Traxxas Nitro 4-Tec

[Dangeruss]

1998 would see a new entry into the 1/10 4wd touring car market with the Traxxas 4-Tec. Rather than releasing an electric version first, followed by a nitro version some time later, Traxxas chose to release the gas and electric cars at the same time. Surprisingly however, while both cars share the same belt driven 4-wheel independent suspension layout, there are no common parts between them. The Nitro 4-Tec was powered by Traxxas' TRX Pro 15 engine with ABC constructions, ball bearing crank, oversized blue anodized aluminum cylinder head, big bore rotary carb, high/low mixture needles, tuned plastic exhaust pipe and onboard electric starter. A ball bearing supported clutch bell connected the Pro 15 engine to the two-speed transmission and triple belt drive system with four gear planetary diffs and telescoping plastic driveshafts front and rear. The drivetrain was attached to a 2.5mm thick blue anodized aluminum main chassis plate with a molded plastic upper deck. Suspension duties, handled by a double a-arm/pillow block and c-hub configuration that emulated full size automotive designs, were dampened by Traxxas' oil-filled plastic body coilover Ultra Shocks secured by interchangeable front and rear shock towers. Satin silver molded mesh wheels wrapped in Pro-Line V-Rage tires rode on a full set of bearings. The Nitro 4-Tec was topped off by a supercar style clear lexan body and available as an RTR with a TQ radio system, fully assembled less radio, or as an unassembled kit without a radio, engine, or body: