HPI RS4 Pro 4 competition electric car

[StevePond]

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The RS4 Pro 4 will be a radical departure from the RS4 Pro 3, offering a change of concept for HPI both for suspension geometry & transmission. Extensive track testing of all existing electric 1/10th scale touring cars & HPI prototypes has already been done, the all-new RS4 Pro 4 is the result of that testing.

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The Pro 4 features big changes over the Pro 3... new drivetrain, new suspension, and new steering geometry. Consistency, tuning options & drivability have all been dramatically improved. The most significant change is that the Pro 4, at the requests of our drivers & customers, uses a shaft drive transmission. Track testing revealed the benefits of low maintenance & fast acceleration that a shaft drive transmission offers. Again at the requests of our customers, the RS4 Pro 4 will be supplied in self-assembly kit form with key items like the radio, ESC, body and tires left to the choice of the driver. The Pro 4 will use the highest quality materials & will have a high standard specification to make it a force at the highest level of competition.


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Our team drivers will be racing the Pro 4 at all major electric touring car races around the world by the end of the year, ensuring factory support and continued development of the platform to keep up with the latest racing technology.

Main Features:
• Woven Graphite Main Chassis
• Woven Graphite Upper Deck
• Woven Graphite Shock Towers
• Woven Graphite Steering Plate
• Purple Titanium Turnbuckles
• MIP CVD's, Purple aluminum of course!
• Carbon Plastic: Arms, Uprights, Hub Carriers, Steering Blocks, and Gearboxes
• Carbide Ball Differential
• Front One-way
• Aluminum Threaded Shocks with Bladders
• Aluminum Main Drive Shaft
• Aluminum Motor Mount
• Aluminum Spur Gear Adapter
• Aluminum Hex Clamp Hubs w/ adjustable Track (Width)
• Efficient 64 Pitch Spur and Pinion Gears
• Socket (Hex) Screws and Fasteners used throughout chassis
• Pre-cut Urethane Foam Bumper
• Drive Ratio: 2.4375
• High Quality Ball Bearings used throughout (24)


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Front Suspension Features:

• Adjustable Camber - via turnbuckles
• Adjustable Caster - with included 0, 2, 4, and 6 degree uprights.
• Adjustable Toe - via turnbuckles
• Variable Ackerman - via the steering plate and geometry design with adjustment holes
• Bump Steer - adjustable via shims (washers)
• Adjustable Roll Center - via shims under the pivot blocks
• Vertical Inner Camber Link Adjustment - via mounting location and height with shims/ washers. 2 inboard locations
• Adjustable Down Stops (Droop) - via round point set screws
• Shock Mounting Positions - optimized for progressive wheel rates with 3 holes on the tower and two holes on the arm.
• Anti-Dive/ Kick-up - adjusted with washers
• Anti-Roll Bar


Rear Suspension Features:

• Adjustable Camber - via Turnbuckles
• Adjustable Toe - via Pivot Blocks (2.5, 3.0, and 3.5)
• Adjustable Roll Center - via shims under the pivot blocks
• Vertical Inner Camber Link Adjustment - via mounting location and height with shims/ washers. 2 inboard locations and 2 hub locations
• Adjustable Down Stops (Droop) - via round point set screws
• Shock Mounting Positions - optimized for progressive wheel rates with 4 holes on the tower and 3 holes on the arm.
• Anti-Squat - adjusted with washers
• Wheelbase Adjustment - via washers
• Anti-Roll Bar


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General Features:
• Top to bottom mounting of gearbox for precise alignment and mesh of gears
• Carbon Plastics used to increase rigidity and reduce component weight for better chassis response and tuning
• Adjustable, variable Ackerman steering geometry to increase steering feel and increase corner speed
• Completely ball raced steering assembly for smooth steering with reduced play
• Crank integrated servo saver with adjustable tension
• Included ride height and droop gauge for accurate suspension adjustment.
• Pivot Ball Block adjustments to maintain suspension precision and to reduce mis-alignment of the suspension pins.
• 3mm inboard suspension shafts for strength and 2.5mm outboard shafts for reduced weight and improved wheel clearance
• Set screws used to retain outboard suspension shafts for easier maintenance
• Overall lightweight chassis for best performance and adjustable ballast positioning with optional ballast weights.
• Low center of gravity and centralized weight for improved cornering power and overall responsiveness.
• Reduced unsprung weight for increased response and improved control

[hpijoepro2]

i told you i saw it :rolleyes:

[nomac]

when. i want......

