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, offers a robust and durable off-road experience. With a brushless motor promising speeds up to 60 mph, the car features a tank-like chassis, oil-filled shocks, and aluminum parts for stability. The WR8 Flux is designed for high-speed runs and jumps, though it tends to oversteer, making it perfect for power sliding. Despite its powerful performance, the car remains durable with no damage after rigorous testing on various terrains.

Takeaways

  • 🏎️ The HPI WR8 Flux is a licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza rally car model.
  • 📦 It comes in a large box, suggesting it may be larger than a 1/10 scale car.
  • 🔋 It's equipped with a brushless motor and is claimed to reach 60 mph on a 3-cell battery, though gearing might need adjustment.
  • 📱 The TF50 transmitter and additional parts, tools, and manuals are included in the package.
  • 🎨 The body has all decals applied, including color-matching ones over the windows and roll bar graphics.
  • 🔧 The suspension is smooth with 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 an open layout.
  • 📏 It's actually an 1/8 scale car, not 1/10 as initially thought, with larger tires and a bigger body compared to a 1/10 scale touring car.
  • 🔧 The car features sway bars, oil-filled shocks with color clips for ride height adjustment, and a large front foam bumper.
  • 🔌 It has a waterproof servo, a 4000 KV brushless motor connected to an EMH3S ESC, and hex hardware.
  • 🔩 The receiver box is enclosed, and both the front and rear shock towers are made of aluminum.
  • 🌍 The tires are directional, marked 'R' for right side and 'L' for left side, indicating they should not be rotated but can be moved front to rear.
  • ⚡️ On a 3S battery, the car is powerful and can reach high speeds, but it can be challenging to handle on pavement.
  • 💥 The car is durable, withstanding hard hits and rolls without damage, though a larger foam bumper is suggested for better protection.
  • 🌡️ The motor and ESC can get very hot and may require cooling, indicating a potential need for a more robust electronic setup.

Q & A

  • What is the model name of the HPI rally car featured in the script?

    -The model name of the HPI rally car is 'Subaru Impreza WR8 FLUX'.

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

    -The body of the HPI WR8 Flux is officially licensed from the 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza and comes with all decals applied, including color-matching decals over the windows and roll bar graphics.

  • What is the estimated top speed of the HPI WR8 Flux on a three-cell battery?

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

  • What type of transmitter is included with the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux comes with a TF50 transmitter.

  • What is the scale of the HPI WR8 Flux rally car?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux is an 1/8 scale car, as indicated by the name 'WR8' and confirmed in the script.

  • What is the basis for the chassis design of the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The chassis of the HPI WR8 Flux is based on the design of the HPI Bullet monster truck, suggesting a robust and durable construction.

  • What type of shocks does the HPI WR8 Flux have?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux has oil-filled shocks that are not threaded and are made of plastic with color clips for adjusting ride height.

  • What is the motor specification of the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux is equipped with a 4000 KV brushless motor connected to the EMH3S ESC (Electronic Speed Controller).

  • What are the features of the tires on the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The tires on the HPI WR8 Flux are made of soft rubber, glued to gold wheels with vent holes and a 12 millimeter hex for fitment. They are directional tires, marked 'R' for right side and 'L' for left side, indicating they should not be rotated left to right.

  • How did the HPI WR8 Flux perform during the speed run on 3S battery without changing the gearing?

    -During the speed run on a 3S battery without changing the gearing, the HPI WR8 Flux did not reach the predicted speeds, with some participants guessing it would go faster than 30 miles per hour but it was not confirmed in the script.

  • What are some potential upgrades for the HPI WR8 Flux based on the script?

    -Based on the script, a more robust electronic setup and a larger foam bumper to fill in the gap between the bumper and the body could be potential upgrades for the HPI WR8 Flux.

Outlines

00:00

🏎️ Unboxing and Overview of the HPI WR8 Flux Rally Car

The script begins with an unboxing of the HPI WR8 Flux, a rally car with an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza body. It's the first rally car and HPI model reviewed in years. The car is brushless, with HPI claiming it can reach 60 mph with a three-cell battery, though gearing might need adjustment to achieve this speed. The box contains the TF50 transmitter, extra parts, tools, and manuals. The body has all decals applied, including color-matching ones over the windows and roll bar graphics. The suspension is smooth with more travel than typical on-road cars, suggesting a higher ride height. The car is revealed to be an 8-scale model, not 10 as initially thought, with a robust chassis based on the Bullet monster truck, featuring a 3mm aluminum chassis, mud guards, a center diff, and dog bones leading to front and rear differentials. The car is equipped with oil-filled shocks, a large front foam bumper, and a waterproof servo connected to a 4000 KV brushless motor and an EMH3S ESC. The battery box is adjustable, and the car is noted for its durability and weight.

