The Arrma Felony 6S BLX is the only RC car I’ve ever owned that made someone pull over in their real car to ask about it. A guy in a Dodge Charger rolled down his window, stared for a second, and said: “that thing looks better than my car.” At 1/7 scale with that wide-body muscle car stance, he wasn’t wrong. But does the performance match the jaw-dropping aesthetic? That’s the question worth $700.
This is a full review — real GPS speeds, honest pros and cons, a head-to-head against the Infraction, and a straight answer on whether the Felony’s premium price is actually justified.
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Arrma Felony 6S BLX — Full Specs
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Scale | 1/7 |
| Model Number | ARA7617V2T1 (Black) / ARA7617V2T2 (Orange) |
| Length / Width / Height | 28.54” / 12.91” / 7.56” (725 / 328 / 192 mm) |
| Wheelbase | 15.98” (406 mm) |
| Weight (no battery) | ~11 lb (5 kg) |
| Chassis | 3mm 6061-T6 anodized aluminum with center brace |
| Motor | Spektrum Firma 4074 2050Kv brushless |
| ESC | Spektrum Firma 150A Smart |
| Radio | Spektrum DX3 3-channel DSMR transmitter |
| Receiver | Spektrum SR6110AT with AVC (Active Vehicle Control) |
| Spektrum Smart Tech | Yes — telemetry (ESC temp, voltage, RPM) via Dashboard app |
| Drivetrain | Full-time AWD, 3 oil-filled metal gear diffs |
| Front / Rear Diff Ratios | 2.8:1 front / ~3.07:1 rear (staggered tire compensation) |
| Shocks | Oil-filled aluminum body — 77mm front, 87mm rear |
| Front Tires | dBoots Hoons 42/100 2.9 belted |
| Rear Tires | dBoots Hoons 53/107 2.9 belted (wider — the “muscle car” stance) |
| Battery Connector | IC5 (2× 3S LiPo, max 180 × 55 × 70mm per tray) |
| Stock / Speed Pinion | 16T bash / 27T speed (both included) |
| Rated Top Speed | 80+ mph (6S, speed pinion) |
| Body Style | Muscle car / wide-body speed machine |
| Available Colors | Black, Orange |
| MSRP | $699.99 |
👉 Check Arrma Felony Price on Amazon
The Best Looking RC Car on the Market?
Let me be direct about something: looks matter in RC. And nobody else is doing 1/7 scale on-road muscle cars like this.
At nearly 29 inches long, the Felony isn’t just “bigger than a 1/10.” It’s genuinely large — you can see the body detailing from across a parking lot. The staggered tire setup — narrow fronts, fat rear tires — is lifted straight from classic American muscle car proportions. The front splitter, hood intake scoops, diffuser detailing in the rear, and white-letter sidewalls on those wide rear tires all combine into something that transcends “toy” and lands squarely in “rolling display piece” territory.
That Dodge Charger driver who stopped me? That kind of reaction doesn’t happen with a 1/10 Traxxas Slash. The 1/7 scale is the secret weapon — it’s big enough to have real visual weight. When it blasts past at 80 mph, people genuinely don’t know what they just saw.
The community sentiment around the Felony’s design is near-universal. Across the ARRMA Forum, Reddit, and YouTube comment sections, you see the same phrase repeated: “the best-looking RC car ever made.” People buy it primarily for the aesthetic, then discover it’s also a legitimate speed machine. That’s a rare combination at any price point. The custom body community is thriving as a result — Bittydesign, Protoform, and Delta Plastiks all produce 1/7-scale shells compatible with the Felony chassis, and vinyl wrap builds on social media regularly go viral.
Just go in knowing the stock body is fragile. That front splitter catches curbs; the multi-piece design with side skirts is not built for hard crashes. Shoe Goo on all stress points before your first run is standard practice. Replacement bodies (ARA410011 clear shell) run around $100, which stings when it happens.
Speed & Performance — How Fast Is the Felony?
Marketing says “80+ mph.” Community GPS testing confirms it — with caveats.
