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R1 Wurks has introduced a small, low-cost suspension tuning part for RC cars: a nylon shock stroke limiter set built for 3mm shock shafts. The company says the kit is a quick and easy way to fine-tune shock travel so a vehicle can be optimized for specific driving conditions. Depending on where the washers are mounted, they can reduce droop or limit up-travel.

What R1 Wurks is offering

The new set carries part number #900335 and has a $5.99 price tag. Inside, buyers get six of each limiter size: 6 x 3 x 1.00mm and 6 x 3 x 0.50mm, for twelve pieces total. According to R1 Wurks, the limiters are made from precision nylon, are lightweight and durable, and provide consistent shock stroke limitation. They are compatible specifically with 3mm shock shafts.

The tuning logic is simple. Mount the limiter inside the shock to reduce droop, or place it externally to limit up-travel. R1 Wurks also says the limiters may be used for spacing and shimming in suspension and steering components. The company describes the limiters as “durable nylon shock stroke limiters designed for quick and easy suspension tuning,” and lists quick and easy suspension tuning among the key benefits. The official bullet list also calls the set “ideal for fine-tuning suspension travel.”

Race-team tip for track-side tuning

R1 Wurks also includes a race-team tip in the product announcement. For easy up-travel limiting, a single cut can be made in the washer with side cutters, allowing it to be clipped onto the shaft without removing the shock end. That means a racer can add or adjust the limiter at the track without a full shock teardown. The advice is presented in the announcement as a Race Team Tip.

Where the part fits in R1 Wurks’ lineup

The limiter set comes from R1 Wurks, which operates under the name R1 WURKS – Brushless Motor Lab LLC. The company’s official page lists RC motors, ESCs, batteries, and remote control car electronics among its focus areas. The company’s site also points to competition results from its team. According to the R1 Wurks homepage, team driver Dominic Paccione captured national championship titles in both the 17.5 2WD and 13.5 4WD classes at the ROAR Off-Road Nationals. A separate 2026 ROAR Carpet Off-Road Nationals report has Paccione dominating 4WD and reaching the podium in 2WD.

Retailer pages make the same racing-focused case. R/C Madness describes R1 Wurks parts as designed for competitive off-road racing, with the R1 Wurks category spanning suspension, driveline, and shock components, plus hardware and tuning upgrades. Its R1 Wurks section is labeled “Competition RC Components.” R/C Madness also says it provides fast shipping for these items. 997 RC Raceway, a radio controlled racing facility and hobby shop covering carpet on-road, carpet off-road, carpet oval, and crawler course competitions, also carries a dedicated R1 Wurks collection.

Availability and support

The shock stroke limiter set is available now through R1Wurks.com as #900335 at $5.99. R1 Wurks’ support information on its site notes a 90-day warranty for product defects from the time of purchase. That warranty does not transfer if the item is bought second hand, and products the company determines were abused or misused when received are void of warranty coverage. The company points customers to its FAQ page for more specifics on the warranty.

Digital Precision for Mini-Z Ride Height

G-Force has released the Digital Road Clearance Gauge Pro, a digital ride-height gauge aimed at small RC cars such as the Kyosho Mini-Z. The gauge uses a high-precision sensor to check ground clearance instantly and is also referred to as the DRC Gauge Pro. Readings span 1.00mm to 25.00mm with a listed accuracy of ±0.1mm, and the display can switch between millimeters and inches.

The tool measures from a minimum ground clearance of just 1mm, so it is suited to low ride-height settings. G-Force says the product is ideal for Mini-Z cars. It carries part number #G0463 and is priced at ¥11,300. The release was announced through G-Force’s official hobby page, with RC Car Action reporting it on September 25.

Built for Stable, Repeatable Measurements

The gauge uses a full aluminum housing. According to the announcement, that casing provides the rigidity and stability needed for reliable, high-accuracy height checks. An aluminum calibration block is included, and G-Force recommends calibrating before taking measurements for more stable results. The product description adds that the gauge can instantly measure the ride height of an RC car with a high-precision sensor.

The package contents are straightforward: the DRC Gauge Pro main unit, the calibration block, and operating instructions. The gauge itself is compact, measuring 94 x 30.5 x 16.3 mm and weighing just 40g.

