What Kind of RC Car Runs on Petrol?

By: Michael Snedden   On: 13 October 2026 

A petrol RC car is usually a large-scale hobby-grade RC vehicle powered by a small two-stroke petrol engine rather than an electric motor or nitro engine.

Most current petrol RC cars are large 1/5-scale off-road vehicles such as buggies and short-course trucks. They appeal to hobbyists who want realistic engine sound, longer running sessions and the mechanical experience of maintaining and tuning an internal-combustion RC vehicle.

Campbelltown Hobbies currently carries petrol RC vehicles including large-scale models from Losi and HPI, along with a 29cc 1/5 desert buggy. campbelltown hobbies

What Is a Petrol-Powered RC Car?

A petrol-powered RC car uses an internal-combustion engine rather than an electric motor.

The basic idea is much closer to a small petrol-powered machine than a battery RC car.

Instead of:

battery → ESC → electric motor

you have:

fuel → engine → clutch → drivetrain

Most petrol RC cars use two-stroke engines, which means the petrol is used with an appropriate two-stroke oil according to the manufacturer's instructions.

For example, the current Losi DBXL 2.0 uses a Zenoah 32cc two-stroke petrol engine and an 850cc fuel tank. campbelltown hobbies

Petrol RC vs Nitro RC: What Is the Difference?

These are often confused.

Both use combustion engines, but they are not the same.

Petrol RC Cars

Petrol RC cars use petrol with suitable two-stroke oil.

They are commonly found in very large vehicles such as 1/5-scale buggies and trucks.

Nitro RC Cars

Nitro RC cars use specialist model-engine fuel rather than ordinary petrol.

Campbelltown Hobbies has a much larger range of nitro vehicles across 1/10 and 1/8 scales, including buggies, monster trucks, touring cars and truggies. campbelltown hobbies

Petrol therefore represents a more specialised part of the fuel-powered RC market.

What Types of RC Cars Use Petrol Engines?

The current Campbelltown Hobbies petrol range shows where this type of power system is most commonly used.

The category currently includes:

• 1/5-scale desert buggy
• HPI Baja 5B 2WD buggy
• Losi 5IVE-T short-course truck
• Losi DBXL 2.0 4WD buggy. campbelltown hobbies

These are not small backyard RC cars.

They are physically large vehicles designed for substantial outdoor spaces.

Why Are Petrol RC Cars Usually So Large?

A petrol engine, fuel tank, exhaust, clutch and braking system take up considerably more room than the electronics used in a small electric RC car.

Larger vehicles also provide space for:

• Bigger drivetrains
• Stronger suspension
• Larger fuel tanks
• Mechanical brakes
• Larger servos
• Heavy-duty chassis components

The Losi DBXL 2.0, for example, is approximately 845mm long and weighs about 15.5kg. campbelltown hobbies

That gives some perspective on how different a 1/5 petrol buggy is from a typical 1/10 electric RC car.

How Do Petrol RC Cars Work?

The engine burns a petrol and two-stroke oil mixture to generate power.

That engine drives the transmission through a clutch.

Depending on the vehicle, the drivetrain may then send power to:

• Two wheels
• All four wheels

The radio system still controls the vehicle in the familiar RC way.

The transmitter sends commands to the receiver, which controls servos for:

• Steering
• Throttle
• Braking

So although the power source is mechanical, the steering and throttle commands are still radio controlled.

What Does Driving a Petrol RC Car Feel Like?

This is where petrol cars separate themselves from electric RC.

You get:

• Engine noise
• Exhaust note
• Mechanical vibration
• Fuel preparation
• Pull-start operation on many models
• Engine maintenance
• Mechanical braking

Some hobbyists actively want all of that.

For them, starting and maintaining the engine is part of the appeal rather than an inconvenience.

Are Petrol RC Cars Better Than Electric RC Cars?

Not automatically.

They offer a very different experience.

Petrol Can Be Better If You Want:

• Large-scale RC
• Real engine sound
• Longer continuous running
• Mechanical maintenance
• Off-road driving in large areas

Electric Can Be Better If You Want:

• Quieter operation
• Less maintenance
• Easier startup
• Smaller vehicles
• Easier transport
• Simple battery charging

Campbelltown Hobbies' electric range includes more than 1,600 current vehicles and covers everything from crawlers and touring cars to monster trucks and high-speed brushless platforms. campbelltown hobbies

That makes electric much easier to recommend as a general entry point.

