Palm-Sized And Built For High-Speed Competition

Paul Onorato June 30, 2025 Stories

ABOUT THE TAMIYA MINI 4WD CARS

Palm-Sized And Built For High-Speed Competition — Tamiya Aero Avante #18701

Tamiya Mini 4WD cars are 1/32-scale racers that come in fun, build-it-yourself kits. Thanks to their clever snap-together design, they’re quick and easy to assemble—no glue required—much like a plastic model kit. Once your car is built, just apply the included colorful stickers, pop in some AA batteries, and you’re ready to race.

As of this writing, Tamiya offers 12 unique Mini 4WD chassis types, each engineered with different performance characteristics based on factors like motor position, wheelbase, weight distribution, and materials. It should be noted that there have many many other chassis variations Even at this small scale, there are real performance trade-offs—whether you’re aiming for dialed handling, outright speed, or easier maintenance. In the sections below, we’ll touch on each chassis and what makes it stand out on the track.

CURRENT TAMIYA MINI 4WD CHASSIS

MA Chassis

The MA (Midship AERO) chassis is designed for speed and simplicity, making it a great starting point for beginners. Its motor is mounted in the center for balanced performance, while a single-piece monocoque frame makes building and maintaining the car straightforward. With six low-friction rollers and a rear skid bar, the MA chassis glides smoothly through corners and straightaways. It measures about 156mm long and 97mm wide, with an 80mm wheelbase, 59.5mm tread, and a ready-to-run weight of 125.9g—solid and stable without being heavy.

MS Chassis

The MS chassis is all about control and modular design. It uses a direct-drive, double-shaft motor and features a unique 3-piece layout—nose, center, and tail—that makes upgrades or maintenance a breeze. Designed to handle tight turns, it offers an 80mm wheelbase for nimble cornering, and measures approximately 152mm in length and 92mm in width. The tread is slightly wider in the back (69mm rear vs. 67mm front), adding extra stability. It weighs 124.7g, giving it a planted yet responsive feel.

FM-A Chassis

Built for variety and fun, the FM-A chassis puts the motor up front and centers the weight toward the nose—ideal for tracks with lots of ups and downs. It’s designed with sleek, aerodynamic lines and features a low-friction front skid bar and four smooth-rolling wheels, including stable 8mm-thick rear rollers. Beginners will appreciate the easy access to the motor from underneath, making quick adjustments simple. It measures 150mm long and 97mm wide, with an 83mm wheelbase, 60mm tread, and a light weight of just 71g—great for nimble performance.

Super FM Chassis

The Super FM chassis builds on the original FM design with several helpful upgrades for new racers. It has an improved aerodynamic underside, strengthened bumper, and cooling ducts to help it perform during long runs. It was also the first chassis to include a rear roller stay—boosting cornering stability. This chassis is 144mm long, 90mm wide, with an 83mm wheelbase and 64mm tread. It weighs in at 117.2g for a balance of speed and durability.

Tamiya Gunbluster XTO Philippines Special Edition #95475

VZ Chassis

Tough, compact, and perfect for beginners who want to experiment, the VZ chassis is built to handle racing bumps with ease. Reinforced bumpers and rear stay supports give it great durability, while low-friction 620 plastic bearings boost drive efficiency. It’s made from sturdy ABS plastic and allows for plenty of upgrades. The chassis comes in at 158mm long and 98mm wide, with a standard 80mm wheelbase. Tread measures 59.5mm in the front and 65.5mm in the rear, with an overall weight of 108.3g.

AR Chassis

The AR chassis is a favorite among new racers thanks to how easy it is to adjust and maintain. It was the first design to include six rollers, and it positions the batteries low to improve grip and handling. With compatibility for Grade-Up and Option parts, it’s a great platform to grow into. This durable chassis is 155mm long, 97mm wide, with an 82mm wheelbase, 67mm tread, and a total weight of 123.5g.

VS Chassis

The VS chassis is compact, lightweight, and beginner-ready. It features a short 80mm wheelbase for tight cornering and a hinged gear cover and battery holder for quick, no-fuss maintenance. Measuring 145mm in length and 90mm in width, with a tread of 64mm and a weight of 113.8g, it offers a great balance of performance and simplicity.

Super XX Chassis

The Super XX chassis is a tougher, more adaptable version of the Super X, built with wide roller settings and reinforced parts for high-speed stability. The chassis is 153mm long and 98mm wide, with an 84mm wheelbase and a wide 70mm tread. Weighing in at 119g, it offers a strong, stable ride while still allowing lots of customization.

Super-II Chassis

For beginners who want something a little more race-ready out of the box, the Super-II chassis is a solid pick. It’s based on the Super-1 but adds a reinforced bumper, rotating switches to secure the rear stay, and a screw-down cover for better durability. It’s 150mm long and 97mm wide, with an 80mm wheelbase, 64mm tread, and weighs 115g.

Zero Chassis

Simple, solid, and focused on stability, the Zero chassis features a lowered motor and battery position for a low center of gravity. It also includes helical crown gears for smoother power delivery. The short 80mm wheelbase helps it corner quickly, while the compact frame—just 131mm long and 86mm wide with a 64mm tread—keeps the weight down to 109g.

Type 3 Chassis

A refined on-road chassis, the Type 3 offers great ground clearance and a lightweight design. Strategic cutouts like motor cover holes reduce bulk, and the wide setup options make it a fun base to build on. It measures 127mm long and 86mm wide with an 80mm wheelbase, 64mm tread, and a total weight of 115g.

Type 2 Chassis

The Type 2 is the first dedicated on-road chassis in the Mini 4WD series, and it’s a smooth operator for straight-line speed. It comes with large-diameter slick tires and rollers as standard, plus a long 82mm wheelbase for extra stability. The compact 128mm length and 86mm width are paired with a 64mm tread and an overall weight of 113g—ideal for steady, predictable racing.