Xray introduce new XB8’16 nitro off-road buggy

Xray have introduced the 2016 edition of their popular XB8 1/8th scale nitro off-road buggy. The vehicle is based on an all-new 3mm 7075-T6 alloy chassis with optimised weight distribution for improved car handling. The 2016 chassis sports a wider rear end for increased stability while also being 4mm shorter with the weight bias shifted forward by relocating the engine, radio box, fuel tank and centre differential.

Incorporated into the design is a new mounting system for the side guards that are now attached with screws from above rather than trough the chassis bottom. Also new is an updated side guard radius in order to increase the car’s longitudinal flex.

Part of the updated chassis package are also hybrid chassis braces made of composite plastic. The front brace is of a shorter design in the 2016 car while the rear brace also received an update with the brace allowing to attach an optional carbon fibre strip in order to gain rigidity which can be beneficial in high-grip conditions.

Swinging over to the suspension side of things the XB8 2016 sports a conventional 2-ball pivot ball suspension that allows for easy caster, camber, bump steer and track width changes. The new upper arms are of a softer composite material to gain traction and drivability on rough tracks. To reduce the unsprung weight the upper pivot balls are of a 2-piece aluminium ball and steel shaft design with the lower ones being 1-piece steel balls.

The rear uprights are of an all-new 1-piece design and they incorporate a new geometry to optimise rear traction and to help absorb bumps better. The hubs feature three different upper camber link and two outer suspension pin positions for easy roll centre changes while sporting an inner dirt deflector for the driveshaft’s cross section. The lower suspension arms also received an update with the rear arms offering an additional inner shock mounting position that can help to gain traction on very smooth tracks while the arms also incorporate mounting holes for the included mud guards.

Other parts of the car that received an update are the front and rear gearboxes that have additional reinforcement areas added while also the design was updated to make way for the redesigned steering and the new chassis braces.

On the subject of the steering the 2016 car comes with a new Ackermann and steering link plate with numerous inner ballstud mounting positions to alter the steering Ackermann settings. Also new are updated steering bellcranks to adapt to the overall new weight distribution.

On the drivetrain side of things the ’16 received a new set of universal driveshafts made from Hudy spring steel whose design helps to gain traction, reduce wheel chatter and maximise efficiency. The centre driveshafts with drive pin locking rings and rubber boots are also of an updated length to fit the new chassis dimensions.

Another stone that was not left untouched with the new car are the engine mounts that extent to the engine’s front bearing, reducing chassis flex and thus harmful chassis twisting that can lead to imperfect gear mesh on landings and bumpy parts of the track.

To further optimise the chassis flex especially when running in low to medium grip conditions the radio box is moulded using a new composite material that has less influence on the natural chassis flex. The 1-piece assembly also is easier to remove for maintenance and cleaning purposes thanks to less hardware being used to fix the radio box to the chassis.

Another new feature on the 2016 buggy is the throttle/brake servo brace between the servo and the centre bulkhead. The linkage will stabilise the servo and makes for a more precise servo action while also eliminating vibrations created by the engine.

Rounding out the suspension package are updated shock absorbers with 18.5mm outer diameter and 2mm longer rear shock bodies. The all-alloy dampers with 3.5mm shock shafts come with ultra-free silicone seals, 1-piece shock caps, and a titaium-colour hard-coated surface.

The shocks are complemented by all-new shock springs that offer a mixture of progressive and linear feeling. They start as a progressive spring but become more linear under compression, resulting in exceptional feeling and feedback of the car. Optionally both linear and progressive springs are available optionally if conditions call for them.

The kit is rounded out by a new bodyshell made from premium Lexan material and sporting improved aerodynamics, increased downforce, increased side stability, improved car landing, and significantly increased rear downforce. The kit has already shipped and should hit the stores by the time you read this.

All-new 2016 features:
– All-new chassis
– All-new chassis side guards
– All-new front & rear braces
– All-new suspension concept
– All-new steering blocks
– All-new front upper arms
– All-new rear uprights
– All-new reinforced rear suspension arms
– All-new front upper pivot balls
– All-new rear mud guards
– All-new front & rear bulkheads
– All-new rear turnbuckles
– All-new Ackermann
– All-new front upper deck
– All-new front & rear universal driveshafts
– All-new central drive shafts
– All-new engine mounts
– All-new radio box composite material
– All-new throttle servo brace
– All-new servo saver alu stand
– All-new rear shock body
– All-new front & rear springs
– All-new ball-bearings
– All-new body

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]