Mugen Prime 12 RTR

Mugen's shaft-drive tourer takes on the ready-to-runs by Peter Vieira

The ready-to-run RC kits available today are the best ever; in addition to generally excellent factory assembly, many RTRs now include painted and trimmed bodies, fuel bottles, batteries and other accessories that make it easier than ever to go directly from the hobby shop to the track with barely a pit stop to plug in the antenna tube. That's convenient, but every step the factory does for you increases the cost of the kit and homogenizes the car just a little more. There are hobbyists out there who might be looking for an RTR that's not quite as finished so they can say, I built it," not just, I bought it," and even save a few bucks in the process.

Mugen's* new Prime 12 RTR is just such a kit. The chassis is ready to roll, with installed radio gear and glued-on tires, but its Andy's body (your choice of an Accord or a Stratus) isn't painted, so you can give your Prime 12 a unique look, and there are fewer frills to increase the kit's cost. Has Mugen made the right calls to maintain RTR convenience while cutting the cost of entry, or will the Prime 12 RTR leave you wishing for more? Here's what I found out.