Think of them as close cousins, not twins. The Egress is the refined, purpose-built champion, while the VQS is the accessible, fun-loving successor designed to bring that championship feeling to a wider audience.
Egress (1991): This was Tamiya’s direct weapon for winning. Born in the ultra-competitive early 90s, the Egress was the pinnacle evolution of Tamiya’s 4WD shaft-drive competition buggies (following the Avante, Astute, etc.). Every part was optimized for racing: lightweight, rigid, and technically advanced. It was expensive, complex, and aspirational.
VQS (1992): Released just a year later, the VQS (Victory Quick System) had a different mission: democratize the high-end. It took the radical looks and core concepts of the Egress and re-engineered them into a simpler, more affordable, and easier-to-build package. Its name reveals its goal—a “quick” system for the everyday hobbyist to achieve “victory” in fun, not necessarily on the national podium.
