Overview

Tackle the trails with the FTX Outback Centaur 4x4 RTR, the latest all-terrain ready-to-run vehicle from FTX that blends cutting-edge design features with exceptional finish quality. This 1:10 scale trail crawler is purpose-built for enthusiasts who demand serious off-road capability combined with realistic, detailed styling. Whether you're a seasoned RC basher exploring challenging terrain or discovering the world of ready to run RC cars for the first time, the Centaur delivers the performance and sophistication that makes it one of the most capable crawlers in its class. As a complete RTR setup, it arrives 99% ready to run, requiring only four AA batteries to bring this impressive machine to life.

The Centaur represents a significant step forward in trail crawler engineering. FTX has incorporated advanced features typically found in competition-grade vehicles, including a servo-operated two-speed transmission, DIG (Digital Intelligent Gearing) locking rear axle system, and factory-installed multi-function LED lighting. This is not a basic entry-level crawler—this is a feature-rich, highly detailed rock crawler built for serious off-road adventures. The combination of premium components, thoughtful engineering, and aggressive styling makes the Centaur an outstanding choice for UK RC enthusiasts seeking a versatile 4WD trail machine that performs as impressively as it looks.

Key Features

• Servo-Operated Two-Speed Gearbox — The Centaur features a high-low transmission system that allows you to switch between different gear ranges by simply pressing a transmitter button, giving you the flexibility to tackle steep climbs with low-range torque or maintain higher speeds on more open terrain using high-range gearing.
• DIG Locking Rear Axle Function — Digital Intelligent Gearing technology enables servo-controlled engagement and disengagement of the locked rear axle, allowing you to toggle between full rear-axle lock for maximum grip on obstacles and unlocked mode for tighter turning circles and easier manoeuvring through technical sections.
• Highly Detailed Semi-Scale Bodyshell — The Centaur's exterior features authentic scale details including a moulded grille, light buckets, mirrors, handles, wipers, and a detailed interior cabin, finished with a professional two-tone paint scheme combining matt black roof and wheel arches with a glossy main body colour for a striking visual presence.
• 25kg Metal-Geared Waterproof Steering Servo — The primary steering servo is constructed with metal gears for durability, rated at 25kg torque, and sealed against water ingress, ensuring reliable directional control even when traversing wet and muddy trail conditions.
• 25kg Metal-Geared Waterproof Winch Servo — A dedicated 360-degree winch servo allows cable extension up to 90cm, enabling realistic winch recovery scenarios and adding an extra dimension of challenge and authenticity to your trail adventures.
• Oil-Filled Adjustable Aluminium Shock Absorbers — Premium suspension components filled with oil provide consistent damping performance across rough terrain whilst remaining adjustable, allowing you to fine-tune the suspension geometry to suit different track conditions and driving styles.
• Full 4WD Drivetrain with Heavy-Duty Construction — Front and rear CNC steel spiral gears, front steel CVD universal driveshafts, and centre steel telescopic transmission driveshafts combine with hardened stainless steel chassis rails to create a robust, battle-tested drivetrain capable of handling serious off-road punishment.
• Multi-Function Front and Rear LED Lighting — Factory-installed LED lighting systems at both ends of the vehicle provide authentic scale realism and practical illumination for evening crawling sessions, connected via convenient magnetic connectors for hassle-free body removal.
• Stainless Steel Bumper with Integrated Winch Mount — A scale-accurate front bumper protects the vehicle and accommodates the winch cable system, whilst a stamped aluminium lower skid plate shields critical components from rocks and obstacles.
• Hidden Clipless Body Mounts — The Centaur features innovative concealed mounting points that maintain the vehicle's clean aesthetic whilst ensuring secure body attachment, and the magnetic light connectors further simplify body removal without visible wiring.
• 6-Channel 2.4GHz Radio System — A modern, spread-spectrum digital radio system provides reliable, interference-free control with six independent channels, allowing you to operate multiple servos and functions with precision and responsiveness.
• Hobbywing WP-1060 60A Brushed Speed Controller — This proven waterproof electronic speed controller is specifically designed for trail crawling applications, delivering smooth power delivery and precise throttle response with excellent protection against water and mud ingress.
• 35T 550 Brushed Motor — A traditional brushed motor in 550 size provides ample torque for trail crawling whilst remaining easy to maintain and repair, with readily available replacement parts and spare armatures from any UK RC retailer.
• Voltz 2000mAh 7.2V NiMH Battery and Charger — The included rechargeable battery pack and dedicated USB charger provide convenient power for multiple crawling sessions, with NiMH chemistry offering robust reliability and straightforward charging procedures.
• 46-Degree Steering Angle — Exceptionally sharp steering geometry enables the Centaur to navigate tight rocky passes, negotiate narrow canyons, and perform impressive articulation manoeuvres that smaller steering angles simply cannot achieve.
• 110mm Butyl Rubber Tyres — Purpose-designed crawler tyres with deep tread patterns and compliant sidewalls provide excellent grip on rocks, mud, sand and loose terrain whilst absorbing impacts and conforming to irregular surfaces for maximum traction.

