Subaru Impreza WR8 FLUX 1/8 HPI Rally Car

AMain Hobbies
27 Jul 202309:57

TLDRThe HPI WR8 Flux rally car, officially licensed with a 2001 Subaru Impreza body, impresses with its robust 8th scale design, derived from the Bullet monster truck. The brushless motor promises speeds up to 60 mph, and the car features a 3mm aluminum chassis, oil-filled shocks, and a waterproof servo. Despite thermal issues, the car demonstrates durability and handling prowess on various terrains, making it a versatile and exciting option for hobbyists. A larger foam bumper is suggested for better protection.

Takeaways

  • 🏎️ The HPI WR8 Flux is a rally car model with an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza body.
  • 📦 The box suggests it might be larger than a 1/10 scale car due to its size.
  • 🔋 It is brushless and claimed to reach 60 mph with a three-cell battery, but may require gearing adjustments.
  • 📱 The TF50 transmitter is included along with extra parts, tools, and manuals.
  • 🎨 The body comes with all color-matching decals applied, enhancing the realistic appearance.
  • 🔧 The suspension is smooth with more travel, typical for rally cars, and the body sits higher than in on-road touring cars.
  • 🚗 The chassis is robust, based on the Bullet monster truck, featuring a 3mm aluminum chassis and an open layout.
  • 🔄 The car is actually 1/8 scale, not 1/10 as initially thought, with a significant size difference compared to a 1/10 scale touring car.
  • 💣 The car includes oil-filled shocks, sway bars, and a waterproof servo with a 4000 KV brushless motor.
  • 🔌 The electronics are connected to the EMH3S ESC, and the car features hex hardware and an enclosed receiver box.
  • 🔄 The tires are directional, marked 'R' for right and 'L' for left, indicating they should not be rotated but can be moved front to rear.
  • 🏁 The car performed well on a track, showing good power and handling, but tended to oversteer, making it great for power sliding.
  • 🛠️ The car is durable, withstanding hard hits and rolls without damage, but a larger foam bumper is suggested for better protection.

Q & A

  • What is the model of the car featured in the video?

    -The model featured in the video is the HPI WR8 Flux, an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza rally car.

  • Is the HPI WR8 Flux brushless or brushed?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux is brushless, as mentioned in the script.

  • What is the maximum speed claimed by HPI for the WR8 Flux on a three cell battery?

    -HPI claims that the WR8 Flux can reach a maximum speed of 60 miles an hour on a three cell battery, although it may require gearing changes to achieve this speed.

  • What is included in the box with the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The box includes the WR8 Flux car, a TF50 transmitter, extra parts, some tools, and manuals.

  • What is special about the body of the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The body of the HPI WR8 Flux comes with all the decals applied, including color-matching decals over the windows, roll bar graphics, and a detailed back window.

  • What is the basis of the WR8 Flux's chassis design?

    -The chassis of the WR8 Flux is based on the Bullet monster truck, indicating it should be robust and durable.

  • What scale is the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux is an 8 scale car, as mentioned in the script and indicated on the box.

  • What type of tires does the HPI WR8 Flux come with, and are they directional?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux comes with soft rubber tires glued to gold wheels. The tires are directional, as indicated by the 'R' and 'L' markings for right and left side tires, respectively.

  • What kind of electronic speed control (ESC) does the HPI WR8 Flux use?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux uses an EMH3S ESC, which is connected to a 4000 KV brushless motor.

  • How does the HPI WR8 Flux perform on different terrains as shown in the video?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux performs well on both pavement and gravel, with good power sliding and the ability to tackle jumps. However, it tends to oversteer and is not ideal for straight line high-speed passes.

  • What upgrade is suggested in the script for the HPI WR8 Flux to improve its performance?

    -A more robust electronic setup is suggested as an upgrade to improve the performance of the HPI WR8 Flux, especially when pushing the 3S electronics to their limits.

  • What is the durability of the HPI WR8 Flux like according to the video?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux is described as super durable, taking hard hits on the track and countless rolls and jumps without breaking, and the body still looks good despite being a bit dirty and dusty.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Unboxing the HPI WR8 Flux Rally Car

The script introduces the HPI WR8 Flux, a rally car model with an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza body. It's the first rally car and HPI product reviewed in years. The box contents are explored, revealing a detailed body, a robust chassis based on the Bullet monster truck, and brushless components. The car is noted to be larger than expected, possibly an 8 scale rather than 10. Features include oil-filled shocks, aluminum chassis parts, a 4000 KV brushless motor, and an EMH3S ESC. The tires are directional, with specific markings for left and right sides, and the car's performance on 3S is tested, with a prediction of reaching 50 miles per hour.

