HPI Gets into the 1/18 Scene with the Venture18 Toyota Hilux
It's been a while since I've written about a new release from HPI, but that silence ends today as they've announced their new 1/18-scale trail truck, the Venture18. With its licensed 1985 Toyota Hilux SR5 body, this tiny truck sports several scale details and appears to have a solid chassis underneath it as well.
Starting with the visual details, the polycarbonate body on the Venture18 looks quite nice and features several body details including side mirrors, door handles, and LED-equipped headlights and taillights. The body features a clipless mounting design that lifts from the front and pivots to the back for easy access to the internals. And the Venture18 is being introduced with two body color options are available to choose from (red and black).
This truck rolls on 1.2" wheels and tires which appear to fill the wheel well space quite nicely.
Under the body, you'll find a ladder frame chasisis with metal rails, straight axles, oil-filled shocks, a two speed transmission, and an LED light controller. The overall chassis design appears to be well thought out and capable of handing several different terrain types. While that's enough to make for an exciting announcement, HPI is offering the Venture18 in a brushless configuration as well.
Specs:
- Length: 272mm
- Width: 127mm
- Height: 125.6mm with Rollbar Lights, (depending on tire choice and suspension settings)
- Wheelbase: 155.4mm
- Running weight: 0.50kg
- Weight without battery: 0.47kg
- Break-over angle: 55 deg
- Approach angle: 50.5 deg
- Departure angle: 44.8 deg
- Max climb angle: 57 deg
- Max tilt angle: 43 deg
- Axle articulation: 25.5 deg
- Ground clearance 28.7mm
- Axle ground clearance 17mm
- Transmission gearing: low Gear - 81.44:1, High Gear 20.36:1
- Axle gearing: 2.54:1
The Venture18 is priced at $149.99 for the brushed version and $199.99 for the Venture18 Flux brushless model. Learn more about this new 1/18-scale trail truck at hpiracing.com.
Pre-order the Venture18 today at AMain Hobbies.
Image credit: AMain Hobbies
