[ Tamiya ]

Sadly, no F1 kits were announced at this hobby show, but it's said that they are working on something, and they should be able to announce it in Feb or May 2002.  Sato is driving the Jordan next year, and Toyota is joining as well, so I hope it will raise the interest overall, which would affect the future release.

 

1/24 Nissan 350Z (New Tool, 1800 yen, Dec 2001)

The kit was disguised since the production version hasn't been revealed yet, but the kit is based on the production version, and the Z Concept model shown here was modified from the kit.  The final version will be available on Tamiya's Web Page shortly after the real car is shown at Tokyo Motor Show later this month.  The kit will follow the practice of Impreza, which means the front tires are fixed, but a Tamiya rep told me that they got a lot of requests to make it posable, so they might change it someday.  Even many Tamiya employees want it posable, and the rep told me that the tooling cost is the same, so why not ?  The kit can be built to either left or right hand drive.

1/24 Subaru Impreza 2001 (New Tool, 2000 yen, Oct 30, 2001)

As it was suggested in the hobby show this summer, the Impreza WRC will go on sale in Oct, and it looks like it's another fascinating kit.  It's not based on the street version, but almost all threes are new, and the front wheels are posable and the suspension and brake details are included. 

See also: http://www.tamiya.com/japan/products/24240imp_wrc2001/impwrc.htm

1/24 OPEL Astra V8 Coupe Team Phoenix (New Tool, 2200 yen, Nov 29, 2001)

Looks like Tamiya is trying many different approaches in its new DTM kits.  Instead of showing pretty much hidden V8, they made the gull-wing door open, and it looks neat.

1/24 Honda S2000 Type V (Modified Reissue, 1800 yen, Dec 2001)

The Type V incorporates the variable gear ratio system, and the model includes a new sheering wheel.  It also contains a different wheel and hardtop.

1/24 Z car reissues (Reissue, 1600 yen, Dec 2001)

This reissue of two Z cars, (S130 and Z31) includes two body sets, so when ever you have a problem deciding which color to paint, you have two bodies to paint and swap it whenever you want.

1/24 911 GT2 Street (993 body) (Under Consideration)

While it would be nice to see another Porsche kit, I was expecting them to modify their 996 kit to release the GT2.

Pic 1, Pic 2

Please visit Tamiya's web page for other releases.

http://www.tamiya.com/japan/show0110/broadcast1.htm

1/24 Subaru Impreza WRX STi (New Tool, 1800 yen, Nov. 2001)

Fujimi seems they are trying to appeal to those casual modelers and Impreza owners with the release of the previous generation Impreza.  The Version IV, V and VI will be available, and it would look great if all WRX STi cars are built and lined up on the desk.   Fujimi displayed the test shot of the kit, and while the body surface was still rough, the kit looked nice.

Impreza WRX STi

They also showed the wood pattern of the Astro Van.  It's priced at 2800 yen, and I'm a little skeptical for how many people would pay that much for a curbside model.

Chevrolet Astro Wood Model