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R/C On-Road Chassis Breakdown

A beginner R/C enthusiast might be easily confused by the jumble and jargon used to explain the different types of cars produced by Tamiya. Considering that we produce such a wide array of R/C vehicles, we understand what a daunting task it may be for people that are unfamiliar with the product. Well, the day has come for a complete break down!

Note: We separate different cars by chassis type. Every chassis has their specific differences and also similarities (some parts are compatible with multiple chassis). Many of the different bodies work across all chassis' as long as they are the same scale and within reason. After all, an off road 1/10th scale body probably won't fit on a 1/10th scale on road car! References to efficiency, drivetrain and suspension improvements are sometimes too vast to mention exact details. Remember in R/C cars every little bit counts.

R/C Car Glossary and Terms

Bathtub Frame (TT-01 shown)		Monocoque Frame (TL-01 shown)


Shaft Drive (TB-02R shown)		Belt Drive (TRF415MSX shown)

TL-01 Chassis

The TL-01 chassis has been around since 1997, quickly becoming a versatile chassis for on-road racing, parking lot bashing, or off-road action (TL01b). After almost 9 years out on the market, it is still a very popular car today in all chassis variations (TL01RA - rally arms, TL01LA - long arms, TL01b - off road). The TL01 is a 4wd shaft driven chassis with a monocoque frame (looks like two halves pieced together). This setup provided a lightweight but yet very durable base for the beginning R/C enthusiast, with many hop-up options to appease the advanced user. This chassis is available in kit form (assembly required) or the XB (Expert Built) RTR (Ready to Run) version.

TL-01 kits
XB Expert Build RTR

TT-01 Chassis - Type E, R, D

The TT-01 chassis has graced the R/C tracks and parking lots around the world since 2003. It has earned the reputation of a durable and sturdy vehicle, perfect for the beginning R/C enthusiast and easily adequate for the intermediate or advanced users with Hop-up parts. The simplicity and ease of maintenance meant a low-priced vehicle with great value. The TT-01 is a 4wd shaft driven chassis with a bathtub frame. This chassis is available in kit form (assembly required) or the XB (Expert Built) RTR (Ready to Run) version. It is our best selling and most popular car to date, with a wide range of realistic replications of many different sports cars.

TT-01 kits
XB Expert Built RTR

TB-02 Chassis - R, D

The TB-02 chassis is the next stage of 4wd shaft-driven performance for the R/C enthusiast. Although it is quite similar to the TT-01 at first glance, the overall car is a much more efficient machine. The basic kits include ball bearings and the varieties of hop-ups offered are more advanced; conversions into the original Evolution III racing chassis are quite popular. The basic kits are a good bargain considering the extra adjustability in the chassis geometry out of the box-camber links, roll center, toe, etc.

TB-02 kits

TB-03 - D

The TB-03 chassis is Equipped with many race-use parts as standard, the TB-03 also features a longitudinally-mounted motor and shaft-driven 4WD drivetrain with 3-piece propeller shaft. The bathtub frame has an integrated motor cooling duct to enhance motor performance as well. The suspension is made up of TRF416 front and rear uprights, short reversible suspension arms, and the unique front inboard layout, giving fans a highly evolved 4WD chassis.

TB-03 kits

M-Chassis - M, L, Pro

This is one of the most popular chassis because it features the Mini Cooper kits and other small vehicles. These chassis are either front wheel drive (M-03 designation) or rear wheel drive (M-04 designation) with a monocoque frame. They are available in either assembly kits or RTR (ready to run) versions. There are enough hop-ups to make the car competitive, especially due to its lightweight nature and 2wd setup taking less power. In SPEC racing series where there are rules and limitations on the class, drivers are often seen making very exciting bumper-to-bumper racing.

