Tamiya 2003 Ford Focus RS Custom RC Car Body TAM51718

Overview

The Tamiya 2003 Ford Focus RS Custom Body TAM51718 is an authentic 1/10 scale assembly kit that captures the high-performance rally spirit of one of the most iconic compact cars ever produced. This isn't a ready-to-run RC car — it's a rewarding build project for enthusiasts who want hands-on assembly experience combined with genuine Tamiya engineering. The model depicts the turbocharged RS version of the Ford Focus with various customisations, making it instantly recognisable to rally fans and RC enthusiasts alike. Based on the proven shaft-driven TT-02 chassis, this RC car offers excellent on-road performance, balanced handling and impressive stability. Whether you're an experienced RC hobbyist in the UK looking to expand your touring car collection or a builder seeking a satisfying assembly project, the Tamiya Focus RS delivers authentic looks and dependable performance in equal measure.

What makes this RC car special is its commitment to detail and engineering excellence. The polycarbonate body is carefully crafted to recreate the Focus RS's powerful stance, complete with chunky bumper details, engine hood air outlets and side mirrors rendered as separate parts for authenticity. The shaft-driven 4WD system provides superior traction and stability compared to belt-driven alternatives, making it ideal for smooth asphalt, car park surfaces and indoor RC tracks. With its balanced suspension geometry, smooth-action resin ball links and dual-rate friction dampers, this touring car handles predictably and rewards smooth driving technique. RC car UK enthusiasts will appreciate the modular nature of the TT-02 platform, which allows for setup adjustments and upgrades without replacing the entire chassis.

This is an assembly kit, meaning you'll need to invest time in building it — but that's part of the appeal for serious RC hobbyists. You'll also need to source a separate 2-channel RC system with ESC, battery pack and charger before you can take it to the track. The Tamiya Focus RS isn't a ready-to-run box-out-of-the-box experience, but it's the perfect project for anyone who values quality engineering, authentic styling and the satisfaction of constructing their own RC touring car.

Key Features

• Shaft-driven 4WD TT-02 chassis — The TT-02 is one of Tamiya's most adaptable and balanced platforms, using a longitudinal layout with the battery positioned on the left and motor on the right for optimal weight distribution and stability during cornering and high-speed runs on tarmac surfaces.
• Authentic polycarbonate body — The evergreen Ford Focus form is artfully captured in durable polycarbonate material, featuring detailed recreation of the chunky front bumper, engine hood with air outlets, and all the RS styling cues that make this car instantly recognisable to rally enthusiasts.
• Separate side mirrors — Mirrors are rendered as distinct parts rather than being moulded into the body shell, allowing for more authentic detailing and reducing the risk of breakage during transport or crashes.
• Integrated rear wing and splitter — The rear aerodynamic package is designed as a single moulded part alongside the main body, providing enhanced durability and ensuring these components won't separate during aggressive driving sessions.
• Removable motor cooling duct — The motor cover includes a removable cooling duct that can be taken off for maintenance access or left in place to manage motor temperatures during extended running sessions, giving builders flexibility in their setup.
• 4-wheel double wishbone suspension — Independent double wishbone suspension on all four corners provides excellent bump absorption, consistent handling characteristics and predictable cornering behaviour across different track surfaces.
• Resin ball links in steering linkage — Precision-moulded resin ball joints in the steering tie-rods ensure smooth, responsive steering input with minimal friction, allowing the car to translate your transmitter inputs faithfully to the front wheels.
• Brake disc-shaped wheel hubs — The wheel hubs are styled to resemble real vehicle brake discs, adding authentic detail whilst also providing functional brake cooling aesthetics that enhance the overall appearance of the finished model.
• Semi-pneumatic racing radial tyres — The supplied white fin-spoke wheels are paired with treaded semi-pneumatic racing radial tyres sized at 27mm width and 67mm diameter, offering good grip characteristics on smooth surfaces typical of indoor and outdoor RC tracks.
• Multiple chassis adjustments available — The TT-02 platform offers two different wheelbases, two separate ground clearance settings, two different tread configurations and a choice of up to 10 different gear ratios (using separately sold pinions), allowing builders to fine-tune handling to their preference.
• Front and rear friction dampers — Rather than spring-based suspension, the Focus RS uses friction-based dampers front and rear, providing consistent damping characteristics across a wide range of driving speeds and track conditions.
• Type 540 brushed motor — The standard motor fitted is a Type 540 brushed electric motor, which provides predictable acceleration and smooth power delivery, though you'll need to purchase an ESC separately to control it.
• 3-piece steering tie-rod design — The steering linkage uses a three-piece tie-rod construction, allowing for adjustment of steering geometry and replacement of individual components without rebuilding the entire steering system.
• 4-bevel plastic differentials — Front and rear differentials use plastic bevel gearing which provides reliable torque distribution to all four wheels whilst keeping weight down and simplifying maintenance compared to metal alternatives.

