Review: HPI Savage X 4.6 Special Edition

HPI’s Savage has seen many variations over the past couple years. There’s been the Savage 21, the Savage SS, the Savage Flux (E-version) and even the upcoming Savage XL Octane. It’s a versatile platform that is not only durable but also lends itself well to extreme modification. HPI has once again put a new twist on this chassis in the form of the Savage X 4.6 Special Edition. This updated MT now features an extremely powerful Big Block 8-port nitro engine and a slew of upgrade goodies already installed. To top it off, HPI has crowned it with a bright orange vintage Dodge Charger body complete with a supercharged engine poking through the hood. As much as I hate to launch this individually numbered Special Edition (mine is number 608 of 1000) into the stratosphere, I’m doing it for the sake of the mag. I’m just that kind of guy.

AT A GLANCE
WHO MAKES IT: HPI
WHO IT’S FOR: Nitro and monster truck fans
PART NUMBER: 106364
HOW MUCH: $669.99
BUILD TYPE: RTR

FACTS
• The Savage X 4.6 SE is built on HPI’s venerable TVP MT platform. Having had numerous versions before it, it’s a pretty safe bet to say that HPI has ironed out all the kinks. The 2mm side plates are anodized in a medium gray color and a giant “X” has been etched into the side. This TVP setup is extremely durable and helps reduce any flex.

• Four-wheel independent suspension is standard on the Savage X. For those that like to tune, the suspension has adjustable caster, toe and ride height. While a standard Savage has fixed upper links, the SE comes with HPI’s adjustable upper arms that allow you to tune camber as well.

• The SB-5 servo on the Savage X is mounted inverted in between the TVP plates. It is connected to a dual-bellcrank setup that has a built in servo saver. In addition to the side plates, this system is also well-protected by the lower skid plate.

• The Savage is, of course, 4WD. The powerful F4.6 engine spools up the 2-speed center transmission, which then routes the power through a pair of 4mm thick center drive shafts to the front and rear gearboxes. The fluid-filled diffs do their thing and then transfer power via the 5mm driveshafts out to the wheels.

• HPI has fitted the Savage X with a 2.4GHz radio system for the ultimate control. In addition, they have stuffed in one of their powerhouse F4.6 Big Block nitro engines.

• The finishing touches on the Savage X SE include the bright orange Dodge Charger body, flat black Warlock wheels and anodized orange aluminum speckled throughout the chassis. The wires are all neatly routed (in fact, you can’t even see them) as well as the pressure and fuel lines. The chassis has a sticker on each side of it designating it as a Special Edition truck. Mine says 608 of 1000.

PROS
+ Of course the first thing you notice is the bright orange vintage Dodge Charger body complete with R/T stickers, massive supercharger and body-extending side pipes. While not something you see every day, it does give the Savage a mean-dog attitude!
+ Speaking of that, attitude is nothing without some brutal power to back it up. To give this beast some snarl, HPI has dropped in their potent F4.6 Big Block nitro engine. Producing nearly 3hp, the X can hit speeds over 45 mph. Not only will you see it coming, you’ll hear it too!
+ Oversized, soft MT tires are wrapped around a set of flat black Warlock wheels. This setup provides quite a bit of grip and is the perfect complement to the bright orange Charger body.
+ HPI has included a pretty killer upgrade package with the SE, including their HD axle set, Big Bore shocks, tuned pipe and a high-torque SB-5 servo.
+ To help kill the engine when you’re done running, HPI has developed a Safety Engine Stop. This cool little add-on is basically a spring-loaded gadget that, when activated, taps the flywheel to stop the engine. Every nitro car should have something this simple.
+ Almost everything you need to get the Savage X up and running is included: RotoStart and 2000mAh battery, fuel bottle, “AA”’s, 4-way wrench, spare glow plug, glow igniter and 1600mAh receiver pack. The only remaining item you’ll need is fuel.

CONS
– Stickers on the box and body let everyone know it’s a Limited Edition. Who wants to beat up their Limited Edition?
– Since a lot of HPI’s Savage goodies were included, it would have been nice to see the Reverse Module included as well.

BEHIND THE WHEEL
The Savage X 4.6, topped with the orange Dodge Charger body, reminds me of a TV show from the early 80’s called the Dukes of Hazzard. In this show, cousins Bo and Luke Duke are constantly getting themselves in trouble with the law and, coincidentally, have an orange 1969 Dodge Charger that they drive to outrun them. But they don’t just drive away on paved roads…that would be boring. The Duke boys are always sliding across the hood and diving into the windows of the General Lee (the nickname of the car), flying down dirt back roads, sliding sideways around trees and, as the final stunt scene, launching the General Lee over an enormous gap that, in reality, would crush any normal car on landing. So, with that, I decided I would take the Savage X and do some high flying action as well, you know, something that would make the Duke boys proud!

