Name: Christopher Krapp (DE)
Car: Kyosho TF7 Prototype
Motor: Team Orion VST2 4.5t
Speed Controller: Team Orion
Battery: Team Orion
Bodyshell: Protoform LTC-R
Kyosho are making their debut with their new touring car platform, the as yet unnamed chassis (TF7?) sports a number of neat new features. Said to be 85% new the most notable feature is the floating battery mount which is mounted to the centre line by 2 screws which like the popular floating servo mount stops the battery from interfering with the chassis’ flex. A single piece motor mount and central axle mount ensures that there is equal flex left and right and offers mounting holes on the chassis plate to adjust the cars flex in this area. The motor has been mounted 8mm further forward and the belts have been changed to cater for the new larger diff and spool.
Other new updates include a one-piece anti-roll bar mount, a new carbon steering brace as well as lower shock towers and slightly larger bore shocks. Finally there are new shorter suspension arms to help the car turn better and the option to install their active rear suspension system. The car should be available at the beginning of next year.
No.30026
Kit
Available : Sep 2015
High-end electric touring car embodies the latest in design engineering with a focus on optimal roll balance and mechanical grip.
The new TF7 represents a full model change from the existing TF6 SP, with nearly every critical component redesigned to withstand the intensity of modern high-powered electric touring car competition. The redesign has given particular focus to optimizing roll balance and mechanical grip. Under the severe stress of cornering at full brake from a 100km/h straight run, the high-end electric touring cars of today that can manage this previously impossible situation better than others by working both sides of the machine in unison for optimal roll characteristics and improved control stability, produce the ultimate result: faster times. To realize this the TF7 has symmetrically arranged screws for each part fixed directly to the main chassis such as the bulkhead and motor mount. In addition, the battery and steering servo that were fixed directly onto the main chassis of the TF6 SP have been changed to floating mounts on the TF7 to minimize their effect on chassis roll. Mechanical grip is increased by changing the thickness and shape of the main chassis together with a one-piece upper plate. Under competitive race conditions with controlled tires and power, the TF7 delivers a dominant racing edge.
Symmetrical arrangement of bulkhead and motor mount screws realizes uniform left/right chassis roll.
Fiberglass tape mounting of the battery on the TF6 has been replaced with a floating mount plate on the TF7 for optimal roll characteristics.
Equipped with aluminum servo mount. Cantilever structure fixed by floating mount minimizes the servo’s impact on chassis roll characteristics.
2.5mm thickness of TF6 main chassis has been changed to 2.25mm to improve mechanical grip. One-piece upper plate also produces pitching rigidity.
Rear gear diff features lightweight resin bevel gears for improved pick up performance. High-strength aluminum cup joints are included to handle high power output.
2mm shorter shocks than previous model and revised shape of shock stay deliver lower mount to control the level of roll on high-grip surfaces.
Shorter suspension arms combine with shorter shocks to deliver controlled maneuverability. Setting of sus holders can be changed to bushes for greater racing effectiveness.
Includes special resin stay that allows a 30mm or 40mm motor cooling fan to be bolted on.
2-belt drive 4WD chassis has been completely redesigned to be at the leading edge of competitive racing.
Equipped with double joint universal swing shafts that maximize effectiveness with front spool.
2nd gear ratio of 1.83:1 on the TF6 has been changed to 1.90:1 on the TF7 for improved throttle response.
Larger pulley extends life cycle of the drive belt.
Aluminum one-piece motor mount compatible with high power minimizes gear trouble during racing.
Adjustable battery stopper allows various battery sizes to be installed.
Standardized front/rear bulkheads optimize chassis balance as well as improve spare parts efficiency.
Stabilizer is compatible with the Ultima and Lazer electric off road models.
The new Kyosho TF7 Competition Touring Car is undoubtedly the most advanced and sophisticated design in Kyosho history, and may well be the most advanced car on the market. A combination of updates and innovative yet simple new design features, deliver a package that has world-class performance potential. No expense was spared with the TF7 – it uses parts and materials that are ideal for the application, making performance the number one priority over bean-counter budgets and marketing plans to ensure the highest amount of sales. Let there be no mistake – the TF7 is simply made for fierce competitors that insist on the highest standards of quality and performance.
CHASSIS
The most important feature of the new chassis is what’s not there. There’s no battery mount on the lower chassis, nor is there a servo mount. The battery pack and steering servo have been mounted directly to the chassis plate on most cars for decades, but in a “what took so long to think of that?” moment, Kyosho has suspended the battery pack and steering servo from bulkheads that are mounted on the car’s centerline. A closer look shows how the battery and servo are suspended just above the lower chassis plate, which accomplishes two major advantages. The battery and servo are separated from the main chassis plate, which resolves some issues with asymmetrical flexing of the chassis. In other words, mounting the battery and servo to the lower plate can cause the chassis to flex more in one direction, and not the other. With a similar motive in mind, the TF7’s battery and servo mounts are attached to the lower chassis exactly on the center-line. This allows the carbon fiber chassis plate to be completely symmetrical, which makes the chassis flex much more predictable, and therefore, the handling is more responsive and predictable.
