Arrma is a big name in the RC community, but lets take a look at where it all started and how they got where they are now in this timeline of Arrma and how they got here.
In mid 2008, Jason Dearden leaves his employer, HPI after disagreements with the owner. After leaving he had aspirations to start an RTR brand. He was approached and asked to manage Team Durango, he agreed to manage Team Durango if he would be given help to start his own RTR brand, they agreed and Dearden ran Team Durango for a short time.
Arrma is founded by Jason Dearden with a small team, some members coming from Team Durango.
In October of 2010 Arrma teases their first release, the Raider. It's a 2WD, 1/10th scale electric buggy. They release it later that year.
At the Nuremberg Toy Fair of 2011, Arrma debuts their very first lineup. This lineup includes the 'Raider' Baja Buggy, 'Fury' Short Course Truck, 'ADX-10' Race Buggy, 'Mojave' Desert Truck, 'Vortex' Stadium Truck, 'Granite' Monster Truck. All of these vehicles were 2WD, 1/10th scale, electric vehicles.
In September of 2011, the vehicles they debuted earlier that year are finally released.
In 2012, Hobbico acquires Arrma. There isn't a whole lot of information on this acquisition available unfortunately.
In 2013, the same lineup of vehicles are rereleased, with some minor cosmetic updates and other updates. The biggest difference are they now have more BLX offerings, which is Arrmas name for their brushless motors. This is also when we start seeing a lot more of the tag line "Designed to be tougher, designed to be faster."
The Typhon is debuted, Arrmas very first 6S 4WD vehicle. The vehicle was huge achievement for Arrma and really put them on the map for the entire RC community.
The Kraton is debuted, just like the Typhon, the Kraton is a 4WD 6S vehicle. Both vehicles are 1/8th scale, both feature a lot of metal parts, extreme speed, extreme bashing capabilities, and came with Arrmas new remote, the ATX100.
A small percentage of users reported ESC issues, after an investigation Arrma realized the issue happened when the vehicle was going quickly forwards, jumped, and landed in such a way that it rolled backward. This would cause the chip in the ESC to pop, eliminating the ESC. Arrma addressed and fixed the issue but it soured the opinion of Arrma for their early days.
The Senton is released, another 6S 4WD vehicle. The Senton was a 1/10th scale short-course truck. The Senton was capable of reaching speeds of over 60MPH. The Senton replaced the Mojave in Arrmas lineup.
In May of 2016, Arrma reveals the Nero, a 1/8th scale, 4WD, 6S, electric monster truck. The Nero was a huge success and really helped Arrma make a name for themselves. Some bigtime Arrma fans still credit the Nero as the best vehicle Arrma has ever released.
Later that summer of 2016, Arrma updates the Typhon and the Kraton. They got some minor cosmetic updates and a few other tweaks.
On July 12th, 2016 Traxxas filed for "Patent Infringement Action" against Hobbico and its subsidiary, Arrma. One vehicle specifically named in the lawsuit was the Arrma Nero 6S BLX. Traxxas claimed they had violated multiple patents. These patents were related to shock position, Center Mounted Servo/Protection, and others. In response, Arrma removed the Nero from their lineup in North America. This later led to all existing parts affected in the lawsuit to be surrendered by Arrma and Hobbico to Traxxas in the North American market.
Towards the end of Summer 2016 Arrma reveals the Talion. The Talion was another 6S, 4WD Truggy, like the Kraton. Although, the Talions design was much more focused on speed and handling.
In late 2016, Arrma unveils the Nero Big Rock. The Big Rock was a 6S, 4WD Monster Truck. It could hit speeds of 60MPH and it featured "on-the-fly" locking differentials. Although it is not entirely known why Arrma changed the Nero this much, basically completely changing the vehicle. The regular Nero was still part of Arrmas lineup in all markets except North America at the time. It is speculated this was because of the current lawsuit going on at Hobbico, Arrmas parent company.
Arrma unveiled the MEGA System earlier in their career, MEGA is their brushed motor system. Although, late 2016 they began marketing it more and updating the models. For example, in October of 2016 they updated the Vorteks and Raider for the new MEGA versions of those models.
At some point, Arrma changed the spelling of "Vortex" to "Vorteks" it is not known why this was done.