[wanchaiwarrior]

well, Ive been trying to decide on the next car after my TA04SS, and this looks like it !!!

Gotta get it when it comes to Hong Kong !!!

Only question is, will I be able to run it with a stick pack ??? Dont have the money, skill or tools to make battery packs.

[wanchaiwarrior]

either that or the R40.......hehehe

[TRF Drive Hard]

Sorry to say but thats a tb yoko evolution tc3 freak... its the same basic shaft concept... i really dont see anything "new" about it... although it is a HUGE jump from a belt design...

[Nightz]

How come even the next generation "Pro" kit still has locked rear toe settings? I thought this was a pro level kit? Shouldn't they have used turnbuckles back there also?

[sosidge]

Nope, turnbuckles for toe-in are a pain, very hard to set evenly without a setup station, and the toe changes when you adjust the camber angles. Blocks are much easier and no less effective.

[Maxxcrazy]

chassis looks soemwhat like a durango (german 4wd buggy for those who don't know)

[Godspeed]

The Pro4 looks very much like the MRC Academy electric touring car.

[puribong]

yeah this car looks kinda like combination of MRC Academy STR-4 Pro and Tamiya EvoIII.

[FSU427P]

Even though the chassis looks very much like the TB Evo III, the MRC car, the TC3 (shaft, motor, and battery placement), and the new Yokomo car, it doesn't matter. What matters is the fact that HPI is making a real effort to produce a car that can be deemed "worthy". It's about time they listened to what we want in a car, and now that they have finally delivered (picture-wise for now), it'll be interesting to see what the car can actually do. The car may not set the standard, but for HPI people, this finally gives them something to brag about.

[Saboteur]

He's right. Still HPI has done some good work. The R40 and the Pro4 are sure to be hitting the tracks soon once they are in the LHS's.

[wess]

with a shaft driven car, there's only so many ways to place electronics and batteries. all shaft drive cars will have a motor on one side and batteries on the other, it's the only practical way to balance the chassis. so just because they have the same chassis layout as other cars out there, it has nothing to do with copying designs.

i'm glad hpi moved towards the shaft driven tranny.... hopefully xray will follow suit :D

[wess]

sorry, my last post wasn't directed to anyone here in particular. hopefully nobody will flame me for that:(

[Dino the great]

This is what the pro 3 should have looked like. If this thing is going to be priced competitively, it may be a big comeback for HPI. It actually looks kinda like a shaft drive PRO 2!

[neongtr]

looks like shaft drive type is coming back to high end racing.

[rcharry]

That makes me mad, i had a pro 3 and it SUCKED!!! I spent like 200$ to make it all carbon graphite and it still SUCKED! Then they get this new kit and its all woven graphit!
GERRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

[Dino the great]

You wasted 200+ dollars trying to make your pro 3 not suck? heeee heeee! (belly laugh)


I feel for you man, I did the same thing with my Nitro RS4. You know whats gonna happen, we won't buy HPI cars because we are mad, but other guys who never owned one will and then still beat us at the track. Ironic? The same emotion that made us stick with HPI before and suck will make us suck still because we don't have them now that they are improved. Anyone following this? eh?

[Nofri]

I also asked this question for the R40, but since I am choosing between a nitro or a electric car as my 3rd car I gonna ask it here to :D
Whet is the Pro4 availble in the shops? Also like the R40 in October?

Tnx

[neongtr]

owning a HPI Micro RS4, I quite like the quality of HPI's car. However, I am still the fan of tamiya. So TB EVO 3 will be my chioce over the Pro 4.