05:01

💨 Testing the HPI WR8 Flux on Various Terrains

The second paragraph delves into the car's performance testing. The car is taken to a gravel lot and a local track to evaluate its capabilities on different surfaces. The WR8 Flux shows impressive durability, withstanding crashes and rolls without damage. It handles the track well, though it tends to oversteer, which is great for power sliding but not for high-speed straight lines. The electronics, while powerful, push the car to its limits and may require an upgrade for more robust performance. Despite some thermal issues, the car remains in good condition, and the only suggested improvement is a larger foam bumper to better protect the body.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡HPI WR8 Flux

The HPI WR8 Flux is a model of radio-controlled rally car featured in the video. It is officially licensed with a 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza body, signifying its authenticity and design inspiration from the real-world vehicle. The car is part of the video's main theme, showcasing its features, performance, and robustness, as it is tested on various terrains.

💡Rally Car

A rally car is a type of high-performance automobile designed for rallying, a form of motor racing that takes place on public or private roads. In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux is a model rally car, which is the first of its kind the reviewer has examined, emphasizing its unique suspension, robust chassis, and performance capabilities.

💡Brushless

Brushless refers to the type of motor used in the HPI WR8 Flux, which lacks carbon brushes that are common in traditional motors. Brushless motors are known for their efficiency, high speed, and low maintenance, as mentioned in the video where the car is said to reach speeds of 60 miles per hour on a three-cell battery.

💡TF50 Transmitter

The TF50 transmitter is the remote control device used to operate the HPI WR8 Flux. It is a key component in the video, allowing the reviewer to demonstrate the car's maneuverability and control during the test drives.

💡Suspension Travel

Suspension travel refers to the distance a vehicle's wheel can move up and down relative to the chassis. The video highlights the rally car's increased suspension travel, which is crucial for handling rough terrains and maintaining stability during high-speed maneuvers.

💡Chassis

The chassis of the HPI WR8 Flux is described as robust and based on the design of the Bullet monster truck, indicating its strength and durability. The video explains that the car has a 3-millimeter aluminum chassis, which contributes to its 'tanky' nature and ability to withstand impacts.

💡Dog Bones

Dog bones are a type of drive shaft used in the HPI WR8 Flux, connecting the front and rear differentials to the wheels. They are named for their shape and are made of plastic in this model, as mentioned in the video, which is a common material for such components in model cars.

💡ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)

The ESC, or Electronic Speed Controller, is a device that regulates the speed of the motor in the HPI WR8 Flux. It is connected to a 4000 KV brushless motor, as described in the video, and is crucial for controlling the car's acceleration and deceleration.

💡Sway Bars

Sway bars, also known as stabilizer bars, are components that help reduce body roll during cornering. The video mentions that the HPI WR8 Flux is equipped with sway bars, which likely contribute to its stability and handling on the track.

💡Directional Tires

Directional tires are designed with a specific rotation direction to optimize traction and performance. The video points out that the HPI WR8 Flux has such tires, marked with 'R' and 'L' to indicate their correct mounting orientation for right and left sides, respectively.

💡Thermal Protection

Thermal protection is a safety feature that prevents damage to the motor and ESC due to overheating. In the video, the car's motor and ESC are described as getting 'super hot' during use, and the car has a thermal shutdown to protect the electronics from damage.

Highlights

The HPI WR8 Flux is an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza rally car model.

This is the first rally car and HPI product reviewed in years.

The car is brushless and HPI claims it can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour on a three-cell battery.

The TF50 transmitter and additional parts are included in the box.

The body comes with all decals applied, featuring color-matching details and roll bar graphics.

The suspension has more travel, typical for rally cars, and sits higher than on-road touring cars.

The chassis is robust, based on the Bullet monster truck, with a 3mm aluminum chassis and mud guards.

The car is actually 1/8 scale, not 1/10 as initially thought, with a significant size difference compared to a 1/10 scale touring car.

The car features sway bars, oil-filled shocks, and adjustable ride height with color clips.

The front and rear drive shafts are made of dog bones, and the battery box is large and adjustable.

The car includes a waterproof servo, a 4000 KV brushless motor, and an EMH3S ESC.

The receiver box is enclosed, and the shock towers are made of 3mm thick aluminum.

The suspension hangers and hinge pins are made of anodized aluminum with e-clips for secure attachment.

The tires are directional, marked 'R' and 'L', indicating they should not be rotated left to right but can be front to rear.

During a speed run on 3S, the car reached speeds over 30 mph, with the reviewer predicting 50 mph.

The car performed well on a gravel lot, with the motor and ESC getting hot but cooling down after a break.

At the local track, the car showed excellent performance on jumps and in handling, but tended to oversteer.

The car's electronics, when pushed to their limits, caused the car to thermal and shut down for cooling.

The car is highly durable, withstanding hard hits and rolls without damage to the body or chassis.

A larger foam bumper is suggested to better protect the car during impacts.

The WR8 Flux is praised as an awesome car, with a recommendation to check out the WR8 Flux and Nitro rally cars.