Readable From Any Direction

The highly visible LCD screen shows numerical values in an easy-to-understand format. The gauge includes a 180° display inversion function, so the readout can be flipped to match the direction of the car. That keeps values easy to check in different measurement styles.

Power comes from a built-in 3.7V 150mAh LiPo battery. Auto power-off kicks in after approximately 300 seconds, and recharging requires a USB Type-C cable that is sold separately.

Product Highlights

• Full aluminum housing for stable measurement accuracy
• High-precision sensor for instant ride-height checks
• Easy-to-read LCD with numerical values
• 180° display inversion to match car direction
• Aluminum calibration block included
• Built-in rechargeable battery

Specs and Contents at a Glance

• Power supply: Built-in 3.7V 150mAh LiPo
• Measurement range: 1.00mm to 25.00mm
• Display units: mm / inch
• Measurement accuracy: ±0.1mm
• Auto power off: Approximately 300 seconds
• Size: 94 x 30.5 x 16.3 mm
• Weight: 40g

In the box: DRC Gauge Pro main unit, aluminum calibration block, operating instructions.

A Digital Entry in an Established Setup Line

The new gauge joins a longer G-Force setup-tool catalog. The company’s Droop & Height Gauge line includes Droop Gauge Support Blocks in black and blue at ¥2,000 each. The line also has droop gauges covering -3 to 10mm and 4.0 to 6.6mm, priced at ¥1,700, plus ride height gauges spanning 3.8 to 7.0mm at ¥1,300. Those analog tools were released on Oct 31, 2014, with prices listed excluding tax. Part numbers in that family run from G0111 through G0118, with black and blue versions offered for each tool.

The Digital Road Clearance Gauge Pro takes a different route: a high-precision digital sensor covers a continuous range from 1.00mm to 25.00mm. That is a much wider span than the fixed-range gauges in the older lineup. G-Force’s official site groups these tools under a setup-tool section, and online RC parts lists show the DRC Gauge name in the G-Force/ジーフォース category.

Availability

In the US, G-Force is distributed by Hobby Authority Distribution. The Digital Road Clearance Gauge Pro is listed under part number #G0463 at ¥11,300. A separate USB Type-C cable is required for charging, and more product information is available through G-Force’s official hobby site.

PGM Model has a new 1:64 scale Mazda RX-7 on the way, finished in matte black and described as a metal model with opening parts. The release will be offered in two versions: a base model and a version with a display turntable. Pricing starts at around CA$79, and the two variants are identified as PGM-640805A and PGM-640805B.

A Familiar Name Across Diecast Lines

The RX-7 has been covered by several diecast brands already. Retail listings show Jada Toys, Kinsmart, and Johnny Lightning have all produced RX-7 replicas. Jada’s catalog includes multiple 1/24, 1/32, and 1/18 versions, with models tied to the Fast & Furious films, a Lab Monkeys Saru figure, a Street Fighter Chun-Li edition, and a Naruto Shippuden Kakashi figure. Many of those cars have opening doors, hoods, and trunks. Johnny Lightning’s 1/64 RX-7s include an opening hood and real rubber tires; its lineup covers a black 1982 model and a Brilliant Black 1981 model. Kinsmart offers 4-inch versions with pull-back action in colors such as red, silver, gray, and yellow. Prices for those releases range from about $4.49 for Kinsmart’s smaller cars to $49.99 for Jada’s 1/18 Type RS with display base. A 12-car Kinsmart assortment is listed at $29.99.

PGM’s 1/64 Models in Earlier Coverage

A 2024 thread on the Diecast.org forum discussed PGM’s 1/64 Mazda RX-7, Porsche 964, and Nissan Skyline GT-R R34, with MSRP listed at $80–$110. The discussion opened with praise for the models’ detail. Participants said the scale seems to be developing quickly. One participant said he had been dabbling in 1/64 for a while and that there are incredible things being offered. Another part of the discussion explained that PGM’s motors are not removable; instead, separate engine units are included as display companions. That display approach, according to one participant, has become a growing trend on larger-scale Asian replicas. Another participant noted that many high-end European and Japanese 1/64 models come with a detailed engine attached to a plinth. The conversation also included embedded video clips showcasing the new 1/64 releases. One exchange asked whether opening features on similar models actually function; a response said PGM’s cars are working replicas, not static pieces. One participant, Ed Davis of Inverness, Illinois, said he had not known about a comprehensive American 1/64 outlet and was glad to find that PGM’s cars are available in the USA. The thread also named Model Cars Houston as a retailer carrying PGM and other high-end 1/64 makes.