With the included 27T speed pinion on quality 6S LiPo, the Felony consistently hits 80–85 mph in GPS-verified runs. Run premium high-C-rate cells (50C+) and that number climbs to 88–95 mph with identical stock electronics — battery quality is the single biggest variable at stock gearing. On the 16T bash pinion, expect 55–65 mph, which is still the sweet spot most owners settle on for regular driving. That’s fast enough to frighten yourself and fast enough to absolutely destroy a 1/10 on any straightaway.
My first full-throttle pass on a long empty stretch of parking lot with the 27T pinion, the GPS read 83 mph. The Felony doesn’t just look fast — it is fast. But what surprised me more was the stability. At 60+ mph it tracks straight and predictable, planted in a way that some speed runners I’ve tried aren’t. AVC helps, though you’ll want it dialed back from the factory setting to avoid it fighting normal steering inputs.
A critical warning about the speed pinion: the stock Firma 150A ESC thermally limits under sustained load with the 27T installed. Community members report reliable thermal shutdowns after two to three speed runs without cooldown. Losing steering at 80 mph is not a fun experience. The 27T is for single-pass speed runs with cooling breaks between them — not continuous bashing. Aftermarket 40mm cooling fans on both the motor and ESC are, by near-unanimous community agreement, the first modification you should make.
For cornering: the Felony is not a drift car. The wider rear end breaks loose under aggressive deceleration in a way the Infraction doesn’t, and the rear tends to feel “loose” compared to the front regardless of tuning. It’s not handling royalty. Turn it into one by stiffening the rear spring preload and running the AVC at moderate sensitivity — that helps. But if drifting and tight maneuvering are your priority, this is the wrong platform.
For speed obsessives: modified Felonys with Castle Creations 1717 motors on 8S have hit GPS-verified passes of 114–119 mph. The official platform speed record stands at a staggering 173.29 mph — though we’re firmly in purpose-built, heavily modified territory at that point.
Build Quality & What’s Under the Body
Pop the body and you find genuinely impressive hardware for the price point.
The 3mm 6061-T6 anodized aluminum chassis is the same platform shared with the Infraction and Limitless — proven across thousands of builds and well-documented in the community. It’s stiff, it’s durable, and it resists chassis flex that would plague a plastic-tub design at these speeds. The center brace adds rigidity without adding excessive weight. The chassis does have one known weakness: the stock droop screws dig into the aluminum over time. M2C replacement droop screws are a cheap and universally recommended fix.
The oil-filled aluminum shocks (77mm front, 87mm rear) are sized for the Felony’s speed-focused mission rather than the Infraction’s more forgiving bash setup. The valving is on the stiffer side, which helps high-speed stability but makes the car less forgiving on rough pavement.
The Firma 150A Smart ESC is a solid unit with meaningful telemetry features via the Spektrum app — real-time temperature warnings alone are worth having when you’re pushing speed pinion numbers. It’s the same hardware in the Infraction, which means the community knowledge base for tuning and troubleshooting is extensive.
The Firma 4074 2050Kv motor is robust and well-matched to 6S. It runs warm under sustained load at top speed — temperature monitoring via the Smart ESC is genuinely useful here, not just a marketing feature.
The stock servo (ADS-15M, 14kg-cm, 0.16 sec/60°) is the universally acknowledged weak link. It’s slow. At high speed, that slow response translates into steering that feels vague, and multiple community members report terrifying random direction inputs at top speed. A Savox 2270SG ($50–70) is the community’s most recommended replacement and makes a noticeable difference in steering precision and feel. Treat this as a day-one upgrade if you plan to run the speed pinion.
The three oil-filled metal gear differentials are a genuine quality point. The Felony runs different front and rear diff ratios to compensate for the staggered tire sizes — 2.8:1 front, ~3.07:1 rear. This setup works well stock but means you can’t arbitrarily swap to same-size tires without also swapping differential gears. It’s a maintenance consideration worth knowing upfront.
