The R/C Mini 4WD (Japanese: ラジ四駆, Raji Yonku) is a Mini 4WD line-up introduced by Tamiya on July 17, 2002.
The main selling point of this line-up is that racer can control the car's acceleration through the R/C system, in a way that it can be described as 'a slot car with no wire and has four-wheel-drive'. Most of the cars in the line-up are licensed real-life road cars and race cars.
Sadly, the line-up was discontinued a year after its introduction, following the lack of interest as well as parts incompatibility between the earlier GUP and R/C Mini 4WD cars. Sports car bodied Mini 4WD cars (introduced in this line) would be later re-introduced with the Mini 4WD PRO series two years later, and bodyshells featuring real-life cars would later return in various lines in 2010s.
Because the line was originally marketed as a spin-off rather than part of main Mini 4WD line, most official literature and history charts often made no mention of the R/C Mini 4WD. However, the TR-1 Chassis associated with the line can be used on official Tamiya races as long as alkaline batteries are used and (obviously) the radio control system is not installed. Conversely, most bodyshells from the line can be adapted for use with other Mini 4WD chassis types.
List of Mini 4WD cars[]
- Subaru Impreza WRC 2002 (Pre-assembled with R/C system) (Released on July 17, 2002)
- Peugeot 206 WRC (Pre-assembled with R/C system) (Released on July 17, 2002)
- Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII WRC (Pre-assembled with R/C system) (Released on July 17, 2002)
- Raybrig NSX 2002 (Pre-assembled with R/C system, assembly kit) (Released on October 30, 2002)
- ZENT Tom's Supra (Pre-assembled with R/C system, assembly kit) (Released on October 30, 2002)
- Calsonic Skyline GTR-2002 (Pre-assembled with R/C system, assembly kit) (Released on October 30, 2002)
- Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe Flatnose (Assembly kit) (Released on November 26, 2002)
- Beams Integra (Assembly kit) (Released on November 26, 2002)
- Nissan 350Z (Assembly kit) (Released on November 26, 2002)
- Lindwurm-Rider (Assembly kit) (Released on July 9, 2003)
- Cobalt-Gunner (Assembly kit) (Released on July 9, 2003)
| Mini 4WD series | ||
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Original Mini 4WD ·  · 
| |
| 1990 |  ·  ·  ·  ·  ·  · 
| |
| 2000 |  · 
| |
| 2010 | 
| |
| 2020 | 
| |
| Others | EVO Chassis Set · Beginner's Mini 4WD | |
| R/C Mini 4WD series | ||
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Subaru Impreza WRC 2002 · Peugeot 206 WRC · Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VII WRC · ZENT Tom's Supra · Calsonic Skyline GTR-2002 · Raybrig NSX 2002 · Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe Flatnose · Beams Integra · Nissan 350Z · Lindwurm-Rider · Cobalt-Gunner | |