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Tamiya Wild One MAX: Re-release with a difference
2nd May 2021
Ask any child of the 1980s what names like the Hornet, Lunchbox, Sand Scorcher & Avante meant to them, and they will likely reminisce about the joys of building and driving the 1/10th scale Radio Controlled (R/C) cars of their childhood. It is no secret that some of today’s most notable car designers started their engineering journey with the world’s best-known R/C car brand – Tamiya.
The original Tamiya Wild One (58050) was released in 1985 and became one of the brand’s most iconic models. Such was the popularity of the model it was even re-released in 2012 (58525) to further acclaim. Now, The Little Car Company are delighted to announce that the Wild One will make its return a decade later - only this time, with a difference.
The Little Car Company are developing the Wild One MAX for release in 2022 under licence from Tamiya. Rather than being 1/10th scale, the Wild One MAX will be an impressive 8/10th scale, and you will not need an R/C controller, because it is big enough to drive yourself! Developed in partnership with the company behind the Bugatti Baby II and Aston Martin DB5 Junior - The Little Car Company - the Wild One MAX will be a rear-wheel drive, off road electric buggy. At approximately 3.5m long (137.8”),1.8m (70.8”) wide and weighing around 250kg (551lbs), the Wild One MAX will take up a bit more space than the R/C kits of the past. But just like the original, you get the opportunity to assemble these models at home.
The Wild One MAX will have a spaceframe chassis with four-wheel coil-over suspension and rear wheel drive. It gets the power to the ground through 15” off-road tyres on lightweight wheels. The buggy’s braking system includes hydraulic Brembo disc brakes on each corner, backed up by regenerative braking to maximise range. When taking to the driving seat, customers will find an adjustable composite seat with a three-point seatbelt, digital gauges and a racing steering wheel. This allows drivers between 160cm (5’ 3”) and 195cm (6’ 5”) to get comfortable. There are even multiple driving modes including Novice, Eco & Race, which offer different top speeds, throttle mappings and power outputs according to driver skill level.
The base Wild One Max comes with a top speed of 48 km/h / 30 mph and a peak power output of 4kW (5.5 bhp). It has a single PowerPack onboard with a capacity of 2kWh and a range of up to 40km (25 miles), depending on terrain and driving style. However, if you would like to go faster or further, several of the modular PowerPacks can be added to increase the performance and range.
On top of the individual Hop-Ups for the Wild One MAX, there will also be complete ‘Packs’, which can be added to your buggy. For example, a Tarmac Pack will provide owners with road-biased tyres and mudguards. And taking it one stage further, for those who wish to roam both off and, on the roads, there will be three Road Legal Packs so that the adventure can continue way beyond the workshop. These packs add the components required to build the vehicle to be compliant with L6e or L7e Quadricycle legislation in Europe, or Neighbourhood Electric Vehicle legislation in the USA. Parts will include brake lights, turn signals, reflectors and rear-view mirrors so you have everything to make your vehicle fully road legal.
The Tamiya Wild One MAX is expected to cost from £6,000 / €7000 / $8,250 plus local taxes and is planned for global release in 2022. Customers can reserve a build slot from today at WildOneMax.com with a £100 fully refundable deposit. Build slots are allocated on a “first come, first served” basis.
If you would like to hear more about the project and to sign up for the latest news, please visit: WildOneMax.com
Please note final specifications and pricing are to be confirmed before production commences.