HPI Racing posted a couple photos of what may be a new car and chassis on their Facebook page earlier today. No info was provided other than the LMP designation and a question that asked “Electric or Nitro?” LMP, for those that don’t know, is a common abbreviation for Le Mans Prototype. It’s a class of cars that race in the 24 Hours at Le Mans, American Le Mans and Le Mans series. Some are speculating that this might be HPI’s response to the Traxxas XO-1. That remains to be seen though and is purely a rumor. So until more info becomes available, head on over to the HPI Facebook page and have a look.
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Uh…no.
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2012/01/05/news-gt-gt-jrm-honda-to-enter-the-world-endurance-championship-and-le-mans.aspx
A little investigative research goes a really long way.
Also, if you look at their Facebook wall, they also have the new Sareni Camaro GT3. Its MORE likely they are car enthusiasts talking about what ifs, not factual R/C prototypes.
That said, the first thing i thought of when i saw the XO-1 undertray, was an LMP body on the top in a super high downforce configuration.
So it’s completely out of the realm of possibility that they may be licensing that car for an r/c version? Why else would they be asking about nitro or electric? Any time any r/c company talks about full size cars it’s usually because they have an r/c version coming down the pipe.
Given the way licensing works, yes, i would believe that would be pretty far out of the realm of possibility.
And again, their Facebook page has a couple other instances where they are asking about full size cars. Likely not because of future products, but because many of the guys at HPI are car enthusiasts.
Either way, its still a picture of a full size car, and not a model. And that picture of the ARX-03 of JRM Motorsport was likely used because HPI has licensing with JRM fromt he SUMO POWER GT-R model they did earlier last year.
http://speedhunters.com/archive/2011/05/20/collectables-gt-gt-some-cool-new-rc-cars.aspx
Its a neat idea, would be cool if they made it. But i think this is more an exercise in car lust, then marketing ploy.
It’s not even a picture of a real full size car. It’s a 3D rendered mockup. And it is possible for a car to be licensed before it exists. HPI themselves has done that very thing before working with TSA motorsports on the Mini Trophy. Regardless, we didn’t say it’s a new car definitely coming from HPI. We looked at what they posted on their FB page, and posited the possiblity that it could be a future model from them considering what they, themselves said.
Indeed it is a 3D Rendering. And a Photoshopped 3D rendering at that, replacing the Strakka Racing livery from the original press release renderings from HPD/Werth when they announced the ARX-03a development.
But to assume that this is a new model, or to even insinuate that it might be, seems a bit ridiculous. And by that logic, why havent you posted up pictures of the fore mentioned Sareni Camaro GT3, with speculation it MIGHT be POSSIBLY the next new thing from HPI? Because…after all…it was on their facebook page too.
I guess my biggest problem is that this goes beyond even basic speculation, straight into feeding the churning rumor mill. And that is to me poor journalism.
Looking at their track record, HPI has ALWAYS been super tight lipped about future projects and licensing deals. And usually doesnt leak out any information, or even hint at new products until they are nearly at, or in retail chains. No reason to believe they would suddenly change that program now, and start toying around on their Facebook page.
To reiterate, its just ridiculous.
Is that a camera lens built into the drivers seat??
interesting observation. Would be cool, but I think it’s just part of the design.
Its the air intake/restrictor for the engine.
As this is a picture of a full size car…not an R/C.
1/43 die cast