Petrol is more specialised.

Are Petrol RC Cars Good for Beginners?

They are usually not the easiest first RC car.

Their size, weight and mechanical complexity mean a new owner needs to understand more than simply charging a battery.

You may need to deal with:

• Fuel mixing
• Engine starting
• Carburettor adjustment
• Air filters
• Spark plugs
• Mechanical brakes
• Fuel-system maintenance

That does not mean a beginner cannot own one.

It simply means someone should buy one because they specifically want the petrol experience.

If the goal is simply to start driving RC cars, an electric RTR vehicle is normally easier.

How Much Does a Petrol RC Car Cost?

Petrol RC cars sit toward the premium end of the market.

At the time of checking, Campbelltown Hobbies listed:

• 1/5 Desert Buggy 260S 29cc — about $999
• HPI Baja 5B self-build kit — about $1,092
• Losi DBXL 2.0 RTR — about $2,280
• Losi 5IVE-T 2.0 V2 — about $2,730. campbelltown hobbies

Prices and stock can change, but this demonstrates that petrol RC cars are generally serious hobby purchases rather than entry-level toys.

RTR vs Kit Petrol RC Cars

You can find both.

Ready-to-Run

An RTR petrol RC vehicle is largely assembled with the main radio equipment installed.

The Losi DBXL 2.0 is sold as an RTR petrol buggy with:

• 32cc Zenoah engine
• 4WD
• Radio equipment
• Servos
• Receiver battery. campbelltown hobbies

You still need the appropriate fuel, two-stroke oil and charging equipment for the receiver battery.

Kit

A self-build vehicle such as the HPI Baja 5B lets the owner assemble much more of the car.

That suits someone who specifically enjoys the mechanical side of RC.

What Should You Consider Before Buying a Petrol RC Car?

Space

These are large vehicles.

You need a suitable outdoor location with enough room to drive safely.

Noise

A petrol RC engine is considerably louder than an electric motor.

Think about neighbours and where you intend to run it.

Transport

A 1/5-scale RC car takes up substantial boot or storage space.

Maintenance

You need to be comfortable maintaining an internal-combustion engine.

Parts Support

Large petrol cars experience significant mechanical forces.

Replacement and service parts matter.

Cost

Budget for more than the vehicle itself.

Fuel, oil, filters, plugs, tools and maintenance all become part of ownership.

What Is the Fastest Petrol RC Car?

There is no single permanent answer.

Top speed varies according to:

• Engine
• Vehicle weight
• Gearing
• Tyres
• Surface
• Tuning

For most petrol RC owners, outright speed is only part of the attraction.

The scale, noise and mechanical experience are often just as important.

Summary

Petrol RC cars are large-scale radio-controlled vehicles powered by petrol-burning two-stroke engines.

They are commonly found in 1/5-scale buggies and trucks and appeal to experienced hobbyists who enjoy:

• Real engine operation
• Large vehicles
• Long running sessions
• Mechanical maintenance
• Serious off-road driving

They require more space, more maintenance and a larger budget than most electric RC cars, but that mechanical experience is exactly why petrol RC remains attractive.

Browse the current Petrol RC Cars range at Campbelltown Hobbies.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there petrol RC cars?

Yes. Petrol RC cars are available, particularly in large 1/5-scale off-road formats.

What fuel does a petrol RC car use?

Most petrol RC vehicles use petrol with suitable two-stroke oil. Always follow the exact manufacturer's fuel and mixing instructions.

Is petrol RC the same as nitro RC?

No. Petrol RC cars use petrol-based fuel systems, while nitro vehicles use specialist nitro model-engine fuel.

How much does a petrol RC car cost?

Current Campbelltown Hobbies examples range from about $999 to more than $2,700, depending on model and specification. campbelltown hobbies

Are petrol RC cars good for beginners?

They can be used by beginners, but electric RTR cars are usually easier because petrol vehicles require more maintenance and engine knowledge.

Are petrol RC cars better than electric?

Neither is universally better. Petrol provides a more mechanical, realistic engine experience, while electric is quieter, simpler and easier to maintain.

What types of RC cars use petrol?

Petrol engines are most commonly found in large-scale off-road buggies and trucks.