Tekno ET48 2.2 Review: What Changed, Why It Matters, and How It Feels on Track

Tekno didn’t frame the ET48 2.2 as a “new sticker kit.” Their own message is pretty clear: years of development, track testing across the US and Europe, and a fourth-generation update meant to raise predictability and durability without losing the sharp race-kit feel that made the ET48 platform popular in the first place.

If you’ve been on the fence—maybe you’ve run an older ET48 generation, or you’re coming from another 1/8 electric truggy platform—this is the version that tries to make the decision easy. The big headline is the 2.2 spec chassis direction and the platform alignment with the current 2.2 buggy family, which helps with parts commonality and long-term ownership.

What’s New on the ET48 2.2 (The Changes That Actually Affect Driving)

The ET48 2.2 update is a stack of small, intentional refinements. Individually they look subtle, but together they can change how confidently you drive the truck when the track gets blown out or when you’re pushing lap times.

• 2.2 spec chassis direction — including a layout designed to support 4S shorty packs, giving you more freedom to tune balance and electronics placement.
• Lightened 7075 CNC shock towers — aimed at improving weight balance and response without giving up strength.
• Universal driveshafts everywhere, plus updated 140mm rear universals — consistency is the point here, especially when conditions change.
• New shock pistons and guides — Tekno shocks are known for smoothness; this is about keeping them consistent run after run.
• Revised steering/Ackermann details and sway bar bushings — small geometry and compliance changes that can make the truck feel more precise and less “sloppy” around center.
• -2mm bulkhead / hub related geometry updates — lowering key points helps keep the center of gravity down and the truck calmer when you’re on-throttle in rough sections.
• Revised arms and inner hinge pin sleeves — aimed at keeping suspension movement smooth and consistent regardless of dust and track grime.

The 2.0 Body Shape That Became “The Look”

One interesting detail from the walk-through style reviews: even though the ET48 2.2 is the newer generation, it keeps the sleek low-profile body concept that debuted on the 2.0. That shape has basically become the industry standard for modern 1/8 electric truggies—low, tight to the chassis, and designed to work with today’s electronics layouts.

Track Impressions: Traction, Rotation, and “Tekno Tough”

On a dry, dusty track day, the feedback was consistent: the ET48 2.2 generates a surprising amount of traction and uses rear steer well to rotate through corners. The truck also stays composed in the air and lands without drama, which matters more than people admit—especially late in a run when you’re tired and the track is getting sketchy.

There were a few flips and crashes during running, and the takeaway was basically “no worse for wear” beyond normal scuffs. That’s the kind of real-world durability note racers care about, because race kits aren’t just about lap times—they’re about not ending your day because a small part gave up.

Build Reality Check: It’s a Kit, So Your Electronics Choices Matter

The ET48 2.2 is a kit. That’s part of the appeal, but it also means the final “feel” depends heavily on your servo speed/torque, gearing, motor temps, and how cleanly you lay out wiring and cooling. A few practical notes that save headaches:

• Cycle your steering and suspension movement before the first run — smoothness up front makes the whole truck feel more precise.
• Plan your cooling — if your local track is high traction or you bash in warmer weather, a fan mount and airflow planning are not optional.
• Start close to the box setup — the 2.2 box setup was revised for a reason. Get a baseline, then tune.

Battery Fit and Runtime Notes (Without Turning This into a Battery Article)

The part that’s genuinely “new-owner friendly” is the chassis direction toward 4S shorty compatibility. In practice, that gives you a simple tuning lever: you can chase balance and corner speed with a lighter pack, or chase longer sessions and stability with a higher-capacity hard case pack.

If you want a shortcut, here’s the clean way to think about it:

• Race feel & quick rotation — many drivers prefer a lighter 4S setup (often shorty-style) to keep the truck sharp and reduce front push in tight turns.
• Practice days — mid-to-high capacity 4S hard case packs can keep the truck planted and give you longer stints.
• Bashing sessions — capacity and case durability usually win; then manage heat with gearing and cooling.

We built a dedicated collection so you can pick your 4S options without hunting: CNHL 4S battery options for Tekno ET48 2.2.

Common Questions People Ask (And the Practical Answer)

• “Do I need to upgrade if I already have an older ET48?”
  If your current truck is reliable and you’re not fighting balance or consistency issues, you may not “need” to. The ET48 2.2 is most compelling when you want the modern chassis layout, the refined geometry details, and the parts alignment with the 2.2 family for easier long-term ownership.
• “Bearings vs bushings on the sway bars—why change it?”
  Some racers like the buttery feel of bearings. Others prefer bushings because the system can be tuned to reduce slop and behave more consistently on rougher tracks. In real life, the best answer is: run it, then decide based on your surface and the kind of “center feel” you like.
• “Rear shocks look stiff / position debate?”
  Shock location changes leverage and response fast. If someone points out your rear shock position, don’t treat it as a callout—treat it as a tuning shortcut. Try the inside position for a calmer, more supported feel; try the outside position if you want more roll and a different rotation character. Make one change at a time.
• “What diff oil / gearing should I run?”
  Start with the current Tekno baseline for your surface, then tune around how the truck rotates and how the rear stays planted on power. Oils and gearing are highly track-dependent; copying a random number set from the internet usually creates more confusion than speed.

Bottom Line

The ET48 2.2 is the kind of update that looks subtle on paper but adds up on track: cleaner precision, better consistency, and a chassis direction that makes modern 4S setups easier to live with. If you’re shopping for a new 1/8 electric truggy platform—or you want a newer-gen Tekno that’s aligned with the 2.2 ecosystem—this is the one that makes sense.