The dBoots Hoons belted tires grip well on smooth asphalt when warm but wear noticeably faster than premium aftermarket options. Cold tires (below ~80°F) dramatically reduce grip — worth knowing for anyone running in the morning or in cool weather. The rear tires are unique to the Felony and more expensive to replace than the Infraction’s matching-size setup.
Felony vs Infraction — Same Chassis, Different Mission
Here’s the question the community debates endlessly: if they’re the same price and share the same chassis, which one should you actually buy?
I’ve run both back to back. Same parking lot, same batteries. The Felony is maybe 5–8 mph faster in a straight line with the speed pinion — both hit similar numbers with the 16T bash pinion. But the real difference isn’t the speed numbers. It’s how they feel. The Infraction wants to slide and bash — it’s balanced, forgiving, and a genuine joy sideways. The Felony wants to go fast and stay planted. Same chassis, different souls.
Yes, they share the same chassis. Same motor, ESC, radio, receiver, wheelbase, suspension springs. They’re ~90% identical mechanically. The differences that exist, however, change the day-to-day ownership experience substantially.
| Feature | Felony 6S | Infraction 6S |
|---|---|---|
| Body Style | Muscle car — wide-body, aggressive | Street truck / touring car style |
| Front Tires | 42/100mm dBoots Hoons belted | 42/100mm dBoots Hoons belted |
| Rear Tires | 53/107mm dBoots Hoons belted (wider) | 42/100mm dBoots Hoons belted (matching) |
| Diff Setup | Staggered ratios (front ≠ rear) | Matching ratios (front = rear) |
| Handbrake | Not included | Yes — rear vented disc, dedicated servo |
| Top Speed (16T) | ~55–65 mph | ~55–65 mph |
| Top Speed (speed pinion) | 80–95 mph | 80–95 mph |
| Handling Balance | Rear-loose, speed-focused | Balanced, drift-friendly |
| Tire Cost | Higher (unique rear size) | Lower (matching all four) |
| Best For | Straight-line speed + show appeal | All-around bashing, drifting, versatility |
| Price | $699.99 | $699.99 |
Can you body-swap between the two? Technically yes, practically it’s imperfect. An Infraction body on a Felony chassis leaves the narrower rear wheels looking sunken in the wide arches. A Felony body on an Infraction chassis risks the narrower rear tires looking lost in the wider rear wheel wells. Aftermarket bodies from Protoform and Bittydesign fit both platforms with varying results.
The community verdict: buy the Felony for looks, buy the Infraction for driving. Both are excellent. The Felony’s staggered tire setup adds visual drama at the cost of ongoing maintenance complexity and higher running costs. Want the street bash version instead? Our Arrma Infraction review covers the basher twin in full detail.
Felony vs Other Speed Machines
| Model | Brand | Scale | Type | Top Speed (Stock) | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Felony 6S BLX | ARRMA | 1/7 | RTR | 80–95 mph | $699.99 | Looks + speed bashing |
| Infraction 6S V2 | ARRMA | 1/7 | RTR | 80–95 mph | $699.99 | All-around bashing + drift |
| Limitless V2 | ARRMA | 1/7 | Roller | 110+ mph | $469.99 | DIY speed run builds |
| Limitless 120 8S | ARRMA | 1/7 | RTR | 120+ mph | $799.99 | Extreme speed, no DIY |
| Vendetta 3S BLX | ARRMA | 1/8 | RTR | 70+ mph | ~$279–299 | Budget speed bashing |
| XO-1 | Traxxas | 1/7 | RTR | 100+ mph | $749.95 | Out-of-box triple digits |
| 4-Tec 3.0 | Traxxas | 1/10 | RTR | 30+ mph | ~$349.99 | Licensed bodies + drift |
Arrma Limitless: The Felony’s speed-obsessed sibling, sold as a roller without electronics. The same aluminum chassis, but tuned for pure speed — stiffer front springs, a front sway bar, a center spool, and a low-drag aero body that cuts through air the Felony muscle car body simply cannot. A budget 6S Limitless build reusing spare electronics runs $770–870 all-in. The tradeoff: you’re building a purpose tool with a clear body, not enjoying a stunning muscle car everyone photographs. For the vast majority of buyers, the Felony’s RTR convenience and head-turning aesthetics make it the smarter choice. For speed run obsessives chasing 110+ mph records, the Limitless is the right platform.
