1/10 VORTEKS 2WD RTR Brushed Stadium Truck: Honest Review 

As someone who’s been in the RC scene for a while, I’ve had my fair share of brushless monsters, speed demons, and precision crawlers. But now and then, a vehicle comes along that isn’t necessarily about going the fastest or looking the flashiest. It’s about having fun, pushing limits, and learning the hobby without breaking the bank. That’s exactly what the ARRMA Vorteks 2WD Mega is all about.

This truck is built off the legendary Gorgon platform, but with some key differences that make it both familiar and refreshingly new. It uses a low center of gravity (LCG) chassis, which instantly gives it a performance edge over taller counterparts, especially when it comes to handling and cornering. Let’s go for the full review. 

Unboxing & First Impressions

Unboxing the Vorteks 2WD Mega, I was greeted with everything I needed to get running: the truck itself, a 3300mAh 7-cell NiMH battery, a smart USB-C charger, tools, and a user manual. 

The body comes off easily thanks to a simple but effective clip design—just pull the front tab and slide it out from the back. Clean, quick, and frustration-free.

VORTEKS 2WD RTR Brushed Stadium Truck  Review in Detail 

Tires & Handling

Now let’s talk about rubber. The front tires have a broken rib design. What this means is that you get that ribbed performance on sand for directional control, but without sacrificing grip on grass or more abrasive surfaces. Ribs usually tend to slide around on grass, but these offer a nice compromise—good steering and decent bite. The rear tires are mildly aggressive, and by that, I mean they’ll pull well in dirt and grass without being over-the-top gnarly. It’s a great all-around setup, especially if you plan on running this truck on mixed terrain.

Drivetrain & Transmission

This is where the Vorteks Mega shines. The driveline is pure Gorgon, and that’s a huge compliment. The Gorgon platform is legendary in my opinion—it takes abuse, it keeps going, and it rarely breaks. I pulled the pinion gear off to peek inside, and what I saw was one massive internal spur gear—30mm wide. It’s bombproof.

Triple bearing support around the spur gear gives added stability, and the slipper clutch is easily adjustable right on top. This level of durability and attention to design detail is usually reserved for higher-end models, so seeing it in an entry-level truck was a pleasant surprise.

The wheel hexes are 14mm, just adding to the beef. I’ve never broken these axles on my Gorgon (which is brushless now), and I don’t expect them to fail here either. Everything about this drivetrain screams reliability.

Electronics & Power Systems

Powering the Vorteks is a 14-turn 550-size brushed motor paired with a 40-amp ESC/receiver combo. While this combo isn’t going to win any drag races, it’s LiPo-ready, which opens up your upgrade paths. It ships with a 7-cell NiMH battery, which is nice for beginners, but I quickly upgraded to a 2S LiPo for a bit more juice.

One note: before running LiPo, you must move the jumper on the ESC. It’s a tiny detail, but critical—don’t forget it. Once I swapped in the 2S and adjusted the jumper, the truck came alive. Still manageable for newbies, but noticeably peppier.

The charger included is a 20W USB-C smart charger. I plugged it into my computer, and to my surprise, it even recognized my NiMH pack. That’s a nice touch, especially for users who might not have a hobby-grade charger yet.

Transmitter & Controls

The included Spektrum SLT2 transmitter is basic but effective. It includes throttle limits at 50%, 75%, and 100%, which is perfect for learning indoors or controlling the truck in tight spaces. It’s also easy to drive one-handed, which makes filming or adjusting things mid-drive a lot easier.

Sure, it’s not feature-packed like the higher-end Spektrum radios, but for an RTR setup, it’s exactly what you need. 

Performance on the Dirt

So, how does it drive? In short: surprisingly great. On NiMH, it’s a little sluggish, but still fun. 

On 2S, it wakes up and feels much more responsive. The low center of gravity helps it corner better than your average entry-level truck, and even though it’s only 2WD, it holds its line well on both dirt and grass.

The front tires give nice directional control, and the rear provides consistent grip without slipping out. The lack of sheer speed actually makes it easier to handle for beginners, which is why I think this is the perfect entry-level basher.

Landing jumps? No problem. In fact, with the Gorgon DNA, you barely even need to let off the throttle when landing, though I still do out of instinct. The arms are beefy, the plastic is flexible but strong, and the whole truck just feels tough.

Upgrade Potential

Let’s be honest—most people will probably want to upgrade to brushless eventually. And guess what? That’s doable. This truck is lightweight, so even a budget 4000kV brushless system will turn it into a rocket. The drivetrain can take it, no problem. The tires might scream for mercy, but that’s part of the fun.

If you’re on a tight budget, this is a platform you can grow with. Throw in some bearings, a brushless setup, maybe some grippier tires, and you’ve got yourself a beast.

What I Think About the ARRMA Vorteks 2WD Mega?

The ARRMA Vorteks 2WD Mega is a near-perfect blend of affordability, durability, and fun. If you’re looking for a truck that can take a beating, is easy to maintain, and gives you a solid platform to upgrade later on, this is it.

Pros:

• Bombproof drivetrain (Gorgon-based)
• LCG chassis for improved handling
• All-in-one ESC/receiver, LiPo-ready
• Excellent tire setup for mixed terrain
• Smart charger and NiMH included
• Solid beginner-friendly radio 

Cons:

• Brushed system limits top speed
• Basic transmitter (but still functional)
• Not waterproof (so avoid deep puddles) 

For beginners, this truck is ideal. For veterans like me? It’s a great little basher to mess around with and not worry about breaking. Drop in a 2S or 3S LiPo, and it’s a whole new animal.

If you’re just starting in the RC hobby or looking for a reliable second basher, the ARRMA Vorteks 2WD Mega delivers big fun in a small price tag. And with the durability of the Gorgon running through its veins, it’s tough to beat.