Radio and accessories
One of the most striking aspects of the XTS F10 Alloy Edition is the beautifully painted body. Rlaarlo has done a great job with the paint job itself, which is smooth, glossy, and durable, giving the car a polished, high-quality appearance. However, the body does not come with any factory-applied decals. While this may seem like a negative at first glance, it’s actually a great feature for hobbyists who enjoy customizing their cars. The car does come with a set of decals, but instead of using licensed logos from companies like Ford, Pirelli, or Monster Energy, these stickers are more generic representations of those brands, likely due to copyright restrictions. While it would have been amazing to see real licensed decals included, this customization opportunity is a positive for many. You can choose whether to follow the included decal guide or opt for your own branded stickers. For example, some might enjoy adding official Ford or Pirelli logos, making the car truly personal. On the other hand, the unlicensed decals can look a bit off, so not applying them at all might be the better choice for some owners.
Included manual and decals
In terms of design, the clipless body mounting system is a standout feature, though it comes with a learning curve. It’s incredibly secure, and in my testing, the body withstood a fall from around four feet without any issue. The body clips into place without the use of traditional clips, providing a clean look and reasonable mounting/dismounting process. However, this system does require a bit of attention when securing the body. You’ll need to look at the underside of the chassis and align the clips carefully with the body’s side skirts to ensure a tight fit. Once you get the hang of it, though, it’s quick and easy. It’s worth noting that if you drop the car from a height, the system proves its durability, keeping everything intact even in rougher conditions.
The body and headlights
A small design flaw comes in the form of the body’s front lip, which tends to scrape the ground when braking sharply. This is something I found particularly annoying, especially when trying to race the car on less-than-perfect surfaces. However, this issue can be mitigated by adjusting the preload on the front suspension, which is conveniently easy to do. The shock absorbers come with a built-in preload adjustment ring, allowing you to tweak the front suspension’s compression and reduce the amount of dip under braking. This is a welcome feature, as many RTR cars at this price point do not offer such customization options, and some require preload clips.
The shock tower and shocks
The stock electronics in the XTS F10 Alloy Edition leave something to be desired. It’s powered by a 45A ESC and a 2852, 3800KV motor, which, while functional, don’t offer the kind of power I was expecting for a car of this style. On stock gearing, the car offers a fun, moderate speed, but I found that it could use more punch to really keep up with higher-end competitors like those from Traxxas or HPI. Rlaarlo has included an alternate pinion gear for those who want to modify the gearing and improve top speed, but even with this, the motor may feel a bit underpowered when compared to other cars in this price range. As for the ESC, it comes with a strong drag brake, which can help reduce the need for braking through the throttle trigger. While this is a nice feature and reduces front body lip scraping by decreasing the use of the throttle trigger brake, there’s no obvious way to adjust the drag brake’s strength, which may be a turnoff for more experienced users looking for better control over the braking system.The 3S LiPo battery included with the car is a nice touch, and the 2200mAh capacity, though smaller than what I’d expect for a car of this scale, is adequate for moderate run times. This small battery size likely reflects the smaller motor and ESC combo. A good feature here is that the included USB charger is rated for 2A charging, which isn’t the fastest rate but is still reasonable for an RTR charger. For those serious about their hobby, I recommend using a hobby-grade charger for faster, more efficient charging. Though the 2200mAh battery is on the smaller side, the car is a true 1/10 scale, so it doesn’t require massive amounts of power to perform well. That said, the stock electronics—while functional—could have been a bit more powerful. For users looking for a more powerful, out-of-the-box setup, I’d recommend opting for the carbon fiber version of the XTS F10, as it includes a more capable ESC and motor setup.
What truly sets the XTS F10 Alloy Edition apart from other rally cars in this price range is its lighting system. The car comes with an impressive array of lights, including working headlights with high and low beam options, taillights, brake lights, reverse lights, and even an exhaust backfire effect, which is incredibly bright and adds a nice flair. The light control module, neatly tucked beneath the body, offers a variety of light control options that can be toggled from the transmitter. These include the overtake flashes, hazard lights, and turning signals, all of which make the car look incredibly realistic while driving. One small downside here is that the taillights, while bright when braking, aren’t very visible under normal driving conditions. It’s clear the lights have the capability to be brighter, and I feel the baseline brightness could be increased to match the impressive brake light effect. The headlight and taillight moldings are also well-incorporated into the body, making them look like they were part of the original design, not just added as an afterthought.
