Choose Your Car
By Platform
Guides and parts organized by chassis. Pick your platform and dig in.
Kyosho makes 4 active Mini-Z platforms, and they are meaningfully different from each other. The MR-03 is a 1/27-scale rear-wheel-drive racing chassis -- the one most club racers run. The MA-020 is all-wheel-drive and more forgiving to drive, which makes it popular with drivers coming from other RC backgrounds. The MR-04 is the successor to the MR-03 with a revised drivetrain and updated electronics compatibility. The MX-01 is a 4WD crawler, a completely different vehicle for a completely different use case. The MA-020 AWD also runs as a competition platform in its own class at many clubs.
Platform choice matters because the guides, parts, and upgrade paths are not interchangeable. A T-plate for an MR-03 does not fit an MA-020. Motor pinion sizes differ. Body compatibility depends on which chassis you run. Every guide on this site is tagged to the platform it applies to, so browsing by platform is the fastest way to find relevant content for your specific car.
If you are still deciding which platform to buy, the MR-03 vs MR-04 buyer guide covers the key differences and which one makes sense for different use cases. For beginners choosing between RWD and AWD as a first car, the First 5 Upgrades guide gives context on how each platform responds to the standard starter modifications. Once you have a car, the individual platform guides below cover the full competitive build path from stock to race-ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which Mini-Z platform should I buy first?
For most new racers, the MR-03 is the standard recommendation. It is the platform most club racing is built around, which means the most available parts, guides, and community knowledge. The MA-020 AWD is a better choice if you are coming from another RC car background and want something more stable while you learn. See the MR-03 vs MR-04 buyer guide for a full breakdown.
Are Mini-Z platforms compatible with each other's parts?
Most parts are platform-specific. Motor pinions, T-plates, wheel hubs, and body mounts are not interchangeable across platforms. Body shells have more cross-compatibility -- many shells fit both MR-03 and MA-020 at the same wheelbase setting. The Body Compatibility guide covers the specific fitment rules in detail.
What is the difference between stock and modified class?
Stock class (sometimes called production or box-stock) limits modifications to preserve close racing. Common rules: Kyosho or specified tires, stock motor, limited electronics. Modified class opens up brushless motors, aftermarket T-plates, gyros, and more. Most local clubs run both. Check with your local club for their specific class rules before you build.
MR-03
Indoor RCP track racing
Kyosho's flagship rear-wheel-drive racing platform. The most popular Mini-Z for indoor track competition.
MA-020
Indoor racing, beginner-friendly
All-wheel-drive platform with more traction and stability. Ideal for drivers transitioning from other RC cars.
MR-04
Indoor RCP racing, GT-style builds
Kyosho's narrow-chassis RWD platform built for GT-style bodies. More nimble than the MR-03, with a tighter track width and narrower footprint.
MX-01
Indoor crawling, scale terrain
Micro crawler platform with portal axles and high ground clearance. A completely different kind of Mini-Z.