The Avante Mk.III (Japanese: アバンテMk-III, Abante Māku Surī) series is a series of Mini 4WD PRO cars released by Tamiya. Based on the Avante Mk.II and Avante X, they are the further stylized version of both cars. There are two main variants available: the Azure (Japanese: アズール, Azūru) and the Nero (Japanese: ネロ, Nero).
The Azure is the most used Mini 4WD car for limited and collaboration models between the two.
Both the Azure and Nero were featured in the manga Mini 4WD Racer Kakeru, with the Azure being the protagonist Kakeru Ohtori's 3rd car following his Avante X and the Nero being the machine for Cygnus X-1.
General Info[]
Both standard Avante Mk.IIIs were equipped with the MS Chassis, Avante-type slick tires and large-diameter wheels. Wheel design is different depending on the model.
All models, except for variants with MA Chassis, were equipped with N-02 and T-01 unit by default. Unless noted, most MS models has their nose, center, tail units and A parts molded in black.
Azure[]
Called the 'Light Blue Hurricane' by Tamiya, the Avante Mk.III Azure is the first Avante Mk.III machine to be released. The standard Azure features a metallic blue color scheme with white and red trims. It possesses the V-shaped rear spoiler and grill type mid spoiler.
It was equipped with white large-diameter 4-spoke MS II wheels paired with the black Avante-type slick tires and gray 16 mm lightweight plastic rollers.
Nero[]
Inspired by the barn owl, the Avante Mk.III Nero is the black colored counterpart to the Azure.
In addition to the black color scheme with red and gold trims, the Nero has the different, lighter rear spoiler than the Azure has. It also comes equipped with a wing-type mid spoiler, and spots the different front wings design than that of the Azure.
It was equipped with the fluorescent yellow, large diameter 4-spoke MS II wheels paired with the black Avante-type slick tires and gray 16 mm lightweight plastic rollers. Unlike Azure, the Nero is the first Mini 4WD car in the regular line-up to have the lightweight center parts for its MS Chassis.
Red Special[]
Based on the Azure, the Red Special variant features the red body color with flame-styled decals.
It was equipped with the black, large diameter narrow lightweight wheels paired with the fluorescent yellow, hard compound arched tires. It was equipped with N-02, lightweight center and T-01 unit. The nose, center, tail units and A parts molded in the red polycarbonate-mixed ABS plastic.
White Special[]
Based on the Nero, the White Special variant features the white body color, with ice-styled decals. Unlike most variants, the bodyshell was molded in the polycarbonate-mixed ABS plastic.
It was equipped with the white, small diameter low-profile fin-type wheels paired with the light blue, hard-compound low-profile tires. It was equipped with N-02, lightweight center and T-01 unit. The nose, center, tail units and A parts molded in fluorescent green.
Clear Blue Special[]
Based on the Azure, the Clear Blue Special variant comes with the clear blue bodyshell, with minimal body decals.
It was equipped with the white, large diameter MS II wheels paired with the light blue Avante-Type slick tires. It was equipped with N-02, normal center and T-01 unit. The nose, center, tail units and A parts molded in white.
Azure Clear Special[]
Based on the Azure, the Clear Special variant comes with the polycarbonate bodyshell with plastic attachments.
It was equipped with the white, large diameter narrow lightweight wheels paired with the black arched tired with white sideprints. It was equipped with N-02, lightweight center and T-01 unit. The nose, center, tail units and A parts molded in white.
Nero Clear Violet Special[]
Based on the Nero, the Clear Violet Special variant comes with the clear violet bodyshell, with minimal body decals.
It was equipped with the silver plated, large diameter MS II wheels paired with the purple Avante-Type slick tires. It was equipped with N-02, lightweight center and T-01 unit. The nose, center and tail units were molded in silver, while the A parts was molded in dark blue.
Evangelion Special Editions[]
Based on the Azure, the Eva-01 Special Editions are the limited versions Tamiya made as tie-in products for the on-going Rebuild of Evangelion anime movies.
The color schemes are based on the Eva-01 from the anime movies. The Awakening Version replaced the green trims with red and has red tires in place of the black ones, as well as having the red rollers.
Both models were equipped with the large diameter 5-spoke narrow lightweight wheels (White on the normal version and black on the Awakening version) paired with arched tires. Both were equipped with the lightweight center parts.
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles versions[]
The Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles -Home Color Edition- and Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles -Mr.Carrasco Edition- are the versions of Avante Mk.III Azure released as tie-in products for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles baseball team. Both of them are based on Azure model.
The Home edition has white body and red tires and chassis, while the Mr. Carrasco edition has the black body and chassis and purple tires.