[ChumsGum]

Hats off to HPI for listening to the people and delivering a true "PRO" car and including all the good stuff out of the box.

If I were to purchase a touring car though, I'd go with that new Yokomo car. That new silver graphite chassis is a magnificent work of art and engineering.

Who knows, maybe HPI will counter with a purple graphite chassis. You listening HPI?

[sosidge]

Originally posted by ChumsGum
Hats off to HPI for listening to the people and delivering a true "PRO" car and including all the good stuff out of the box.


"Delivering" a pro car? I think the word you are looking for is "drawing".

If HPI REALLY wanted to bring out a shaft drive car, they could have done it a year ago, considering the number of prototypes they had been showing and racing.

But my gut feeling is they don't REALLY want to bring out a shaft car. I would say it's even-money that the Pro 4 never appears.

[Frank McKinney]

*waving cash*

I'll take that bet, I can use easy money.

[Nitro Fans]

I'm sorry but I really can't understand why whenever there is a new shaft-driven vechicle, people will say xxx-version TC 3. yokomo one to me resembles tamiya evo 3/2 much more than the asso one. So does the hpi now. Tc 3 isn't the first shaft-driven EP vechicle anyway, there is no reason why it is always the "gold standard". Of course, personal opinion only, sorry to all royal asso fans.

[NMT_RACER_BOY]

Originally posted by Nitro Fans
I'm sorry but I really can't understand why whenever there is a new shaft-driven vechicle, people will say xxx-version TC 3. yokomo one to me resembles tamiya evo 3/2 much more than the asso one. So does the hpi now. Tc 3 isn't the first shaft-driven EP vechicle anyway, there is no reason why it is always the "gold standard". Of course, personal opinion only, sorry to all royal asso fans.

Ya, *** (W for WHO) cares about what the cars look like?

and on most hpi cars, you can take the front C hub carriers and knuckles and put it on the rear. It doesn't really matter if the rear toe is adjaustable, unless you are in the tuning level of international drivers. (which I highly doubt, determining from the way you type)

[HauntedMyst]

Originally posted by Nitro Fans
So does the hpi now. Tc 3 isn't the first shaft-driven EP vechicle anyway, there is no reason why it is always the "gold standard". Of course, personal opinion only, sorry to all royal asso fans.

The reason why its the gold standard is because its simply the best shaft driven car. Look at any one of the numerous comparisons of shaft driven cars and tests on the TC3, not to mention the winners circle at numerous big events in the last few years and the TC3 is the shaft drive that wins. Associated put in loads of engineering and testing into the car. Instead of just slapping out an annual version, they update it as needed which is why 4 years later, it's still state of the art. Its the gold standard because everything else is silver or bronze.

[DrDiff]

I totally agree with HauntedMyst! You don't see a "insert name of big race winner" edition TC3 or B4 comming out of Associated. They just make rolling changes as needed. How many versions of the Pro3 did HPI offer around the world? Yes it is true Associated failed on its first 2 attempts at touring cars [narrow pan car, and narrowed aluminum tubbed RC10] but they finally got it right. HPI had it right in the first place and then due to poor materials choice, got it horribly wrong.

[Frank McKinney]

The different Pro 3 versions were to respond to market demands - the 'normal' Pro 3 was released in US and Europe, the Spec S and Spec V were released in Japan to start with also, then the Hara edition was released in Japan after the options were available. You can compare the Hara edition to the Factory Team version from AE - full option everything. Even AE waited to release that after the parts were available. The Racer and Team version are similar (in parts loadout) to the Spec S and 'normal' version Pro 3. So there shouldn't be any gripe about various versions of the cars - most companies do it.

And Associated didn't attempt to make a touring car with the DS and the narrow pan car (forget its name at the moment). Depending on who you ask, those were just market fillers or surplus parts sales. The narrow pan car (ROAR class: Touring T-1) was just a bad idea to begin with but other companies like Corally tried to get it going as well. It was never meant to compete against full suspension 4WD cars.