Traxxas XO-1: The historical benchmark for ready-to-run speed, hitting 100+ mph stock with Castle Mamba Monster Extreme electronics. Still relevant, still fast, but the platform is aging compared to ARRMA’s current 1/7 ecosystem. The Felony looks dramatically better and offers a more developed aftermarket and community. The Traxxas XO-1 costs $749.95 and delivers pure speed performance — but nothing resembling the Felony’s visual impact.
Arrma Vendetta 3S: On a tighter budget, the Arrma Vendetta delivers on-road speed at roughly half the price. It won’t match 6S performance, but 70+ mph on 3S and a sub-$300 price makes it the correct choice for anyone not ready to commit to the 6S ecosystem’s full cost.
Who Should Buy the Arrma Felony?
✅ Buy it if:
- You want the best-looking RC car in the hobby — full stop
- You’re already experienced with brushless, high-power RC (this is NOT a beginner car)
- You have access to large, smooth paved areas — parking lots, empty roads, airstrips
- You’re prepared to budget $850–900 total (car + 2× quality 6S packs + charger)
- You value the combination of serious speed AND serious visual presence
- You want a platform with massive community support and deep upgrade potential
❌ Skip it if:
- You’re on a tight budget — the Arrma Vendetta at ~$280 delivers real speed for much less
- Your priority is sideways fun and drifting — the Infraction handles better and has a handbrake
- This is your first RC car — the power, speed, and setup complexity will overwhelm a beginner
- You only have small spaces to run — you need real estate to reach speed safely
- Ongoing tire costs bother you — those unique rear Hoons add up fast
Best Upgrades for the Arrma Felony
Speed Upgrades
Pinion gear is the cheapest way to tune speed. The stock 16T bash pinion gives 55–65 mph and keeps everything cool. The included 27T speed pinion pushes 80–95 mph but demands active thermal management. The community sweet spot is 19T–20T for faster bashing without shutdown risk. A full set of Arrma Felony pinion gears costs $5–12.
Battery quality matters more than almost any hardware upgrade at stock gearing. Run 6S packs rated 50C or higher, 5000mAh — the difference between a budget cell and a quality hardcase pack can be 10+ mph. The Gens Ace 6S 5000mAh LiPo (~$60–80 each) is the community’s most recommended option. You need at least two packs — budget accordingly with our RC LiPo battery guide for top picks at every price point.
Handling Upgrades
Servo upgrade is the one upgrade I’d call essential before running the speed pinion. The stock ADS-15M is slow and community members report frightening steering behavior at high speed. The Savox 2270SG or equivalent 25kg+ servo (~$25–50) transforms the steering feel. Do this before you push speeds above 70 mph.
Wing / downforce options can improve high-speed stability. The stock wing is functional, but larger aftermarket wings reduce speed ceiling in exchange for dramatically improved cornering and stability above 80 mph. A meaningful trade-off to consider for your driving style.
Durability & Maintenance
Bearing kit (~$15–20): Arrma Felony full bearing kit. Quality rubber-sealed bearings from FastEddy or UpGrade RC reduce drivetrain drag and extend motor life. Do it at your first full teardown.
Body reinforcement: Shoe Goo on every stress point before you run. Drywall mesh tape on the interior of the body around mounting posts. The body is genuinely fragile and replacement shells run $35–55+ — prevention is dramatically cheaper than replacement.
dBoots Hoons replacements: The stock tires wear faster than premium alternatives. Budget $25–40 for replacement dBoots Hoons tires every 2–3 months of regular use on rough asphalt. GRP aftermarket tires are considered significantly better but require a rear diff gear swap to maintain correct ratios.
