The 1:18 Scale LaTrax Rally RC car is a Ready to Run (RTR) radio controlled vehicle that can be driven literally straight out of the box. This particular model comes in four standard colors, namely red, blue, yellow and green. What I like about these models is that they are visually appealing to the eye and they would catch the attention of a passer by when you are racing one of these models in a nearby parking lot in the middle of summer.
The LaTrax Rally car comes a 5 cell 6V battery which can give the car a maximum speed of 18 Kilometers per hour. There is a larger 6 cell 7.2 NiMh battery that you can also purchase that can boost the car’s top speed up to about 21 kilometers per hour.
The top of the car comes off quite easily after you remove the two locking pins that are located on the front bonnet as well as two other pins along the back side of the roof.
On the inside everything is packed away quite neatly as can be seen in the picture below. On the right hand side of the center of the chassis the electronics and digital speed controller are all neatly housed inside a water resistant compartment. The water resistant features makes this car ideal for driving in real rally conditions that involve water, snow and dirt, you name it and it will drive in it.
On the left hand side the battery compartment securely keeps the 5 or 6 cell NiMh battery in place. When you need to take the battery out of the chassis you simply remove the securing pin that is located adjacent to the battery.
The LaTrax Rally RC car is four wheel drive (Yay!) which gives you even more driving pleasure when you are tearing through rough patches of road riddled with dirt and puddles. You can see the drive shaft as well that connects both the from and back wheels. The car also comes with pre-installed shocks however they are not oil filled but are simply springs. The tires themselves are air filled and can be squeezed hence giving the car that extra cushioning when making those hair pin turns.
The 370 brushed motor looks small and is unassuming, but do not be fooled by its size for the car does move at a decent speed which really makes it a fun car to drive.
The gears are made of plastic and mot metal so keep that into consideration if you ever decide that you want to upgrade the motor to a much faster brush less one.
The controller is based on the familiar trigger design with the throttle controlled by the trigger and the steering is managed by a rubberized grip steering wheel on the top. The steering wheel feels very comfortable when being used and it also has a spring mechanism that automatically centers the wheel back in the original position when it is let go. The controller is a 2-channel one and it needs four AA batteries to operate. There is also a small trim knob on the controller as well so you can adjust the steering alignment of the car as well.
The throttle itself is variable in that the more you press the trigger the faster is moves (acceleration).
All in all this is a very good starter kit for any RC hobbyist and it also makes a great birthday or Christmas gift. The price is not bad too, with an MSRP of about $150. Want one? Well you can get them at Amazon here.
You can also checkout our YouTube videos below. The first one is a review of the car, while the second video shows the LaTrax Rally car in action on a bright summer day below. Have fun!