One of the notable features many people look out for in RC cars is the top speed. Many people are very particular about how fast an RC car can go. The reason for wanting a fast RC car is to compete in races and win.
In the RC world, only one RC car has been manufactured that can go beyond 100 mph, the Traxxas XO-1. Other RC cars have a top speed of about 50 to 70 mph. They are Traxxas Bandit VXL, Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL, Traxxas 4-Tec 2.0 VXL, Traxxas E-Revo VXL, and JLB Racing RC Off-Road Truck.
You will notice that the top five fastest RC cars globally are Traxxas products. Although speed is not always the most important feature of an RC car, many enthusiasts still desire to possess a very fast RC car.
Fastest RC Cars
Different features determine the top speed of an RC car, the batteries, the motor, the total weight of the car, the gear ratio, and the tires. Although these parts have been pre-set during manufacturing in the fastest RC cars, you can modify or upgrade them to make your RC car go faster. Below are the fastest RC cars.
Traxxas XO-1
The Traxxas XO-1 is the only RC car globally that can reach a top speed of 100 mph. It is 27 inches long, 5 inches high, has a front track of 11.61 inches, a rear track of 11.81 inches, a center ground clearance of 0.59 inches, a wheelbase of 15.9 inches, a front shock with a length of 83 mm, a rear shock of 86 mm, and weighs 137.6 ounces without batteries.
The Traxxas XO-1 features sealed differentials, a Mamba Monster electronic speed control, hard-anodized shocks, computer-optimized aerodynamics, steel-spline dual drive shafts, speed-rated tires, and standard downforce splinters. Moreover, like all Traxxas RC vehicles, it also features Traxxas Stability Management.
It also features a 2.4GHz radio control system with the Traxxas Link Wireless Module, the most advanced ready-to-race radio system globally. You do not need an external antenna for the radio system. With the Traxxas Link Wireless Module, you can turn your mobile phone, including iPhone, Android, iPad, into a powerful control tool.
The Traxxas Link collects and records real-time data as you operate the vehicle. With the Traxxas Link dashboard, you can monitor the RC car's speed, RPM, battery voltage, and temperature as you operate it.
Traxxas Bandit VXL
The Traxxas Bandit VXL is the second-fastest Traxxas RC car, with a top speed of over 70 mph. It is 16.25 inches long, 7 inches high, 9.84 inches wide, and weighs 48 ounces. The front and rear tracks are 9.84 inches long, the wheelbase is 11.25 inches long, and the battery tray dimensions are 166 mm long, 47.5 mm wide, and 28 mm high.
The Traxxas Bandit VXL features three operating modes, race, sport, and training. In race mode, there is forward and brake. In sport mode, there is forward, brake, and reverse. And in training mode, there is 50% forward, brake, and 50% reverse. This RC car is powered by the Velineon 3500 brushless motor.
The motor features efficient, high-speed ball bearings, a precision-balanced rotor, and delivers consistent and high-power output. The RC car also features a 2.4 GHz radio control system compatible with the Traxxas Link Wireless Module, although it is optional.
The Traxxas Bandit VXL also features Traxxas Stability Management, making the RC car easier to operate across loose surfaces. It also improves the brake performance, allows faster cornering speeds, does not restrict throttle, stabilizes the vehicle, and makes it easier to accelerate when exiting a turn.
Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL
Unlike the other RC vehicles in this article, the Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL is an RC monster truck that can reach a top speed of 60+ mph. It is 20.24 inches long, 13.10 inches wide, 8.34 inches high, and weighs 6.3 pounds without the batteries. The ground clearance of this RC monster truck is 2.75 inches, and the wheelbase is 11.62 inches.
The speed of the Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL is determined by the piston/spur, battery pack, and voltage. With a 14/54 pion/spur and a 3000 mAh 7-cell NiMh 8.4 volts battery, it can reach a top speed of 30+ mph. It will reach the same top speed with a 16/54 pion/spur, a 5000 mAh 2S LiPo 7.4 volts battery.
With a 14/54 pion and spur, a 4000 mAh 3S LiPo 11.1 volts battery will reach a top speed of 40+ mph. With an 18/54 pion and spur, a 5000 mAh 3S LiPo 11.1 volts battery will reach a top speed of 50+ mph. And with a 23/50 pion and spur, a 5000 mAh 3S LiPo 11.1 volts battery, it will reach a top speed of 60+ mph.
The Traxxas Hoss 4X4 VXL features a 2.4 GHz radio control system, a VXL 3S electronic speed control, a 540XL brushless motor, completely waterproof electronics, and a clipless painted body. You can rely on this RC monster truck to deliver excellent performance.
Traxxas E-Revo VXL
The Traxxas E-Revo VXL is a 1:16 scale RC car with a top speed of 70+ mph. It is 23.05 inches long, 18.32 inches wide, 8.7 inches high, and weighs 11.2 pounds. The ground clearance of this RC car is 2.9 inches, the wheelbase is 14.94 inches, and the rear and front shock lengths are 3.42 inches, respectively.
Some of the features of the Traxxas E-Revo VXL are; 2.4 GHz radio control system with a 5-channel receiver, a Velineon 380 brushless motor, a Velineon VXL 3m electronic speed control, a torque-control slipper clutch, realistic all-terrain tires, and sealed differentials. This RC car has three drive profiles: sport mode, patented training mode, and race mode.
In sport mode, there is forward, brake, and reverse. There is 50% forward, brake, and 50% reverse in training mode. In race mode, there is a forward and brake. The motor is optimized for smooth sensorless power and features ultra-high temperature neodymium motor magnets.
Click here to see our Top 5 fastest RC Cars.
How To Make Your RC Car Faster
If you have an RC car you have been using for a while, you may want a faster one because they wear out as you use the vehicles, and their performance is reduced. Rather than purchasing a new RC car, you can upgrade and modify some essential parts of your RC car and make it move faster.
Adjust The Gear Ratio
This is the easiest and cheapest way to make an RC car move faster. All you have to do is adjust the gear ratio. You will find two gears in your RC car, the spur and pinion gear. Upgrading both gears will increase the car's speed and make it accelerate better. Although, adjusting the pinion gear has more impact on the car's speed than the spur gear.
Reduce The Total Weight
The weight of an RC car will make it either fast or slow. This is why the fastest RC cars are also the lightest. You need to replace all the heavy parts of your RC car with lighter parts made from materials like aluminum, graphite, or light carbon. The downside of reducing the weight of the RC car is that the traction is decreased.
Change The Batteries
Many people are not aware that the type of battery in the RC car determines how fast it can travel. This method is only applicable to RC cars that use NiMH batteries. Upgrading the battery to a LiPo battery will increase the speed of the RC car. LiPo batteries produce more speed and are lighter than NiMh batteries.
Final Thoughts
The winner of an RC car race is not the person with the fastest or best RC cars. Rather it is those that have perfected their unique techniques and understand how to operate their cars properly. Although speed is important in an RC car, it should not be your major focus when selecting an RC car.
Additional reading: RC Cars For Girls: Which RC Cars Do Girls Enjoy Most?
Shawn Manaher loves to play with new toys and dive into new hobbies. As a serial entrepreneur, work definitely comes first but there is always room for hobbies.