Turntable Display Bases in PGM’s Lineup

The RX-7’s turntable version lines up with other PGM 1:64 offerings from retailers. Online retailer Little Luca’s Toys lists PGM pre-orders with turntable display bases. The Porsche RWB993 in Purple Luxury is listed with a motorized turntable and a $95.00 price; the retailer describes the model as having hand-painted bodywork and precision engineering. That listing notes limited allocation and says expected delivery depends on supplier lead times. The Lamborghini LBWK LP700 with Monster Energy livery is listed with a turntable display base, an ETA of Q4 2026, and a limited production run. The retailer describes it as highly detailed with authentic livery and a premium finish. These are pre-order listings.

Pricing and Availability

At around CA$79, PGM’s new RX-7 sits close to the $80–$110 MSRP range attached to PGM’s 1/64 models in the 2024 forum discussion. The announcement identifies the base version as PGM-640805A and the turntable version as PGM-640805B, with pricing starting at around CA$79.

A group of 1:18 Maserati Quattroporte models forms the centerpiece of a new photo feature timed to the 100th anniversary of the Trident logo. Cult Scales and KK Scale have helped fill gaps in the Quattroporte die-cast lineup, and the finished family portrait spans the first, third, fourth, fifth and sixth generations of the Italian sedan.

The models are arranged around a Neptune statue from Bologna — the inspiration for Mario Maserati’s Trident, according to Diecast Society. The real Quattroporte, according to Wikipedia, was a full-size luxury saloon built from 1963 until production ended in 2023.

Generation I: The Original Four-Door

Quattroporte translates as “four-door” — an unremarkable name today, but a startling idea in 1963 for a maker known mostly for race and sports cars. The first-generation sedan, styled by Vignale’s Pietro Frua, was the fastest saloon of its day.

After Best of Show produced a resin model years ago, KK Scale has brought back the second series of the first generation. It is a fully sealed, budget-friendly release offered in dark blue, grey and red, plus a shade that echoes the earlier Best of Show model. Each version wears period-correct Italian license plates tied to four different cities or regions. The write-up flags one flaw: the Trident badge on the boot lid is incorrect.

Generation II: The Missing Chapter

There is no 1:18 Quattroporte II in the gathering. After Maserati was sold to Citroën — which was more interested in a Maserati engine for its SM — the second generation never truly got underway, with only around a dozen cars built. The feature adds that a model of the “cousin” that saved the family will appear soon.

Generation III: The 1980s Luxury Barge

Alejandro de Tomaso built the car that stood in for the Quattroporte II, then went on to buy Maserati. Italdesign’s Giorgetto Giugiaro styled the third generation as a 1980s luxury barge based on the De Tomaso Deauville platform. It became a huge success and served as Italy’s presidential limousine.

Cult Scales’ centennial edition appears in presidential blue, dark red and silver. Top Marques already offered a 1:18 third-generation model, including an extremely limited edition of the presidential limousine. On Cult Models’ own site, the Quattroporte III is listed in silver, red and blue metallic with resin construction and photo-etched parts; the blue version is shown as sold out at the factory.

Generation IV: The Rarest Quattroporte In Scale

A late-version fourth-generation model is a limited run of 120 examples in each blue and green, made exclusively for Carmodel.com by Cult Scales. The car itself arrived during a difficult period: Maserati had been sold to Fiat, and the smallest Quattroporte ever was built on the Biturbo Coupe platform. Marcello Gandini designed it.

It launched with a biturbo V6; after Maserati passed to Ferrari ownership, the model gained the V8 evoluzione. That upgraded version is what the Italian retailer commissioned from Cult Scales, and the feature describes it as possibly the rarest Quattroporte in scale.

Generation V: The First 1:18 Quattroporte

The fifth generation was the first Quattroporte ever produced in 1:18, and the Hot Wheels model shows its age. Only the windowless front doors and the dog-legged bonnet open. As originally released it had no carpet, no seatbelts and no roof liner; the collector repainted and upgraded the interior and underbody himself.

