The "Competition 4WD Leopard 2010" (as it is called) shows the new FG commitment to large scale 4WD racing, and should give them a competetive car to race with this season.

Dimensionally the new car is overall bigger than the existing 4WD Baja Buggy (that was based on the old Marder chassis) and should bring it more in line with the other off-road cars that are currently being raced.

Belts remain the method of choice for FG to drive the 4WD system, and so will be very familiar to anyone who has a current FG 4WD car.

Body wise the car looks just like its 2WD predecessor by retaining a lot of the previous cars body shape.

The new wheels are a bit like Marmite - people either love them or hate them - but they are different, and again fall into line with the "dish" wheel style that has been so popular over the last 2-3 years.

These wheels are shown as being available in white (supplied with the kit), red, or yellow, so FG offer an optional 3 colour wheel choice.

Tyrewise - the car is shown with what looks like the current MCD mini-block tyres that have been so successful this year, with the other current MCD micro-block type of tyre as a listed alternative. FG call them Multi Pin and Multi Block.

The Leopard 4WD Competition Buggy will be sold as a flat pack kit ready for self assembley, and (like the previous Competiton models) it can be supplied with hydraulic or cable brake systems with the price adjusted accordingly.

No prices have been quoted yet - but I would guess that it could be a similar price to the current all alloy Competition Baja Buggy - as soon as we know we will add the details to this announcement.