Both models were equipped with the white, large diameter 5-spoke narrow lightweight wheels paired with arched tires, as well as the lightweight center parts made of polycarbonate-mixed ABS plastic.
Stargek 10th Anniversary Special[]
The Singapore-exclusive model was based on the Nero model. It was released to celebrate Stargek's 10th anniversary.
Unlike earlier models, it was equipped with the black MA Chassis frame with red A parts and the black small diameter Saber-type low-profile wheels paired with the black, super hard low-profile slick tires.
Japan Cup 2015 Limited Edition[]
The Japan Cap 2015 limited edition model is based on the Azure model. It is mainly in red magenta with the Japan Cup themed stickers. It has the same setup as the Stargek model, but with dark blue chassis frame, with violet A parts and the yellow wheels.
Tamiya Korea 25th Anniversary Special models[]
The Tamiya Korea 25th Anniversary Special models comes in two versions. The first version was based on the Azure model, while Version 2 was based on the Nero model. Both sports the black smoke bodyshells, and were comes with the small diameter fin-type low-profile wheels molded in carbon-mixed nylon and hard-compound low-profile tires.
The Version 1 model has the red chassis and tires, while the Version 2 model has the fluorescent yellow chassis and tires.
Tamiya Plamodel Factory Hong Kong Special[]
The limited Tamiya Plamodel Factory Hong Kong Special, based on the Azure and sold exclusively at the Tamiya Plamodel Factory Hong Kong shop, featuring the polycarbonate bodyshell pre-paint with carbon pattern, with plastic mounting attached.
It was equipped with the fluorescent yellow, small diameter low-profile dish-type low-profile wheels paired with the clear soft silicon low-profile tires, and was equipped with N-02, normal center and T-01 unit. The nose, center, tail units and A parts molded in black.
Technical Info[]
Variant | Body | Chassis | Wheels | Tires | Motor | Dimensions | Gear |
Azure |
Color: Light Blue |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Nero |
Color: Black |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Azure |
Color: Light Blue |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Nero |
Color: Black |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Red Special |
Color: Red |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
White Special |
Color: Translucent White |
Type: MS |
Size: Small |
Size: Small |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
3.5:1 |
Clear Blue Special |
Color: Clear Blue |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Azure |
Color: Clear |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Nero |
Color: Clear Violet |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |
Color: White |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles |
Color: Black |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Azure |
Color: Dark Violet |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Azure |
Color: Dark Violet |
Type: MS |
Size: Large |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
4:1 |
Nero Stargek |
Color: Smoke |
Type: MA |
Size: Small |
Size: Small |
Standard |
Length: 156 |
3.5:1 |
Japan Cup 2015 |
Color: Red Magenta |
Type: MA |
Size: Small |
Size: Small |
Standard |
Length: 156 |
3.5:1 |
Azure |
Color: Smoke |
Type: MS |
Size: Small |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
3.5:1 |
Nero |
Color: Smoke |
Type: MS |
Size: Small |
Size: Large |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
3.7:1 |
Azure |
Color: Carbon Pattern |
Type: MS |
Size: Small |
Size: Small |
Standard |
Length: 152 |
3.5:1 |
Gallery[]
Boxarts[]
Images[]
See also[]
External links[]
Tamiya Japan[]
- Avante Mk.III Azure at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Nero at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Azure (Finished Model) at Tamiya Japan (Archived)
- Avante Mk.III Nero (Finished Model) at Tamiya Japan (Archived)
- Avante Mk.III Red Special
- Avante Mk.III White Special at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Azure Clear Blue Special at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Azure Clear Special at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Nero Clear Violet Special at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Japan Cup 2015 Limited Edition at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Red Special (re-release) at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III Azure Clear Special (Re-release) at Tamiya Japan
- Avante Mk.III White Special (Re-release) at Tamiya Japan
Tamiya America[]
- Avante Mk.III at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Nero at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Azure (Finished Model) at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Nero (Finished Model) at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III White Special at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Azure Clear Blue Special at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Azure Clear Special at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Nero Clear Violet Special at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Japan Cup 2015 Limited Edition at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Red Special (Re-release) at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III Azure Clear Special (Re-release) at Tamiya America
- Avante Mk.III White Special (Re-release) at Tamiya America
Tamiya Korea[]
- Avante Mk.III Tamiya Korea 25th Anniversary Special at Tamiya Korea (Korean)
- Avante Mk.III Tamiya Korea 25th Anniversary Special Version 2 at Tamiya Korea (Korean)
Tamiya Hong Kong[]
- Avante Mk.III Tamiya Plamodel Factory Hong Kong Special at Tamiya Hong Kong (Cantonise)