Overview

The Tamiya RC Car Subaru Impreza Monte-Carlo 99 1/10 Scale TT-02 Chassis (TAM58631) is an exceptional assembly kit that brings one of rally racing's most iconic vehicles to life in miniature form. This 1/10 scale RC car faithfully recreates the legendary 1999 Subaru Impreza that competed in the opening rally of Monte-Carlo, one of motorsport's most prestigious events. Whether you're an experienced RC enthusiast looking for a quality build project or a dedicated beginner wanting to understand how RC cars work, this kit represents outstanding value and engineering from Tamiya, the world's most trusted RC manufacturer.

Built around the proven and adaptable TT-02 chassis, this ready-to-customise RC car for the UK market offers genuine performance combined with exceptional build quality. The model features a durable polycarbonate body that captures the distinctive shape of the iconic rally car, with separately moulded rear wing and side mirrors for authentic detail. What makes this particular RC rally car special is its versatility – the TT-02 platform is equally at home on tarmac road surfaces and flat dirt terrain, making it perfect for UK hobbyists who want one car suitable for multiple driving environments.

This is an un-assembled kit, which means you'll enjoy the rewarding experience of building your own RC car from the ground up. The assembly process is straightforward enough for beginners whilst remaining interesting for more experienced builders. When complete, you'll have a highly capable, balanced 4WD RC car that delivers impressive performance and handling characteristics.

Key Features

• Shaft-Driven 4WD System — The TT-02 chassis employs a sophisticated shaft-driven four-wheel drive layout that distributes power evenly to all four corners, providing excellent traction and stability whether you're driving on tarmac, gravel or flat dirt surfaces across the UK.
• Longitudinal Layout for Superior Balance — The battery is positioned on the left side and the motor on the right side of the chassis, creating a perfectly balanced weight distribution that significantly improves handling and cornering performance compared to designs with different weight placement.
• Exceptional Adaptability — This RC car offers two different wheelbase settings, two ground clearance options and two different tread set-ups, plus an incredible range of 10 possible gear ratios (from 7.28:1 to 11.38:1), allowing you to fine-tune the car's performance for different driving conditions and surfaces.
• Identical Suspension Components — Both the left and right suspension arms and uprights are identical, which makes assembly significantly easier and also means you only need to stock one type of replacement part if you ever damage a suspension component during use.
• Easy-to-Maintain Gearboxes — The gearbox design prioritises accessibility and serviceability, meaning you can quickly adjust ratios or perform maintenance without requiring specialist knowledge or tools beyond basic RC equipment.
• 4-Wheel Double Wishbone Suspension — This sophisticated suspension architecture provides excellent bump compliance and consistent handling characteristics whether you're cornering at speed or traversing rough ground, with front and rear friction dampers controlling movement.
• Faithful Rally Body Design — The pre-cut polycarbonate body shell accurately represents the 1999 Monte-Carlo winning Subaru Impreza, with separate parts used to recreate the rear wing and side mirrors, delivering genuine rally car aesthetics.
• Comprehensive Decal Sheet — A full set of stickers is included to recreate the numerous team and sponsor logos that featured on the original rally car, allowing you to create an authentic-looking finished model.
• Premium Wheel and Tyre Package — Gold-coloured fin-spoke wheels are paired with rally block tyres (27mm width, 69mm diameter), delivering both visual appeal and genuine off-road performance characteristics.
• Stylish Design Details — The chassis features brake disc-shaped wheel hubs and stylish front bumper supports that give the complete RC car an attractive, purposeful appearance.
• Torque Tuned 540 Motor — The included brushed motor is optimised for balanced performance and torque delivery, providing responsive acceleration and adequate power for both on-road and off-road driving.
• Electronic Speed Controller Included — An ESC is included in the kit, eliminating one major expense and ensuring you have a compatible controller designed specifically for this chassis.
• Bathtub-Type Frame — The protective frame design keeps components secure and helps protect the chassis during impacts and rough handling that's inevitable with RC cars.
• Front and Rear Bevel Differentials — The four-bevel resin differentials ensure smooth power distribution and enable the car to handle cornering effectively by allowing wheels to rotate at different speeds when turning.
• 3-Piece Steering Tie-Rod — This three-part steering linkage provides precise steering response and can be adjusted for different steering characteristics to suit your driving preferences.

Technical Performance

The Tamiya Subaru Impreza Monte-Carlo 99 is engineered around the proven TT-02 platform, which has become legendary in the RC hobby for its combination of simplicity, reliability and genuine performance. The shaft-driven 4WD system delivers power to all four wheels through a central drive shaft, which is more robust and efficient than belt-driven alternatives found on some competitor RC cars. The bathtub-type frame provides a strong, protective foundation whilst keeping weight minimal and distributed optimally across the chassis. The 442mm length, 186mm width and 140mm height dimensions create a car that's substantial enough to feel quality-built but compact enough to store and transport easily. The 257mm wheelbase is specifically proportioned to deliver balanced handling characteristics across both on-road tarmac and flat dirt surfaces that you'll encounter at UK RC clubs and private driving locations. The Torque Tuned 540 brushed motor produces adequate power and acceleration, and the included Electronic Speed Controller ensures smooth throttle response and reliable braking control. With a default gear ratio of 9.58:1 (with nine further ratios available), you can optimise performance for your preferred driving style – lower ratios for top-end speed or higher ratios for maximum torque and acceleration. The front and rear friction dampers control suspension movement effectively, whilst the 4-wheel double wishbone suspension design keeps all tyres in contact with the ground during cornering and over bumps. The 27mm width, 69mm diameter rally block tyres grip loose surfaces excellently whilst still performing competently on tarmac.

