Road-legal Tamiya Wild One MAX electric off-roader launched
Full-size off-roader based on remote-controlled icon from the 1980s has 200km range and 100km/h top speedThe Tamiya Wild One MAX radio-controlled car has been reborn as a full-size all-electric dune buggy and is capable of being road-registered, at least on UK and European roads.
Developed by the Little Car Company, which is famous for shrunken recreations like the Ferrari 250 TR and Bugatti Type 35, the new life-sized Tamiya Wild One MAX has been priced from €41,000 ($A67,600) ahead of first European deliveries commencing in 2024.
Despite staying true to the 1980s radio-controlled car, engineers have added some creature comforts for road use. These include a wider cockpit to house two bucket seats, shorter-travel suspension and windscreen wipers.
Powered by eight swappable battery modules offering a combined capacity of 14.4kWh, the Wild One is said to cover up to 200km before it needs a top-up. Off the beaten track, the road-legal Tamiya has a claimed 110km range.
Available to order in either right- or left-hand drive, the Wild One weighs just 500kg and is powered by a single electric motor that only musters a pretty feeble 28kW, which explains why top speed is limited to 100km/h.
The reason the motor has such a modest power output is the Tamiya is compliant with the same European quadricycle regulations that allow cars like the Citroen Ami to be driven legally on public roads.
The good news is the all-electric dune buggy should be capable off-road, with up to 270mm of ground clearance and a decent approach angle of 34.1 degrees and departure angle of 50.8 degrees.
Enhancing its capabilities further are adjustable Bilstein dampers, Eibach springs and 14-inch Maxxis Bighorn tyres.
Ahead of the driver is a 5.0-inch digital screen showing speed, range and the reversing camera display.
Perhaps the best feature of the new Tamiya Wild One MAX is that if you buy one the car-maker will supply a giant sheet of stickers for owners to apply – just like the original RC car.
Little Car Company says it will launch the Tamiya Wild One MAX in a special run of 100 ‘Launch Cars’ that come with a full carbon-fibre dash, carbon-fibre key-fob, special decals and a replica 1/10th Tamiya Wild One MAX kit complete with remote, battery and charger.
The Tamiya Wild One MAX will be officially launched on July 13 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Related: Tamiya creates life-size Wild One Max buggy
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