Xray GTXE’22 1/8th scale EP GT chassis

Having already announced the Nitro version of their 2022 GT chassis, the GT8’22, Xray have today announced the EP powered version, the GTXE’22. Sporting an electric specific layout, the low CG layout sees the electronics placed in front and saddle pack batteries in the rear with new composite battery boxes for each battery can fit short or standard packs Featuring a longer wheelbase chassis with updated layout, with the front and rear suspension holders now mounted directly to the chassis with new GT specific geometry. Aluminium spacers raise the front and rear diff heights for better drivetrain alignment and the front and rear gear boxes sport cooling cut outs for the differentials. A new rear diffusor helps increase stability at high speed while the front upper bumper brace matches to the front gearbox opening for improved diff cooling with the front lower bumper providing clearance for the new suspension mounts. Front and rear suspension arms in a softer materials that on the previous GTX and the front C-hubs sport 6° caster for improved steering characteristics. A 3-slot steering Ackermann graphite plate allows for more initial steering and more overall steering angle for the GT category with hard rear uprights giving improved stability and the graphite rear upright extensions give increased corner speed. A new centre layshaft adapter fits smaller 45T / 46T / 47T spur gears for expanded gear ratio choices and the front and rear shock towers are much lower with new shock positions and roll centre locations and aluminium lower shock mount extensions improve the corner seed and stability in corners.

2022 All-New Features:
– Longer wheelbase chassis with electric specific layout
– Low CG layout with electronics placed in front and saddle pack batteries
– New composite battery boxes for each battery can fit short or standard packs
– Front and rear suspension holders mount directly to the chassis with new GT specific geometry
– Aluminium spacers raise the front and rear diff heights for better drivetrain alignment
– Front and rear gear boxes with cooling cut outs for the differentials
– New rear diffusor for increased stability at high speed
– Front upper bumper brace matched to front gearbox opening for improved diff cooling
– Front lower bumper provides clearance for the new suspension mounts
– Both front and rear suspension arms are now softer than the previous GTX
– Front C-hubs with 6° caster for improved steering characteristics
– 3-slot steering Ackermann graphite plate with more initial steering and more overall steering angle
– Hard rear upright for improved stability
– Graphite rear upright extensions for increased corner speed
– Front and rear shock towers with new shock positions and roll centre locations
– Aluminium lower shock mount extensions improve the corner speed and stability in corners
– Softer progressive shock springs with new shock mounting position provide more stability, traction, and steering
– Thinner anti-roll bars to match new suspension geometry
– Central dogbone driveshafts and outdrives
– New centre layshaft adapter fits smaller 45T / 46T / 47T spur gears for expanded gear ratio choices
– Compact electronics mount for speedo and receiver
– Graphite servo holder redesigned to fit the new chassis layout
– Shorter servo link to match the new steering servo position
– Servo saver stands with the chassis key lock design
– Stronger servo saver spring with a wider range of adjustment
– Front top deck with two different brace positions ensures clearance for the servo saver to prevent binding
– Longer composite front brace makes the car more predictable

Chassis

The GTXE’22 features a longer chassis plate that is the backbone of the electric focused concept. The chassis length is increased to stretch the wheelbase, combined with the wider rear section, resulting in improved stability. The updated layout also includes provisions to install the new rear diffusor and mount the front and rear suspension holders directly to the chassis plate. The chassis features a new locking system for the servo saver posts to ensure the components will stay secure during chassis flex in extreme conditions. The chassis is CNC-machined from 3mm high-quality Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium; strategically machined in low-stress areas and then anodised to make it as light as possible without affecting strength or rigidity.

Low CG Layout

The new E-concept layout uses a forward motor position and saddle pack batteries. The motor is placed in front of the centre differential, opposite the steering servo, with split, saddle pack batteries in the rear. The split packs lay flat in the holders, reducing the CG compared to taller brick pack layouts. The motor has better cooling in the front location, and the split batteries also maintain lower temperatures during each run.

Battery Holder

The new saddle pack layout features tweak-free split battery holders to secure the packs. These battery holders will fit both standard and ‘shorty’ packs, with the shorty packs allowing additional weight balance control by shifting them front/back in the holders.

Electronics Plate

In addition to the new battery and motor positions, the GTXE’22 includes a moulded electronics plate that is positioned next to the steering servo. The ESC, receiver and transponder are all installed on this plate for easy removal and maintenance.

Servo Holder

To fit the revised electronics layout there is a new graphite servo holder plate. The servo horn position is moved further forward and uses a shortened link to connect to the steering system.

Spur Gear Adapter

A smaller gear adapter works with 45T, 46T, and 47T spur gears, offering an expanded range of ratios to match the gearing requirements for maximum motor performance.

Rear Diffuser

All-new diffuser used at the rear of the car helps to increase downforce that improves stability and makes the GTXE’22 easier to control at high speeds.

Gearbox

To improve the consistency of the differential performance throughout each run, the gear box covers are milled out for air flow to help reduce diff temperatures. This prevents overheating the diff oils and ensures more consistent handling during long mains and extends intervals between rebuilds. The rear gearbox and cover both have additional material milled out to increase airflow and cooling for the rear diff. The front upper bumper brace was also modified with a milled opening to allow more air into the front gear box.

