The Little Car Company has announced that the Tamiya Wild One will make its return a decade after its last release – only this time, with a difference.
Rather than being 1/10th scale, the Wild One MAX will be an impressive 8/10th scale, and there will be no need for an R/C controller as it will be big enough to be driven.
Developed in partnership with the company behind the Bugatti Baby II and Aston Martin DB5 Junior, the Wild One MAX will be a rear-wheel drive, off road electric buggy.
At approximately 3.5m long, 1.8m wide and weighing around 250kg, the Wild One MAX will take up a bit more space than the R/C kits of the past. But just like the original, the owner will get the opportunity to assemble their model at home.
The base version will come with a top speed of 30 mph and a peak power output of 4kW (5.5 bhp). It will have a single PowerPack onboard with a capacity of 2kWh and a range of up to 25 miles, depending on terrain and driving style. However, several of the modular PowerPacks can be added to increase the performance and range.
The Wild One MAX will have a spaceframe chassis with four-wheel coil-over suspension and rear wheel drive. It will get the power to the ground through 15in off-road tyres on lightweight wheels. The buggy’s braking system will include 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 (5ft 3in) and 195cm (6ft 5in) to get comfortable.
There will also be three Road Legal Packs available so that the adventure can continue way beyond the workshop. These packs add components such as brake lights, turn signals, reflectors, and rear-view mirrors that will make the vehicle fully road legal.
The original Tamiya Wild One was released in 1985 and became one of the brand’s most iconic models, so it is an honour for The Little Car Company to bring this project back to life, according to Ben Hedley, CEO, The Little Car Company.
“As a child of the 80s, developing an almost full-size Tamiya model, which you can actually drive, is a dream come true,” he said. “We are honoured to be working with the Tamiya team on the project to bring one of their most iconic models to life for a new generation.”
The Tamiya Wild One MAX is expected to cost from £6,000 and is planned for global release in 2022. Customers can reserve a build slot at WildOneMax.com with a £100 fully refundable deposit.