Overview

The Tamiya RC Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) Drift Spec is an iconic recreation of one of the most legendary Japanese sports cars ever built, now available as a highly detailed 1/10 scale RC car kit. This isn't just any RC car — it's a purpose-built drift machine that captures the essence of the full-size R32, which caused quite a stir when it was released in August 1989 with its rumoured 280hp inline-6 turbocharged engine. The R/C model assembly kit faithfully recreates the R32's distinctive form using a polycarbonate body with separately moulded parts to recreate the side mirrors and front wing, making it instantly recognisable to anyone who appreciates Japanese automotive history.

Whether you're a seasoned RC enthusiast looking for your next drift challenge or someone discovering the world of RC cars for the first time, this Tamiya RC drift car UK offering delivers genuine drifting thrills with exceptional build quality and ease of maintenance. The model sits atop Tamiya's renowned TT-02D chassis, a specially tuned drift spec version of the legendary TT-02 platform that has earned the respect of RC hobbyists worldwide. This is a ready-to-customise kit that gives you complete control over your build while maintaining the simplicity and reliability that Tamiya is famous for.

The Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 Drift Spec represents the perfect balance between authenticity, performance and enjoyment, making it an excellent choice for anyone wanting to experience the thrills of RC drifting with a model that looks as good as it handles.

Key Features

• Highly Detailed Polycarbonate Body — The body is crafted from clear polycarbonate and faithfully recreates the iconic Nissan Skyline GT-R (R32) design, complete with separately moulded side mirrors and a functional-looking front wing, giving your RC car impressive visual appeal on the track or at the skate park.
• TT-02D Drift Spec Chassis — This is Tamiya's specially tuned drift-specific version of the legendary TT-02 chassis, purpose-built to deliver authentic drifting performance while maintaining the original platform's renowned ease of maintenance, excellent drivability and outstanding adaptability for future upgrades.
• 24mm Width Drift Tyres with Metal-Plated Wheels — The kit includes specially designed 24mm width drift tyres paired with stylish matte-finish metal-plated wheels that are perfectly balanced for sustained drifting and look fantastic whilst you're sliding around corners at pace.
• CVA Oil Shock Units — Front and rear CVA (independent) oil shocks provide consistent damping and suspension control, essential for maintaining stability during aggressive drifting manoeuvres and ensuring your RC car responds predictably to every input from the transmitter.
• 4-Wheel Double Wishbone Suspension — This sophisticated independent suspension design on all four wheels gives you precise handling characteristics, superior cornering grip and the ability to fine-tune your setup for different surfaces and driving styles, from smooth car parks to rougher terrain.
• Full Ball Bearings Throughout — Every moving joint in the drivetrain and suspension uses ball bearings rather than cheaper bushings, which means significantly reduced friction, smoother operation, longer component lifespan and better overall performance compared to many competing RC cars.
• Shaft-Driven 4WD System — The shaft-driven four-wheel-drive transmission delivers reliable power distribution to all four wheels, essential for drifting where you need maximum traction during the initial turn-in and controlled power during the drift itself.
• Front and Rear 4-Bevel Resin Differentials — These precision differentials allow the wheels on each axle to rotate at different speeds during cornering, which is absolutely critical for drifting as it allows the rear end to step out whilst maintaining forward momentum and control.
• Type 540 Sport-Tuned Motor — Tamiya's sport-tuned brushed motor comes pre-installed and optimised for performance, delivering responsive acceleration and smooth power delivery that's ideal for learning drifting techniques without the complexity of brushless systems.
• Aluminium Motor Heat Sink — The included aluminium heat sink keeps your motor running cool during extended driving sessions, protecting it from thermal damage and maintaining consistent performance even during long drifting runs at your local RC track.
• 3-Piece Steering Tie-Rod — This precision steering linkage gives you smooth, responsive steering response with minimal slack or backlash, critical for making fine directional corrections whilst you're mid-drift and fighting for line control.
• Multiple Gear Ratio Options — The standard 8.27:1 gear ratio can be changed using nine further ratios ranging from 11.38:1 (more torque, lower top speed) to 7.28:1 (higher top speed, less low-end grunt), allowing you to customise performance for different track conditions and your personal driving style.
• Bathtub-Type Frame — The distinctive bathtub chassis design provides excellent rigidity and durability whilst keeping the centre of gravity low for predictable handling, and it protects internal components from moisture and dirt that would otherwise interfere with performance.
• Easy to Build and Maintain — The kit assembly is straightforward enough for intermediate builders (Skill Level 2), and once complete the TT-02D design makes maintenance, repairs and component swaps simple, saving you time and frustration when you want to keep your drift car running at peak performance.