Before we could send the X sky-high (something I’m still having trouble digesting), we had to get it started. I filled it with fuel, using the included fuel bottle, used the RotoStart to prime the fuel line, plugged in the glow starter and cranked her up. Since it was a brand new engine, it did take a few minutes to get it started but once it did, we had it humming like a church choir on Sunday. A few blips of the throttle and you could tell this F4.6 was an animal; it took some strength to keep it in place as the soft tires were clawing at the ground. Before we rolled away we gave it one last look…body on and secure: check. Fuel lines and air filter secure: check. Steering: check. Brakes: check (VERY important one). Everything looked good…it was time to party.

I took some slow runs around the field to get used to the throttle response, braking power and steering capabilities of the Savage X. The steering on the Savage X was really good. The SB-5 servo (with its impressive 480 oz. of torque) had no problem swinging the front tires back and forth, even when the X was at a standstill. Couple that with the soft front tires and the adjustable front suspension bits and you can tune the steering exactly to your liking. The throttle responded well to slow, steady input, however it was much more at home when I gave it a good yank. There was a bit of hesitation initially, but a quick fiddle on the adjustment needles had the F4.6 pulling the front tires off the ground as it launched away, even in the dirt. The engine sounded pissed, emitting a throaty braaap-braaap sound every time I throttled up. On the braking side of things, I can honestly say that if there were actual drivers in this truck their eyes would eject from their heads when you slammed the brakes. The upgraded dual-disc setup is phenomenal, almost too good in fact. While you can safely mash the brakes to slow the truck down, care must be taken that you don’t flip the truck forward and onto its lid. Not wanting to damage the body, I backed off on my heavy brake finger until I could get back to the shop and adjust them. The upgraded suspension is also a welcome addition. Big Bore shocks add quite a bit of plush to the X on both the rough stuff and landing off the big jumps. The truck lands with a “thud,” no bouncing, no tipping, no drama. HPI has the damping just right in these shocks, allowing you to leave the ground with confidence. I played around for another full tank, catching air, doing wheelies and throwing up some roost. But I still had one more thing to do…the Bo and Luke Duke enormous-gap jump.

After a little searching around, I found a large dirt ramp that would undoubtedly put the X four-wheels off and facing straight up. I did a few, slow practice runs just to make sure I wasn’t getting in over my head…I mean I really wanted to do this, but was completely panicked that I was going to trash the SE Charger body. I set the truck up about 25 yards from the ramp. The air was thick, Walter was in position and, somewhere in the distance, we could hear a coyote. It was time. BRAAAAAAAP – the Savage X was in motion, plumes of smoke and dirt bellowing behind it…the time had come. Or did it? About 20 feet from the ramp, the engine sputtered, choked and then stalled. Yes, we had run out of gas. On the outside, I was completely bummed as it would have made a fantastic picture…a story to tell my kids (well, I don’t have any so it would be a story to tell someone’s kids), but on the inside I was jumping for joy that the chances of trashing my primo Special Edition body were over. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be.

DIMENSIONS
LENGTH: 21 in. (534mm)
WIDTH: 16.8 in. (427mm)
WHEELBASE: 13.24 in. (336.5mm)
SUSPENSION TRAVEL: 5.9 in. (152mm)

BODY, WHEELS AND TIRES
BODY: Pre-painted and mounted vintage Dodge Charger
WHEELS: Black Warlock 2.2 in.
WHEEL ADAPTER TYPE: 17mm hex
TIRES: 3.4 in. Soft Monster Truck tires

SUSPENSION
TYPE: 4-wheel independent
SHOCK POSITIONS: 1-tower, 3-arm
CAMBER: Adjustable turnbuckles
ROLL: Fixed
WHEELBASE: Fixed
RIDE HEIGHT: Pre-load clips on the shocks

STEERING
TYPE: Dual bell crank
TOE: Adjustable turnbuckles

CHASSIS
TYPE: TVP (Twin Vertical Plate) design MATERIAL: 6061 aluminum
THICKNESS: 2mm

DRIVETRAIN
TYPE: 4WD
TRANSMISSION: 2-speed with adjustable shift points
DIFFERENTIAL: Fluid-filled gear diffs
CLUTCH TYPE: 3-shoe clutch
GEAR RATIO: Optional clutch bells
BEARINGS: Full set

WRAP UP
The Savage X 4.6 is a fantastic truck. It combines power, handling and an MT status that deserves respect. Add a numbered plaque, a cool Dodge Charger body, some upgrade parts and give it a Special Edition designation and you’ve got the collector’s edition of a solid Monster Truck. I hated having to jump it, slide it and get it dirty, but in the end it was well worth it. Time to get my General Lee back into pristine condition.

LINKS
HPI hpiracing.com, 949-753-1099
VP Powermaster powermasterfuels.com, 210-635-7755