Low-Profile Off-Road RC Car! Tamiya Astute 2022 TD2 2WD Buggy Kit Review | RC Driver

[@jennyetherington3326]

Another Great Tamiya Video Greg! We have one on Pre Order here in the UK. Loving the are a better thicker Quality now and we have alen head screws.

[@scalebuildersguild]

Have to say, the looks of this have grown on me, Greg. Thanks for the detailed review!

[@PhilipCockram]

Tamiya are underrated IMO . They are trying new things and making unique RC vehicles , Unlike other manufacturers who seem to just make their vehicles bigger or smaller .

[@allyoucando8486]

the only problem with Tamiya for bashing is not really good, the plastic is similar to metal they bend and stay bend, i have Tamiya Gazoo i dismantle, and the second problem i see you need to use brushed because with brushless you can break parts even by going high speed, and the metal is not to often to see because to many fans buy like crazy, the best in Tamiya is the scale detail that something Tamiya is destroying the ass of the competition, still for bashing nope, for collection yes

[@johnwindsor9069]

Whenever Tamiya tries something different, for some reason it does not catch on. Remember the DB-02 Leonis? All new shaft driven design, and body, was a total flop in the end. I kinda see this new TD04, and TD02 in the same boat. Most Tamiya die hards just want their favorite 80's car re-released, which is not a bad thing IMO.

[@Heathcliff_hensel]

True but what does the laydown shock design actually accomplish?

[@Papinak2]

@@allyoucando8486 this one uses different plastic than cheaper Tamiya models. Cheap models are polycarbonate, which is quite soft and deforms easily, but mid range, like this one, is glass reinforced nylon (with carbon reinforced option). Drivetrain is coming from their competition buggies, so it should handle decent power.

[@newsmansuper2925]

@@Heathcliff_hensel looks great in stead of a massice strut

[@marxnex71]

It will never cease to amaze me how good you drive with one hand while filming with the other 🤯

[@Standupnfall]

I thought he uses a head mount for the camera?

[@Livlifetaistdeth]

Always the best and most professional rc reviews on youtube.

[@michaeldorich4485]

Your review was excellent as usual. You were very thorough. I came away with positive feelings after your video. I am glad you did this review, because a lot of people don't think about Tamiya when talking about r/c buggies.

[@mad-beerc3818]

Lovely looking buggy and looks very capable! Astute 2022 looks winner! Great vid mate😎👍

[@Competitionx]

Well done sir! Sure miss running cars at that BMX track!!!! Always a good time!

[@spencergold1279]

Great video - lots of helpful detail - and thanks for showing the after effects of running/marks on the underside - so we know what to expect!

[@Desertduleler_88]

Great buggy from Tamiya, a lot of thought has gone into the design of this buggy, really impressed.

[@schuttrostig5729]

Looks amazing, i will get one. nice touch sharing a lot of parts with td4 totally makes sense.

[@barrycheesemore2928]

That TD2 'Astute 2022' looks great, runs really well, great buggy! I'd probably be more tempted by this than the TD4, depending on the price (in the UK) of course. Excellent video as always, keep up the good work!!

[@StandingUpForBetter]

I LOVE it! It is beautiful and nice to see Tamiya continue to improve their designs. Definitely adding to this my list. Thanks.

[@theoagrc]

I am trying to hold off but your video has just made this really hard 😁 Great review and footage 🙌🏻👍🏻

[@Mindauxx]

That was fast review! Love your top quality videos and reviews, best of good luck to you and your family in the New Year.

[@paulrobinson9355]

Brilliant video, kinder sold me the car too......impressed! Great content as always! 🇬🇧🇬🇧🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@alfalso434]

That is a cool little car! I just recently purchased the Grasshopper. Can't wait to get that put together. Might have to get that one so its not lonely on the shelf. Lol.

[@ShenRC]

Nice! It looks like it jumps really good! When it's ripping around it kind of had that indy car look to the body from the front angle.

[@aussiecoastie72]

Great video ! I would love this model

[@steveh8224]

Great video! 👍 love watching these. Ty very much.

[@SuperBigdanno]

Love 2wd buggies and they nailed it with this one! Looks way better than the WD40 can with wheels of the td4. Change the TD4 colours is easy enough though. Great video and review!

[@rcdriver]

WD40! Too funny! 🤣😂🤣😂

[@islandrc-duke1972]

cool rc and awesome run

[@Chunky246]

Seems to jump really well. Awesome video as always and great information.

[@VILLAGEOFDEATH]

I raced the original Astute and I loved the thing more than life, to be young again. lol

[@matthewedwards3762]

Awesome track video 👍

[@Patrik2166]

I'm having Trackmania vibes :D Time to load up some A01 and go for the world record!

