Introduction
Welcome to the comprehensive review of the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car. This stunning scale rally car is a sight to behold with its eye-catching design and impressive build.
Unboxing
When you first open the box, you’ll find the CEN Ford Puma nestled inside along with the radio, instruction manual, body assembly guide, extra stickers, radio manual, tools, and other accessories. Everything you need to get started right away.
Radio Control
The radio included with the CEN Ford Puma is a standard CEN radio that gets the job done. While it may not have physical dials, adjusting settings using the buttons is straightforward once you familiarize yourself with the manual. It may take some time to get used to, but it works efficiently for controlling the car.
Performance
Once you take the CEN Ford Puma out for a spin, you’ll be impressed by its performance. The car handles well on various terrains, providing a smooth and thrilling driving experience. The powerful ESC ensures quick acceleration, making it a joy to maneuver around obstacles and take on challenging courses.
Durability
Constructed with high-quality materials, the CEN Ford Puma is built to withstand rough play and intense driving. The sturdy chassis and components ensure durability, allowing you to enjoy countless hours of racing without worrying about wear and tear.
Overall Verdict
The CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car is a fantastic choice for RC enthusiasts looking for a high-performance and visually appealing vehicle. With its impressive design, solid construction, and excellent handling, this car is sure to provide hours of entertainment for hobbyists of all levels.
Scale Comparison
It works just fine, no problems with range or anything like that. The car is 1/8 scale, so this is not 1/10 scale. To illustrate the difference, we have a larger 1/10 scale rally car by Tamiya, the Audi Quattro. The Ford Puma is noticeably smaller in comparison to the Audi Quattro, highlighting the scale variation.
Size and Dimensions
When compared to the Audi Quattro, the CEN Ford Puma is visibly more compact. The wheelbase of the Ford Puma measures 11 and 3/4 inches from center axle to axle, with the entire length of the car slightly exceeding 18 inches. The width from fender to fender is approximately 9 and 1/4 inches. Despite being an 1/8 scale car, the Ford Puma holds its own in terms of size.
Weight and Build
The weight of the Ford Puma is relatively light for an 1/8 scale car. It falls within the standard range for 1/8 scale vehicles, such as buggies, which typically weigh around eight or nine pounds. Even though it is light, the build quality of the Ford Puma is robust and durable, ensuring a smooth and reliable performance on the rally track.
The Weight and Purpose
This CEN Ford Puma 1/8th rally car weighs 56 oz, making it relatively light for its scale. It is designed to be driven in rough parking lots, on light gravel surfaces. This car is not intended for use on super smooth surfaces where it may drift excessively or in fields with long grass. However, it is suitable for short manicured grass areas where it can perform optimally.
Driving Experience
Rally cars like the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th rally car offer a unique and exhilarating driving experience. Despite their limited popularity in the RC car hobby, rally cars can be driven virtually anywhere. The car performs exceptionally well in rough parking lots, providing a smooth and controlled drive compared to 1/10 scale sedan cars.
Wheel Design and Performance
The wheels of the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th rally car are specifically tailored to enhance its performance. Featuring white rims and lightly treaded tires, these wheels are designed for optimal traction on rough surfaces. The tires exhibit good wear resistance, ensuring longevity and durability for extended use. The overall performance of the wheels contributes significantly to the car’s handling and maneuverability on various terrains.
The Body
The body of the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car is truly eye-catching. It features the iconic Red Bull World Rally Championship scheme, giving it a sporty and dynamic look. The rear wing is particularly impressive, being both strong and solid. The way it is mounted with braces ensures that even in the event of a rollover, the wing remains secure. The attention to detail is evident in the design, with small air ducts on the rear and braced mirrors adding to the overall durability of the body.
Body Replacement
While the body of the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car is well-built and sturdy, it comes at a price. Replacement bodies are sold separately, typically priced around $120. This cost includes the body itself, minus the stickers and wing. Owners will need to invest time in applying the stickers and assembling the wing, but the end result is definitely worth it. By taking good care of the body, drivers can ensure longevity and maintain the sleek appearance of their RC car.
The Chassis
Beneath the striking body of the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car lies a well-designed chassis. The chassis features a bathtub-type design with raised sides, providing stability and support while driving. Triangular bracing at the corners adds an extra layer of reinforcement, creating a low center of gravity platform that helps in handling and maneuverability. Additionally, the design helps deflect dirt and debris away from the running gear, keeping the car clean and functioning smoothly during races or off-road adventures.
