Traxxas Rustler 4X4 VXL is Here, And We Drive It! [VIDEO]

You may recall we built our own “Rustler 4X4” with existing Traxxas parts back in the December 2016 issue, but Traxxas’ new factory Rustler 4X4 VXL RC stadium truck is definitely NOT a “parts bin” truck.The chassis is a new design specific to the Rustler 4X4, the driveshafts are strengthened, the arms are new, and the slipper clutch wears aluminum pads like the E-Revo. The 4X4 Rusty also gets Traxxas’ slick self-righting tech and a reinforced, quick-release body like the E-Revo and X-Maxx. The truck rolls out with 3S-rated Velineon brushless power, and you can get it in “red” and “green” paint schemes. Those are just the broad strokes–see press release, photos, and video below for all the details.

We snagged a battery’s worth of run time on the Rustler 4X4 at Traxxas HQ, and it felt like a slightly scaled-down E-Revo–which is basically what the Rustler 4X4 is. Wheelies were plentiful even on 2S, and the truck is a bunch of fun as a street ripper with its wide footprint and 2.8″ Talon tires. In a field of loose dirt and clumpy grass, the all-wheel Rusty just churned through with its arms pumping away. Traxxas Stability Management is built into the TQi radio system, but when I checked the dial it was turned all the way down. There’s plenty of suspension and tire width to keep the Ruster 4X4 stable “the old fashioned way,” but in really loose conditions (like ice? Winter is always coming…), it’s nice to have TSM available. One battery pack is hardly enough time to render a durability verdict, but the truck we drove was well scarred from R&D hammering, and Traxxas says they built the new rig for extreme durability, like the latest E-Revo. Full test and review as soon as we get a new-in-the-box tester.

Expect to see the Rustler 4X4 VXL available in stores by October, priced between $380 and $400.

67076-4-GRN
67076-4-RED
Rustler 4X4 VXL: 1/10 Scale 4X4 Stadium Truck, Fully-assembled, Waterproof electronics, Ready-To-Race®, With TQi™ 2.4GHz 2-channel radio system, Traxxas Stability Management®, VXL-3s speed control, and clipless painted ProGraphix® body. Requires: battery and charger.