Tamiya Avante 2011

Tamiya re-released the Avante in 2011, once again surprising the Tamiya community.  The Avante 2011 (58489) is a modernized version of the original Avante (58072).  Major chassis components and design are the same as the original, but some parts were upgraded and strengthened.  For example, the upper and lower chassis plates are made out of carbon fiber instead of fiberglass, and the front uprights are made from machined and anodized aluminum instead of cast metal.  There are many other changes as well, including universal joints in front and rear, updated shock design and modernized wheel hubs.

Box top

Inside the box, showing the manual

Blister packs and polycarbonate body

The specially-labeled 25 turn Avante 2011 GT Tuned motor

Under the blister packs

More box art diagrams

TEU-104BK ESC, plus hop-up parts from Pargu2000 and rc_loverr

Yes, I could not help but buy some alloy hop-up parts for my Avante.  These parts from Pargu2000 and rc_loverr on eBay replace the stock E1, E2, C1, C2, and C3 plastic parts with aluminum.  Another eBay seller, cty300, sells alloy Avante parts as well, and they are a bit more detailed in design than the ones by Pargu2000.  Pargu's are more "chunky" while cty's are "elegant".

Bonus 2.2" wheels

The decals are not the same as the originals

An incredible car, and amazing that Tamiya re-released it!

Avante Aluminum wheels and hubs

There are some really cool looking aftermarket parts available for Tamiya cars, and a couple of very impressive ones are these anodized aluminum Tamiya Avante wheels and hubs.  These parts are made by "rc_loverr" on eBay, who is based in Hong Kong.  The wheels I got are machined aluminum and anodized in champagne gold and the locking hubs are also machined out of aluminum and anodized black.  Rc_loverr offers the wheels in champagne gold, gold (a darker gold), and silver while the hubs are offered in champagne gold, black, and silver.

First, the wheels:

 

Avante aluminum wheel (front) by eBay seller "rc_loverr" anodized in champagne gold

 

Avante aluminum wheel (back, 12mm hex)

   The machining quality is very good.  There is some slight burring in some spots but is easily removed with a fingernail, sandpaper, or small file.  The anodizing is excellent, with no discoloration noted in any wheel, nor between wheels.  Generally, it is difficult to match anodizing colors between separate parts.  These are all clear and consistent.

   I would not recommend these wheels for racing or bashing.  The aluminum is very thin where the inner hub part of the wheel connects to the outer rim.   I think it could be a weak point in the structure of the wheel.  These wheels are best for the shelf.  Use some plastic wheels for your runner.

Now the locking hubs:

Avante aluminum locking hub (front, locks down) by eBay seller "rc_loverr" anodized in black

Avante aluminum locking hub (front, locks up)

Avante aluminum locking hub (back, locks up)

Avante aluminum locking hub (back, locks down)

The machining on these hubs is again very well done.   The finish is clean and consistent.  The anodizing is excellent, with the same color uniformity as the wheels.   On the back you can see a spot where the anodizing isn't perfect, but it is probably where the anodizing electrode was touching the part and it's inside the back of the hub so it doesn't matter.

   The design of the locking levers is neat.   A screw and nut hold the locking lever in place and a captive spring provides pressure to keep the lever where you set it.   The spring does not snap the lever up or down, it just holds the lever in place and provides resistance so the lever does not want to move on its own.   

   Again, I would not attempt to race with these parts.   The levers could lift up slightly during the race and allow the hub to unscrew from the axle and the whole wheel could fall off.

A couple of final shots showing the locking hub inside the wheel:

Avante aluminum wheel and locking hub

Avante aluminum wheel and locking hub

 I would highly recommend these for your Tamiya Avante 2011 shelf queen.