Life-size Tamiya unveiled by The Little Car Company

The Tamiya Wild One MAX from The Little Car Company is officially here and the order book is now open.

The highly anticipated crossover combines the makers of the most famous remote-control cars and the world’s finest small-scale cars to astonishing effect, realising the dreams of many children of the 1980s and 1990s.

Production starts in 2024 and it will be road legal in the UK and the EU to quadricycle rules, meaning there are lights, a windscreen and wipers, mirrors and mudguards.

The Wild One MAX reincarnates Tamiya’s famous RC like never before, with room for two adults and a top speed of 62mph, all with a capable range of up to 124 miles thank to eight batteries.

Not only that, the first 100 to place a deposit will be upgraded to the Launch Edition featuring a titanium plaque on a carbon dashboard, with matching carbonfibre key fob. Tamiya is also recreating the RC kits this summer, and one set will go to each Launch Edition owner with matching decals. 

In an homage to the original, the decals for all examples of the Wild One MAX come on a giant sticker sheet.

The standard edition will be an unlimited run featuring the same Cobra bucket seats, digital dash, Brembo disc brakes and Bilstein adjustable dampers with Eibach Springs, along with Maxxis off-road 14-inch tyres.

To aid matters off the beaten track, ground clearance is 270mm while it’s capable of an approach angle of 34.1 degrees, break-over of 28.4 and departure of 50.8. For context (of sorts…), the Defender boasts a 38-degree approach, 29-degree break-over and 40-degree departure angles. 

Prices start at £35,000, with a £3500 deposit. A lower-spec variant and kit version are expected in the future, according to Ben Hedley, CEO of The Little Car Company.

“I’m extremely proud of our talented engineering team who have brought this iconic Tamiya RC car to life as a full-size car, capturing the nostalgia of the 1980s and bringing it to a brand-new audience with today’s technology,” he added.

“We also want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Tamiya community and deposit holders for their unwavering support and invaluable input throughout the design process. Their enthusiasm, suggestions and feedback have delivered what we are proud to unveil to the world today.”

Find out more at wildonemax.com