Technical Performance

The Tamiya 2003 Ford Focus RS Custom delivers impressive on-road touring car performance thanks to the shaft-driven TT-02 chassis, which represents decades of Tamiya refinement in compact touring car engineering. The 427mm length and 257mm wheelbase create a balanced platform that resists tipping during cornering whilst maintaining enough agility for precise line-by-line track navigation. The Type 540 brushed motor provides smooth, linear power delivery that rewards smooth driving technique — ideal for developing racecraft and understanding RC car dynamics. The shaft-driven 4WD system offers superior traction distribution compared to belt-driven alternatives, with the longitudinal battery and motor layout creating a low centre of gravity and neutral weight bias. The 8.27:1 gear ratio is supplied standard, though the modular TT-02 design allows for nine alternative ratios (ranging from 11.38:1 to 7.28:1 using separately-sold pinions), enabling you to customise acceleration and top speed to match your track conditions. The 4-wheel double wishbone suspension with friction dampers absorbs bumps smoothly whilst maintaining consistent handling characteristics, and the resin ball links in the steering system ensure minimal friction and responsive steering response. The polycarbonate body shell is durable and field-replaceable, important for any RC touring car that will see regular track time. This is a brushed motor system, so you'll need to purchase a suitable ESC separately — Tamiya recommend an Electronic Speed Controller alongside your 2-channel RC system. The bathtub-style frame provides excellent structural rigidity whilst protecting internal components during crashes or high-speed impacts.

What's in the Box

• Polycarbonate Ford Focus RS custom body shell with all detail parts including side mirrors, rear wing and splitter
• TT-02 shaft-driven 4WD chassis with bathtub-style frame
• Type 540 brushed electric motor
• Front and rear 4-bevel plastic differentials
• 4-wheel double wishbone suspension with friction dampers front and rear
• 3-piece steering tie-rod with resin ball links
• Motor cover with removable cooling duct
• White fin-spoke wheel hubs with brake disc styling
• Semi-pneumatic racing radial tyres (27mm width, 67mm diameter) front and rear
• All necessary screws, fasteners and assembly hardware
• Instruction manual with exploded parts diagrams and assembly sequences

What You Need to Complete

• 2-channel R/C system with transmitter and receiver (not included)
• Electronic Speed Controller (ESC) — sold separately
• Rechargeable battery pack — LiPo, NiMh or other compatible type (not included)
• Battery charger compatible with your chosen battery type (not included)
• R6, AA or UM3 batteries for the transmitter (not included)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the Tamiya Focus RS Custom suitable for beginners? — This is an assembly kit rather than a ready-to-run car, so it requires some mechanical ability and patience to build correctly. However, the instruction manual is comprehensive and the TT-02 chassis is well-documented with readily available parts and resources online. If you're comfortable with basic mechanical assembly and have built RC models before, this is an excellent learning platform. Complete beginners to RC car building might want to start with a simpler rolling chassis first, then progress to the TT-02 platform.
• What battery does the Tamiya Focus RS Custom need? — This model doesn't include a battery pack, so you'll need to source one separately. The TT-02 is compatible with various battery types including LiPo (lithium polymer), NiMh (nickel metal hydride) and other rechargeable battery packs in the appropriate voltage range. A typical touring car battery would be in the 2S or 3S LiPo range or equivalent NiMh capacity, though you should check ESC compatibility when purchasing your speed controller. You'll also need an appropriate charger for whichever battery type you choose.
• What is the difference between this Focus RS and other Tamiya touring cars? — The key difference is the body shell — this model uses an authentic Ford Focus RS design, whereas other TT-02-based kits in Tamiya's range feature different vehicle prototypes. The TT-02 chassis itself is shared across multiple models, so the mechanical performance and handling characteristics are fundamentally identical. You're choosing this kit primarily for the Focus RS body styling and the detailed recreation of that specific car's visual identity. The chassis tuning and setup options remain the same as other TT-02 models.
• How many gear ratio options are available? — The Focus RS comes with an 8.27:1 gear ratio as standard. The TT-02 platform supports up to 10 different gear ratios total, ranging from 11.38:1 (for maximum torque and acceleration on tight tracks) down to 7.28:1 (for higher top speed on faster, more open circuits). These alternative ratios are achieved by installing different pinion gears (purchased separately), allowing you to optimise performance for your specific track and driving style without changing the entire transmission.
• Is this a 4WD or 2WD car? — The Tamiya Focus RS Custom is a shaft-driven 4WD (four-wheel drive) touring car, meaning all four wheels receive power from the motor via a central transmission shaft. This provides excellent traction and stability compared to 2WD cars, making it particularly suitable for smooth, high-grip surfaces like asphalt and indoor RC tracks.
• What type of motor does it use and can I upgrade it? — The Focus RS uses a Type 540 brushed electric motor as standard, which is the most common motor size for 1/10 scale touring cars. You can upgrade to alternative motors if desired (such as higher-KV options for increased speed), though you'll need to ensure your ESC is compatible with any upgraded motor you choose. The modular nature of the TT-02 means motor swaps are straightforward for builders comfortable with mechanical work.
• What transmission system does this use? — The TT-02 features a shaft-driven transmission, meaning power is transferred from the motor to the differential via a central drive shaft rather than belts or chains. Shaft-driven systems offer several advantages: they're more compact, require less maintenance, are more protected from dirt and debris, and provide more direct power delivery with less slippage. This makes them excellent for touring car racing where consistency and reliability are paramount.

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 2003 Ford Focus RS Custom Body TAM51718 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.