Citroen Xsara WRC Rally Monte-Carlo 2004

This model is an XB Expert Build version like my Madbull and my Sand Viper. So I received it ready to run with a beautiful bodyshell already painted and decorated. The chassis is a 4WD shaft-driven TT-01: unlike what its name may let you think, this chassis is made for on-road use. This is very new to me as it is my first on-road chassis. The Citroën Xsara WRC is in version "Monte Carlo", which means asphalt setup. With the additional "Rally" tires I bought, it will be able to hit the ground as long as the track is clean enough since the ground clearance is inferior to one centimeter.

The TT-01 family

Released in 2002, the TT-01 chassis is aimed at leisure. Very easy to assemble, it provides interesting performances right out of the box. A full range of options can almost transform it completely. This chassis is one of Tamiya's biggest commercial success in this category. The range of models using it illustrates its success:

81 models(!) over more than 10 years(!) Please note I only listed the kit versions: most of them are also available as XB versions and ES versions.

Sorry to insist but we're talking about an unprecedented phenomenon in the RC world (to my knowledge). Of course, figures include both generations (TT-01 and TT-01E) in addition to the "drift" variant. But still:

• Over about the 250 kits released in more than a decade, 81 use the TT-01 chassis. Almost one third of the period catalog! Being an entry-level chassis, you can easily imagine Tamiya's factories were pretty busy producing it...
• The TT-01 alone was used on more kits than all the ones based upon the TA-01, TA-02, TA-03, TA-04 and TA-05 altogether (not counting TA-01 / TA-02 and TA-02T "truck" variants).
• Since its debuts in 1976, Tamiya released 178 four-wheel drive shaft-driven kits for on-road (or rally) use. This includes models like the Porsche 959 and the F-201 chassis (not counting the TL-01B or TA-01 / TA-02 and TA-02T "truck" variants). Only 97 of them do not use the TT-01 chassis (as per 31/01/13).

I am updating this article at the beginning of 2013: Tamiya has just presented the TT-02 chassis at the Nuremberg Fair. No doubt it is a major announcement, both for the whole RC industry and for Tamiya.