Bicester-based company, The Little Car Company, renowned for crafting miniature versions of classic automobiles for children, has taken a unique approach by enlarging a toy car rather than downsizing a real vehicle.
The Tamiya Wild One Max, a beloved remote-controlled car originally released by Japanese company Tamiya in 1985, has been transformed into a drivable car of full-scale proportions by The Little Car Company. This remarkable creation is available for purchase globally, with road-legal variants obtainable in both the United Kingdom and Europe.
Overview of the Toyota C-HR
The Tamiya Wild One Max by The Little Car Company
Adapting the RC car into a life-size version required several modifications. The cockpit has been expanded to comfortably accommodate two adults, equipped with Cobra bucket seats and four-point harnesses. The front shock towers were redesigned with rounded edges to enhance visibility and pedestrian safety. Additionally, a windshield, wiper, and 5.0-inch dashboard screen were added. Despite its larger dimensions, the car remains relatively compact, measuring 141.7 inches in length and 74.8 inches in width.
Furthermore, the front suspension underwent a transformation from the original RC car’s trailing-arm design to a double-wishbone setup, featuring Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs, and 14-inch Maxxis off-road tires on all four corners. The Little Car Company boasts impressive specifications, including 10.6 inches of ground clearance, an approach angle of 34.1 degrees, a breakover angle of 28.4 degrees, and an exceptional departure angle of 50.8 degrees.
The Tamiya Wild One Max by The Little Car Company
The vehicle is equipped with eight interchangeable battery packs, providing a total capacity of 14.1 kWh. The Little Car Company estimates that this power supply enables a range of 124 miles on-road or 68 miles off-road (based on the more lenient European WLTP cycle). With a peak output of 38 hp and continuous output of 20 hp, the Wild One Max can reach a top speed of 62 mph.
In the United Kingdom and the European Union, the Wild One Max can be classified as a “quadricycle,” allowing it to be driven legally on public roads, similar to low-speed electric vehicles like the Citroën Ami and Fiat Topolino EVs. To meet the necessary requirements, an optional package must be selected, which includes a windshield, wiper, headlights, taillights, indicators, license-plate brackets, mud guards, and exterior mirrors. Both left-hand drive and right-hand drive versions will be available.
The Tamiya Wild One Max by The Little Car Company
The initial 100 units will be released as Launch Editions, featuring a carbon-fiber dashboard, a key fob, hologram decals, and a 1/10-scale model kit of the car, which is being reproduced by Tamiya specifically for this occasion.
Starting from July 13, orders can be placed, and the pricing begins at £35,000 (approximately $45,000 at current exchange rates), with a non-refundable deposit of £3,500 (around $4,500). This pricing aligns with previous releases from The Little Car Company, which have included replicas of the Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa and Aston Martin DB5, costing tens of thousands of dollars. The production is scheduled to commence in 2024.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about life-size RC car
What is The Little Car Company?
The Little Car Company is a company based in Bicester, U.K. that specializes in creating kid-sized replicas of classic cars.
What is unique about the Tamiya Wild One Max?
The Tamiya Wild One Max is a life-size drivable car created by The Little Car Company, based on the iconic remote-controlled car launched by Tamiya in 1985.
What modifications were made to the full-size version of the RC car?
To accommodate adults, the cockpit of the Tamiya Wild One Max has been widened and fitted with Cobra bucket seats and four-point harnesses. The front shock towers were rounded off for improved visibility and pedestrian safety. Additional features include a windshield, wiper, and a 5.0-inch dashboard screen.
What are the specifications of the Tamiya Wild One Max?
The car measures 141.7 inches in length and 74.8 inches in width, remaining fairly compact. It features a double-wishbone front suspension, Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs, and 14-inch Maxxis off-road tires. The ground clearance is 10.6 inches, with an approach angle of 34.1 degrees, a breakover angle of 28.4 degrees, and a departure angle of 50.8 degrees.
What is the range and performance of the Tamiya Wild One Max?
Equipped with eight swappable battery packs providing 14.1 kWh of capacity, the car has an estimated range of 124 miles on-road or 68 miles off-road. It has a peak output of 38 hp and continuous output of 20 hp, enabling a top speed of 62 mph.
Can the Tamiya Wild One Max be driven legally on public roads?
Yes, in the U.K. and European Union, the Wild One Max can be classified as a “quadricycle” and is legal on public roads. This requires an optional package that includes a windshield, wiper, headlights, taillights, indicators, license-plate brackets, mud guards, and exterior mirrors.
What are the pricing and availability of the Tamiya Wild One Max?
The Tamiya Wild One Max starts at £35,000 (approximately $45,000), with a non-refundable deposit of £3,500 (around $4,500). The first 100 examples will be Launch Editions. Orders open on July 13, and production is scheduled to start in 2024.
More about life-size RC car
- The Little Car Company
- Tamiya
- [Tamiya Wild One Max](link to specific page if available)
- [Citroën Ami](link to specific page if available)
- [Fiat Topolino EV](link to specific page if available)
- [European WLTP cycle](link to relevant information)
- [Bilstein](link to relevant information)
- [Eibach](link to relevant information)
- [Maxxis](link to relevant information)
3 comments
legal for public roads? count me in! the quadricycle classification is a game-changer. i’m already picturing myself cruising down the streets in this bad boy. gotta place my order ASAP!
tamiya wild one max is iconic, now they made it drivable for adults?? insane!! gotta love those bilstein dampers and eibach springs. can’t wait to see this beast in action!
the little car company always impresses with their replicas. now they’re taking it to the next level with a life-size version. gonna need a bigger garage for this beauty!