Technical Performance

The Tamiya RC Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 Drift Spec is engineered to deliver genuine drifting performance through a careful combination of precision engineering and purpose-built drift components. At the heart of this 1/10 scale RC car is the TT-02D chassis, which features a shaft-driven 4WD system with front and rear 4-bevel resin differentials that work together to deliver the controlled power delivery essential for sustained drifting. The Type 540 sport-tuned brushed motor provides responsive acceleration characteristics that let you modulate your speed precisely, whilst the included aluminium motor heat sink keeps everything running cool during extended driving sessions. The suspension system comprises a 4-wheel double wishbone design with CVA oil shock units front and rear, allowing independent wheel movement and the suspension geometry tuning that serious drifters demand. With a wheelbase of 257mm and overall length of 452mm, the model maintains the correct proportions of the full-size R32 whilst delivering the compact footprint needed for manoeuvrable drifting in confined spaces. The 24mm width drift tyres paired with matte-finish metal-plated wheels provide the right balance of grip and slip for sustained sliding, whilst the full ball bearing drivetrain means minimal friction and maximum efficiency. The standard gear ratio of 8.27:1 can be adjusted using separately-sold pinions to achieve ratios ranging from 11.38:1 to 7.28:1, giving you precise control over top speed and acceleration characteristics. An electronic speed controller (ESC) is sold separately, allowing you to choose a system that matches your performance requirements and budget. The model requires a separate 2-channel R/C unit with ESC and a compatible battery pack with charger, but once assembled this drift spec RC car represents outstanding value in the brushless 4WD drift car category and delivers years of reliable drifting enjoyment.

What's in the Box

• Polycarbonate body shell with separately moulded side mirrors and front wing
• TT-02D drift spec chassis (fully assembled frame and drivetrain)
• Type 540 sport-tuned brushed motor with aluminium heat sink
• Front and rear CVA oil shock units with springs
• 4-wheel double wishbone suspension arms and components
• Pair of 24mm width drift tyres mounted on matte-finish metal-plated wheels (front and rear)
• Shaft-driven 4WD transmission with front and rear 4-bevel resin differentials
• 3-piece steering tie-rod linkage
• Full ball bearings for drivetrain
• All necessary screws, fasteners and assembly hardware
• Instruction manual (in multiple languages)

What You Need to Complete

• 2-channel R/C radio system (transmitter and receiver) — various brands and frequencies available separately
• Electronic speed controller (ESC) — must be compatible with your chosen radio system and battery voltage
• Battery pack (NiMH or LiPo) with appropriate voltage for your chosen ESC — typically 2S to 3S LiPo or equivalent NiMH
• Battery charger compatible with your chosen battery type
• R6, AA or UM3 batteries (4 cells) for your transmitter

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Tamiya Skyline GT-R R32 Drift Spec suitable for beginners? — This kit is rated as Skill Level 2, which means it's suitable for builders with some assembly experience but not for complete beginners with zero RC knowledge. The actual construction is quite straightforward thanks to Tamiya's excellent design, but you'll need to source and install an ESC, radio system and battery before you can drive it, which requires some technical understanding. If you're completely new to RC cars, you might want to start with an even simpler model or seek assistance from more experienced RC enthusiasts.
• What battery does the Tamiya Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 Drift Spec need? — The model itself doesn't come with a battery, so you can choose based on your ESC. Most drift cars use either a 7.2V NiMH battery pack (6 cells) or a 2S/3S LiPo battery pack depending on the ESC you select. LiPo batteries deliver better performance and lighter weight, whilst NiMH is more forgiving for beginners. Always check your chosen ESC's voltage specifications before purchasing a battery to ensure compatibility.
• How does this compare to other drift cars in the Tamiya range? — Tamiya offers several drift spec cars on the TT-02D chassis including the Toyota Supra (58613), Honda Civic SiR EG6 (58637), and Mazda RX-7 FD3S (58648). All use the same proven TT-02D chassis platform, so performance and handling characteristics are virtually identical — the main differences are the body styling and which iconic sports car appeals to you most. The Skyline GT-R R32 is particularly appealing if you love Japanese performance cars or want a model that's instantly recognisable to anyone who knows automotive history.
• What makes the TT-02D drift spec version different from a standard TT-02 chassis? — The TT-02D is specifically tuned for drifting with lower ride height, stiffer suspension geometry and drift-specific tyres with lower grip. The standard TT-02 is more of a general-purpose on-road racer, whilst the D version is optimised for the unique demands of sustained drifting where you want the car to slide predictably at high angles.
• Can I upgrade the motor to brushless? — The TT-02D is compatible with optional brushless motor upgrades if you choose to replace the included Type 540 brushed motor, though you'll also need a brushless-compatible ESC. The platform's excellent adaptability means brushless upgrades are straightforward, and many aftermarket brushless systems are available specifically designed for this chassis.
• What is the wheelbase and overall size of this RC drift car? — The model has a wheelbase of 257mm with an overall length of 452mm, width of 187mm and height of 132mm. This compact footprint is ideal for drifting in relatively confined spaces whilst maintaining realistic proportions compared to the full-size R32.
• What gear ratio should I use? — The standard 8.27:1 gear ratio is a good all-purpose setting. If you want higher top speed for open areas, you can use a lower ratio down to 7.28:1 by purchasing an optional pinion gear separately. For more torque and lower speeds better suited to tight technical courses, you can go up to 11.38:1. Most drifters stay within the 8.27:1 to 9.5:1 range for balanced performance.
• Is this an assembled model or a kit I have to build? — This is an un-assembled kit (Skill Level 2), meaning the chassis frame, suspension and drivetrain come pre-assembled as a unit, but you'll need to install the body shell, wheels, motor and all the smaller components. You won't be painting and assembling from bare components like a high-end competition kit, but it does require some mechanical assembly and technical knowledge.

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 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 Nissan Skyline GT-R R32 Drift Spec 1/10 Scale 4WD R/C Car – TAM58651 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.