Subaru Impreza WR8 FLUX 1/8 HPI Rally Car

AMain Hobbies
27 Jul 202309:57

TLDRThe HPI WR8 Flux, a licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza rally car, impresses with its robust 1/8 scale chassis, derived from the Bullet monster truck. It features a brushless motor, capable of speeds up to 60 mph with the right gearing, and oil-filled shocks for a smooth ride. The car's suspension and tires are designed for off-road performance, and despite its power, it's durable, handling crashes and jumps with ease. However, it may require an upgrade in electronics for more intense use.

Takeaways

  • 🏎️ The HPI WR8 Flux is an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza rally car model.
  • 📦 It comes in a large box, suggesting a larger scale than 1/10, and features brushless power, capable of reaching 60 mph with the right gearing.
  • 🎨 The body has all decals applied, with color-matching details and roll bar graphics included.
  • 🔧 The car's suspension is smooth with more travel, accommodating the rally car's higher body position compared to on-road touring cars.
  • 🚗 The chassis is robust, based on the Bullet monster truck design, featuring a 3mm aluminum chassis and an open layout.
  • 📏 Contrary to initial impressions, the car is 1/8 scale, not 1/10, as indicated on the box and name 'WR8'.
  • 🔨 The car includes oil-filled shocks, sway bars, and dog bone drive shafts, contributing to its 'tanky' and durable build.
  • 🔋 It has a waterproof servo, a 4000 KV brushless motor, and is connected to the EMH3S ESC, with full ball bearings throughout.
  • 🔧 The receiver box is enclosed, and the shock towers are made of aluminum, adding to the car's sturdiness.
  • 🌍 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.
  • 🏁 The car performed well on various terrains, showing good power and handling, though it tends to oversteer and requires careful control.

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'.

  • Is the HPI WR8 Flux an officially licensed product?

    -Yes, the HPI WR8 Flux is an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza body.

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

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

  • What kind of motor does the HPI WR8 Flux come with?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux comes with a 4000 KV brushless motor.

  • 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.

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

    -The HPI WR8 Flux has soft rubber tires glued to gold wheels, and they are directional tires, as indicated by the 'R' and 'L' markings on the tires.

  • What is special about the suspension system of the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The suspension system of the HPI WR8 Flux has more travel compared to on-road touring cars, and it is based off the Bullet monster truck chassis, making it robust and smooth.

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

    -The HPI WR8 Flux uses an EMH3S ESC.

  • What issues did the script mention regarding the electronics of the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The script mentioned that the 3S electronics seem to be pushed to their limits in the 8 scale chassis, causing the car to thermal and shut off to cool down, suggesting a more robust electronic setup would be an upgrade.

  • How durable is the HPI WR8 Flux according to the script?

    -The HPI WR8 Flux is described as super durable, taking hard hits on the track and rolls on pavement and gravel without any parts breaking.

  • What suggestion does the script make for improving the body protection of the HPI WR8 Flux?

    -The script suggests that a larger foam bumper would benefit the body to fill in the empty gap, as the stock bumper is a little too small to provide adequate protection.

Outlines

00:00

🏎 Unboxing the HPI WR8 Flux Rally Car

The script begins with the 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 product reviewed in years. The car comes with a brushless motor, capable of reaching 60 mph with the right gearing, and includes a TF50 transmitter, extra parts, and tools. The body features all decals applied, with color-matching details and roll bar graphics. The suspension is smooth with more travel than typical on-road cars, and the car is based on the robust 'Bullet' monster truck chassis, indicating a durable build. The script also notes the car's scale, initially mistaken for 1/10 but confirmed as 1/8, and compares it to a 1/10 scale touring car, highlighting the differences in size and tire dimensions.