The lower chassis plate is milled from 2.25mm carbon fiber, and the upper plate is 2.0mm milled carbon. As previously stated, the chassis is completely symmetrical, making it flex very consistently no matter where you are on the track. The carbon shock towers measure at a robust 3.5mm thickness, which provides a solid, durable mount for the updated shocks.
SUSPENSION
The shorter shocks feature the famous “Velvet” coating, but the shocks are not just about the coating. The precision of the manufacturing is at such a high level, that it combines with other features that have earned Kyosho a reputation for building the best shocks in the business. Machined aluminum AND molded spring perches are included with the TF7. The shocks are fitted to low-profile 3.5mm thick carbon shock towers, which lower the CG and cause the spring rate to build more rapidly, making it ideally suited to touring car racing. Extensive testing revealed that shortening the shocks by 2mm resulted in the best handling characteristics for both asphalt and carpet racing.
The suspension arms, C-hubs and steering knuckles are made using a special molding process that infuses molded composite with long fiber strands, into these components. This is in contrast to machined aluminum or machined plastic parts that are often found on other cars. The fiber filled molded composite parts have an exceptional strength-to-weight ratio as compared to machined plastic or aluminum parts. The machined plastic is easier to break, and the machined aluminum is often heavier, which increases unsprung weight. Only molded, fiber-filled components can offer so much strength without adding unsprung weight; a critical consideration to produce the ultimate in performance.
The suspension arms are attached to the chassis using a system similar to that which debuted on the TF5 touring car. Aluminum mounts use molded eccentric inserts to tailor the toe angle and suspension widths to your exact preferences. There’s an obscenely wide range of settings for this part of the suspension, so there’s no way to miss the set-up due to a limited range of adjustment. The suspension mounts themselves can also be shimmed to alter the dive/squat geometry.
DRIVETRAIN
The belt drive of the TF7 doesn’t look much different from a distance, but the details prove otherwise. A super-precise Panaracer (Panasonic) 64P spur gear delivers power to the machined aluminum, Velvet coated drive pulleys. These pulleys are larger diameter so more teeth on the belt are engaged with the pulleys. This reduces wear and improves efficiency.
The TF7 does not include conventional ball differentials. The rear of the TF7 features a precision, lightweight gear differential. These have become standard with the increase in the power output of brushless racing motors. The diff housing features an O-ring seal, and two O-rings sealing each outdrive. The rear drive system includes lightweight aluminum outdrives and aluminum driveshafts with “pucks” that fit over the dogbone end of the driveshaft and allow it to smoothly move within the slotted outdrive.
At the front end of the TF7 is a “rigid axle.” The rigid axle provides the most solid, instant acceleration of any other option, and it delivers exceptional braking power when compared to a front ball differential or a one-way diff and/or belt drive. The rigid axle then transmits the power to the durable “double-jointed” steel front axles, which provide excellent tight turning ability, and exceptional reliability.
Eccentric inserts affix the diffs into the bulkheads, and they allow the static driveshaft angle to be adjusted for more or less suspension movement under acceleration and braking.
Required for Operation:brushless electric motor, electronic speed control (ESC), rechargeable racing battery of your choice, a compatible battery charger, 2-channel radio system, steering servo, 190mm sedan body, touring car wheels and tires.
FEATURES
Advanced symmetrical flex design for reliable predictable handing.
Suspended battery mount is attached on the centerline of the chassis.
A suspended servo mount enhances handling as well.
Advanced, sealed rear gear differential features an O-ring seal with double-sealed outdrives.
2.25mm carbon chassis with ultra-strong 3.5mm carbon shock towers
Special Velvet coated shocks are developed for both asphalt and carpet racing.
One-piece motor mount/center bulkhead reduces flex to maintain proper gear mesh.
Aluminum suspension mounts with molded inserts allow for a wide range of adjustment
Fits many sizes and shapes of battery without the need to modify the chassis set-up
Red-anodized aluminum turnbuckles are included
**This is a competition kit that requires full assembly and numerous accessories to complete.**
Chassis Technical Data
Length: 14.5 in. (368mm)
Width: 7.32in (186mm)
Wheelbase: 10.0-10.24 in. (255-260mm)
Tread (F/R): 6.4 in. (162mm)
Drivetrain Ratio: 1.90:1
Approx. weight: 53.2 oz. (1350g)
