The latest on the
Kyosho Inferno MP9 Team International Edition 2
Well its official, Kyosho Japan has announced the much anticipated Inferno MP9 TKI2 (Team
Kit International 2). The release should make it available before the 2010 Worlds for Factory Team drivers and the
rest of us soon after.
This is not just your run of the mill update; it’s a big evolution for the platform. With
intelligent changes and updates that come directly from the development and dedication
of Kyosho’s extremely experienced International team drivers. I am sure there
has been countless communications between the drivers, Kyosho and Inferno
Master Yuichi Kanai who has
continued to be the platforms final say for design. These guys take this car
SERIOUSLY and it shows!
Many of the new items included with this inferno MP9 release
have been updates that help with reliability from the original designs of the
TKI1. For example the front and rear bulkheads have reformulated composites that handle higher temperatures that the
car is run in around the world. The original kit used the same formulation as
most of the other stressed plastics in the car and had trouble with
de-formation from the heat. This is no longer an issue. Problems that are
solved like this make a more seasoned
platform all that much more desirable to competition racers then something un-tried
and new. Other areas that are similar are the new “B” version front suspension holder that is much stronger, the longer front King pins as well as
re-designed and formulated front upper suspension
arms.
Some of the new features like the threaded shock bodies come from requests from the field, not
necessarily an improvement in some people’s eye’s, however now there are
choices. If you like to run the “older” shock clips, than go ahead. If you ran
a car with threaded bodies before and prefer them, now you have that choice
with the inferno MP9.
One of the parts that was a carryover from the MP777 was the
air filter setup. This design is great and very light weight, but with the
emphasis on low profile bodies and low CG there was room for improvement. The new high volume, light weight, low profile
filter system also includes a mount and the element is held in place with a
body clip, nice! No more floppy air filter hitting your brake linkages. It also
tucks into the newly designed body
much nicer than the older system.
Other new features are also for cosmetics. With arguably the
ultimate 1/8th Buggy available in the world you would expect some hot, up to
date looks!!! Kyosho has been changing from the Blue anodized look of the 2000’sto the more monochrome look
of gunmetal and black with many of it’s newer products such as the new Inferno
Neo. We were expecting a change for the MP9 TKI2 flagship model! With darker finishes on the aluminum components
that match more closely than the Inferno MP9 TKI1 its gives you a more
completed and sophisticated look. Also changed are the old shinny gold
turnbuckles from the 90’s that were a bit dated looking, to black now furthering
the impression of high tech to improve the look.
Another trend around the world are “Dish Style Wheels” which are now included in the Inferno MP9 TKI2 kit. These Kyosho units are the
nicest, lightest and strongest available, and are the newer larger diameter of
course. Some of us prefer the slotted styling of the older wheels, but again
like the threaded shock bodies it’s another available choice. How did Kyosho
ever get Yuichi Kanai to agree to this? He seems to have always loved the slotted
styled wheels!
This article is getting long; however just pictures just
don’t do justice to the improvements and additions with this new Inferno! News
organizations think you can do without, but more explanation for those who
don’t follow the Kyosho Inferno saga I believe is important. Especially when
making a decision on what platform to run if they are looking.
Handling improvements are also a big focus on the Inferno
MP9 TKI2. There have been thousands of miles now logged by Kyosho factory
drivers around the world in all conditions under competition situations. This
has helped compile tons of data on the chassis’s setup. This data has led to
changes in the kit contents as well as the build setup. Until we actually build
our own, there are some unknowns here. The new revised blue springs are now included
front and rear. These are the most popular choice of team drivers in a majority
of conditions. What is still unknown is if the new conical shock pistons are
also included or something new?
The focus on the new Inferno MP9 TKI2 has changed a bit from
the original TKI as you will notice the lightened balls are not included (we
think), however many of the new 7075 CNC machined parts are now standard. The
original kit really focused on light weight, now it seems that with some
experience Kyosho has decided to give us a bit more strength and durability.
Included now, it looks like, are the hardened steel balls as well as the rear
aluminum suspension holder and aluminum rear hubs that nicely match the
incredibly beautiful front knuckles. If you would like light weight you can
upgrade to the Kyosho aluminum hard balls and get the new Kyosho Titanium Screw
kit.
All this new stuff is covered with a newly designed body
shell. Open almost completely around the engine head, it is sure to enhance
cooling. This helps run the engine cooler and leaner if needed to achieve
greater fuel mileage everyone these days is striving for. This body’s styling
is different than the traditional Kyosho designs, however looking at some of
the designs out there lately pushing the limits of ROAR’s patience this looks
like a great compromise.
Some of the items that we are not yet sure about as of the
writing of this article on June 15th are:
Is the foam filter thing on the servo saver an
actual part?
Have the shock seals changed in the threaded
bodies? (hope not)
Will the Race ready A spec come to America???
Are the new hardened rear outer suspension pins
included?
Are the new brake disks the Evolva Fiber ones
that Tebo uses?
What else have they not shown us? Pictures only
can say so much.
Well stayed tuned for more (bookmark our site!) As soon as
we get more info we will let you know.
