VIDEO: Tamiya shows 1/1 “Giant Mini 4WD” single-seater with 1.6 litre engine, 180 km/h top speed

Now, here’s a walk down memory lane: Tamiya, manufacturer of plastic model kits and radio controlled cars, presented a life-sized version of one of its world-famous mini 4WD models in Tokyo recently, in conjunction with the 2015 Japan Cup mini 4WD competition.

The “1/1 Giant Mini 4WD Project” is a fully-functional version of the brand’s “Aero Avante” Mini 4WD toy racer, and is currently on display at the Toyota-owned Mega Web centre in Odaiba, Tokyo.

This isn’t of course Tamiya’s first attempt at a life-sized model, having produced several other 1/1 models in the past, including the Wild Willy Jeep and the Beetle-based Sand Scorcher. But for a fully-drivable Mini 4wd model, there has never been anything like this.

The 1/1 Aero Avante won’t need a set of rollers to go around corners though – it will have a proper steering system and a fully-functioning suspension. Other diversions from the original battery-powered toy car concept include the lack of actual AA batteries, electric motor and plastic gears.

As reported by hobbymedia.it, the life-sized Tamiya model will be powered by a 1.6 litre air-cooled four-cylinder petrol powered engine, which gets paired with a four-speed manual transmission. Performance figures for the car haven’t been disclosed, apart from the fact that it has a top speed of 180 km/h.

The car itself measures in at 4,650 mm long, 2,800 mm wide, and 1,440 mm tall.



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Chris Aaron

With an equal passion for fast cars and everyday workhorses, Chris Aaron maintains a passion for European makes, Formula 1, playing the electric guitar and spending endless hours on the PlayStation - first-person shooters and the Gran Turismo franchise are his favourites. He also finds it strange to have written this in the third person.

 

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