More than 20 years later, the first-series fifth-gen can still be found in bluish Grigio Palladio or metallic white. Designed by Pininfarina while Maserati was under Ferrari ownership, it mixed muscular proportions with styling cues from the original Quattroporte. The Duo-Select semi-automatic gearbox was ill-conceived, the feature says, but the engine sound was glorious.

Generation VI: The End of the Road

The sixth generation debuted in 2013, and production ended in late 2023, with 2024 as the final model year and no successor planned. In 2015 AutoArt produced what the feature calls the best 1:18 Quattroporte in the lineup, and the only all-open version in scale. It appeared in blue, grey and white; BBR offered the sixth gen in many more colors as sealed resin.

They now share a new display cabinet, completing the collection.

Looksmart has a new 1:43 Ferrari 296 Speciale ready to ship, and this one carries the name of a configuration Ferrari created for its client racers. The model is listed as product code LS564H, finished in Piloti Ferrari trim, and it is available for immediate delivery.

It is the latest alternative colour for Looksmart’s 1:43 296 Speciale, adding another option to the model’s colour range.

What is the Piloti Ferrari 296 Speciale?

The real Piloti Ferrari 296 Speciale is a Ferrari Tailor Made configuration. Ferrari introduced it on the eve of the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, and it made its official debut at Circuit de la Sarthe, the track that hosts the endurance classic. Ferrari says the configuration was designed to celebrate successes in the FIA World Endurance Championship and to honour Ferrari client racing drivers. It was reserved for clients involved in Ferrari’s official sporting activities, both competitive and non-competitive.

The styling takes its cues from the Ferrari 499P, the Hypercar that won Le Mans in 2023 and 2024. The Piloti Ferrari 296 Speciale was offered in four racing-inspired colours: Rosso Scuderia, Blu Tour De France, Nero Daytona, and Argento Nürburgring. The 499P-inspired livery is finished in Giallo Modena, with a hand-painted WEC logo, an Italian flag on the front bumper, and a race number chosen by the client. The car shown at Le Mans carried #51, the number used by Alessandro Pier Guidi, James Calado, and Antonio Giovinazzi when they won in 2023 — the year Ferrari returned to top-level endurance racing after a 50-year absence and the centenary edition of the Le Mans race. Ferrari’s 499P repeated the victory in 2024 with car #50 from the official Ferrari – AF Corse team.

Inside the full-size car, Ferrari fitted thermoformed black Alcantara racing seats with inserts made from the same fireproof fabric used in official drivers’ suits. The livery number is repeated on interior carbon fibre, and the metal footwell surface can be customised. A carbon identification plaque and a carbon-fibre door sill with a customisable dedication complete the Tailor Made treatment.

The 296 Speciale under the skin

The real 296 Speciale is Ferrari’s sharper take on the 296 GTB. It pairs a 120-degree twin-turbo V6 with an electric motor in a plug-in hybrid layout. Ferrari lightened and reinforced the internal-combustion engine with components derived from Formula 1, and the eight-speed dual-clutch transmission uses Ferrari’s fast-shift strategy to maximise electric torque and speed up gear changes.

Ferrari says weight has been reduced and aerodynamic downforce is up 20% compared with the 296 GTB. The chassis was revised for more responsive track behaviour, while an “extra boost” software strategy releases full power during high-performance laps. The design includes rear gamma wings, suspended splitters, and an enlarged diffuser.

The Piloti Ferrari name ties Looksmart’s latest 1:43 release to a real car built around endurance-racing success.

Beyond the factory build

A heavily modified 296 Speciale Piloti tuned by Italy’s Brill Steel Motorsport was shown on a dyno with claimed outputs of 1000 hp and 1000 Nm. A video of the run was shared on social media. Further upgrades were said to be in the pipeline, including a flame-throwing exhaust setup. That tuned car is separate from the factory specification, but it shares the Piloti Ferrari name with Looksmart’s new model.

Looksmart’s release brings the Piloti Ferrari look to 1:43 scale. The model is listed as LS564H and is ready for immediate delivery.

Kyosho has turned its booth at Tokyo’s 64th All Japan Model & Hobby Show into a pop-art gallery, complete with poster-covered walls, a fresh lineup of fall/winter RC hardware, and the return of its crowd-drawing Mini-Z R/C lottery. The show’s public days begin today at Tokyo Big Sight, and Kyosho is one of the exhibitors with a dedicated space in West Halls 3 and 4.