05:01

💨 Testing the HPI WR8 Flux on Various Terrains

The second paragraph describes the testing of the HPI WR8 Flux on different surfaces, starting with a gravel lot where the car's motor and ESC heated up significantly. The car's performance on a local track is then detailed, showcasing its ability to handle jumps and turns despite a tendency to oversteer. The script mentions the car's durability, having survived hard hits and rolls without damage, and the need for a larger foam bumper to better protect the body. The electronics are pushed to their limits, suggesting an upgrade for more robust performance. Despite the car shutting down to cool down during testing, it is praised for its overall performance and durability. The video concludes with a recommendation to check out the WR8 Flux and the WR8 Nitro rally cars, with links provided for further information.

Mindmap

Keywords

💡HPI WR8 Flux

The HPI WR8 Flux is an officially licensed 2001 WRC Subaru Impreza model, which is a radio-controlled car designed for off-road racing. It represents the main subject of the video, showcasing its features and performance. The script describes it as a 'tanky car' with a robust chassis, indicating its durability and strength for off-road conditions.

💡Rally Car

A rally car is a specially designed and modified vehicle for rally racing, which is a form of road racing on public or private roads in a point-to-point format. The video script introduces the HPI WR8 Flux as the first rally car being reviewed, emphasizing its unique features compared to typical on-road touring cars.

💡Brushless

Brushless refers to a type of electric motor used in radio-controlled cars that does not use brushes for electrical contact, resulting in higher efficiency and power. The script mentions that the HPI WR8 Flux is brushless and capable of high speeds, suggesting its performance capabilities.

💡Suspension Travel

Suspension travel is the distance a vehicle's suspension can move relative to the chassis, allowing for better handling over uneven terrain. The script notes that the rally car has more suspension travel, which is crucial for off-road performance and contributes to its ability to handle jumps and rough tracks.

💡TF50 Transmitter

The TF50 transmitter is a type of remote control device used to operate radio-controlled vehicles. The script mentions it as part of the package, indicating that it comes with the HPI WR8 Flux, allowing the user to control the car's movements.

💡ESC (Electronic Speed Controller)

An Electronic Speed Controller is a device used in electric-powered radio-controlled cars to control the speed of the motor. The script refers to the EMH3S ESC, which is connected to the 4000 KV brushless motor, highlighting the car's electronic components and their role in controlling performance.

💡Dog Bones

Dog bones are a type of drive shaft used in radio-controlled cars, named for their shape. They connect the motor to the wheels, transferring power. The script mentions dog bones in the front and rear of the HPI WR8 Flux, indicating the car's drivetrain setup.

💡Sway Bars

Sway bars, also known as anti-roll bars, are components in a vehicle's suspension system that reduce body roll during fast cornering or over uneven terrain. The script notes the presence of sway bars on the HPI WR8 Flux, suggesting its design to improve stability and handling.

💡Directional Tires

Directional tires are designed with a specific rotation direction to optimize traction and performance. The script points out that the HPI WR8 Flux has left and right side tires marked 'L' and 'R', indicating that they are not interchangeable and must be used in the correct orientation for optimal performance.

💡Thermal Protection

Thermal protection is a safety feature in electronic devices that shuts down the system to prevent damage from overheating. The script describes an instance where the car's motor and ESC thermaled, demonstrating the car's safety mechanism in action.

💡Durability

Durability refers to the ability of a product to withstand wear, damage, or decay over time. The script emphasizes the car's durability, noting that it withstood hard hits and rolls without breaking, showcasing its robustness and suitability for off-road use.

Highlights

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

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

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

The TF50 transmitter and extra parts, including tools and manuals, are included.

The body comes with all decals applied and color-matching details.

Suspension travel is higher, typical for rally cars, providing a smoother ride.

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

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

Sway bars and oil-filled shocks contribute to the car's stability.

The car features a 4000 KV brushless motor connected to the EMH3S ESC.

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

Suspension hangers are aluminum with anodized orange finish, except for the rear which is plastic.

The tires are directional, marked 'R' and 'L' for correct installation.

The car performed well on various terrains, including pavement and gravel.

The car tends to oversteer, great for power sliding but challenging for high-speed straight lines.

Electronics pushed to their limits, suggesting a need for a more robust setup for intense use.

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

A larger foam bumper is recommended to better protect the car.

The WR8 Flux is an awesome car for its performance and durability.