FIRST DRIVE
Vaterra Takes Motorsports Head On
WORDS AARON WALDRON PHOTOS JASON BOULANGER
What makes a radio-controlled car? Is it the scale appeal, exciting driving
experience, or the quality of the overall package? Horizon Hobby started o; in 2013
with the announcement of an entirely new line of RTRs that make the argument that all
three of those characteristics are equally important. Coming out of the gate with seven
vehicles aimed at hitting all corners of the RC road map, with many more rumored along
the way, the new Vaterra brand kicked things o; in a big way.
Each is controlled by a genuine Spektrum radio system and
powered by Dynamite electronics that round out a total
package that includes everything you need to hit the ground
running, all the way down to the Alkaline AAs needed for the
transmitter. Of the seven cars to make the opening round of
releases, three are impeccably detailed and o;cially licensed
on-roaders that recreate some of the most iconic road cars
of all time. I was sent four wildly di;erent o;-road rigs, each
named for the environment in which its full-size counterpart
is driven – the Glamis Uno dune buggy, Twin Hammers rock
racer, Kemora rally car, and Kalahari desert raider — and had
the chance to log considerable run time with each to get a
better idea of what the new Vaterra line is all about; after all,
even I couldn’t wait for the full review to tear into these cool
cars. ;e brand’s slogan is “Adventure Driven,” and if these are
any indication of what’s to come, you may want to pack a lunch
and some supplies – you’re going to be venturing far o; the
beaten path.