Rear lights and wing
In terms of driving, the XTS F10 Alloy Edition is highly stable and responsive, particularly on paved roads. The car’s tires, with their rubberized trademarks, offer solid grip and provide a good balance between durability and traction. On-road handling is impressive, and the car takes off straight and true without much of the wobble you might find in lower-quality models. The chassis is made from high-quality aluminum, which is extremely durable and rare in RTR cars at this price point. The metal chassis braces further enhance its strength and rigidity, ensuring the car handles well even during rough driving conditions. However, because the aluminum chassis looks so sleek and high-quality, I’d suggest adding a chassis protector to keep it looking pristine over time. While the “Made in China” engraving on the chassis could be considered a minor blemish as it belongs more on the box than the car, it doesn’t detract too much from the overall build quality of the car.
A look under the hood
Comparing the Rlaarlo XTS F10 Alloy Edition to other rally cars from brands like Traxxas, HPI, and Kyosho, it’s clear that Rlaarlo is a strong contender in the market, especially considering its price point. While the higher-end models from these companies may offer more power and speed, the XTS F10 provides a solid performance package with excellent durability and innovative features. The build quality is certainly on par with some of the more well-known brands, particularly when it comes to the shock towers, the chassis, and the lighting system. However, the lack of powerful stock electronics is a slight drawback, especially for users who expect faster speeds and higher power out of the box. This is where the carbon version of the XTS F10 stands out, as it comes with more capable electronics and offers a more competitive setup for those looking to push the car to its limits right away.
The Rlaarlo XTS F10 Alloy Edition’s suspension setup is exceptionally plush, enabling it to absorb uneven terrain smoothly while offering a realistic driving experience. It uses a center differential instead of a slipper clutch, which allows for more balanced power distribution, ultimately enhancing handling, particularly on gravel and loose surfaces. The differentials come pre-filled with grease, improving power transfer and providing added grip. The body roll, combined with sway bars, gives it a realistic, scale appearance while maintaining stability in turns and reducing the chance of flips even under tight, quick maneuvers.
Overall, the Rlaarlo XTS F10 Alloy Edition is an excellent car, particularly for those looking for an affordable and customizable rally car. Its build quality, innovative features, and overall performance make it an incredible value for the price. The electronics may not be the most powerful, but they are perfectly adequate for moderate driving, and the ability to upgrade parts and customize the car further makes it a great platform for hobbyists. If you’re looking for a car that looks great, handles well, and provides plenty of opportunities for customization, the XTS F10 Alloy Edition is an excellent choice. I’d recommend the carbon version for those who want a higher-performance out-of-the-box experience, but the Alloy Edition still offers plenty of fun, especially for the price. Customer service from Rlaarlo is a question for many; but on a recent part-order I didn’t have any concerns, though there was a couple months delay in stocking the part. The behind-the-scenes video of their factory is a nice touch, showing the level of care and professionalism that goes into assembling these cars. Despite the minor flaws mentioned, this is one of the best rally cars in its class, and I’d happily recommend it to others in the RC community.
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1 comment
I just happened to come across a review for your new rally car on youtube and was immediately on your website to se what else you offer. I’ll be honest, ive ben into rc cars for about 5 or 6 years now, mostly crawlers but getting into bashers and monster trucks, and I have never heard of this company. Im so glad I do now though. The quality of your rc cars at the prices you have is amazing. As soon as I am able to purchase one I will be picking up either the ralley car or the monster truck. I unfortunately was just diagnosed with some pretty bad health issues so I am not able to work very much at all so money is extremely tight. but driving round rc cars is my favortite things to do and something I still can do so it will be worth it if I ever do manage to save up enough to get one. But your prices are so good I think i can do it I dont think by Christmas like I was hoping but maybe after the new year.
Anyways, just wanted to let you know how excited I am to learn about your company and just say thank you for doing what you guys are doing. Keep up the good work!!!\
Danny Kimzey
2000 Angel Ct.
Placerville, Ca
9567