05:01

🏁 Testing the HPI WR8 Flux on Various Terrains

The second paragraph describes the testing of the HPI WR8 Flux on different terrains, starting with a speed run on 3S without changing the gearing, where the car's speed and handling are evaluated. The car is powerful and can reach high speeds, but it's challenging to control on pavement, especially at high speeds. The car's performance on a gravel lot leads to overheating, highlighting the need for a more robust electronic setup. At the local track, the car shows its versatility, handling jumps and rough terrain well, although it tends to oversteer, which is great for power sliding but not for straight-line high-speed runs. The car's durability is praised as it withstands hard hits and rolls without damage. The script suggests that a larger foam bumper would be beneficial to protect the car better. The video concludes with a recommendation to check out the WR8 Flux and the WR8 Nitro rally cars, with a call to action to follow the provided links for more information.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡Subaru Impreza WRC

The Subaru Impreza WRC refers to the rally racing version of the Subaru Impreza, a popular sports car known for its performance in the World Rally Championship (WRC). In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux is equipped with an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza body, which is a key selling point for fans of the car and rally enthusiasts. The detailed decals and graphics on the body replicate the look of the actual racing car, adding to the realism and appeal of the model.

💡HPI WR8 Flux

The HPI WR8 Flux is the specific model of the radio-controlled (RC) car featured in the video. It is a rally car designed for off-road performance, with features such as a robust chassis and suspension system that allows for a higher ride height and greater suspension travel. The name 'WR8 Flux' is indicative of its rally car design ('WR' for World Rally) and its brushless motor power ('Flux').

💡Brushless Motor

A brushless motor is a type of electric motor used in RC cars that does not require brushes for commutation, which can lead to higher efficiency and longer runtimes. In the context of the video, the HPI WR8 Flux is equipped with a 4000 KV brushless motor, which is a key component for its speed and performance capabilities. The motor is connected to the ESC (Electronic Speed Controller) and is responsible for propelling the car to speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, as claimed by HPI.

💡ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)

The ESC, or Electronic Speed Controller, is a device that regulates the speed and direction of an electric motor in an RC car. In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux uses an emh3s ESC, which works in conjunction with the 4000 KV brushless motor to control the car's performance. The ESC is crucial for managing the power delivery to the motor and ensuring smooth operation and control of the vehicle.

💡Scale Car

A scale car is a model vehicle that is built to a specific scale size, usually to replicate the appearance and sometimes the performance of a full-sized vehicle. In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux is described as a 'larger than 10 scale' car, which means it is smaller than 1:10 scale but larger than the typical 1:12 or 1:16 scale models. The scale of the car affects its size, detail, and sometimes its performance capabilities.

💡Suspension Travel

Suspension travel refers to the distance that a vehicle's suspension system can move up and down in response to changes in the terrain. In the context of the video, the HPI WR8 Flux is designed with a smooth suspension system that allows for more travel, which is typical for rally cars to handle uneven surfaces and jumps. This feature is important for off-road performance and contributes to the car's ability to navigate various terrains.

💡Chassis

The chassis of an RC car is the main structural framework that supports the various components such as the motor, ESC, and suspension system. In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux has a 'tanky' chassis, which is based on the design of the HPI Bullet monster truck, suggesting it is robust and durable. The chassis is described as having a 3-millimeter aluminum construction with mud guards and a center diff, indicating a high level of detail and strength.

💡Tires and Wheels

The tires and wheels of an RC car are crucial for traction and performance on different surfaces. In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux features soft rubber tires glued to gold wheels, with vent holes and a 12-millimeter hex for fitment. The tires are directional, marked with 'R' and 'L' to indicate the correct side for mounting, which is important for maintaining the intended performance characteristics of the car.

💡Sway Bars

Sway bars, also known as stabilizer bars, are components of a vehicle's suspension system that help to reduce body roll during cornering. In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux has sway bars that assist in maintaining stability and control while navigating turns on the track, contributing to the car's overall handling and performance.

💡Durability

Durability refers to the ability of a product to withstand wear, damage, or failure over time. In the context of the video, the HPI WR8 Flux is described as a durable car, capable of withstanding hard hits and rolls on various surfaces without breaking. This characteristic is highly valued in RC cars, especially those designed for off-road use and high-speed performance.

💡Directional Tires

Directional tires are designed with a specific orientation to optimize performance, usually in terms of traction and handling. In the video, the HPI WR8 Flux uses directional tires, marked with 'R' for right-side and 'L' for left-side, indicating that they should not be rotated left to right but can be moved from front to rear. This design helps to maintain the tire's performance characteristics in the intended direction of travel.

Highlights

The HPI WR8 Flux features an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza body.

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

The car comes with a brushless motor and is capable of 60 mph on a three-cell battery.

The body has all decals applied, including color-matching ones over the windows.

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

The chassis is robust, based on the Bullet monster truck design.

The car is an 8-scale model, not a 10-scale as initially thought.

Sway bars and oil-filled shocks contribute to the car's performance on tracks.

The car includes a waterproof servo and a 4000 KV brushless motor connected to the EMH3S ESC.

The battery box is large and adjustable, with two Velcro straps for secure placement.

Aluminum shock towers and hex hardware are part of the car's durable construction.

The car's suspension hangers are made of anodized orange aluminum, except for the rear which is plastic.

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

The car performed well on a gravel lot, despite thermaling the motor and ESC.

On the track, the car shows a tendency to oversteer, great for power sliding but challenging for high-speed straight lines.

The car's electronics, including the 3S setup, seem to be pushed to their limits in the 8-scale chassis.

The car is highly durable, withstanding hard hits and rolls without damage.

A larger foam bumper is suggested for better protection during crashes.

The WR8 Flux is an awesome car for its performance and durability, according to the review.