What's in the Box

• Pre-cut polycarbonate Subaru Impreza body shell with authentic Monte-Carlo 99 livery
• Complete TT-02 chassis with shaft-driven 4WD system
• Torque Tuned 540 brushed motor
• Electronic Speed Controller (ESC)
• Gold-coloured fin-spoke wheels with rally block tyres
• Front and rear friction dampers
• Double wishbone suspension components (front and rear)
• Front/rear 4-bevel resin differentials
• 3-piece steering tie-rod
• Comprehensive decal sheet with team and sponsor logos
• Separate rear wing and side mirror parts
• Bathtub-type frame and all required chassis components

What You Need to Complete

• 2-Channel radio control unit with transmitter and receiver
• Servo (steering control)
• Battery pack (NiMh/LiPo compatible)
• Battery charger and charging cable
• Polycarbonate spray paint for the body shell
• Assembly tools (screwdrivers, pliers, hex keys)
• R6/AA/UM3 batteries for the radio transmitter

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Tamiya TT-02 Subaru Impreza suitable for beginners building their first RC car? — Yes, this kit is rated Skill Level 2 and represents an excellent choice for newcomers to RC car building. The TT-02 chassis is specifically designed with ease of assembly in mind – the identical left and right suspension components and straightforward layout mean you won't encounter confusing asymmetrical parts. The instruction manual is detailed and logical, and many UK RC clubs have members experienced with TT-02 builds who can provide guidance. The assembly process teaches you how RC cars actually work, which is invaluable knowledge for ongoing maintenance and tuning.
• What battery does the Tamiya Subaru Impreza Monte-Carlo 99 require? — The kit does not include a battery pack, but it is compatible with both NiMh (nickel-metal hydride) and LiPo (lithium polymer) battery packs. The ESC included in the kit will work with either battery type. Standard RC hobbyists typically use 2S LiPo packs (7.4 volts) or equivalent capacity NiMh packs. We recommend purchasing a separate quality battery pack and dedicated charger as part of your completion bundle.
• Can this RC car run on both road and off-road surfaces? — Absolutely. The TT-02 platform is specifically engineered to perform equally well on tarmac road surfaces and flat dirt terrain. The rally block tyres grip loose surfaces effectively whilst maintaining reasonable road performance. Many UK RC enthusiasts who own TT-02 cars drive them at both organised club meetings (which often feature mixed-surface tracks) and in local parks or private land with diverse terrain.
• What makes the shaft-driven 4WD system better than belt-driven alternatives? — Shaft drive offers several advantages: it's more robust and less prone to damage, requires less frequent maintenance, and delivers power more efficiently because there's no belt slippage. The system is also quieter and more reliable in dirty conditions. This is why many serious RC racers prefer shaft-driven cars.
• How much does the completed Subaru Impreza weigh and how fast will it go? — The source specifications do not include weight or top speed figures. Top speed will depend on the battery voltage and capacity you choose, the specific gear ratio you install, and the terrain you're driving on. We recommend contacting our team for performance recommendations based on the battery and radio system you're planning to use.
• Can I adjust the gear ratio on this RC car? — Yes, one of the great features of the TT-02 chassis is its adaptability with gear ratios. The kit comes with a default 9.58:1 ratio, but nine further ratios from 11.38:1 to 7.28:1 are possible by purchasing separately-sold pinion gears. This allows you to fine-tune performance – higher ratios for more torque and acceleration, lower ratios for higher top speed.
• What tools will I need to assemble this kit? — You'll need basic RC assembly tools: screwdrivers (both Phillips and flathead), hexagonal keys/Allen wrenches, pliers, and possibly a small hammer. You may also want a workbench with good lighting. Tamiya provides detailed instructions showing which tools are required for each step. Many newcomers find that purchasing a dedicated RC tool kit from the outset saves frustration and ensures you have everything necessary.
• Is this the same TT-02 chassis used in other Tamiya rally and road cars? — Yes, the TT-02 is Tamiya's modular platform shared across many different models including rally cars, sports cars, and road cars. This means parts are often cross-compatible between different TT-02 models, and you'll find plenty of aftermarket upgrades and spare parts available from RC retailers across the UK. The platform's popularity also means abundant online build guides and setup advice.
• What is the difference between the 58631 and the 58631B versions? — The 58631 (this model) includes an Electronic Speed Controller as standard. The 58631B version does not include the ESC, making it slightly cheaper but requiring you to purchase an ESC separately. If you don't already own a compatible ESC, the 58631 standard version offers better value.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Tamiya, Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the Tamiya RC Car Subaru Impreza Monte-Carlo 99 1/10 Scale TT-02 Chassis – TAM58631 today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.