A Booth Built Around “FAVORITE, ON THE WALL.”

Kyosho said it is using the show to display “a wide range of new products, including authentic RC models, miniature cars, and toy models.” The company’s booth theme this year is “FAVORITE, ON THE WALL. ― KYOSHO POP ART GALLERY ―,” with walls decorated in pop-art posters. Visitors are invited to find their favorite piece among those posters.

The KYOSHO POP UP STORE sits inside the booth, running the Mini-Z R/C Lottery. Kyosho’s exhibitor materials describe the lottery as a regular, popular draw at the event and say it has formed queues at past shows. Kyosho also shared a video look at the display, walking through the gallery-style booth.

The 64th Show, by the Numbers

This year marks the 64th edition of the All Japan Model & Hobby Show. Its official theme is “Let’s make! Let’s play! Have fun!” and the program spans plastic models, radio-control models, figures, railway models, mini-cars, and airsoft guns.

October 2 was the trade-only day, closed to general visitors. The public days run today, October 3, from 9:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Sunday, October 4, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The venue is Tokyo Big Sight’s West Halls 3 and 4 in Ariake, Koto-ku.

Same-day admission is 1,500 yen including tax, while advance tickets are 1,100 yen including tax. Junior high school students and younger enter free; junior high students are asked to present their student ID.

The event is organized by the Japan Plastic Model Industry Cooperative Association, with the Japan Radio Control Model Industry Association as co-organizer. Support comes from the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. Sponsors include the Shizuoka Model Educational Materials Cooperative, Kansai Model Wholesale Association, and Nagoya Model Distribution Council.

For context, the 2025 edition of the show had 83 companies setting up booths. Several manufacturers also have dedicated exhibitor pages on the official hobby-show website. Kyosho is among them, as are Aoshima, Wave, and Kotobukiya. Also listed are Inter Allied, Crown Model, GSI Creos, and Takara Tomy.

A Stamp Rally and Festival for Younger Fans

Alongside the exhibitor halls, this year’s show includes a keyword stamp rally and festival aimed at visitors junior high age and under. It takes place on both public days, with free participation and a daily cap of 1,000 children. Entry sheets are handed out at the entrance to junior-high-age and younger visitors, and middle school students must show a student ID.

Participants gather keywords from selected booths, fill six of 24 keyword slots to play a festival game once, and after three plays can try the big gacha, where prizes are on offer.

Kyosho’s official exhibitor page for the show says the company’s display includes fall/winter RC models, miniature car models, and toy models, with the Mini-Z R/C lottery again part of the lineup. The booth remains open through the public hours scheduled Sunday, October 4.

TSM and TopSpeed are opening October with a big diecast announcement. The new slate runs from 1:12 to 1:43 and is heavy on IMSA race winners, led by the #7 Porsche Penske Motorsport 963 that won the 2026 Daytona 24 Hours. Diecast Society posted the lineup with more than 50 photos and full product codes for the batch. The first post carries 11 model codes split across those scales; a second rundown adds more entries from TopSpeed, TSM, and BBR.

Porsche 963 Leads the Triple-Scale Charge

Porsche’s #7 963 is the only car listed across all three scales in this batch. It appears as TSM120020 in 1:12, TS0755 in 1:18, and TSM430975 in 1:43, each marked as the 2026 IMSA Daytona 24 Hours winner. That makes the 1:12 slot a simple one: the prototype winner is the only model listed in that scale. The first post gives 1:18 and 1:43 five entries each, while 1:12 gets a single model.

Acura Meyer Shank Racing is also well represented. The Acura ARX-06 is listed as the #60 car in 1:18 scale under code TS0719 and as the #93 car in 1:43 scale under TSM430974, both tied to the 2026 Daytona race.

Ford Racing’s #65 Mustang GT3 arrives in 1:18 under TS0722 and in 1:43 under TSM430953. A Ford Mustang GT3 #64 from Ford Multimatic Motorsports is also included in 1:43, tied to the 2025 IMSA season.

On the GT side, TSM430977 is a 1:43 Lamborghini Huracan GT3 EVO2 from DEX Wayne Taylor Racing, listed as a class winner from the 2026 IMSA Laguna Seca round. Along with the Revuelto’s Verde Citrea Matt finish, the DEX livery was one of the details singled out in the announcement coverage.