M-Chassis kits
XB Expert Built RTR

TA-04 Chassis

The TA chassis designation has a rich history dating back to its first release as a shaft driven, 4wd TA01 Nissan Skyline R32 in 1990. It was the first sedan of the modern era, literally changing all perceptions and setting the trend for on-road cars today. The TA01 was basically a Manta Ray buggy chassis converted to on-road with the usage of new suspension arms but with a scale and realistic body. Later on, the TA02 included a longer suspension arm set and shorter chassis. The next generation TA03 chassis experimented into belt drive technology and carbon hop-up parts; this was also the car that made exploits in the racing scene under the hands of David Jun. The modern day TA-04 chassis is a 4wd belt-driven car with a bathtub frame available since the year 2000; it is derived from the limited edition TRF414x released by Tamiya for a new age high technology competitive R/C car racing. It utilizes two belts of unequal length as the drivetrain to power the front and rear gearboxes through the motor. Belt drive cars are very efficient, as they do not waste too much energy to power the car and have less drivetrain losses. This feature and the numerous hop-ups available made the TA-04 a very competitive racing car. Many cars later on were designed around the TA-04 concept. (Available in kit form only)

TA04 kits

TA-05 Chassis - IFS, V.2

This new chassis was released just last year and has taken the R/C racing scene by storm. It is the successor to the original TA04, this time utilizing a new equal length dual belt drivetrain and 4wd in a bathtub frame. This chassis uses the same suspension as the TA-04, 414, 415, TB-02, and Evo III, adding a lot of value to a competitive and affordable package. There were also many revisions made to the frame and drivetrain to make the car more efficient and handle better. It has earned the reputation of being the car to buy for the R/C enthusiast in terms of racing performance with the option to parking lot bash. There are more and more hop-ups every month released for this vehicle. It gathers many compliments on the low resistance free-rolling capabilities of the drivetrain and the low center of gravity.

TA-05 Chassis

TB Evolution III, IV, and V

The Evolution III has been discontinued, but it was Tamiya's first competitive shaft-driven 4wd racing chassis. It featured many extreme components such as lightweight carbon fiber construction; performance oriented low-friction dampers, and a variety of hop-ups providing smooth and efficient performance. The Evolution IV is the successor to the Evo III, taking many revisions and inspiration from the popular TRF415 racing chassis. It featured aluminum bulkheads for the gearboxes and a more efficient chassis all around by including the lightweight reversible suspension set (53899) with the standard kit (normally a hop-up). The newest chassis to the racing lineup is the Evolution V; which is a lean, mean racing machine. Many revisions were made to lower the center of gravity on the vehicle from the bulkheads to the steering arms.

TB Evolution III TB Evolution IV TB Evolution V

TRF415 & TRF415MSX

This chassis is the culmination of the requirements and demands for international professional class R/C car racing. It has been proven time and time again in international competition from our drivers across the world and is the top of the line R/C on-road model from Tamiya. The current TRF415MSX originally started as the TRF415, which was the successor to the original TRF414 racing chassis and TA04 (Hence they share many similarities). Attention to the detail is apparent in every aspect of the vehicle, from the drivetrain layout, carbon chassis, suspension setup, and the wide arrange of geometry settings and adjustments possible. The TRF415MSX was later on released as a revision to the successful TRF415 by updating the aluminum bulkheads to provide an even lower center of gravity and improve the ease of maintenance on the vehicle.

TRF415 TRF415MSX

TRF416 - X, WE

The TRF 416 was developed using race data recorded by our worldwide team drivers. The TRF 416 has won numerous races around the world and has become a very popular championship-winning machine. As a result, the worldwide demand for the TRF416 lead Tamiya to produce two additional production runs of the product, which sold out instantly.

TRF416 TRF416WE TRF416X

GT/F-1/Indy Cars

F201 CHASSIS Shaft driven 4WD mechanism has been installed into F1 style R/C car. Four wheel double wishbone, inboard suspension on the monocoque frame absorbs rebound shock via push-rods and rocker arms just like a full-size F1 car.

F103 CHASSIS Simple and lightweight chassis structure which employs FRP semi-double deck creates sharp and quick cornering performance. Formula car type F103RS and Le Mans car type F103LM are released.

GT/F-1/Indy Cars