Redcat Launches the Updated Ascent-18 High Steer RTR
Budget-Friendly Beast Mode: Redcat Launches the Ascent-18 High Steer RTR Crawler!
1/18-scale crawling fans, Redcat just made your next trail rig even more tempting. The revamped Ascent-18 High Steer RTR takes the proven, fun foundation of the original Ascent-18 and upgrades it with a fenderless, high-clearance body and the brand’s impressive High Steer front axle design. Best part? It keeps things accessible with a capable 180-size brushed motor instead of jumping straight to brushless.
This updated mini crawler is built for maximum wheel clearance and tight steering angles, making it a serious contender for backyard boulders, technical trails, and garage obstacle courses.
What’s New and Why It Matters
The star of the show is the High Steer (HS) front axle, which delivers noticeably better steering angle and extra ground clearance at the C-hub. Combined with the new fenderless body style, this little rig can articulate and maneuver over obstacles that would hang up lesser crawlers. It keeps the same tough 2mm aluminum flat rail chassis, oil-filled shocks, and 4WD drivetrain that made the Ascent-18 a hit.
Available in Four Fun Colors
Choose from vibrant options:
• Blue
• Pink
• Red
• Light Green
Each one gives the truck a fresh, scale-inspired look with that classic pickup truck vibe.
Full Specs
• Scale: 1/18
• Motor: RC180 Brushed
• Transmission: Forward & Reverse
• Drive: 4 Wheel Drive
• Length: 218mm
• Width: 130mm
• Height: 114mm
• Wheelbase: 155mm
• Ground Clearance: 42mm
• Chassis: 2mm Flat Rail Aluminum
• Servo: 4kg Metal Gear Waterproof
• Shocks: Aluminum Capped Oil Filled
• ESC/Receiver: 2-in-1 Brushed
• Radio: 2.4GHz
• Battery: 7.4V 750mAh LiPo with USB charger included
• Wheels/Tires: 25.5mm diameter wheels, 15mm width
• Needed to Run: 4 AA batteries for transmitter
Who Is This For?
Perfect for beginners entering the crawling world, younger drivers, or anyone wanting a capable, ready-to-run 1/18 rig without spending big. It’s also a great platform for future upgrades — swap in brushless power, metal gears, or brass weights later if you want to push it harder.
Priced at an incredibly approachable $129.99, this is one of the best values in small-scale crawling right now.
Ready to Hit the Rocks?
The Ascent-18 High Steer RTR is shipping now from Redcat’s website, Amazon, and major hobby retailers.
If you’re in the 1/18 crawling scene, this refreshed version might be exactly what you’ve been waiting for — serious performance at a beginner-friendly price.
What do you think — brushed for value or would you jump straight to the brushless version? Drop your thoughts, current 1/18 setups, or favorite color below!