Technical Performance

The FTX Outback Centaur 4x4 represents a masterclass in trail crawler engineering. At 512mm in length, 240mm in width, and 241mm in height, with a 313mm wheelbase and 35mm ground clearance, the Centaur strikes an excellent balance between realistic scale proportions and practical off-road capability. Weighing 3030 grams without battery, the vehicle maintains a low centre of gravity whilst distributing mass efficiently across the chassis to maximise stability on technical terrain. The 4WD drivetrain utilises industry-proven mechanics: CNC-machined steel spiral gears at the front and rear work in conjunction with hardened stainless steel chassis rails and telescopic transmission driveshafts to create a drivetrain that can withstand genuine rock-crawling punishment. The low-range gear ratio of 53:1 front and 57:1 rear provides immense mechanical advantage for slow-speed obstacle negotiation and hill climbing, whilst high-range ratios of 28:1 front and 30:1 rear allow reasonable speeds across more open terrain. The 35T 550 brushed motor paired with the Hobbywing WP-1060 60A waterproof ESC delivers responsive throttle control and impressive low-speed torque, essential for authentic trail crawling where incremental throttle modulation often determines success or failure. The vehicle's oil-filled aluminium shock absorbers provide sophisticated suspension tuning unavailable on entry-level crawlers, whilst the adjustable design allows owners to dial in the perfect ride height and compliance for their preferred terrain. Materials throughout emphasise durability: hardened stainless steel chassis rails resist corrosion from muddy conditions, CNC-machined aluminium components ensure dimensional accuracy and strength, and sealed servo housings protect electronics from water ingress during ford crossings and stream beds. For UK RC enthusiasts seeking a genuinely capable ready-to-run 4WD crawler that doesn't compromise on quality or features, the Centaur delivers exceptional engineering in an accessible package.

What's in the Box

• FTX Outback Centaur 4x4 RTR assembled vehicle body
• Hobbywing WP-1060/60A waterproof brushed speed controller (factory-installed)
• 35T 550 brushed motor (factory-installed)
• 25kg metal-geared waterproof steering servo with metal arm (factory-installed)
• 25kg metal-geared waterproof 360-degree winch servo (factory-installed)
• 6-channel 2.4GHz radio system transmitter and receiver
• Voltz 2000mAh 7.2V NiMH rechargeable battery pack
• Etronix USB charger for battery pack
• Multi-function front LED lighting system with magnetic connector (factory-installed)
• Multi-function rear LED lighting system with magnetic connector (factory-installed)
• 110mm diameter butyl rubber tyres on 50mm diameter wheels
• User manual and documentation

What You Need to Complete

• Four AA batteries (required to power the 6-channel radio transmitter)

