HPI Nitro RS4 RTR 3 Drift Car Review

It was inevitable that after the success of the electric drift scene that a nitro contender would eventually step forward. It’s no surprise that this challenge would come from HPI who have a large stake in the e-drift category and continue to back the class with new cars and drifting products and accessories.

Available in 2 different colour schemes we plumped for the Vertex Toyota Soarer which comes with a powerful Nitro Star G3.0 engine, a HPI TF-1 Transmitter, ball bearings, and a painted & finished body. Even the packaging of this products sets the heart racing.

The RS4 RTR 3 Nitro is available in 2 different schemes

The tranny is a basic 27MHz model and all the necessary electrics are fitted to the fully bilt chassis. The Vertex Toyota Soarer is HPI’s latest 200mm bodyshell which is bound to popular with the drifters as it looks fantastic.

The new Nitro RS4 RTR 3 Drift chassis is a further eolution of the original RTR 3 Evo incoporating the Stage D drift conversion kit. The new car’s layout sees the heavy motor mounted more forward than the TC kit to give a better balance more suited for drifting. It gives a boost to the handling which is always a plus in drifting.

Power comes from the potent HPI Nitro Star G3.0 nitro engine (.18 Cu. In.), with more than 2 horsepower and 32,000 RPM on tap for tyre-smoking drift action! A large diameter aluminium tube manifold and an all-new rear exhaust muffler system routes the engine smoke out the back of the car for scale realism and clean operation. The G3.0 is also equipped with a pullstarter for quick and easy starting.

A sturdy pull starter system, oiled air filter, 2-needle carburettor, aluminium flywheel, strong steel clutchbell and aluminium tube manifold complete the power delivery package, making the G3.0 easy to start, run and maintain!

The RS4 RTR 3 Nitro without it's clothes on!

HPI Nitro RS4 RTR 3 Drift Car: What you get for your money.

  • Length: 365mm (14.37 inches)
  • Width: 190mm (7.48 inches)
  • Wheelbase: 256 to 259mm (10.08 to 10.20 inches)
  • Weight: Bare chassis 1870g, with body 2000g (weights are approximate, and w/o fuel)
  • Chassis: Dual-deck design with 2.5mm aluminium lower chassis and composite plastic upper deck with removable radio tray
  • Suspension: Four-wheel independent, double wishbone
  • Turnbuckles: Fully equipped, steel
  • Drive Train: 4WD, front & rear sealed gear diffs
  • Tyre Type: treaded hard drift compound, HPI Type A
  • Gear Pitch: 1M (1 Module)
  • Wheel Hubs: 12mm hex w/ capture pins
  • Kit/RTR: RTR (Ready To Run)
  • Shock Type: Composite plastic, oil-filled, with coil-over spring
  • Shock Towers: Composite plastic with strengthening ribs
  • Bodyshell: Painted and decaled HPI officially licensed polycarbonate bodyshell included (varies with kit choice)
  • Ball Bearings: 18 throughout drivetrain

The RTR Nitro RS4 3 Drift is ideal for the beginner to intermediate RC hobbyist because it is fully assembled right out of the box, with pre-glued tyres and pre-painted bodyshell. All that’s required to get rolling is fuel, AA batteries and a glow plug igniter.

It may be weird to those used to electric cars but you will soon pick up all the main technical differences when you read the manual and watch the DVD that’s supplied with the drift kit. It will still take you a few good test runs to master the power control when drifting but if you have prior electric drift experience the skill transfer is simple enough.

For more info visit the HPI Europe website.

The RS4 RTR 3 Nitro

Comments

  1. Neil Renaud says:

    Hi,

    Where can I perchace rc drifting cars in uk?

    Thanks
    Neil

  2. So..what’s the best HPI one?

  3. Travis says:

    I have one and it runs and works great but it has an overheating issue because when you are drifting you aren’t moving very fast airflow across the head is limited

  4. TiMtImInYtImTiM says:

    The HPI RS4 RTR Drift is an awesome kit and with a few mods can be a world beater. I have had mine running for a week now and have to say the quality of the kit is amazing. Make sure you tighten all the nuts and screws up before running and it’s a good idea to make sure the engine is properly tuned after run in. To aid airflow to engine i have cut the windows out of my shell and and an air hole in the front window and back to allow air to pass through. Common sense and no over heating issues at all. + it looks and sounds like a drift car un like the electric versions, lots of smoke!

    Great kit, i got mine from Apex Models

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