innovative D413 inner suspension mounts carry over to the D418 for unmatched adjustability and race proven toughness.

The D413’s race-proven 4WD system with high strength steel center drive shafts, tough sintered diff gears, precision machined steel input gears and spur gear, steel CVA driveshafts, and machined aluminum wheel hubs led the way in terms of design and durability in the 4WD class, so they’re are carried over on the D418. The big news is that the center bulkhead is now split for quick and easy access to the center differential. Just remove 4 screws and the center diff slides right out, a huge time saver when you’re wrenching between heats. And, the center bulkhead can now be adjusted for fore/aft position.

The highly adjustable suspension now has revised suspension travel and shock length for improved performance. The updated 12mm Big-Bore shocks now come with machined aluminum caps and a design similar to the HB 1/8 shocks. Carbon graphite shock towers are found front and rear, lightweight and durable, and now with extra mounting positions to help dial in the suspension to track conditions. The suspension includes front and rear adjustable turnbuckles, front and rear sway bars, molded nylon caster blocks and steering blocks. The innovative D413 triangulated shock tower mounts are carried over to the D418 for exceptional durability.

The D418 has an adjustable battery mounting system for Shorty packs, which uses multiple mounting points that allow you to easily move the weight bias fore/aft to help tune the balance of the car. The batteries are held in place securely, and mounted directly on the chassis for the lowest CG possible.

The kit is now topped with a clear JConcepts 4WD buggy body designed specifically for the D418. And a JConcepts clear polycarbonate wing is included for weight savings and efficient aerodynamic downforce. The wing mounts have been updated, making them similar to the mounts found on the HB Racing 1/8 buggies. Velcro is provided for the new body mounting system , which keeps the body securely in place and seals the sides to keep out dirt and dust. Also included is an official HB Racing sticker sheet with D418 and HB logos.

How does faster, stronger, and more adjustable sound? The D418 checks all of the boxes.

Features:

NEW JConcepts 4WD buggy body
NEW JConcepts rear wing
NEW Aluminum chassis
NEW Raised side guards for the chassis
NEW Refined chassis layout similar to E817
NEW Fore-Aft center bulkhead adjustment
NEW Easy access center diff
NEW Revised wing mount
NEW Revised suspension travel
NEW Revised shock length
NEW All small screws now use 1.5mm hex driver
Proven reliability of the D413
CVA driveshafts
HB monocoque suspension arms
Highly adjustable suspension geometry (roll center, kick-up, anti-squat, camber, toe-in)
Carbon graphite steering arms
Versatile steering system with minimal bump-steer and highly adjustable Ackermann geometry
Innovative triangulated shock tower mounts for increased survivability during crashes
Adjustable steel turnbuckles
Revised 12mm big-bore threaded coilover shocks
Carbon graphite shock towers
Sway bars front and rear
Optional slipper clutch available
Race proven 4WD system

Notes from the D418 designer, Torrance Deguzman: Building on the success of the D413, we’ve taken the lessons learned over the past 5 years to create the D418 - an evolved platform to suit the modern high traction racetracks.