Mini 4WD is any miniature
model within the mini scale of between 1/20 (1:20) to 1/48 (1:48) scale.
Currently, in 2015, the term is popularized predominantly by a 1/32 (1:32)
scaled, AA battery powered plastic model race car without remote control. All
four (4) wheels are direct-drive, thus "4WD" for 4-wheel drive, as
opposed to "AWD" or All-wheel drive. Horizontal side rollers guide
the vehicle against the vertical walls of the un-banked track for steering,
providing very fast speeds up to 65 km/H(40 mph) on the track. In Japan, Mini
4WD is also known as mini yonku (ミニ四駆) in Japanese. Though mostly
popular in Asia, they are sold in many countries as Japan, Taiwan, Hong Kong,
South Korea, Philippines, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Italy, United States
and the Netherlands.
Generation I (Schaper)
Stomper 4x4s was the first
official mini 4wd, created on February 14, 1980, by Adolph Eddy Goldfarb and
sold by Schaper Toys. These toys were battery-powered vehicles that ran on a
single AA battery and featured four-wheel drive. They were driven by a single
motor that turned both axles. Of the first vehicles were a Ford Truck and a
Chevrolet Truck.
Generation II (Tamiya)
In 1982, Mini 4WD was
produced by Tamiya. These toys were battery-powered vehicles that ran on a pair
of AA battery and featured four-wheel drive. They were driven by a single motor
that turned both axles. Of the first vehicles were a Ford Truck and a Chevrolet
Truck.
Generation III (Tamiya)
In 1983, Tamiya produced a
Racing Mini 4WD series starting with Hotshot Jr. and the Type-1 chassis. All
Type-1 chassis kits were supplied with thick, big racing wheels and super slick
spiked tires.
In 1984, Emperor and the
Type-2 chassis were introduced. Like the Type-1 chassis kits, all Type-2
chassis kits also have spiked tires of the super slick type.
In 1985, Vanquish Jr. and
the Type-3 chassis with the standard large diameter tires and fin type wheels
were introduced while the Type-2 Dash! Yonkuro cars were also re-released on
the Type-3 with the same big racing wheels and smooth super slick tires.
In 1989, Crimson Glory was
released with the FM chassis, this unique chassis had the motor placed on the
front of the chassis which was believed to give the car an upslope and downhill
balance. And in 1990, the Manta Ray
Jr. and the Zero chassis were produced.
Generation IV (Tamiya)
In 1993, Tamiya produced a
Super Mini 4WD series starting with Liberty Emperor and the Super-1 chassis and
it is the first series to only use the standard large diameter wheels and
tires.
In 1994, Strato Vector and
the Super FM chassis were produced. And in 1995, Black Stalker
and the Super TZ chassis were produced.
Generation V (Tamiya)
In 1994, Tamiya produced a
Fully Cowled Mini 4WD series starting with Magnum Saber on the Super-1 chassis
and it is the first to have cars equipped with small diameter narrow wheels and
tires.
In 1995, Cyclone Magnum was
released with the Super TZ chassis and wide thread wheels and tires.
Generation VI (Tamiya)
In 1998, Tamiya produced an
Aero Mini 4WD series starting with Max Breaker and the Super X chassis. In the
same year, a Mighty Mini 4WD series was produced starting with Dyna Hawk.
Also in 1998, Lightning
Magnum and the VS chassis were introduced.
Generation VII (Tamiya)
In 2003, Tamiya produced the
R/C Mini 4WD series starting with Subaru Impreza WRC 2002 and the TR-1 chassis,
a chassis that runs with a receiver unit and a single-button radio controller.
As the cheapest alternative to actual R/C cars and slot cars, the receiver unit
is removable to let the car freely run on the track with just the motor and
batteries, there were also car component kits and unique tune-up parts
produced. However, the R/C Mini 4WD cars' popularity were not widespread after
its introduction and Tamiya continued making free-running Mini 4WDs.
Generation VIII (Tamiya)
In 2005, Tamiya produced the
Mini 4WD PRO series starting with Nitro Thunder and the MS chassis, a chassis
run by a dual-axle motor and can be separated into three parts: a front N-unit,
rear T-unit and the midship unit containing the motor and batteries.
In 2013, Tamiya created the
MA chassis series of cars as a subseries to the PRO series starting with Blast
Arrow. The MA chassis combines the aerodynamics and monocoque aesthetics of the
AR chassis and the inner structure aspects of the MS chassis.
Generation IX (Tamiya)
In 2010, Tamiya produced the
Super-II chassis as the successor to the Super-1 chassis with more
compatibility with optional parts meant for other chassis and as such were
originally sold as premium versions of their original counterparts. Later in
2011, Tamiya started producing new Mini 4WDs on this chassis starting with the
Astute RS.
In 2012, Tamiya produced a
Mini 4WD REV series starting with Aero Avante and the AR chassis, this new
chassis has improved aerodynamics, easy motor and battery removal without
removing the body part and a monocoque design.
In 2017, Tamiya produced the
FM-A chassis as a subseries to the REV series starting with Rowdy Bull. The
successor to the Super FM chassis, it combines the aerodynamics and the
monocoque aesthetics of the AR chassis with the inner structure aspects of the
FM chassis.
Special/Limited Edition Mini
4WD models (Tamiya)
In the late 90's when Let's
& Go!! MAX was aired on television in Japan, Tamiya produced a series of
display model kits known as the Mechanical Mini 4WD series (stylized as Mini
4WD Mechanical). The cars in this series are static replicas of the mechanized
cars shown in the anime itself and thus they cannot freely move unlike the
actual Mini 4WDs.
Certain software, anime
production companies and some regions in Japan also collaborated with Tamiya to
merchandise the main and/or secondary characters of their anime, software
mascots or even tourism icons for limited edition Mini 4WD kits through
licensing as these companies believed that Mini 4WD is cheaper for them to
invest in bulk quantities compared to R/C cars which are four to six times the
price per kit in bulk.
Source : https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mini_4WD
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