Team Associated B5 and B5M Buggys

The news of a new buggy from Team Associated isn’t all that surprising, but the news that they car would be released separately as a RM (Rear Motor) and MM (Mid-Motor) was. The B5 and B5M are designed as track-specific vehicles, geared towards low and high traction tracks.

When questioned, AE stated that the reason behind the separate releases is simple. Designing a car that could take the form of both RM and MM means compromise…something has to be given up in order for both layouts to work with one chassis. The answer; make two separate cars that are both engineered for separate conditions, thus creating a BETTER car for each situation.

Let’s take a quick look at a breakdown of both cars:

B5 Team Kit Features:
• Narrowed composite tub chassis with centralized mass, optimized motor position, metric hardware and fits ROAR approved 2S saddle packs and 2S short packs
• Factory Team V2 12mm “Big Bore” threaded aluminum shocks with 3mm shock shafts and updated o-rings for improved smoothness
• Factory Team VTS (Variable Torque multi-plate Slipper) with 3 drive surfaces and high-resolution spring
• New transmission has stronger gears, precision ball bearings and a 14 carbide ball differential for increased life and torque capacity
• New front suspension features heavy duty steering and caster blocks while the insert system allows for easy caster and trailing axle adjustment
• Adjustable front suspension mount angle “kick-up” options of 25 degree and 30 degree are included
• One-piece front axle/hex adapter and larger front wheel bearing for added durability
• Heavy-duty lubricated ball cups and optimized ball studs allow for maximum suspension travel while reducing binding and friction
• Updated full bearing steering system with horizontal ball studs for finer Ackermann adjustments
• Rear hubs feature larger bearings as well as the quick and easy insert system to adjust camber link position and rear toe-in
• B5 clear body and wing included

B5M Vehicle Specs:
Power: Electric
Scale: 1:10
Length: 385mm
Width: Varies
Wheelbase: 279-281mm
Weight: Varies
Drive: 2WD

B5M Team Kit Features:
• Narrowed hard anodized aluminum chassis with centralized mass and mid-motor position for improved handling on high grip off road tracks
• Chassis accepts ROAR approved 2S saddle packs and 2S short packs using the additional foam insert
• Factory Team V2 12mm “Big Bore” threaded aluminum shocks with 3mm shock shafts and updated O-rings for improved smoothness
• Factory Team VTS (Variable Torque multi-plate Slipper) with three drive surfaces and high-resolution spring
• New transmission has stronger gears, precision ball bearings, and a 14 carbide ball differential for increased life and torque capacity
• Adjustable front suspension mount angle (kick-up) options of 25˚ and 30˚
• New gull wing front suspension features heavy-duty steering and caster blocks, while the insert system allows for easy caster and trailing axle adjustments
• One-piece front axle/hex adapter and larger front wheel bearing for added durability
• Updated full bearing steering system with horizontal ball studs for finer Ackermann adjustments
• Heavy-duty ball cups and ball studs allow for maximum suspension travel while reducing binding and friction
• Rear hubs feature larger bearings as well as the quick and easy insert system to adjust camber link position and rear toe-in
• B5M clear body and wing included

B5M Vehicle Specs:
Power: Electric
Scale: 1:10
Length: 385mm
Width: Varies
Wheelbase: 280-282mm
Weight: Varies
Drive: 2WD

As you can see, the A-Team has gone all out to make sure each car is a perfect for the surface it was designed for. I’ll take one of each, please.

#90001 RC10B5 Team Kit
$239.97
March 2014

#90003 RC10B5M Team Kit
$259.98
March 2014

[source: www.rc10.com]