Suspension Holders

All-new front and rear suspension holders are separated from the bulkheads and installed on the chassis. Mounting the holders directly to the chassis plate eliminates any flex from the bulkheads, improving the precision and responsiveness of the GTXE’22. The front kick-up angle was reduced, helping to create more steering and reduce tire wear. The rear holders still offer multiple anti-squat positions, but the new plates have less anti-squat, which is better suited for the GT category to increase the stability of the car. The new aluminium suspension holders continue to feature the Integrated Suspension Settings™ (I.S.S.) that allows for quick & easy suspension geometry changes. Using the eccentric suspension bushings inserted into aluminium suspension holders, and a few suspension shims, the GTXE suspension geometry can be completely adjusted in seconds.

Gearbox Spacer

Mounting the suspension holders directly to the chassis plate means the gearboxes can be lifted to improve the driveline geometry for the GTXE’22. aluminium gearbox spacers raise the differential height and improve the driveshaft angles, creating more traction on corner exit while improving mid corner rotation. The new driveshaft positioning also help to extend the service intervals of the driveshafts’ cv joints and the diff outdrives.

Easy Diff Access

Bulkheads allow super fast and ultra comfortable diff exchange and servicing by dismounting only 6 screws from the front of the bulkhead and from the bottom of the chassis. This super fast diff access is available both in the front and rear.

Front Lower Bumper

The updated lower bumper brace is modified for additional clearance around the new front suspension holder.

Front C-hub

New front C-hubs were specially developed for the GT on-road platform. After extensive tests of various caster angles, the final 6° caster block was selected as the best choice to work in the wide range of racing conditions found at GT events. The new C-hub geometry significantly improves steering characteristics over the previous 16° hubs. The reduced caster angle also helps to reduce tire wear, creating more consistent handling during longer main events.

Ackermann Plates

The steering blocks feature new steering Ackermann plates that improve corner entry steering by increasing the outside wheel angle. Machined from graphite, the plates are easy to mount to the steering blocks for replacement or adjustment.

Uprights

The rear uprights are now moulded from a harder material that reduces flex in hotter conditions and makes the car more stable in the corners. The uprights feature all-new graphite extensions that move the camber link mount higher and further inboard to shorten the rear camber link. The graphite extensions feature 5 different roll centre positions for more tuning options on the GTXE’22. The rear uprights use the larger 8x16x5mm outer ball-bearings for increased reliability and lifespan. The smart design allows the same upright to be used on both left & right sides, reducing the number of spares needed in your parts box. The wheelbase position is adjustable using 2 shims along the lower suspension pin. The rear uprights feature integrated geometry adjustments including camber, upper and lower roll centre and wheelbase.

Suspension Arms

Both front and rear suspension arms are now softer than the previous GTXE kits. In comparison to the extra-hard suspension arms included in previous GTXE kits, the new GTXE’22 features Medium front and Hard rear suspension arms. This combination of softer arms helps to increase traction in every track conditions.

Shock Extensions

All-new aluminium suspension arm extensions create completely new shock geometry specific for the needs of the GT category. The shock extensions increase stability and improve the corner speed.

Shock Towers

Both front and rear shock towers feature updated geometry with different shock mount and camber link positions on a tower that is lower overall compared to previous versions. The new shock mount locations were repositioned in relation to the location of the lower shock mount extensions on the suspension arms, resulting in improved corner speed. The new front roll centre positions help create more steering and the revised rear roll centre positions free up the rear end of the car and helps with stability on power.

Upper Links

The shorter front and rear upper camber links match the rear hub graphite camber extensions and front and rear inner camber link positions to make the car more reactive in front and provide more rotation from the rear suspension.

Shock Springs

The all-new front and rear shock springs were specially developed for GT on-road racing. There are two new spring choices – both softer that original GTXE springs, and both featuring a progressive spring rate. For the initial setting the stiffer of the two new springs are used in front with the softer springs in rear. In this configuration the GTXE will have maximum traction in most track conditions. Xray shock springs are manually measured, selected, and matched into pairs to guarantee precisely equal length and damping characteristics.

Braces

A longer front composite brace makes the car more precise and easier to drive. The brace is now mounted with two screws to the chassis for additional strength. The longer rear brace is moulded from a medium-stiff composite mixture for proper flex control and allows the installation of optional graphite inserts to reinforce the brace to make it even stiffer (suitable for high-traction conditions).

Servo Saver

The servo saver features a new conical spring that is longer and stronger. The new spring ensures more precise steering and improved reliability. The servo saver posts feature a new locking system that keys into the chassis plate to ensure the servo saver setting will not change while running. To improve servo saver reliability (especially in dusty conditions), it is moulded from graphite material that is more resistant and efficient in dusty conditions. The dual-arm steering system is simple yet effective, featuring an integrated easily adjustable servo saver, and a Swiss 7075 T6 aluminium steering plate. Ackermann is easily adjusted by changing steering link mounting positions on the steering plate. Bump steer is adjusted by inserting shims between the steering plate and steering linkage.

Servo Saver Top Deck

The new top deck features additional clearance so the servo saver will not bind when overtightened and will always work freely. Fits both GTX and GTXE.

Central Dogbone Drive Shafts

Central dogbone driveshafts are lighter than CVD drive shafts for improved acceleration. They can also have a longer lifespan thanks to the easier maintenance of the dog bone and outdrives, reducing servicing requirements. All the drive shaft parts are machined from Hudy Spring Steel and are specially hardened.

Anti-Roll Bar

To work with the new shock geometry, the front and rear anti-roll bars included in the kit are softer than previous versions. The GTX anti-roll bars help control chassis roll, increase corner speed and improve the stability of the car. The front & rear roll bars are easily mounted to the bulkheads and can be adjusted using the connected linkages. Manufactured from spring steel material, anti-roll bars of different thickness are available for fine-tuning.

View the full presentation here.

Source: Xray [teamxray.com]