Tire Durability
After extensive testing and driving in various terrains, the tires of the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car have shown remarkable durability. Even with frequent use on parking lots and rough surfaces, there are no significant signs of wear on the tires. This bodes well for long-term usage, indicating that the tires should last for a considerable amount of time. The combination of quality materials and thoughtful design ensures that drivers can enjoy a smooth and thrilling driving experience without worrying about tire replacement anytime soon.
Chassis and Electronics
From going you know, directly going onto onto the chassis and the electronics. The shocks are plastic bodied, but they are threaded and they are fully adjustable. You’ve got aluminum shock Towers here with multiple mounting points. You’ve got two mounting points on the on the lower arms same on the rear, they’re the same shocks, front and rear there’s no difference between them, and the shock towers are the same.
Battery Mounting
The battery mounting you can see here is real nicely done, sits low inside the car, it does have little Stoppers. It does have a little plate to stop it moving around. Even when you’ve got it strapped down, it takes the standard size, 2s and 3s batteries. That’s what it’s set up to run on.
ESC and Motor
The ESC in this car is a Hobbywing Max 10. So it’s a good, solid, well-known brand that everybody knows how to work with – easy to program, easy to work with. It’s just a good all-around ESC. I believe it’s 100 amps. The motor is a 3000 KV, 3658 sized motor and it comes with a cooling fan on it, which is a real nice touch.
Servo
The servo, which is hidden behind the radio gear, is the standard, send Servo. It’s an okay servo. I’ve had no problems with it on this car. It’s a standard power and torque, not a super high torque unit, but you don’t need it in this car.
Chassis and Suspension
Underneath the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car, we find a sturdy aluminum plate style chassis that provides excellent support and durability. The arms are well-designed with bracing throughout, ensuring that they can handle rough terrain without any issues. The suspension is fully adjustable, allowing for precise tuning to suit different driving conditions.
Handling and Performance
The CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car performs exceptionally well on the track, delivering smooth and responsive handling. The fixed rear toe and toe-in provide stability while the adjustable camber allows for customization to achieve optimal traction and control. The car can take on rocky terrain and speed bumps with ease, thanks to its robust construction.
Issues and Resolutions
Upon initial inspection, there were a couple of issues with the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car. The spur gear and motor were not meshed properly out of the box, resulting in excess noise during operation. However, the problem was easily resolved by adjusting the motor alignment, thanks to the car’s user-friendly design.
The Factory Flaw
It was just done wrong from the factory, which is something that happens. Its disappointing because a new buyer or somebody new to the hobby might not have realized, and they would have ran the car uh and probably stripped the spur gear um, which would not have been a good result.
Motor Mount Adjustability
We can see here that the motor mount is really easy to adjust. Actually um, you can just um undo this screw here and another one that you can get to. You can just slide it backwards and forwards; it’s really easy to adjust the uhjust, the mesh between the pinion gear and and the spur gear.
Visual Appeal and Pricing
So all in all, you know, sat on the bench here looks beautiful, looks good. The price of this car. We sell them here, 460 out of the door, so it’s a little bit on the high side, but it isn’t eighth scale car like HPI, but it’s less than the HPI rally car um, the Subaru, which is another. You know 40 bucks more than that, close to 500 um and it’s very hard to get; it’s always out of stock.
Availability and Future Plans
This car seems to have a little bit more availability. Parts seem to be available for this car so and then it’s interesting we’re going to do another video in the next few weeks when the when the HPI comes back in stock with this car and also the new um 1980s Audi Quattro that’s coming out from Charisma, another AP scale rally car again. That one looks like it’s got a fantastic body on it as well, though, it’s going to be hard pressed to beat this body.
Performance on 2s and 3s Power
This body is really nice. We are going to run this car outside with the radar on 2s and 3s power, which is what it’s made to do. I certainly wouldn’t advise making this car a 4S car as it might be too much. You can adjust the gear in and get good speed on 3s. Out of the box, it runs well on 2s. If you want a bit more performance, throw in a 3s battery pack with standard Deans connectors. Overall, it’s a good car.
Handling and Differential Fluids
When driving this car, I’ve noticed that the differential fluid in the differentials is a little light. When you punch it, there’s a significant torque steer, pulling to one side. Thickening up the diff fluid would help reduce this issue. If you feed the power in gradually, it’s fine. But if you hit the throttle hard, it tends to squirm a bit. This will be more apparent in the road demo later on.
The CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car
The CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car is a force to be reckoned with. With a 2s battery powering it, this car is ready to take on any challenge thrown its way. The rear end sliding, a little bit of body roll, this car is a sight to behold as it powers through the parking lot.
Performance and Handling
The handling of the CEN Ford Puma is top-notch. With just the right amount of grip and a setup for a little bit of oversteer, this car feels like a dream to drive. It handles corners with ease and can even do figure eights effortlessly. The suspension setup is just right, allowing for a smooth and controlled ride.
Speed and Power
With the radar gun clocking it at 27 M hour on 2s, the CEN Ford Puma has the speed to match its impressive handling. Punching it down the parking lot, this car can truly show off its power. And the best part is, even with all that speed, it still manages to stay upright and handle bumps with ease.
Fun Factor
Whether you’re into doing donuts or simply driving around the parking lot, the CEN Ford Puma is a blast to drive. It’s responsive, fast, and just a joy to watch in action. So, if you’re looking for a rally car that offers both performance and fun, look no further than the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car.
Performance on Rough Terrain
You can hear the chassis touches as it goes over there, but this parking lot is rough. If I was driving a temp, scill car like an RS4 or something right now, itd be bumping and jumping all over the place. However, with the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car, the braking brakes are real good. The Max 10 ESC just works seamlessly without the need for any adjustments. The braking is precise, the wheels don’t lock up, and the tires grip exceptionally well even in this dusty parking lot. Its handling allows you to throw it around with ease.
Switching to 3s Battery
After a short pause, we switched to a 3s battery to test the performance. Upon acceleration, you can see a noticeable pull to the right, demonstrating torque steering. However, when power is fed gradually, this effect is minimized. With the 3s battery, the speed of the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car was impressive, reaching around 37-40 mph, showcasing its power and agility.
Performance and Speed
So that’s, pretty good. I mean it’s sporty, let’s say that, you know, for a newbie. It’s going to be quick, yeah, but 40 mph is a good speed for a car like this. I don’t want cars that go crazy fast speeds, they’re cool and everything, but in most environments, you can’t go that fast and if you hit something, you’re going to break it.
Comparison with Other Models
What do we think of this car? It’s comparable with the prices of other cars in this genre. It’s a little bit less than the HPI. The new Charisma that’s going to come out is going to be a little bit less than this. I think it’s about the same price as the Traxas rally car, the VXL. I like the detail on the body, the way it handles, and the adjustability of the suspension coming from a sedan racing background.
Recommendation and Modifications
If you’ve got the money and you’re looking for a rally car, I think it’s a real good choice. However, you are going to have to go in the diffs and put stiffer fluid in there to make it more all-wheel-drive all the time. Apart from that, I think it’s good and we’ll be posting another video showing them all together in a few weeks with the other two that we’re going to have in stock.
Overview
The CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car is a high-performance RC car that promises to deliver excitement and speed to enthusiasts of all ages. With its sleek design and powerful motor, this rally car is sure to turn heads on the track.
Design
The CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car features a durable and lightweight chassis that allows for quick and agile maneuvering on various terrains. The stunning Ford Puma body adds a touch of realism to this RC car, making it a standout among other models in its class.
Performance
Equipped with a brushless motor and high-torque servo, the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car delivers impressive speed and acceleration. Its adjustable suspension system ensures smooth handling and control, even at top speeds. Whether you’re racing on pavement or off-road, this rally car is sure to provide an exhilarating experience.
Features
In addition to its powerful performance capabilities, the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car comes packed with features that enhance the overall driving experience. From adjustable wheelbase settings to waterproof electronics, this RC car is designed for durability and versatility. With a range of customization options available, you can tailor this rally car to suit your unique driving style.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th rally car offers a thrilling driving experience for RC car enthusiasts. Its lightweight design, purpose-built for rough terrains, and specialized wheel configuration make it a standout choice for those seeking adventure and excitement in their RC car endeavors. Whether you’re racing in a rough parking lot or navigating through light gravel, this rally car delivers impressive performance and durability, making it a worthwhile addition to any RC car collection.
Check us out online if you’re interested in getting the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car. It offers good performance, speed, and handling for its price range and is a great option for enthusiasts looking for a quality rally car.
Overall, the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car is a top-of-the-line RC vehicle that offers both style and substance. Whether you’re a seasoned racer or a beginner looking to get into the hobby, this rally car is sure to impress with its performance, design, and features. Take your driving skills to the next level with the CEN Ford Puma 1/8th Rally Car.
