HoBao Hyper 8.5 Pro Review - CML Distribution

THRASH TESTHOBAO HYPER 8.5 PRO UKSPEC: 4WD ALLOY CHASSIS CLASS: 1:8 RALLYCROSS COMPETITION COST: £349.99ON TESTTHRASH TESTFTX receiver pack uses Intellect cells forhigh performanceSeeing as the test venue for running the Hyper8.5 Pro UK was dirt, the first thing we did togive the Hyper 8.5 Pro UK a fair crack was tochange the kit included Angle Spike tyres forsome pre-mounted Pro-Line Crime Fighters inM2 compound. Bearing in mind that when webuilt the shocks, we simply used the includedoil, rather than tuning it with a specific setupalong with leaving the Spider differentialsas they came from the factory, we were notsure how the buggy would perform. Ourdoubts were quickly put to rest though. The8.5’s lightweight transmission gives excellentacceleration while the diff oil set-up makes itvery easy to put the massive amount of poweravailable from the RB WS7 III engine downto the ground without drama. The longerchassis also showed its prowess too, the addedwheelbase length taking out any twitchinessand giving very neutral, balanced handling– the 8.5 was easy to place on line and heldit well with mid-corner bumps failing to upsetthe chassis. Coupled with the huge amount ofbrakes that feel very linear in use once theyhave bedded in along with the quick spoolingtransmission, the buggy felt very quick, solidand easy to drive. This was in no doubt aidedby the suspensionset-up. Alreadyproven, the8.5 has alot oftravel which helps keep it stable mid cornerwhere ruts would have other buggies on theirroofs and whilst the chassis did ground off thebigger jumps you always felt in control, bothin the air and when it touched down. Theeffort they have put into the strength of thebuggy showed too. After receiving a severehammering during our testing, nothingbroke or bent giving confidencethat the Hyper 8.5 Pro UK willget you to the end of theroughest races and withits fine performance,probably at the fronttoo – providingthe driver is upto it!WHAT WE USEDNitroTransmitter: KO Esprit III UniverseReceiver: Spektrum SR3000Steering Servo: Scanner SSV-9864MGThrottle/Brake Servo: Scanner SSV-9864MGReceiver Pack: FTX Voltz Intellect 1400mAhEngine: RB Concept WS7 IIIPipe/Manifold: HoBao (kit)Fuel: Byron 30%Glow Start: FastraxStarter Box: HoBaoThe unique side-access fuel tankis retained as is the low-profile,oval-shaped air filterThe clutch system features lightweight alloy shoesand a design that eliminates the chance of themhanging up on the flywheel as they wearWe used the kit HoBao exhaust alongwith the WS7 III engineRB have been incredibly successfulat the highest level and their WS7engine has been popular choicefrom club to international level