Like a Cat Out of Hell – Kyosho’s Fazer Mk2 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat

Collecting cool and interesting-looking cars is a big part of the RC hobby. Having something that is fast is certainly fun, but ultimately, I’m also driven by the looks. I can’t always drive my RC vehicles, but when they look good, I can always admire them. This is where Kyosho’s lineup of Fazer Mk2 RTR on-road vehicles really ticks the boxes. Their Ultra Scale Body lineup features some of the most impressively detailed bodies I’ve ever seen, painted and decaled to perfection right from the factory. I was lucky enough to get my hands on the 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat model to take it out for a spin and some beauty shots. Let’s dive in and take a closer look at this great-looking RTR kit.

BUILT FOR THE STREETS

The Fazer Mk2 chassis is designed for use as an all-around on-road basher. It features low-slung suspension geometry and some top-notch material quality that places it as one of the best options for street and parking lot use.

The tub chassis features reinforcements at the front and rear, along with braces all around to improve both its handling characteristics and durability. Most components on the car are made from a highly durable composite plastic material that is meant to take the abuses of regular bash sessions while still providing plenty of performance. Several parts are interchangeable between the front and rear, making maintenance easier. As for adjustability, the shocks feature a couple different mounting points, and the front upper arms include moveable caster clips. Beyond that there isn’t much adjustability, but that isn’t too big of an issue as the Fazer Mk2 suspension design works quite well as-is.

Looking closer at the drivetrain and power unit, we find that the Fazer Mk2 features a shaft-driven 4WD design with full-length composite plastic driveshaft. The G14L 550 brushed motor sits in a fixed position towards the rear of the chassis. The fixed motor mount design provides a perfect mesh between the pinion and spur gear. Kyosho also offers nine optional pinion sizes so you can fine-tune the gear ratio as you see fit. Both front and rear include open differentials that provide power to heavy duty composite dogbones. Shielded steel bearings are installed all around for longevity and performance. The G14L motor receives power from the Speed House 60A waterproof brushed ESC, and it can be powered either by 2S LiPo or 6-8 cell NiMH battery packs.

TEARING UP THE ROAD

The Fazer Mk2 provides great all-around on-road performance. The chassis is well made and handles well, making it perfect for street and parking lot bash sessions. The included semi-slick tires hook up to the pavement nicely and provide excellent grip in tight turns and long sweepers. The G14L 550 motor provides a healthy amount of power, and paired with the stock gearing it allows the Fazer to reach respectable speeds from a brushed system. Out of the box, the Challenger is a lot of fun to drive. The awesome looks and impressive details of the Challenger body were greatly appreciated and just further added to the overall driving experience.

Kyosho Fazer Mk2 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Vehicle Specs

Height: 5.7 in. (144mm)
Length: 19.1 in. (486mm)
Width: 7.5 in. (190mm)
Wheelbase: 10.8 in. (274mm)

Scale: 1/10
Price: $239.99
Weight (No Battery): 3 lbs., 10 oz.
Chassis: FZ02 composite plastic tub
Shocks: Plastic body with aluminum cap, oil-filled coilover
Suspension: Double A-arm front, lower A-arm with upper link rear
Drivetrain: Shaft-driven 4WD, ball bearing equipped
F/R Driveshafts: Heavy duty plastic dogbones
Body: 2015 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat, pre-painted polycarbonate
Wheels: Multi-spoke race-inspired
Tires: Kyosho semi-slick
ESC: Kyosho Speed House 60A waterproof, brushed
Receiver: Kyosho Syncro KR-331
Radio: Kyosho Syncro KT-231P+ 2.4GHz
Motor: G14L 550-type 14T brushed
Steering Servo: Kyosho KS202W-04W, waterproof
Battery (sold separately): Peak PowerMax 4200mAh 2S LiPo

The Devil’s In The Details

Kyosho really goes above and beyond with their Fazer Mk2 RTR bodies. Their Ultra Scale Body shells are pre-painted and decal finished at the factory. The level of finish quality is so high that they almost look like scale models rather than drivable RC cars. The 2015 Challenger SRT Hellcat is painted in an almost Dodge factory accurate B5 Blue, and even includes a matte black hood for that extra bit of aggression. What really sets the Ultra Scale Bodies apart from the rest is the detail and scale accuracy. The proportions of the body details are almost perfect, and the shells are finished with hard-plastic accents, such as the grille and wing mirrors, that really help to finish off the realistic look.

FINAL WORD

The Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat RTR ticks the boxes of a fun-to-drive on-road car with extremely good looks. The body alone makes me want to shelve this beauty so I don’t destroy its excellent-looking exterior. Really though, I think the Fazer Mk2 will become my go-to car when going out for parking lot bash sessions with friends. It handles well, it’s entertaining to drive, and it looks great while doing it. The RC hobby is just as much about enjoying the appearance of our vehicles as it is about driving them, and Kyosho’s lineup of Ultra Scale Body designs do not disappoint. If you’re looking for a great quality kit with a super-cool-looking body, then I highly recommend you consider picking up a Kyosho Fazer Mk2 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat.

Source:
Kyosho America kyoshoamerica.com

---

Text and Images by Lauren Short