In November of 2016 Arrma reveals the Outcast, a 6S 4WD Stunt Truck. The Outcast was immediately a hit because of its styling and how well it could handle stunts.
In November of 2016 Arrma reveals the Fazon. The Fazon is a 6S, 4WD Monster Truck capable of reaching speeds over 60MPH. It featured four drive modes, and some other tech, making it one of the most advanced monster trucks of its time.
The Talion gets some major updates in the Summer of 2017. It got some cosmetic updates and was now able to hit 70MPH out of the box.
On October 10th, 2017 Arrma unveils the newly updated Senton and Granite, both with 4WD and now with MEGA (brushed) versions.
In October of 2017 Arrma unveils their Voltage lineup, including the Fazon and Granite. The "Voltage" vehicles were powered by rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, or you could use AA batteries, as long as you switched the ESC to the respective mode.
In late 2017, although there is no official announcement we could find, Arrma removed a few vehicles from their lineup. The vehicles removed were the Fazon 6S, the Fury, the Raider, the Raider XL, the Nero, the Vorteks, and the Nero: Big Rock.
On January 10th, 2018 Hobbico files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The lawsuit between them and Traxxas is the main cause for this, as Hobbico lost and was forced to pay major fines to Traxxas and surrender all patent infringed parts to Traxxas.
In the Summer of 2018, Horizon Hobby announced it would be purchasing Arrma, Axial and other brands from Hobbico. This gave a new home for Arrma, and current directing manager, Jason Dearden says Horizon Hobby was more than likely the best company that could pick up Arrma when they were down.
The Senton and Granite are updated again in the Summer of 2018. Arrma didn't do much cosmetically, but they now were available with a 3S power system. Arrmas first 3S power system.
Just after the Summer of 2018 Arrma reveals the Notorious, similiar to the Outcast, the Notorious is another 4WD, 6S stunt truck. It was 'Notorious' for its design that resembled an old 40s/50s pickup truck.
In later 2018, Arrma reveals the Big Rock Crew Cab, another 3S, 4WD electric Monster Truck. It is believed this is what the Nero turned into after the Traxxas lawsuit.
The Typhon gets some cosmetic updates in late 2018, and is also rereleased with a 3S model.
Shortly after the rerelease of the Typhon, with a 3S model, the 6S model is rereleased with some updates. It now features aerodynamic wheels, stronger shocks and a dark grey body design.
In early 2019 Arrma updates the Kraton, just like the Typhon it got some cosmetic updates, and better hardware. Still only available in 6S 4WD.
In early 2019, Arrma kicks off the 4S line with a new version of the Outcast.
On June 6th, 2019 Arrma unveils the Infraction, a 1/7th scale "race-truck". It featured a 6S power system, 4WD, and was capable of hitting speeds of 80MPH.
On June 6th, 2019 Arrma reveals the Limitless, a street racer with 'limitless' capabilities. The vehicle featured 4WD and was only offered as a "roller" meaning it came with no electronics, you had to pick which electronics you wanted and install them yourself. Arrma claimed the body was capable of hitting speeds above 100MPH, that has mostly proven to be true. The Limitless was a huge hit with Arrma fans.
Just after the Summer of 2019 Arrma debuts the Typhon MEGA. Similar to the other Typhons, this one was paired with the MEGA electronics system. Arrma fans were happy Arrma was just as focused on budget-friendly models as advancing their high-end models.
Nearing the end of Summer 2019, Arrma brings the Mojave back. The new Mojave featured updated styling, 4WD, and a 6S power system. It was now a 1/7th scale truck, versus the old Mojave which was 1/10th scale and only was available in 2WD.
In late 2019 Arrma reveals the Kraton 8S. Arrmas first 8S vehicle, and very first 1/5th scale vehicle. It was a huge hit and instantly put Arrma on everyone's minds.
In the summer of 2020 Arrma releases the Karaton EXB, a "roller" version of the Karaton 8S. The EXB version did not come with any electronics and was equipped with heavier duty "EXB" parts. This release was after popular demand from Arrmas fanbase. This would be Arrmas first EXB release.
In the summer of 2020 Arrma releases the Outcast 8S, a 1/5th scale version of the Outcast stunt truck.