Anyway, all this is in the past. The Pro 4 is in the future.

[DrDiff]

Please forgive my ignorance but I thought T1 rules was for 2 door FIA GT coupes on 4wd chassis. T2 was 4 door sedans on 4wd chassis.

[Frank McKinney]

You'll have to find a copy of the 2001 or earlier ROAR rulebook (or possibly 2000 and earlier) - I just checked and apparently they saw the light and deleted the Touring T-1 class from the 2003 rules completely.

I'm fairly certain the class required 4-door bodies like the Touring T-2 class but I think it was meant to bridge the gap from pan car to 4WD touring, similar to the 1/8 scale .15 class or the 1/10 scale .15 class (both of which were similarly deleted from IFMAR competition). Because of the quick adoption of 4WD touring by the masses, the Touring T-1 class was probably considered redundant by ROAR (it was never IFMAR approved) and therefore removed.

And that concludes the lecture... haha! :)

[DrDiff]

OK then is it IFMAR with T1 rules for 2 door coupes and FIA GT's and T2 for 4 door sedans?

I KNOW one of them had a class for the 2 dour coupes and FIA GT's!

[Frank McKinney]

NORRCA did (and may still) allow 2-door car bodies in some of their touring classes.

[RC-ZOMBIES]

Frank..

Will we see a Hara edition Pro4 kit after the initial release? I'm almost certain we'll see one....:D

[Frank McKinney]

I don't know...the standard Pro 4 will come with a lot of good stuff out of the box already: Ti turnbuckles, alum. CVD's, carbon graphite plastic in everything, carbide ball diff, front one-way, alum. threaded shocks, alum. drive shaft, spur gear mount and motor mount, alum. hex clamp hubs, etc. What else is there to add?

[RC-ZOMBIES]

Originally posted by Frank McKinney
I don't know...the standard Pro 4 will come with a lot of good stuff out of the box already: Ti turnbuckles, alum. CVD's, carbon graphite plastic in everything, carbide ball diff, front one-way, alum. threaded shocks, alum. drive shaft, spur gear mount and motor mount, alum. hex clamp hubs, etc. What else is there to add?

Yes...the STD Pro4 is full of goodies already. Seeing Hara's past cars...
Front alum. lightweight body post...as seen on Pro3. :)
Aluminum arm mounts/rear toe-in blocks..:D
Finned motor heatsink.
Woven Graphite upper bumper support.
Purple Aluminum battery brace and mounts.
Alum./graphite drive shaft.
Hot bodies will probably come out with these...:D

[Frank McKinney]

Oh yeah those are some decent options but to make the car perform the stuff will be in the box for that. For durability you can go with alum. mounts but otherwise the rest is eye candy.

[DrDiff]

If it truly has all the go fast goodies in the box! Then perhaps the first version of the Pro4 should be the Hara signature edition!

[RC-ZOMBIES]

Originally posted by DrDiff
If it truly has all the go fast goodies in the box! Then perhaps the first version of the Pro4 should be the Hara signature edition!

Not enough purple to make it a Hara Edition. :D

[jay272]

I'll bet WE won't see a Hara edition, but Japan will.:mad:

[RC-ZOMBIES]

Originally posted by jay272
I'll bet WE won't see a Hara edition, but Japan will.:mad:


I don't think so either....but we'll have to wait and see...HPI got a lot of complaints when the Hara Pro3 was released not being available in the US. Maybe HPI will not make the same mistakes.

[frank13]

http://www.team-orion.ch/live/results-cars.asp?id=138#hpiproto

[mugenseike]

It might have some very very minor changes from this proto well since these pic's were released in 2002.
-mugen
oh and frank if you need some more info about the pro4 just remember i'm a pm away. http://www.gamers-forums.com/smilies/contrib/anym/pump.gif ;)

[rcharry]

I think HPI cares more about winning national and world chamionships then thier consumers!

