MINIATURE MASTERPIECE – Reviewing Kyosho’s AMG GT3 Mini-Z ReadySet

In the world of RC, there’s really something for everybody. Whether you’re into the go-fast bashers or the dedicated racers, the large scale and the small, you can find just about anything that suits your tastes. For me personally, I have become more and more of a collector these days and really appreciate the uniqueness a kit can offer, especially when it’s something a little different. With that in mind I was stoked when the Kyosho AMG GT3 Mini-Z ReadySet came into my hands. I’ve appreciated these tiny kits since their inception, so I was all for taking a closer look into what the Kyosho Mini-Z offers in the year 2023.

DESIGN & QUALITY

These small-scale kits pack a decent amount of performance for their size, and one thing that especially catches my eye is Kyosho’s Mini-Z chassis designs. This particular Mini-Z ReadySet comes equipped with Kyosho’s MR-03 chassis, a rear-wheel drive design with improved suspension, better component layout, and improved modularity.

The MR-03 features independent front suspension with variable camber, or VCS, integrated into the design. The knuckles sit on pivoting kingpins with captured pivot balls at the top. The front springs sit inboard and can be swapped with optional spring rates to tune performance as you see fit. The rear end of the car features a fixed pod with a center friction shock, similar to pan-style cars. The center shock spring can also be swapped with optional rates, like the front. The front wheels ride on steel spindles, while the rear end features a solid steel axle. A gear differential sits at the right rear with an integrated spur gear. Kyosho includes steel ball bearings all around for optimal performance.

The MR-03 is outfitted with a combination ESC and receiver board with updated programming to improve the steering feel and control of the car. This compact circuit board sits nicely tucked away at the top of the chassis. The board features two auxiliary ports to connect optional LED lights and can also be paired with Kyosho’s optional gyro unit to further improve handling capability. Due to space restrictions the steering servo is proprietary and is built inside the chassis components, so it cannot be swapped with optional servos. This works well, however, as it keeps all of the components neatly tucked away without adding excess weight to the car. The rear pod houses a 130-type brushed motor, wrapping up the electronics included with the RWD ReadySet. Kyosho also includes a Syncro KT-531P transmitter, a unit that has been optimized to provide a good amount of adjustability along with decent ergonomics. The electronics are powered by 4 AAA batteries and are compatible with both NiMH and alkaline cells.

Last, but certainly not least, this Mini-Z kit includes an awesome AMG GT3 hard plastic body. This beautifully detailed body comes pre-painted and decaled from the factory and evokes a model-quality aesthetic. Just the body alone makes me appreciate this kit so much. Little details like the small aero components from the real car, vent placement, painted logos and indicators, chromed accents, realistic-looking headlights, and even a tiny racing tow hook at the front culminate in a little masterpiece that sits nicely atop the MR-03 chassis. I have heard of enthusiasts collecting Mini-Z kits solely for their bodies, and I definitely see why. The fact that Kyosho releases such highly detailed bodies for these kits truly showcases their dedication to the platform and why it has had such a long lifespan so far.

THE DRIVE

The novelty of an RC car moving under its own power will never get old. I mean, it’s one of the major draws of the hobby, right? With the Mini-Z it’s just that much better. The Mini-Z’s tiny scale, combined with its excellent design and great-looking body, make it really entertaining to drive. The MR-03 ReadySet is definitely the slower speed of the available Mini-Z kits, but it is still a very capable model. With a set of fresh alkaline batteries, the car picks up speed nicely yet remains slow enough to control even for the inexperienced driver. Even with experience driving faster 1/10 scale kits, the Mini-Z is so small that it takes a truly keen eye and some very quick reaction time to be able to handle the high speed modified models, so the MR-03 ReadySet kit being a little slow with the brushed electronics is a welcomed aspect in my mind. The steering is smooth and predictable, almost as if driving a larger vehicle. Overall, the MR-03 feels refined and is a real pleasure to drive.

Kyosho AMG GT3 Mini-Z ReadySet VEHICLE SPECS

MSRP: $179.99
kyoshoamerica.com

Height: 1.9 in. (47.5mm)
Length: 6.9 in. (177mm)
Width: 3.1 in. (78mm)
Wheelbase: 3.8 in. (98mm)

Scale: 1/28
Chassis: MR-03 RWD
Center Shock: Friction-type
Front Suspension: VCS independent
Rear Suspension: Fixed pod
Differential: Gear-type spur
Bearings: Steel ball
Body: ABS, pre-painted
Wheels: ABS
Tires: Rubber slicks
ESC & Rx: 2-in-1 design
Servo: Proprietary
Motor: 130-type brushed
Radio: Kyosho Syncro KT-531P 2.4GHz

FINAL WORD

Having a car like the AMG GT3 Mini-Z in the collection is great. Regardless of whether you drive it often or simply display it with pride on your shelf, it provides plenty of enjoyment. Looking over the improvements to the chassis compared to the earlier models, I very much appreciate Kyosho’s attention to detail with the build quality and overall design. The excellent-looking body adds another level of quality to the kit and really helps it shine, like a little gem that fits

in the palm of your hand. As I mentioned in the beginning, the RC hobby holds something for everybody, and I can say with confidence that just about everybody will enjoy the Kyosho Mini-Z. If you’re curious about this pint-sized kit, I highly suggest you check one out at your local hobby shop. They’re well worth it. As always, thank you for reading, and until next time take care of yourselves and continue enjoying this hobby that we all love.

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Text and Images by Lauren Short