[@RichB07]

Nice buggy ...! They are so fun to drive . takes me back in time a little

[@magnumcyclonex]

I like the Astute 2022 body over the Super Avante body. To me, Astute 2022 (without the wheel fenders) looks more like the Astute from way back. The Super Avante doesn't have that same look as the Avante, so it just seemed off imo. Great review. Might eventually get these two later when there's a sale on them.

[@duncanmcgregor7946]

Love it and already pre ordered as I think it’ll be a cracking build/runner

[@theibault]

Looks like a fun buggy that as a Tamiya guy I must get! I have to say, I may live in CO now, but I grew up in CT in Old Greenwich.. I used to race BMX at this very track in '84-'86 (layout was different). Also would run RCs there. My father has since moved to Bethel and next time I'm out East, I'll have to bring an RC with me to run there for old times sake. PS, I miss running into Chris Chianelli and seeing him driving around the roads in his Excalibur.

[@rcdriver]

Maybe we raced together. I started racing on the BMX track in 85. I miss Chianelli too. I was lucky enough to work with him and he was a great mentor.

[@firegames7896]

Nice video!

[@toolinhand]

I like the Astute name. I had the original one, back in the day.

[@nickvledder]

This not just a commercial promoting Tamiya stuff, isn’t it? Love the looks of this vehicle. I think Tamiya did a good job with the TD2.

[@gorrammit]

Just got mine! Can’t wait to start on it! My only complaint about the Astute 2022 and Super Avante was the UFO-like blob looking body shells. I’m much more of a fan of the older sand rail type buggies like the Fox, hotshot, and boomerang. With these new narrow low profile chassis I do hope Tamiya plans to make bodies more similar to those old mono-shock buggies.

[@danielandrews7028]

Neo fighter, racing fighter both on the dt03 chassis remind me of old school. I like them. sand viper dt02 chassis is great too!

[@redvikinghobbies]

Jeesh. Can't get a few days off before placing another order! Beautiful kit.

[@rcdriver]

Tamiya… they get ya lol

[@PopalongRC]

nice looking buggy might have to look into these

[@TheFoxalot]

Awesome as usual. Ty!

[@dwaynethayer7868]

Reminds me of the rc from late 70s early 80s looks old school nice

[@douglasv4266]

Its really good to see Tamiya back doing what they do best, giving us Character RC cars that are as much fun to build as they are too drive. I am mainly into collecting, building and running classic and re-released from the 80's and 90's, but for the first time in almost 20 years I have pre-ordered not 1 but 2 new kits as the TD4 and TD2 both look like cars I really want to take out and have fun with.

[@darrenalmeida1382]

Now that looks fun to build and actually looks like it will be fun to run. I just might have to pick one up. I want to get the CC02 with the new Bronco body too.

[@Audace1400]

Looks cool.. interesting suspension set up. What do you think handles better this or the DT03 racing fighter?

[@kitchenbriks3685]

Blackfoot and Monster Beetle both had inboard suspension on the rear. I'd say tamiya was ahead of the game.

[@IlmarBeekman]

Same with the frog and hotshot!

[@MultiBeandip1]

And subaru brat

[@adrianharrison5208]

Never thought of the ORV chassis like that before

[@danielandrews7028]

With the trf201 long gone and most recently the zahhak the td2 just got bumped to my next buggy. I reached out to tamiya usa this month and I was told both those models I mentioned have unfortunately been discontinued. That’s what I get for being out of the Rc scene for 15 years.

[@RCBirds]

This solution is great. I wouldn't buy the TD-4 because of the battery compartment. The TD-2 will be added to my collection. The car looks great and the battery changes can be done without a screwdriver👏👏👏 And in my mind 2WDs make more driving fun than the 4WDs

[@RCBirds]

@ButcherCreekRC It's not about screwdrivers or time it takes on a change. It's more doing this on a remote track without a work bench. You got a dirty surface / ground / floor (don't know the right term) and a dirty car and there's no table to put the removed parts on, so they won't get lost. And I don't want to walk ten minutes to my car for a battery change (and 10 back). For me the TD-4 isn't practical, because I of the track I drive. In Europe we don't have many tracks with maintenance areas like in North America or Asia. Here we take the car, spare batteries and the transmitter and go into parks or forests without the possiblility of parking close to it. RC cars have to be practicle. I like the concept of the TD-4, but it fits not in my personal situation. That's all. The TD-2 looks great and has - for me - the better solution with the battery door.

[@juanvaldez4043]

The original was an engineering marvel, looks like this one is pretty advanced as well.