The Felony is surprisingly good stock for general bashing. The servo is the only upgrade I’d call truly essential before your first serious run. Everything else is in order of priority based on your goals.
The Hidden Costs of Owning a Felony
Let’s be honest about what you’re actually signing up for. The $699.99 sticker price is just the beginning.
To get out the door and running:
- 2× quality 6S LiPo packs: $120–160 (Gens Ace, Spektrum Smart, or equivalent)
- 6S-capable charger: $50–100 — see our best RC car battery charger guide
- Servo upgrade (strongly recommended before speed runs): $50–70
- M2C droop screws (cheap but important): ~$10
Ongoing running costs:
- Rear dBoots Hoons replacement set: $25–40 every 2–3 months on rough asphalt
- Body replacement after a hard crash: $35–55 (budget on hand before it happens)
- Occasional diff oil refresh and bearing replacement: $20–30/year
Realistic Year 1 total: Between the car, two batteries, charger, recommended servo, and a couple sets of rear tires, you’re looking at $1,000–1,100 spent in the first year. That’s before any crashes requiring body work.
The Felony isn’t just an expensive purchase — it’s an expensive hobby within a hobby. That’s not a reason not to buy it; it’s information you deserve before you buy it. If that number gives you pause, the Arrma Vendetta 3S at ~$280 gets you into real on-road speed at a fraction of the long-term cost.
FAQ
Q: How fast is the Arrma Felony 6S?
With the included 27T speed pinion on quality 6S LiPo cells, community GPS testing consistently shows 80–85 mph. With premium high-discharge batteries, 88–95 mph is realistic on stock electronics. On the standard 16T bash pinion — which most owners use day-to-day — expect 55–65 mph. Modified builds on 8S electronics have hit 114+ mph; the community platform speed record stands at 173.29 mph.
Q: Arrma Felony vs Infraction — which should I buy?
If aesthetics are your priority, buy the Felony — it’s one of the most visually striking RC cars ever produced. If driving dynamics and value are your priority, buy the Infraction. They share the same chassis, motor, ESC, and price ($699.99), but the Infraction’s matching tire setup is cheaper to maintain, easier to tune, and delivers more balanced handling. The Infraction also includes a rear handbrake. Identical top speed. Different personalities entirely.
Q: Is the Arrma Felony good for beginners?
No. The Felony is a 6S brushless car capable of 80+ mph — not a forgiving learner platform. Limited steering at speed, high crash repair costs, and demanding battery and thermal management make this an experienced-driver RC. Start with a 3S brushless basher, build your skills, then step up.
Q: Can I put a Felony body on an Infraction chassis?
Technically yes — the mounting points are the same. The result is imperfect: an Infraction’s narrower rear tires look sunken in the Felony body’s wider rear arches. The inverse (Infraction body on Felony chassis) risks the wider rear Hoons protruding beyond the body panels. Aftermarket bodies from Bittydesign and Protoform are a cleaner solution for either platform.
Q: What batteries does the Arrma Felony use?
Two 3S LiPo packs wired in series to create 6S. Maximum dimensions per tray: 180 × 55 × 70mm. The connector is IC5 (factory) — many users adapter to EC5 which is widely compatible. For top speed, look for 5000mAh packs rated 50C or higher from Gens Ace, Spektrum Smart, or Zeee. Budget $60–80 per pack; you’ll want at least two.
Conclusion
The Arrma Felony 6S BLX is the most visually compelling RC car on the market today, and it backs that up with genuine 80+ mph performance, a proven aluminum chassis, and a deep upgrade path. If you want an RC car that turns heads and runs fast, nothing else at this price point does both as well.
Be clear-eyed about what you’re buying: the staggered tire setup means higher ongoing costs than the Infraction, the stock servo needs replacing before you push speeds, and total first-year spending will run $1,000+. If that fits your budget, few hobby purchases will deliver this level of satisfaction. If it doesn’t, the Arrma Vendetta 3S delivers real on-road speed for half the money.
👉 Check Current Arrma Felony Price on Amazon — Available in Black and Orange.