Frequently Asked Questions

• Is the FTX Centaur suitable for beginners to RC trail crawling? — Yes, the Centaur is classified as Skill Level 2, making it suitable for hobbyists with some RC experience who want to progress beyond basic entry-level vehicles. The ready-to-run format means no assembly is required, and the intuitive two-speed gearbox and DIG system are straightforward to operate once you understand their functions. Beginners completely new to RC should consider starting with a Skill Level 1 vehicle, but if you have basic RC experience and are specifically interested in trail crawling, the Centaur's advanced features will grow with your skills rather than limiting you prematurely.
• What battery does the FTX Centaur need and how long does it take to charge? — The Centaur is supplied with a Voltz 2000mAh 7.2V NiMH battery pack and an Etronix USB charger. The 7.2V NiMH format is a three-cell pack that provides reliable power and torque suitable for crawling speeds. Charging time depends on your charger specification, but typical USB chargers provide a full charge within 3-4 hours. The radio transmitter separately requires four AA batteries, which are not included in the package.
• What makes the servo-operated two-speed gearbox useful for trail crawling? — The two-speed transmission allows you to electronically switch between low-range gearing (53:1 front, 57:1 rear) for extreme slow-speed control and maximum torque when climbing obstacles, and high-range gearing (28:1 front, 30:1 rear) for cruising across easier terrain at higher speeds. This flexibility eliminates the need to physically rebuild gearboxes or change sprockets—you simply press a transmitter button to adapt to the terrain. Low range is essential when negotiating rocky climbs and technical sections where smooth throttle modulation at extremely low speeds means the difference between success and stalling.
• What is the DIG function and how does it help during trail crawling? — DIG (Digital Intelligent Gearing) is FTX's servo-operated locking rear axle system. With a simple button press on your transmitter, you can engage a locking differential that prevents the rear wheels from spinning at different speeds, maximising traction and grip when both rear wheels need to pull together to climb obstacles. When disabled, the rear axle functions normally, allowing the inner rear wheel to slip slightly during turns, reducing steering radius and making the vehicle more manoeuvrable through tight sections. This dual functionality gives you the best of both worlds—lock the axle for serious obstacles, unlock it for technical rock gardens and tight canyons.
• How waterproof is the Centaur for water crossings and muddy conditions? — The vehicle features waterproof servos (both steering and winch), a waterproof Hobbywing WP-1060 speed controller, sealed connectors on the LED lighting system, and multi-function front and rear lights designed to resist water ingress. The stainless steel chassis rails and aluminium components provide excellent corrosion resistance. However, like all RC vehicles, prolonged submersion or extremely high-pressure water jets should be avoided. The sealed electronics make the Centaur significantly more water-resistant than entry-level vehicles, making it excellent for muddy tracks, stream beds, and ford crossings typical of UK trail crawling locations.
• What is included in the package and what do I need to buy separately? — The Centaur arrives 99% ready to run with virtually everything pre-installed and pre-calibrated: body, motor, ESC, servos, radio system, and battery are all included. The only item you need to purchase separately is four AA batteries for the radio transmitter. Everything else needed to drive the vehicle straight out of the box is included, making this an excellent choice for UK RC buyers seeking a complete, fuss-free ready-to-run package.
• What is the ground clearance and minimum turning radius of the Centaur? — The vehicle provides 35mm ground clearance measured at the chassis links, adequate for most UK trail conditions including rocky terrain and moderate obstacles. With its 46-degree steering angle and relatively compact 313mm wheelbase, the Centaur achieves an impressive turning radius, allowing it to navigate tight rocky canyons and narrow technical sections that would challenge vehicles with smaller steering angles.
• How does the scale detail of the Centaur compare to other FTX crawlers? — The Centaur features a highly detailed semi-scale bodyshell with authentic design cues including moulded scale grille, light buckets, mirrors, handles, wipers, and a detailed interior, finished with professional two-tone paintwork combining matt black roof and wheel arches with gloss main sections. Inner wheel arches are moulded and filled with detail, and hidden clipless body mounts maintain the clean aesthetic. This level of finish is consistent with FTX's commitment to blending authentic scale appearance with genuine off-road capability, making the Centaur an attractive display piece when parked and a capable performer on the trail.

Why Buy from RC Model Shop?

RC Model Shop is a trusted UK RC retailer and authorised dealer for all the brands we stock, including Traxxas, ARRMA, Losi, FTX, Hobbywing, Spektrum and more. Based in Walsall, we have a physical store where customers are welcome to come in, view products and purchase in store. Whether you are a seasoned competitor, a weekend basher, or just discovering the world of RC for the first time, our team of experienced RC enthusiasts is here to help you find the perfect setup and provide ongoing support. Order the FTX OUTBACK CENTAUR 4X4 RTR 1:10 TRAIL CRAWLER - RED FTX5475R today with confidence, knowing you are buying from an authorised retailer with genuine products, expert knowledge and a commitment to customer satisfaction. Shop online or visit us in Walsall — we look forward to helping you get the most out of your RC experience.