[@adrianharrison5208]

I have the TD4 but would love to add this one to the collection also

[@stevenzacharakis]

Those fenders are looking forward to snapping off

[@LawrenceTimme]

Actually looks pretty decent for a tamiya

[@MauGino]

I know it's subjective but I think Tamiya has been knocking it out the park with the new models.

[@RCACTIONAUSTRALIA]

Awesome Video 😊 TD2 Definitely looks to be a better runner than the TD4 😎🇦🇺

[@carlkeig5640]

Great video, I don't own any rear wheel drive buggys only monster trucks.I always thought 2wd buggys would b hard to drive compared to 4wd buggys but I can't believe how much grip this thing has, I thought the rear would b very loose but it really doesn't look like that in this video.

[@londonpirates]

Nice review (first on KZbin I believe!). The TD2 looks great and unlike so many I have no issue with Tamiya recycling their model names (car manufacturers do this all the time, Toyota does it without maintaining design language consistency between generations either). If a brand name holds equity for a manufacturer then it makes total sense to take advantage of it (that’s just good business logic, nostalgia nerds can get butt-hurt all they like 😀). I see you have a Tamiya Brushless motor but I’d be interested to know the Turns rating and if you felt it was the right level of power for the TD2? Also what ESC is that (sorry if you mentioned it).

[@MRPB54]

Heck ball diff with slipper clutch and 3 gear trans is almost a race kit 🤔 make a brushed class at a track and this would be perfect 👌

[@BlackSeaRC]

Definitely one of the best new Tamiya buggies for quite a long time! Much better than the TD4 in my opinion.

[@youtubeviewer9523]

Hey Greg, love the video, but I was wondering if there is any chance we can get some nitro related content in the future? I understand it won't be immediate as you guys have lots of stuff to review.

[@rcdriver]

There’s a nitro project in the works. Probably one of the most epic builds ever. But we have to take our time getting it right because it’s an expensive one.

[@youtubeviewer9523]

@@rcdriver sounds freakin epic!!! Stoked to see what it is and how it turns out!

[@coolhand_steve3706]

I had one in the early 90s and would like to maybe rebuild one , where can you find one from the 90s?

[@osbaldoiturrino6643]

What a beauty.🤩🤩🏎️🏎️

[@jamesh950]

Enjoy your video. Like the 2WD but prefer the 4 body because is more curvy. Now the tough decision to pull the trigger or not.

[@GhostRider-ii7tz]

That looks like really cool buggy.I’d build a kit

[@matthewedwards3762]

Can any one remember the Jet Hopper then I got the grass hopper first Tamiya 30 years ago still love them.

[@ianbudgetrc2574]

I want this so baaaaaad

[@marasiganchannel72]

Woow it’s awesome buggy RC

[@allyoucando8486]

use a foam to reduce the capacity, that way you make the battery to be tight, but use dense foam can't shrink easy

[@pauldrouin5502]

when will this be available?

[@just-in-time6069]

Looks pretty good up gear tad more maybe up shock oil tad and u just like u said maybe add touch weight front and looks like good back yard track car with friends

[@cjprior88]

Lovely looking car competitive price point also.

[@IlmarBeekman]

I really like that Tamiya is having fun and innovating again! That much is great. I do scratch my head at some of the design choices though. I wish they would make more of an effort at making them a little more “scale” looking. Doesn’t have to be real but it should feel real if you know what I mean.

[@willy5064]

How big is the battery room?

[@briangullicksrud4533]

Has anyone heard when the td2 will be in the US? I can't even find anywhere to pre-order. HELP!! I must have it to go with my original.

[@slide3388]

Around that 7:10 time frame I saw x-rings instead of o-rings... included in the kit?

[@rcdriver]

Yup, good eye!

[@bradkalman2353]

How did you get your hands on this I thought it wasn't out yet?

[@bigguyrc9788]

If you wanted to use a shorty battery why not take up the extra space with foam blocks? If you don't have any extra foam, Harbor Freight sells an anti-fatigue mat for about $8, which is quite large, and the foam from that can be used for many RC things. I have cut foam bumpers from it for some of my cars.

[@TheWright1]

This buggy is cool. I just recently came into a bunch of Tamiya kits that are in the box unbuilt. They look like they are going to be fun. Question though my first one to build is a WR02 type 2 VW bus Wheelie would a 20t brushed motor be ok to run in it. I will also be running a 60amp esc and plan to run only on 2s. Thanks

[@homeworkpictureshq]

Awesome

[@bradkalman2353]

With shorty packs just get some foam to hold it on both sides.

[@rcdriver]

You could, but it won’t be perfectly centered. The bullet plugs/leads are under the top brace when centered.

