Review: HPI Racing Savage XS SS

If you’re looking for a fast RC car or truck, you definitely have quite a few to choose from. If you’re looking for something to ‘wow’ the kids in the neighborhood, again, your choices are abundant. But if you’re looking for something to seriously blow people away, look no further than the mighty HPI Savage XS SS. This pint-sized Monster Truck accepts 1/10-scale brushless equipment and a simply ridiculous 3S LiPo pack, all in a pretty little box for you to build. Prepare yourself; you’re about to unleash a real beast!

AT A GLANCE
WHO MAKES IT: HPI
WHO IT’S FOR: Intermediate to advanced
HOW MUCH: $229.98
BUILD TYPE: Kit

FACTS
• The Savage XS SS is based on the larger Savage monster truck except, obviously, smaller. Everything is situated in the nice, compact TVP (Twin Vertical Plate) chassis.

• The ability to use 1/10-scale electronics is a MAJOR plus. Basically any ESC and motor you use in a touring car, short course truck or 2WD buggy will fit the XS.

• Being a kit, you get the pleasure of completing the XS prior to running it. It goes together fast and easy and, as an added bonus, the center transmission comes pre-assembled.

• HPI has supplied the XS with an all-metal drivetrain. Using the Flux system and a 3S LiPo, I put the XS through the ringer and, other than a completely abused body shell, the rest of the truck was in great condition.

• A waterproof compartment keeps the receiver free of moisture. The box itself was a pain to assemble (one of the little waterproofing grommets kept giving me fits), but once completed will surely keep any water out. Note that if you plan to run in any water, you will still need a waterproof ESC and servo; those do not fit in the supplied waterproofing box.

• The ESC mounts to a shelf that includes a screw-on lid. This lid keeps the ESC from ejecting in the event of a hard crash.

• The Savage XS tires are a semi-hard compound that really only work well on smooth pavement (with the 3S pack). On any other surface you’ll just get massive amounts of wheelspin followed by the truck spinning around in circles. I could feather the throttle to get some speed, but what fun is that? On a 2S pack (I tried that also), traction is MUCH better, but still not optimum.

• The battery compartment can hold a 2S and some 3S packs. Check the measurements on your 3S pack prior to purchase. Some of my 3S packs fit, some didn’t.

PROS
+ The XS allows you to use 1/10-scale servo, motor and ESC.
+ While a 2S LiPo is suggested, the battery compartment will fit a 3S pack.
+ All-metal, pre-assembled transmission.
+ Waterproof receiver box.
+ Upgraded parts as standard equipment.
+ Beefy suspension arms, turnbuckles and shock towers.
+ ESC encapsulated in a secure “cage”.
+ Really, really, REALLY fast on a 3S pack.

CONS
– Really too fast for beginners on a 3S pack.
– On a 3S pack, kit tires lack useable traction on anything but smooth, debris-free asphalt.

BEHIND THE WHEEL
For the photo shoot, I loaded up my truck and headed over to a local parking lot where a ton of dirt is stored for use in the area. I chose this place since one section has a large, elevated dirt area with steep, sloped (and smooth) dirt sides…perfect for some good action shots. After my ‘pretty photos’ were done, I plugged the pack in, turned on the truck (remember, transmitter first) and sent the Savage out to terrorize the dirt!

First initial thoughts were that I was in serious trouble out on this dirt with a 3S pack and these hard compound tires. I couldn’t even get the Savage XS up to speed without blowing the tires loose and spinning around in circles. Once I got used to the power I was able to do some cool hill-climbs (at ¼ throttle, mind you), nice dirt drifts and some pretty sick jumps, but partial throttle is not what I want in a Savage.

After the 3S had dumped, I dropped in a back-up 2S LiPo I brought along with me. While the brute power wasn’t there, full-throttle blasts were now much easier, but still a bit hairy on the loose dirt. I was able to hit the jumps better, have more control during drifts and overall, enjoy the XS much more. The suspension is smooth and works great but, because of the XS’s miniature size, 1/10-scale rocks become pretty sizeable obstacles and created some pretty inconsistent handling when trying to fly over them at 40+ mph. Even over the jumps, the power of the 2S allows much more control in the air compared to a 3S pack.

After the shoot I was still curious about the XS and that 3S pack, so I went home, recharged and headed out to a deserted side street close to my house. This is where the Savage XS and a 3S LiPo pack shine…open, higher-traction areas. Throttle control is still a bit of an issue, but now it’s not so much because there is a lack of traction, but because at basically any speed you can flip this sucker on its back! It’s so savagely fast it’s scary, and if you’re like me (full-throttle full-time) you’ll be in the market for a new body after a few battery packs.

Now you may be saying, “How fun can it be just blasting up and down the street?” but remember you’re blasting up and down the street at 60+ mph with something the size of your shoe. I must warn you, though, that constant high-speed blasts will create a large amount of heat in the motor and ESC. The motor was blisteringly hot to the point that, after I touched it for a split second, I had 3 heat-sink rings burnt into my finger. Just be careful before touching anything after your run. As a suggestion, I would pick up an ESC with a built-in or add-on fan unit (as the Flux has) to help keep it cool.

THE LAST WORD
As I mentioned before, if you want the overwhelming OMG factor in a pint-sized MT, pick up a Savage XS SS, put some electronics in it that will handle a 3S LiPo and go have some fun. This little truck is so fast it will amaze your friends, family and any nearby strangers. Just don’t get too crazy with it and you shouldn’t worry too much about breaking it (notice I didn’t mention anything about its durability). I beat this mini-MT up and even after multiple flips, tumbles, jumps and falls it is still in one, solid little piece. Well, except for the body. It might be time for a new one.

LINKS
HPI hpiracing.com, (949) 753-1099
Futaba futaba-rc.com, (217) 398-8970
Savox savoxusa.com, (855) 76SAVOX