Xray XB8E 2016 1/8th electric off-road buggy kit

Xray have announced the 2016 variant of their XB8E 1/8th E-buggy kit. Building on the successful XB8 platform the 2016 kit makes use of many of the improvements and refinements introduced with this year’s XB8 nitro buggy, such as an updated suspension package, a new chassis and some redesigned drivetrain parts. Starting with the chassis, the 7075-T6 aluminium part makes for an optimised weight balance thanks to being 4mm shorter to move the weight forward. A more narrow front end is meant to improve steering while the rear and is wider for increased stability. Excessive machining keeps the weight of the 3mm plate at a minimum. Part of the new chassis package are also updated side guards that are mounted from above as well as newly designed chassis braces with the rear one allowing to mount an optional graphite brace to stiffen the rear end.

Part of the new chassis package is also an all-new battery and ESC mounting plate that allows to shift a single 4S or dual 2S packs forth and aft to fine-tune the weight balance. Convenient velcro straps make for secure and easy battery mounting.

On the suspension side of things the XB8E 2016 comes with an all-new pivot ball front suspension that utilises lightweight 2-piece aluminium and steel upper and 1-piece steel lower suspension balls. The design allows for easy camber, castor, bump steer and track width changes while being very durable at the same time. Optimised composite materials make for improved flex characteristics on all surfaces and in all traction conditions. Also taken over from the XB8E’s nitro sibling are the all-new rear hubs that offer a reinforced design and easy camber, upper and lower roll centre as well as wheelbase adjustments. On the steering side of things the 2016 variant comes with new double steering bellcranks, that are move forward for geometry and weight distribution reasons, and a new steering plate that offers multiple Ackermann positions for the inner ballstuds. The suspension package is rounded out by black anodised aluminium shock towers and 18.5mm big bore shock absorbers with the rear ones being 2mm longer for improved bump track handling. Also part of the shock package are new progressive/linear springs that are slightly progressive at the beginning of the compression but more linear when being compressed further.

On the drivetrain side of things the 2016 kit comes with reinforced bulkheads that house the proven gear differentials with the front diff coming with longer outdrives to ensure the driveshafts will stay in place even at full steering lock. Other new drivetrain parts include front and rear universal as well as centre CV driveshafts with the latter offering protective rubber boots. The design of the universals make for increased drivetrain efficiency while the centre CV shafts are easy to rebuild. The kit is rounded out by an all-new cab forward bodyshell with a more vertical windscreen, higher side walls, a more forward and more narrow cabin as well as a rear section that allows for more rear downforce. The XB8E 2016 should hit the stores by the time you rear this.

2016 features:
– All-new chassis
– All-new chassis side guards
– All-new battery plate
– 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 front diff outdrive adapters
– All-new Ackermann
– All-new front upper deck
– All-new front & rear universal driveshafts
– All-new central drive shafts
– All-new servo saver alu stand
– All-new shock towers
– All-new rear shock body
– All-new front & rear springs
– All-new ball-bearings
– All-new body

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]