This almost full-size Tamiya model isn’t just for kids
From the clever people that brought you the Bugatti Baby II and the Aston Martin DB5 Junior comes a terrific Tamiya R/C buggy that’s big enough for adults to drive.
The Little Car Company’s Wild One Max is a scaled-up version of the classic radio controlled racer and is officially licensed by Tamiya. At 8:10 scale it’s eight times larger than the original model and can even be made road legal.
Like every great Tamiya model the Wild One Max comes in kit form, although you’ll need a bit more space than just the kitchen table to build it. The rear-drive buggy is 138-inches long and 71-inches wide, weighs 551 lbs and is powered by a 4kW electric motor and a 2kWh battery that gives a range of up to 25 miles on a charge. Top speed is 30 mph and there are Novice, Eco, and Race driving modes offering different throttle maps to suit the pilot.
Four-wheel coil-over suspension is fitted, the Wild One Max wears 15-inch wheels shod with knobby off-road tires, and Brembo disc brakes are installed all round. There’s space inside for drivers over six feet tall thanks to an adjustable composite race seat.
There’s also a catalogue of “hop-ups” just like the small scale Tamiya models, with options including a full race harness and high-performance suspension, alongside two further option packs. The Tarmac pack offers road-focused tires and mudguards, while the Road Legal Pack includes brake lights, turn signals, and mirrors which mean the Wild One Max can count as a Neighborhood Electric Vehicle.
No Tamiya model would be complete without a decal kit and The Little Car Company is asking model fans how they’d like to see the Wild One Max developed further on its website. You can also put a deposit down on the car which is set to sell for $8250 plus taxes and will be released in 2022. A lot of big kids are going to be very excited.