[@muddfoot69]

Will any other rims fit directly? AE?

[@neilholdcroft9503]

Thanks for the great review. Does the TD4 body fit on the TD2 chassis given the extra battery tray parts? Thanks.

[@rcdriver]

The TD4 body is too narrow to fit over a TD2 battery tray set-up. And the TD2 body doesn’t sit low enough on the front of the TD4 because of the shocks. It’s on a small angle, not too bad but noticeable.

[@TheDeLeonGarageCollection]

I am a big fan of the original astute, it was the second vehicle I ever purchased. After first hearing about this model and having purchased A wild one blockhead ed.I decided rather than getting this or another buggy, I would instead restore my original Astute. I just never got over that original look. This new version looks like a good performer but the body styling still has not grown on me. By no means do I plan on driving my original Astute, it broke on my first jump and the chassis had a lot of flex due to no upper deck length however I would love to have it sitting on my shelf to look at.

[@Nlangkirby135]

Got a thought about when the front shocks bottom out before hitting the skid plate. Could the body be causing that bottoming out issue?

[@Nlangkirby135]

Also, I i have a problem with my rear hubs breaking easily and the tires wore out quicker than the dual blocks. I have a couple questions. 1. Would you recommend a gear diff over a ball diff? 2. What what would be the right pinion and spur gear setup for use with 15t 540 or 12t 550?

[@philmorello4373]

Hi, great video! Would this Avante 2WD be good for the race track with jumps? Or is it better to get a proper race buggy like an XRAY or Team Associated? I really like the look of this and that it is a Tamiya.

[@ryano8613]

I would love to see someone race this!! I bet with proper shocks, fluid, tires and some slight modding this thing would RIP on track!

[@mark-1rc502]

Had the original when I was younger To say I was disappointed is an understatement

[@nicholas440]

What are the little foam rings for on the tie rods ?

[@DoRC]

Keeps dirt out of the pivot balls.

[@MauzyrockRC]

Super nice! What is this chassis like ( quality and price point) compared to the Wild one BH edition? Thank you

[@rcdriver]

The chassis on the TD2 is a higher quality plastic than the Wild One. Ball bearings, hex hardware, this is a much more modern kit. The Wild One gives you a vintage experience.

[@MauzyrockRC]

@@rcdriver ah perfect! As I am new to the hobby, I have plenty of time to catch up lol!

[@MauzyrockRC]

@ButcherCreekRC Yep, this new release should fill that retro RC need I think :)

[@rexrcs]

Looks like the TD2 has more kick up than TD4, is this true?

[@rcdriver]

I think I saw it list as 25-degrees somewhere. Don’t quote me. But yes 2wd’s typically have more kick-up than 4wd. The TD2 has visibly more than the TD4.

[@rexrcs]

@@rcdriver thanks, thats good to hear

[@DaiquiriMan]

SWEET

[@bradkalman2353]

Did you get the slipper clutch for it.

[@rcdriver]

I got it for my TD4, pretty nice set.

[@JVGmidi]

I want one.

[@osbaldoiturrino6643]

Wondering how long does it take to build? Thank you

[@rcdriver]

I built mine up over a few days. For a good builder 5-7 hours for the chassis, hour for electronics and 2-3 hours for the body would be a guess.

[@marcushaas44]

Awesome review Greg 👌 I know they are completely different, but what would you recommend between this and a kyosho legendary like the ultima 2wd? They are financially equal 🤔

[@rcdriver]

That is a tough one. The Ultima gives you that classic drive with some updates that help it out. This new TD2 though outperformed my expectations. I think I’d lean towards the TD2.

[@marcushaas44]

@@rcdriver thx a lot for your honest opinion!

[@bradkalman2353]

Front shocks are at a different angle then the td4.

[@JMOSORT]

But the pattern lol... jk.... i do love the fact that it looks like the red bull x11 from grand turismo

[@DJayFreeDoo]

Looks like the trackmania stadium cars

[@OnTheEDge2011]

Beautiful....but small

[@derricksazrc3411]

I hope that ball diff is beefed up this time. I’ve seen so many people pull their hair out.

[@gregoryamoreland6512]

Why not talk about it. It’s the elephant in the room😁

[@Superf103]

Super car. Only wheels are cosmic. Kyosho have more atractive wheel

[@davidbrennan5]

Not a fan of the fenders. The wide front end looks cool.

[@zackthebongripper7274]

This body looks more like the Avante.

[@LonestarPaul]

how could they get the bottoming-out front suspension cinematics so wrong is beyond me...

[@cjprior88]

Iam not rich so in the uk this car is 260£ roughly which is about what I want to spend.