Lamborghini Road Cars Get the Color Treatment

TSM’s road-car choices are all about Lamborghini. The Revuelto in Verde Citrea Matt is listed as TS0693 in 1:18 and TSM430939 in 1:43. The Temerario appears as TS0701 in Viola Pasifae at 1:18, while a related September/October wave adds a Temerario in Verde Citrea at 1:18 under TopSpeed code TS0702 and at 1:43 under TSM430961.

More BMW and Porsche Metal in the September/October Wave

A related TopSpeed/TSM rundown from Diecast Society describes the wider batch as new material heading into production for the back half of 2026 and places the examples in the September/October 2026 release window. That list includes the Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) #83 Iron Dames car from the 2025 IMSA Daytona 24 Hours in 1:43 under TSM430943 and in 1:18 under TS0634.

BMW fills several slots in that wave. The M4 GT3 EVO #1 Paul Miller Racing car, class winner at the 2026 IMSA Daytona 24 Hours, is listed as TSM430958 in 1:43 and TS0729 in 1:18. The M4 GT3 EVO #96 Turner Motorsport entry from the same race appears as TSM430963 and TS0734 in those scales. TSM also has a BMW M4 CS in Riviera Blue as TSM430959 at 1:43, while TopSpeed’s list includes a Ford Mustang GT3 #64 from Ford Multimatic Motorsports’ 2025 IMSA program as TS0730 in 1:18. The same Ford Multimatic #64 Mustang GT3 is therefore represented in both 1:18 and 1:43 across the two rundowns.

Ferrari Entries Join the BBR Competition Series

Not everything in the post is from TSM or TopSpeed. The announcement also highlights the Ferrari 296 GT3 #023 from Triarsi Competizione, tied to the 2025 IMSA Petit Le Mans. It appears under BBR’s Competition Series as CS028 in 1:18 and CS18023 in 1:43. Diecast Society notes that while the Ferraris are presented under BBR, the models look like TSM product.

Robodog V2.0 is a quadruped robotics project that drops an Arduino UNO Q into the Yahboom DOGZILLA S2 as the robot’s primary computer. The original motion controller remains in charge of servo movement, so the upgrade adds a new computing brain without replacing the hardware that handles walking.

The project builds on DOGZILLA’s existing layout. The stock servo controller stays connected through Yahboom’s UART protocol, while the UNO Q takes over as the main computing platform. The board combines a Qualcomm QRB2210 processor running Debian Linux with an STM32U585 Cortex-M33 microcontroller, giving the robot both a Linux environment and deterministic real-time control on one piece of hardware.

On the microcontroller side, a RouterBridge-based Arduino sketch handles the command set: walking, turning, stopping, battery checks, and preset actions. Python running under Linux talks to that microcontroller, which repackages the requests as UART packets for the DOGZILLA controller. The result is a clean division of labor: the original motion hardware keeps doing what it was built for, while the Linux side manages the higher-level behavior.

An AI Brain, No Cloud Required

The higher-level features are built with Arduino App Lab. A Python application provides a web interface covering manual driving controls, preset actions, live USB camera streaming, system status, and gamepad support. OpenCV is used for the camera feed, while object detection models from Qualcomm AI Hub or Edge Impulse run directly on the robot. Since the models run on the robot itself, recognizing objects and gestures does not require a cloud connection.

A Modulino LED Matrix acts as the robot’s face, showing expressions, arrows, battery indicators, and visual feedback. A Modulino Movement module adds accelerometer and vibration sensing, while a Modulino Buzzer sounds status notifications.

The software can also put the UNO Q into access-point mode, so a phone or laptop can connect straight to the robot and load the web interface without an external network. That makes the whole system self-contained for demos, classrooms, or robotics development.

Inside the UNO Q

According to Arduino’s documentation, the UNO Q pairs a Linux-capable microprocessor with a real-time microcontroller on a classic UNO-layout board. The Qualcomm Dragonwing QRB2210 side includes a quad-core Arm Cortex-A53 running at 2.0 GHz, an Adreno GPU, and dual image signal processors. The STM32U585 MCU brings an Arm Cortex-M33 core up to 160 MHz, 2 MB flash, 786 kB SRAM, and a floating-point unit. The board also carries dual-band Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 5.1, an 8 x 13 blue LED matrix, and a Qwiic connector for Modulino nodes. It is available in 2GB and 4GB RAM variants, with the 4GB version recommended for standalone desktop-style use.

