Hobby Plus DKR4-Fortis: 1/18 rally raid in RTR form with portal axles and a winch

Photo: Hobby Plus RC (via BigSquidRC) (source)

Hobby Plus continues to expand its 1/18 range with the DKR4-Fortis, an RTR with Dakar-style rally raid looks that borrows as much from scale trail as it does from fast off-road. A hybrid recipe that is fairly rare at this scale.

Hobby Plus DKR4-Fortis: a 1/18 designed for fast crawling

The moulded ABS body picks up the codes of rally raid prototypes, with its detailed panels, its trimmed cockpit and above all gullwing rear doors that give access to the equipment bay. Under that body, Hobby Plus has gone for long-travel suspension, complemented by factory-fitted anti-roll bars to contain body roll at higher speeds.

Transmission: portal axles and a two-speed gearbox

The transmission is the model’s real selling point. The DKR4-Fortis runs in 4×4 with portal axles front and rear, sealed four-gear differentials, as well as heavy duty metal outdrives and axles. Above all it carries a two-speed gearbox operated remotely from the transmitter, enough to switch from slow crawling to a track pace without picking the car up. The 1.3 inch beadlock wheels and their treaded tyres complete the package.

Equipment and pricing

The model is delivered ready to run with a Flysky 6-channel radio system, a full LED light kit including rock lights, and a working front winch. Hobby Plus offers two power options: 199 dollars for the brushed version, 269 dollars for the brushless version. A full range of option parts accompanies the launch.