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Associated Electrics has been leading the pack in the micro segment with its line of RC18 vehicles. Each new release has something special to offer beginners and veterans alike. Fresh off the assembly line is the new RC18R. The R stands for Rally, and what was once a capable truck is now a road-ripping rally car. Much lower and more aggressive than its off-road cousin, the 18R is ready and willing to tear up the pavement as well as the dirt.

PERFORMANCE

Out of the box, the 18R rips. AE was very smart to include a potent 370-size motor in all of the RC18s, but adding street tires and lower suspension to the equation takes the 18R over the top. All of the pieces are in place for an incredible time. The combo of Super 370 motor, very capable ECS, top of the line batteries and a low-slung suspension makes the 18R hug the road and rip through corners with speed and stability.

One key to success in the handling department, aside from the V-groove street tires, are the hard inserts AE uses under those aggressive tires. Using hard foam inserts keeps tire side roll to a minimum, giving you maximum grip.

During my test period, I ripped the car up and down the street in front of my house, drawing a ton of attention from my neighbors. The 18R is fast and nimble. It handles well, oversteering only slightly at slower speeds, which is easy to compensate for. At high speeds it is a champ, taking corners fast and drifting ever so slightly, making it a blast to drive.

To further test, I toyed around with the gear ratios for a little more speed. I installed a variety of pinions in different sizes and was able to get the 18R to fly. Don't get me wrong, it's a missile out of the box, but it just wouldn't be an RC Driver review unless we made it scream.

Durability has never been an issue with the RC18s. All of the components are molded from plastic that can take a serious beating. I have inadvertently driven the 18R into mailboxes, trees, street signs, etc., and it has driven away unscathed. In the past I have had a few issues with the servo/servo saver combination on other RC18s, but the 18R has held its own without injury.

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Three body styles are offered: The Kamino, Citroen XSARA, and Mitsubishi Lancer WRC05. The bodies are a little out of scale, but look extremely cool when mounted to the chassis - kind of like Japanese super-deformed anime characters.
Associated didn't merely slap rally bodies on its existing RC18B platform. The 18R is a full 40mm narrower than the 18B, and this was accomplished primarily through the use of shorter suspension arms, upper links, and driveshafts.
The 18R uses the shorter front shocks from the 18B buggy in the rear as well. The rally version of the chassis does not require as much travel as the off-road RC18 versions. Front and rear shock towers were narrowed to maintain proper geometry with the shorter suspension arms.
Associated's new AT treaded tires are well suited for use on a variety of terrain. The tires come premounted to white or black spoked wheels (the color depends on the body style), and are filled with molded-foam inserts.
Each 18R comes as a full RTR (ready-to-run) package, with Associated's excellent two-channel pistol radio and high-performance XPS radio gear installed. A rechargeable NiMH battery pack and wall charger are included.

THE SPECIFICS

CHASSIS

LENGTH: 8.25 in. (210 mm)
WIDTH: 5.6 in. (142 mm)
WHEELBASE: 6.12in. (155mm)
WEIGHT: 19.82 oz. (562g)
TYPE: Plastic tub style, .079” (2mm) thick; removable slot for spur gear access
AUTHOR'S OPINION: All plastic is not the same and AE definitely knows this. I really like the flexibility of the plastics they use. It's just right for this scale vehicle, strong and durable.

SUSPENSION

TYPE: Plastic lower arms with non-adjustable upper linkages
SHOCKS: Plastic-bodied, oil-filled
WHEELS: Seven-spoke design, black plastic
TIRES: V-groove rubber treaded with molded inserts
AUTHOR'S OPINION: The shorter shocks help keep the 18R planted. AE includes a few preload spacers with the car, which I used to help tune the suspension. Adjustable linkages would be nice, but I'm sure an FT version is in the works and will include all of the goodies.

DRIVETRAIN

TYPE: Full-time 4WD, shaft/gear type
DIFFERENTIALS: Ball diff, front and rear
BEARINGS: Metal-shielded ball bearings throughout
DRIVESHAFTS: Blue-anodized aluminum center shaft with plastic dogbones on each corner
AUTHOR'S OPINION: The ball diffs are great. They are very smooth and are easily adjustable. The plastic dogbones on each corner can take the abuse of the powerful Super 370 motor, but I'm not sure for how long. They really seem to flex a bit under power.

POWER PACKAGE

TYPE: 370-size electric motor
AUTHOR'S OPINION: The Super 370 motor really screams. Power is abundant and the 18R will impress you with how fast it is. I certainly wasn't expecting that much speed.

ELECTRONICS

TRANSMITTER: XPS 2-Channel AM
SERVOS: XP1016 super micro steering servo
ESC: XPS micro ESC with reverse
BATTERY: Six-cell, 1100mAh battery pack with micro connector
AUTHOR'S OPINION: I have to compliment AE on the electronics package. I have been a big fan of the XPS gear since the first RC18T. It works well, it's durable and it's easy to use and tune. I have no complaints here.

THE LAST WORD

If you like small-scale RC and have been looking for something that isn't totally low-slung and track-oriented, the RC18R will serve you well. This car will certainly rip up the track, but it has enough suspension and durability for everyday street driving as well. AE did a good job lowering the RC18 chassis and limiting the suspension travel, making for one nice feeling rally car. I am eager to install a set of pin-type tires and go hit the ball diamond for some real rally action.

LINKS

Team Associated
www.teamassociated.com
www.rc10.com
(714) 850-9342

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RC DRIVER: Team Associated RC18R

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