By Joe Rich
Table of Contents
Who Makes the Fastest RC Car in the World?
The world record for fastest RC car is held by a man named Nic Case. His design, the RC Bullet has been clocked at speeds as high as 202 mph. He holds the Guinness World Record.
Remote controlled cars, also known as RC cars, have changed and evolved quite a bit throughout the years.
There was a time where they were considered to be cool toys, driven around in the backyard on a whim and enjoyed by friends and neighbours.
But this hobby has become serious business in the decades since its initial development.
There are a number of varieties available on the market today that make them similar to miniature cars in the way that they are constructed and maintained.
Of course, finding the fastest RC cars out there is the goal of many who get into the hobby.
After all, who doesn’t like having the fastest car around? But there is a difference between having a fast RC car and having the fastest RC car.
Here is a comprehensive look at the fastest electric, gas-powered, and nitro RC cars out there.
We will cover their specifications, top speeds, and any other details that you need to know about these high-powered RC cars.
To read our How fast are RC cars article click here
Fastest Nitro RC Car
Traxxas is one of the premier manufacturers of RC cars in the industry, claiming the crown in this category as well as in the electric RC car category.
For nitro RC cars/trucks, it is hard to beat the Traxxas Jato 3.3 truck.
With a top speed of 65+mph, it can hit 0-60 in 4.2 seconds, allowing it to get up to top speed immediately and leave other RC cars in the dust.
It uses extreme power in its racing engine to achieve the type of performance that competitors have been trying to duplicate for many years.
Not only that, it features jaw-dropping acceleration with a throttle that is unmatched.
It also has the unique Traxxas stability management system built in to provide the ultimate in control even at top speed.
This means that you can keep your speed even in the tightest of turns, leaving the competition in the dust.
Traxxas builds their cars with stability and control in mind, which is why they use front and rear sway bars.
This allows for maximum stability, keeping the tires on the ground no matter what type of turns come your way.
Click here to view the Traxxas Jato 3.3 on Ebay
Fastest Electric RC Car
The Traxxas X0-1 has become the name when it comes to electric RC cars.
Its sleek design is enough to capture the attention of anyone who sees it but it is in the performance that really separates it from the rest of the competition.
With a top speed of over 100mph, there is no other RC car that can hope to match the power delivered by the Traxxas X0-1.
Traxxas has been in the RC car business for three decades, bringing impressive innovations in design and technology to the industry.
The Traxxas X0-1 has top-of-the-line steering capabilities, allowing for maximum control even at top speeds.
And the belted slick tires as well as functional aerodynamics keep the car glued to the pavement even as it is hitting those record speeds.
If the top speed wasn’t enough of an indication as to just how fast this RC car can go, it can hit 0-60 in 2.3 seconds, and the full 100mph in 4.92 seconds.
There is no other RC car that is going to beat the Traxxas X0-1 off the line, let alone to top speed, in a shorter amount of time.
Simply put, this is a supercar when it comes to electric-powered RC cars.
None can hope to match its 0-100 capabilities, making it the optimal racing supercar on the market today.
To read our article Are Traxxas RC cars any good click here
Click here to learn more about Traxxas X0-1 Supercar on Amazon
Fastest Gas-Powered RC Car
Clocking in as the fastest gas-powered RC car out there is the Losi DBXL Racing Truck.
This sleek, modern, gas-powered 1/5 scale RC truck can hit a whopping 80 km/hr top speed, allowing it to zoom around the track at speeds similar to full-sized cars.
It comes with a four-wheel-drive system that has been fitted to the car itself.
This allows it to travel across even the roughest of surfaces with ample control and stability while remaining at top speed the entire time.
While speed is certainly an important factor when it comes to RC cars, being able to control them properly and maintain that speed even in the tightest of turns is what separates the best from the rest in the industry.
The Lossi DBXL Racing Truck also comes with a shockproof body design that makes it a great choice for taking it off-road.
With maximum control even at top speeds, it can handle the toughest of terrains without losing control and flipping or becoming damaged.
With a 2.4Ghz remote control, there is minimal interference in use to ensure that the controls remain responsive from up to 500 feet away.
This means that you can focus on the driving experience that you want instead of focusing on being within a certain range or focusing on your controller.
As far as gas-powered options go, there are few out there that can match the Lossi DBXL Racing Truck.
With a top speed that smokes the competition and unparalleled control throughout the drive, you can race around any terrain or track at top speed and know that the Lossi DBXL Racing Truck will stay strong, driving ahead and leaving the competition in the dust.
Click here to learn more about the Lossi DBXL Racing Truck on Amazon
Other Remote Controlled Cars
Technically speaking, the fastest battery-powered remote-controlled model car out there is known as the “radio controlled bullet”. This remote-controlled car clocked in at an amazing 202.02mph in the United States.
Built by Nic Case, it hit that mark in Saint George, Utah back on October 25, 2014. This falls in the category of “other” because it is not comparable to traditional RC cars so it shouldn’t count in the RC car category.
This car is more built to resemble a bullet car, sleek and narrow in design to achieve top speed.
It is meant simply to go straight ahead and is not meant to move around turns or tight spaces as an RC car would.
Still, the speed is impressive and definitely worth noting.
Other Traditional RC Cars
While the vast majority of RC cars can’t quite match the 60+mph range that some of the elite cars on the scene can, there are more than a few great options out there when it comes to both RC cars and trucks.
Generally speaking, the majority of them will hit the 30mph range to provide ample speed and power while ripping up the track.
Some of the best RC cars out there are lightweight but made to handle the wear and tear of ripping up an outdoor course.
And despite being lightweight in nature, these RC cars can maintain their top speed without coming off the pavement.
Being able to retain top speed in tight turns means the difference in competitive RC racing circuits so don’t overlook this aspect.
Design matters a great deal as well. If an RC car looks cool but isn’t meant to stand up to the wear and tear of usage, it simply is not a good RC car.
That is why a sleek, cool look that is durable and aerodynamic is so important.
There are plenty of RC cars out there that feature smooth, futuristic designs that look as cool as possible but have a solid engineering that is meant to distribute tension and weight throughout the car for the least amount of wear and tear.
And though some of these RC options can’t quite match the top speeds listed above, they do make it a point to be aerodynamic.
Doing so means that they can traverse the course more quickly and efficiently than their counterparts without burning up additional battery or gas along the way.
Being able to conserve fuel or battery power might not seem to be the biggest issue but it can make an impact in the way that you drive your RC car.
It is just one of many options that need to be taken into consideration with competitive RC cars as it can make an absolute difference.
An Optimal RC Car
Unless you are competing in very serious circuits, finding an RC car that hits those crazy maximum speeds might not be necessary, especially given the costs that can come along with it.
Finding a cheaper option is something that many hobbyists look to do, meaning that you can find a quality option for a price that won’t break the bank.
And while that 30mph limit might not be the most impressive, it will get you around the course in a hurry.
Getting a durable car with a good body design is more important than top speed for hobbyists and enthusiasts.
Unless you are in seriously competitive races, the key is looking for good speed with even better control.
Whip around your backyard, through the roughest of terrains, and over custom courses as never before with an RC car that has maximum control while retaining its top speed.
These aren’t your dad’s RC cars.
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