The design also includes a built-in RPC library called Arduino Bridge, which links the Linux-running MPU and the microcontroller. Python 3 can run on the Linux side, and the MCU can still be programmed with Arduino IDE. The UNO Q can also be used as a single-board computer: with a USB-C dongle that supports power delivery, it can connect an HDMI display, keyboard, mouse, USB camera, Ethernet cable, microSD card, USB microphone, or headphones.

The Arduino Project Hub entry for the DOGZILLA S1-2 kit, tagged Robodog Pro v8.4.8, lists additional build features: an external Modulino face matrix, isolated SHANWAN gamepad input, safety latching, IMU collision response, OLEDs, optional USB audio, camera, and WebUI.

A Flexible Platform for Experimenting

The Hackster write-up describes Robodog V2.0 as an educational and prototyping platform, and it highlights what sets the UNO Q apart from an ordinary Linux board. Between the Debian environment and the Arduino-compatible microcontroller, the robot can run AI models, host a modern web interface, process camera data, and keep deterministic real-time control. With the DOGZILLA S2 as the platform, it becomes a flexible base that makers can keep expanding with extra hardware.

HPI Racing has put its new Stage-D10 in front of real drift talent. The company took the 1/10 RWD drift car to Shanghai JSM Drift Club, a venue HPI describes as one of the most famous clubs in China, and invited local professionals and experienced drivers to capture their first impressions.

HPI Racing said:

We brought D10 to Shanghai JSM Drift Club, one of the most famous clubs in China, and invited a few local pros and experienced drivers to capture their first impressions.

HPI’s announcement thanks two participants by name: Xie R.D. (aka TKS BRO), a factory driver for Team AD, and Kira Miao, a drift car designer. The company is directing readers to HPIRacing.com for more posts.

A Purpose-Built RWD Chassis

Those first impressions are about a chassis that is new for HPI. The Stage-D10 is a purpose-built 1/10 rear-wheel-drive drift platform, not a converted touring car. It arrives in three configurations: Brushed RTR, FLUX sensored brushless RTR, and Creator Edition.

The Brushed RTR pairs a 20T brushed 540 motor with a 60A ESC. The FLUX RTR steps up to a 10.5T sensored brushless motor and an 80A sensored ESC. The Creator Edition skips the body, wheels, tires, and electronics but keeps the same assembled chassis.

Factory RTR cars use a standard 255mm wheelbase, with an adjustable range of 246mm to 264mm. The RTR dimensions are listed at 460mm long, 200mm wide, and 120mm tall. Both RTR power systems run on 2S batteries with XT60 connectors.

The first bodies are officially licensed 2024 Ford Mustang RTR Spec-5 FD shells in three Formula Drift liveries tied to Vaughn Gittin Jr., James Deane, and Ben Hobson. A detailed review from China Hobby Line notes the bodywork uses molded elements for grilles, vents, mirrors and light buckets, plus integrated LED lighting and a magnetic mounting system. The magnetic system uses N52-grade magnets and steel ball mounts, and HPI also includes conventional body-mounting options. The review notes the LED harness still has to be unplugged when the body is removed.

Tuning Depth

The D10’s bigger draw is the amount of setup flexibility under the Mustang body. HPI lists more than 100 rear motor positions, while AMain Hobbies’ product listing references over 200 possible rear gearbox configurations. The transmission can also be configured with three or four gears and can reverse motor direction.

The chassis offers adjustable Ackermann geometry, adjustable battery placement, multiple servo mounting positions, selectable motor direction, oil-filled threaded coilovers, adjustable wheel hex spacing, and optional sway-bar mounts. The steering system’s Ackermann can be moved forward and backward as well as up and down, and wheel hex spacing can be shifted by 1mm or 2mm through the brake-disc spacer system.

On the FLUX package, the sensored system is about smooth response rather than raw speed. The 80A ESC adds programmable punch, braking, Boost Timing, Turbo Timing, and Turbo Delay. A D-Box3 PRO gyro and a waterproof 12kg titanium-geared servo complete the electronics package.

A Bigger Showcase Ahead

The Shanghai club session is not the only stage planned for the D10. HPI has announced plans to appear at the 2026 Suzhou GT Show with the Stage D10 and the new Stage D24 drift series. The event is listed at the Suzhou International Expo Centre with dates of March 27-29, 2026.

According to RCMart’s show preview, the HPI booth will include an interactive experience area where visitors can test NanoTTR micro cars and Venture18 crawlers and watch live demonstrations of the Stage D24. Display plans also include officially licensed touring cars from Porsche, BMW, Ford, Nissan, and Subaru, plus Toyota and Ford crawler platforms. The NanoTTR 1/64 micro series on hand is set to include the latest BMW 2002 Turbo and Ford Mustang RTR Spec-5.

The first-impression runs at JSM Drift Club paired the D10 with a factory Team AD driver and a drift car designer, and HPI is pointing readers to HPIRacing.com for additional posts.

Kyosho is reviving one of its most famous 2WD race buggies. The Ultima Pro — the 1988 evolution of the Ultima that scored a 1-2-3 finish in the 1987 World Championship 2WD class — is returning as the 21st entry in Kyosho’s Vintage Series. Listed as part number 30626, the kit is scheduled for release in December 2026 on Kyosho’s official product page.

The original Ultima was a 1/10 EP 2WD off-road buggy first released in 1986. After that World Championship success, Kyosho introduced the Ultima Pro in 1988. In 1989 the platform was updated into a longer, wider version commonly called the XL. This reissue blends the early 1988 model with that late-model layout.

A Hybrid of Two Ultima Pro Eras

Kyosho is not simply copying one version. The new kit combines the 1988 early model with the 1989 long-wheelbase late model, giving the buggy the proportions of the later XL, including a 280mm wheelbase. The body is molded from the original tooling, and the included decal sheet recreates the original package color scheme.

Chassis and Suspension Updates

Underneath, the buggy uses a double-deck structure: a 6061 aluminum press-formed main chassis with an FRP press-cut upper deck. The double-wishbone suspension gets front arms widened by 10mm per side for a 20mm wider front track, and the long front lower arms come from the 1989 model. Rear toe can be adjusted by swapping bushings, while turnbuckle tie rods make camber and toe changes quick.

Kyosho also updated the dampers. The gold-anodized oil shocks keep the original look but replace the clamp-style adjustment with a notched collar for easier spring-preload setting. Fine Selection springs are included front and rear, and long FRP shock towers are designed to maximize travel and absorb impacts.

Drivetrain and Chassis Details

The drivetrain includes a ball differential as standard, plus rear universal shafts and full ball-bearing specification — even the servo saver gets bearings. The steering servo mount is rotated 90 degrees compared with the original, with a revised servo saver arm for a more linear steering response. The buggy also rolls on new 2.2-inch wheels and tires: medium compound in front, soft compound in the rear, and eight-hole front wheels that reproduce the original offset. Rear wheels remain compatible with Optima-series offsets.

Battery mounting is flexible. A standard round straight-pack can sit horizontally, or the battery can be mounted lengthwise; that layout requires a low-profile servo with a short front-to-rear length. The kit is also compatible with shorty batteries. Kyosho swapped the original polycarbonate rear wing for a flexible, crash-resistant nylon wing with resin wing stays.

Kit Price and What’s in the Box

The Ultima Pro is an assembly kit priced at ¥66,000, or roughly $420. The box contains the chassis kit, an unpainted polycarbonate body, decals, hex/cross/shock wrenches, #200 shock oil, and ball differential grease. Retailer listings note the gearbox and oil shocks arrive pre-assembled. Builders still need to supply a 2-channel, 1-servo R/C system, ESC, 540-class motor, chassis battery, charger, transmitter batteries, and paint for the body.

Kyosho’s published specs list the buggy at 379mm long, 250mm wide, and 140mm tall, with a 280mm wheelbase. Front and rear tread measure 226mm and 210mm, respectively. Tire sizes are 82x27mm front and 86x42mm rear, the gear ratio is 8.64:1, and weight is approximately 1,600g with radio gear and battery installed.

Late-2026 Release

Kyosho’s official product listing gives a sale date of December 2026, matching earlier reports that the kit was headed for December. Front and rear stabilizers will be offered separately as optional parts. Kyosho has also said it believes the more affordable original Ultima can continue to be sold alongside the returning Pro.