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In 1997 Tamiya added a new beginner friendly 1/10 4wd electric Touring Car platform to their ever-expanding lineup, the entry level TL01. As the TA01 had evolved since its inception, becoming a more sophisticated race car with each generation, the TL01 was released to take its place as a way to continue to attract new hobbyists into the Touring Car class. Utilizing an ABS monocoque chassis similar to the 2wd M02, the TL01 took the M-series car and added more of everything. More wheelbase from its molded clamshell chassis and more track width from the two-piece lower a-arm and fixed camber link four-wheel independent suspension. More responsive steering was available from the twin bellcrank steering system with fixed plastic tie rods and direct mount servo saver due to the transversely mounted battery being biased more forward in the chassis. More shocks were installed on the molded in shock towers with a full quartet of plastic bodied coilover friction dampers. And there was significantly more traction from the mid-motor, shaft driven, four-wheel drive system sporting bevel gear differentials front and rear that lead to plastic tipped dogbones and 12mm hex drives. The TL01’s single piece plastic wheels, rubber tires, and clear lexan racing body could be had in more than 25 different styles, each with a Mabuchi RS-540 motor and full bushings in the unassembled kit, a number that expanded to more than 50 kits when you counted the Complete versions that included an electronic speed controller, steering servo, transmitter, receiver, battery and charger. But for those that wanted even more, Tamia offered a whole host of Hop Ups to improve the performance of their fledgling four-wheel driver: