Kyosho designed the Alpha with an emphasis on simplicity and completeness. The drive train is a gearbox/belt-drive hybrid, and both a 1400mAh stickpack and a 6-hour AC charger are included. Kyosho’s
house-brand Perfex radio system performs well, and theincluded electronic speed control is a nice surprise, as
the Alpha is one of the least expensive RTRs tested.
    The PureTen Alpha features a deeply channeled tub molded in an attractive dark blue and with several ribs to
add stiffening. An upper deck runs between the diff housings and further strengthens the main chassis; it also serves as a perch for all the radio gear. A swing-out door in front of the left rear
wheel is used to access the stick-pack-only battery compartment.
    Kyosho has the drive motor mounted behind the rear wheels with the pinion turning a 3-gear
transmission with a gear diff. A pulley on the tranny’s idler-gear shaft transmits power to the front diff via a single belt. Though large shrouds protect the drive belt and pulleys at either end of the chassis, Kyosho nonetheless includes a rudimentary belt tensioner that’s intended to alleviate excess slack in the driveline. In keeping with the low-cost theme, metal bushings are used throughout the vehicle.
    The S-2000 has a 4-wheel independent lower H-arm suspension with fixed-length upper camber links. Yes, they look like fluid-damped shocks, but they’re actually  friction-damped (barely). The S-2000 bounces over all
except the smoothest surfaces.

For a pic of the Kyosho Alpha, click here.