[TEM]

I agree with Rcharry..... Why?, by the time I knew there was free replacement parts update for the Pro3, I called HPI for them. It was long distance and I was put on hold forever. When I got though they told me I was too late and if I wanted them I would have to go buy them myself! The US pro3 wasn't designed to win anything! The hara pro3 doesn't even resemble a pro3, except for maybe the spur gear, antenna tube and a sticker sheet?

When Tamiya found out there was a problem with the TA04R graphite tub, they gave us all new update ones for free! I mean as if HPI didn't know there were problems with the Pro3 chassis over top of the other little problems.

If you refer to the postings I made in the other HPI pro4 forum you'll know the rest of my story. My pro3 is still in brand new condition cause I don't run it and it simply sucks!

I'll go pro4 if HPI is willing to give me a trade in on the Pro3!..

Based on the pictures there are already things I'd like changed on the Pro4. And I'd hope they do a good job desiging parts that fit together with minimal slop(for the 1 millionth time, I hate slop!). We'll probably see different versions too. It looks to be a good design but i won't see it as a miracle machine to beat everyone else. At best it will be competitive anyways.. But we'll have to just wait and see.

[rcharry]

COOL TEM! Im glad you said that.
THEY WERE GIVING FREE PARTS AWAY!!! ***, i spent like $100 just on a-arms. F**K HPI!

I think they got enough compliaint and threats, to finally make a good car and hopefully improve there custormer service!

[IanMan]

class T-1 WAS for 4WD sedans with two-door bodies. ROAR never sanctioned any type of "pan sedan" class. It's quite a shame too. The cars are smokin' fast on anything better than a dirt covered, crack infested parking lot.

[aspiringrcracer710]

any word on a release date Steve?

[RC-ZOMBIES]

Originally posted by aspiringrcracer710
any word on a release date Steve?

Most probably by Dec. '03

[cheerwhiner]

<--- This guy on the left here is putting it on his Xmas List LOL

[ic0nn]

To HPI's credit, i think its good for them to start concentrating in the touring car segment again with a competitive car. The Pro 4 and the R40 are cars that customers were crying out for back 2-3 years ago when mugen and serpent started introducing 1/8th onroad designs into touring cars. Lets hope they are not too late in capturing the market again.

The charm of HPI of old were cars like RS4 Pro and RS4 Pro 2. Here we have an insanely durable car that has all the necessary go fast options all for around 240ish street price (i bought the Pro 2 a month after release). Amazing!

The price for competitive chassis have skyrocketed. Look at AE FT TC3, Tamiya Evo III (or Surikarn ed), Tamiya TRF TA04, Yokomo MR-4 SD. All 300 - 330+ range with some approaching the 400 mark (all street price of course). If HPI can get this car to be sold around 200 to 250 mark I definitely think we have a winner.

[Sam Rothstein]

Originally posted by rcharry
I think HPI cares more about winning national and world chamionships then thier consumers!

:rolleyes: Yeah that is probably why the have such big races teams and spend so much on hiring drivers and stuff like that….

Get real
:rolleyes:

[toddzilla]

december? #$%!$

i had a pro2 and loved it, except for the horrible battery holding system (no sideXside packs) i beat that thing to death and spent like ten bucks all last winter on it racing.

looks like a tc3 unless they come out with this thing by sept..

[JimmyMac]

Yokomo SD and FT TC3 costs around $269. Not bad for a car that doesn't need hopups. Evo3 is around $280. Evo3 SE is $366. 414M2 is $264. All good prices considering what you get. I'm guess you are quoting Tower Prices. Shop around. You'll find better deals. Price in Japan for the Pro4 is ¥54800. That's more than what the Yokomo costs over there. ¥39000. Of course this price is pending. So it's subject to change once it ships.......... It'll be a nice car though.

[Downforce]

When this car hits the market. Hara will rock the world again. Just like he did with the R40.

I just hope it's out before Cleveland.

[JimmyMac]

Suppose to be December. Suppose to be. Maybe he'll show back up at Cleveland like he did last year. But maybe this time he'll actually race instead of test... hehe.