BEHIND THE WHEEL

If you missed our review of the Ford GT in the August issue, the Mustang GT driving experience is basically a recap, since it’s the same car underneath the Lexan. We’re talking 26mph with stock gearing and a 2S Lipo, or 32mph if you install the supplied “speed gear.” Like a full-size Mustang GT, the Traxxas model will happily slide its rear end out for exciting oversteer, and is easily reeled back in with countersteering. There’s no Traxxas Stability Management (TSM) to help out the Mustang since the included transmitter is the “base model” TQ instead of the TQI as included with the Ford GT, but the chassis handles predictably without it. Plus, the Mustang costs about $60 less than the Ford GT; that’s enough cash for an extra battery. In three words, the Mustang GT is fast, fun, and affordable—the trifecta.

Now, let’s talk VXL. Where the Mustang GT and Ford GT are fast, the 4-Tec 2.0 VXL is very fast. With a 2S Lipo and stock gearing, the brushless car tops out at 33mph, and it’s a four-tire fire when you mash the throttle. The Velineon power system makes a ton of torque, and even with a taller gear ratio than the brushed car, it has no problem burning rubber. It quickly hooks up and tracks straight, and man, it moves. Remember, the same 3500KV motor pushes the much larger, heavier Slash 4X4 around, so it’s not even breathing heavy in the 4-Tec. Imagine putting the 900hp V8 from a short-course truck into a road car—now you’re getting the idea. For street thrashing (on a quiet street, of course), the 4-Tec VXL is just about perfect on a 2S Lipo with stock gearing. The acceleration is brutal, and 33mph looks even faster when you’re watching a touring car in action versus something larger, like a short-course truck. Even on my long and wide street, I found myself quickly running out of road at 33mph. But if you want to go faster, and you’ve got the space, swapping in a 3S pack for a boost to 11.1 volts puts the 4-Tec into over-the-top territory. The car clicked off 48mph easily with stock gearing, but the impression of speed is more like 60mph. I used a Traxxas Ford GT for testing, and the car felt rock-solid at speed. The 4-Tec covers a lot of ground very quickly (70 feet every second!) and will not stop on a dime at that speed, so leave yourself plenty of room to shut down. The brakes are more than capable, but once you lock the tires, the 4-Tec keeps skidding along—better to pump the brakes, Abs-style. Thankfully, TSM works under braking, and helps the 4-Tec track straight as you stand on the brakes. As for handling, the brushless VXL slides deeper into turns since it’s faster than the brushed car, and has more power to keep the tires spinning in drift. But it’s no less easy to control, especially with TSM helping out. The 4-Tec VXL will challenge your skill more with TSM switched off, but if you know how to counter-steer, the car will reward your abilities. With 3S power and TSM off, I could pitch the 4-Tec hard enough to enter turns backwards, drifter-style. Super fun—and also super-tough on tires. Traxxas wisely specs thicker treads for the 4-Tec VXL, but if your driving style is all burnouts and drifts, expect tire life to be reduced accordingly.

FINAL WORD

So when you add a high-power brushless system to a car you already liked with brushed power, it gets even more fun? What a shocker! To the surprise of no one, adding Traxxas’ well-proven Velineon Power System delivers bigtime blacktop fun with a 7-cell NIMH or 2S Lipo onboard. Dive into the deep end with speed gearing and a 3S Lipo, and hold on tight—the only way to go faster is with the Traxxas XO-1, which tops out at over 100mph. The 4-Tec 2.0 Mustang GT, like the Ford GT RTR, is easy on the wallet, tough as nails, and happy to hang out its tail end like a proper rearwheel-drive muscle machine (thanks to it being 4WD, ironically). The option of getting the same affordable Titan-powered platform minus a body was a nice move on Traxxas’ part (especially if you’re not a Ford guy), and sure to be welcomed by body makers everywhere. If you can buck up to go brushless, the VXL platform does not disappoint. Mount up your favorite street shell, stand on the gas, and prepare to be the fastest guy in the neighborhood.