Kyosho Ultima RB5 SP2 Edition

As seen at the toy fair earlier in the year, Kyosho have now released full details on their new Ultima RB5 SP2. The SP2 Edition is the latest in the Ultima line of vehicles, which is a further development of the breed, and it includes all the enhancements that have been designed by Kyosho engineers and tested over the last couple of years by Kyosho International factory drivers like Jared Tebo and legends of the RC world. This biggest change to the RB5 SP2 was the fact that the motor has been shifted left to better improve the balance the car with all components now center and true.

RB5 SP2 New Features
– New Revised Rear Suspension Arms – The RB5 SP features rear suspension arms that are 2mm longer than the arms used on the original buggy. The longer arms, combined with other changes made to the rear suspension, give the SP2 better and more consistent traction through the corners and better bump handing, especially on high-bite tracks.
– Rear Suspension Mounts and Transmission Housing – The lower rear suspension mounts on the chassis are revised to accommodate the longer suspension arms. The IFMAR legal maximum width is maintained by moving the suspension mounts 2mm towards the center of the chassis. The transmission housing is also modified to fit the new suspension mounts. The entire transmission housing has shifted left to cancel any counter torque effect for more precise control!
– New Sword Body – Chiseled lines combine with smooth, flowing sections to create a body that is not only attractive and boldly styled, it also provides greater down-force in combination with a medium rear wing for increased traction and greater high-speed stability.
– Medium Size Step Wing – A medium sized step wing is included with the new Ultima RB5 SP2 for better overall control.

Standard Features
– Low Profile Rear Shock Tower – Reducing the height of the rear shock tower slightly lowers the center of gravity, which improves cornering ability, and by reducing the height of the shock tower in relation to the wing and wing mount, it offers addition protection against crash damage.
– Velvet Coated Shocks – Kyosho is well known for silky smooth shocks and the new Triple Cap shocks included with the new Ultima RB5 SP2 are no exception. The shock body consists of three major components a top cap, velvet coated threaded bodies, and a lower cap. The velvet coated shock bodies feature a threaded spring pre-load collar for quick and easy adjustment. The threaded adjuster features an O-ring that prevents the preload settings from moving, which ensures consistent performance from start to finish. The lower shock cap allows for quick and easy maintenance of the double O-ring seals.
– Hard Rod Ends – The rod ends feature a new, stronger material that is more durable and resists contamination from dirt. This means that the rod ends stay tighter and are less likely to be damaged or separate from the ball stud in the event of a hard crash.
– Revised Rear Hubs – Factory drivers have determined that only one of the hinge pin holes was ever used in the original RB5 wheel hubs, so the extra hole was eliminated for the new SP Edition. Combined with a new, more durable material, these hubs are not only much stronger, they’re also lighter and the new geometry produces more stable handling characteristics
– Orange Front Shock Springs – The kit now includes the popular orange front shock springs, which produce better suspension action over the bumps and more precise steering control in the corners.
– Carbon Conposite Chassis – specially formulated carbon fiber composite for the best balance of performance and durability.
– Transmission – Features an externally adjustable three-gear design with an internal ball differential that uses standard 3/32inch diff balls and 1/16inch thrust balls. Includes tight-fitting molded dust cover to protect pinion and spur gear.
– Rear Suspension Symmetry – The arms are symmetrical so a single replacement arm can be used on either side of the car. The inside of the arms are attached to the chassis using separate suspension mounts, which will allows anti-squat adjustment. Vertical ball studs for both ends of the upper link suspension geometry can be fine-tuned with shims.
– Front Suspension – Long suspension arms connect to a narrow front mount, which can be set for 25 or 30 degrees of hinge pin angle. Like the rear arms, a single replacement arm can be used on either side of the car.
– Chormemoly Turnbuckles – Use of a stronger material means the new turnbuckles can be made lighter and stronger than the original steel turnbuckles. The new turnbuckles feature a 3mm square adjuster, which further reduces weight.
– Offset steering hubs – Floating axles ride in bearings that are mounted in the hub for more responsive suspension. The front track width is also easily adjusted.
– 12MM Hex Wheel Hubs – 6 contact points spread the load on the wheel to prevent stripping and the larger, flat mounting surface keeps the wheels running straight and true.
– Steering Assembly – Steering bellcranks are mounted on the chassis at the same angle as the suspension arms to eliminate bump steer and produce more accurate Ackerman geometry throughout the entire range of steering motion.
– Captured Hinge Pins – The hinge pins are much more secure and less likely to come loose.
– Low Profile Shock Towers – The front shock tower is mounted as far back on the chassis as possibly, as are the shocks, to keep the mass as low as possible.

Source: Kyosho [kyoshoamerica.com]