RC cars come in many different sizes and configurations. There are crawlers, trucks, cars, and many more types of RC vehicles. But how fast can RC cars go? Some RC cars are designed for max speed runs, while RC crawlers are made to drive slowly. In this post, we will take a deep dive into the max speeds of each type of RC vehicle.
How Fast Can Electric RC Cars Go?
One of the fastest RC cars on the market is the Arrma Limitless V2. It can reach speeds over 150 miles per hour. Some drivers have reported the car hitting almost 200 miles per hour. So, RC cars can reach max speeds in the ballpark of 150 to 200 miles per hour.
To reach these high speeds, the cars must be equipped with very specific components and typically are powered by electric motors.
Electric RC cars are the most popular type of vehicle. They run on batteries and are powered by electric motors instead of nitro engines.
How fast an RC car depends on the following:
- The size and type of the electric motor (brushless or brushed)
- The voltage of the Battery (2S, 3S, 4S)
- The drivetrain (4wd or 2wd)
- The body type
- The scale of the vehicle
How Fast are 1/10 Scale RC cars
A 1/10 scale RC car, like the Arrma Vendetta, can go 70 miles per hour. The Vendetta is a hobby-grade RC car with a 3900KV brushless motor. It is not a toy. It is an RC car made for high-speed driving. This RC car is fast because it runs on a 11.1 volt 3S battery system, has an aerodynamic body, and has road wheels and tires. The Arrma Vendetta is designed to go fast!
A cheaper 1/10 scale RC car, like the Holyton Model below, can only reach a max speed of 30 miles per hour. So what is the difference between these two vehicles, and why is one so much slower than the other? The Holyton is so much slower because it has a less powerful brushed motor, runs on a small 7.4 volt 2S battery, and has enormous tires.
To sum it up, fast electric RC cars have powerful brushless motors, and the more volts you can push into the motor the faster the car will go.
How Fast Can Nitro RC Cars Go?
Nitro RC cars are slower than electric models. The HSP buggy below can reach speeds of 40 miles per hour. With nitro RC cars, the top speed depends on the size of the nitro engine. Aerodynamics also plays a big part in reaching high speeds with nitro RC cars. So if you want a fast nitro RC car, I don’t recommend getting a beefy monster truck. Stick with a vehicle that is made for high speeds. Buggies and road racers are more for speed runs compared to stadium trucks.
What Are The Fastest RC Cars?
Three of the fastest RC cars you can buy today are the Traxxas XO-1, the Arrma Limitless V2, and the Arrma Vendetta.
| Car | Max Speed | Motor Type |
|---|---|---|
| Traxxas XO-1 | 100 MPH | Electric |
| Armma Limitless | 150 MPH | Electric |
| Arrma Vendetta | 70 MPH | Electric |
Each vehicle has a low profile and sits only about an inch off the ground. They have large rear wings that produce downforce to help keep the car locked to the pavement. They are powered by electric brushless motors, and all can handle 3S LiPo batteries.
You may notice that none of these vehicles have nitro engines. Nitro vehicles can’t compete with electric motors and the max speeds they can reach.
The Traxxas XRT is a brand-new truck released in 2022. Check out our post to see how fast the Traxxas XRT can go.
So, if you want the fastest RC car, make sure it’s electric!
How Fast Do Remote Control Cars Go?
In this section, Let’s take a look at various different types of vehicles and see about how fast they can go.
How Fast Can Crawlers Go?
The Traxxas TRX-4 is a popular rock crawler that can crawl over just about any obstacle. Just like its name suggests, it doesn’t go very fast. This vehicle has a max speed of about 9 miles per hour in high gear and can go 5 miles per hour in low gear. It isn’t the fastest RC vehicle on the planet, but it really isn’t made to go fast. It’s made to crawl, baby!
How Fast Can RC Trucks Go?
The Traxxas Slash is one of my favorite short-course race trucks. There are many different versions of the Slash, but the fastest model can reach speeds of 60 miles per hour. For a 1/10 scale truck with big wheels and tires, 60 MPH is very fast!
The Arrma Kraton 6S is an even larger truck than the Slash, and it can also reach speeds of 60 miles per hour. The 6S Kraton requires 2 LiPo batteries to reach these speeds. So, you will need to buy a couple 3S 11.1 volt LiPos if you want to hit 60 miles per hour in the Kraton.
How Fast Can RC Buggies Go?
My favorite RC buggy is the Traxxas Bandit. It is a classic buggy RC car. The cheapest version of the Traxxas Bandit can go 35 miles per hour. If you want a buggy that can reach 70 miles per hour, you must buy the Bandit VXL. The VXL has a high-powered brushless motor and 3S electronic speed controller. The motor and ESC are the most significant difference between the entry-level Bandit and the VXL version. The VXL Bandit can run on a larger 3S LiPo battery. I really do mean it when I say brushless motors make a huge impact when it comes to max speeds.
How Fast Can RC Cars Go FAQs
What is The Fastest Ready To Roll RC Car?
The Traxxas XO-1 is the fastest ready-to-roll RC car. It comes with all the parts pre-assembled and can reach speeds of 100 miles per hour out of the box. All you need is a LiPo battery and charger to get the XO-1 rolling.
What is The Fastest RC Kit Car?
The Arrma Limitless is the fastest RC kit car. You have to buy all the electronics, motors, servos, batteries, and radio components, and then assemble the vehicle. It does not come pre-assembled.
Conclusion : How Fast Can RC Cars Go?
The world’s fastest RC cars can go well over 100 miles per hour in perfect conditions. But, many other RC trucks on the market can reach impressive speeds too. When shopping for RC cars and trucks, you need to narrow down what type of driving you like best because some trucks, like the Traxxas Rustler, can hit 65 miles per hour! However, If you want an insanely high speed RC car, stick with a road racer like the Arrma Vendetta. Whatever you decide to buy, do your research and make sure it’s running a quality brushless motor. Also, invest in high-quality LiPo batteries to power your car down the road. happy driving!