In August of 2020 Arrma introduces the Felony, an "all-road", 1/7th scale, 4WD, 6S vehicle. It was capable of hitting 80MPH with an included speed pinion. Out of the box it had an option of a twin-turbo setup with intercooler hoses or a black/chrome blower directly out of the hood, which you could attach to the body.
In late 2020 Arrma releases the Mojave EXB, like the Kraton EXB the Mojave EXB was released with no electronics as a "roller". It, like the Kraton was equipped with heavier duty "EXB" parts.
Arrma brings back the Vorteks, this time with a 3S power system. It was a 1/10th scale, 4WD stadium truck.
In the summer of 2021 Arrma releases an EXB version of the Outcast 8S. Just like the Kraton and Mojave before it, it was a roller equipped with EXB parts.
In the summer of 2021 Arrma releases the Outcast 6S EXB RTR. An EXB version of the Outcast 6S, but instead of being a roller, it's a Ready to Run.
In the summer of 2021 Arrma releases the Talion 6S EXB RTR. An EXB version of the Talion, but instead of being a roller, it's a Ready to Run.
In the fall of 2021 Arrma releases the TLR Tuned Typhon in a partnership with Team Losi Racing. The TLR Typhon would feature parts engineered by TLR in cooperation with Arrma. Team Losi Racing and Arrma share a parent company, Horizon Hobby.
In the fall of 2021 Arrma releases a MEGA version of the Infraction. The Infraction MEGA was 1/10th scale and featured the MEGA (brushed) power system.
In the fall of 2021, Arrma introduces the Vendetta, a 1/8th scale, 3S, 4WD speed racer. The Vendetta was capable of hitting 70MPH out of the box depending on the driving conditions.
On January 13th, 2022 Arrma releases the Fireteam, a 1/7th scale, 4WD, 6S Speed Assault Vehicle. The Fireteam is capable of hitting 60MPH, it featured small non-removable action figures in the cabin of the vehicle that allowed you to rotate their heads, like the Mojave. It also featured a handbrake for the rear axle out of the box.
On June 2nd, 2022 Arrma unveiled their very first licensed body. It was based on the NASCAR truck, #38 which Arrma is a sponsor of from the partnership between Arrma, Horizon Hobby, and Front Row Motorsports. It was a limited edition release, with Arrma only manufacturing 1,500 of them.
On June 16th, 2022 Arrma rereleases the Kraton 4S 1/10th scale. It has lots of updated parts, new color options and new styling.
On July 28th, 2022 Arrma released the Limitless V2, with updated electrics, styling and aerodynamics. Now boasts a possible speed of 110MPH. It is still only offered as a roller.
On September 22nd, 2022 Arrma releases the Arrma Typhon TLR Tuned RTR, similiar to the already existing TLR Tuned Typhon, but this one is ready to run out of the box. Arrma advertised the model as 4S and 6S capable, 4S for racing, 6S for bashing.
On July 27th, 2023 Arrma releases the Arrma Outcast 8S EXB RTR and Kraton 8S EXB RTR. These models were similiar to the already exisiting Kraton 8S EXB and Outcast 8S EXB, but this time they were offered as Ready-To-Run models. They had updated electronics, design, and now feature red and black aggressive styling.
On July 27th, 2023 Arrma releases the Arrma Outcast 8S EXB RTR and Kraton 8S EXB RTR. These models were similiar to the already exisiting Kraton 8S EXB and Outcast 8S EXB, but this time they were offered as Ready-To-Run models. They had updated electronics, design, and now feature red and black aggressive styling.
On October 12th, 2023 Arrma releases the Granite Grom, a 1/18th scale version of the Granite capable of 20MPH.
On September 21st, 2023 Arrma releases the Gorgon. The Gorgon is a 2WD Monster Truck capable of speeds of 20MPH powered by Arrmas MEGA system. The Gorgon was a completely new design, sharing minimal parts with other models and despite the 2WD and lacking top speed, it was very well percieved from the RC community.
On September 28th, 2023 Arrma releases the Arrma Mojave 4S. This new Mojave was similar to the Mojave 6S but was meant to bridge the gap between underpowered 3S models and overpowered 6S models; this new Mojave gave a more stable, predictable driving feel and was well liked by the RC community.
On November 2nd, 2023 Arrma Releases the Arrma Big Rock 6S, similiar to the already existing Big Rock 3S but this one was much faster, more powerful and more capable.