[ Tamiya ]

F1 News:

The early rumor about Lotus 79 wasn't true.  Oh, well, someone probably got confused with the reissue of 1/12 scale spare body.  HOWEVER (!), there will be a new 1/20 scale F1 kit from the 2002 season early next year.  Yes!!!.  The licensing issue wasn't settled early enough to release the kit in December, but it will be announced soon, and the kit will be ready early next year.  It will NOT be McLaren for sure, because of HIM(!), and also it's not Tamiya's first pick (which, I think it's Toyota).  Still, it's a good news that we'll have a kit from the 2002 season.  Their policy is to release at least one new kit every year in order to keep the modelers interested in F1, and to maintain the engineering skill.  Also, the updated P34 6 wheeler was unexpectedly sold well, so they might retool some of the old kit to represent a specific version.  But, all new classic F1 kit is very tough to release, because both Lotus and Honda aren't selling as quickly as the current car, which leads to the decision to stick to the car every year.  (But Tamiya do listen to customers, and read emails and letters (in any language), so raise your voice, and never give up.)  Also, if the kit price can be raised to 3000 yen for example, they say they can release any F1 car.  The toughest challenge Tamiya is facing these days is the licensing fee, and they have to talk to those, who know nothing about the plastic model market, but only ask big money, instead of the team staff and engineers, who actually want to have or make a model of their car.  Shame shame shame.

 

The Enzo:

The Enzo kit is absolutely incredible, period.  Some people might wonder why a 1/24 scale kit has to cost 2800 yen, but the content of the kit, especially the level of detail is of 1/12 scale.  The construction goes just like the real car, starting from the monocock, then rear sub-frame, engine, suspensions, body panels, and tires etc.  Buying several kits, and you can make the assembly line of the Enzo in 1/24 scale with ease.  Engine block is highly detailed, and the front suspension, which will be hidden when completed, is also included.  The Tamiya representative shyly admitted that they went too far on this kit. :)  The door hinge is represented with a plastic parts, unlike metal of the Opel DTM kit, and it's almost identical to the real car (slide outward and swing up), and clear parts are snap-on, and red, orange and clear lights are molded separately, thus no painting required.  Expect the level of detail of Fujimi's Enthusiast kit with Tamiya quality. 

 

 

Street Car News:

Thy are "thinking of" the release of Carrera GT and Mercedes SLR in 1/24.  They say sports and exotic sells more than the classic or vintage cars.  Also, we won't see any SUV kit in near future.  As I was watching the visitors at the Tamiya booth, I realized that the custom parts for the GT-R V-Spec II are well recieved, and Tamiya staff are taking notes about it.  So, if you want to see more custom parts, make sure you guy the V-Spec II kit, and also write to Tamiya which custom you want. Nismo 350Z S-Tune, maybe?