All-new 2019.
- All-new 2-in-1 concept features both a pivot ball & C-hub suspension included in one kit
- Updated XB8 platform allows easy swapping of the two different suspensions with fully interchangeable parts
- Unbeatable set-up alternatives to perfectly adjust the car to any track condition
- All-new C-hub suspension includes new lower suspension arm, steering block with Ackermann plate, C-hub, camber link & Ackermann steering plate
- Redesign chassis fits soft & hard radio tray to adjust flex for particular temperature conditions
- All-new front Pivot Ball steering block with larger outside ball-bearings for increased reliability and life-span
- All-new rear uprights with larger outside ball-bearings for increased reliability and life-span
- All-new rear uprights feature an extra hole for extended roll-center adjustment possibilities
- All-new front lower, rear and upper arms redesigned and made from a harder material to improve response and stability with freer operation in dusty conditions.
- All-new cell shock membranes with less air gap
- All-new shock cap with 4 vent holes accommodates the new cell shock membranes for easier assembly and servicing
- All-new, longer front and rear shock shafts
- New, softer front and rear anti-roll bars increase traction
TQ & World Vice-Champion.
Against the toughest competition in the World of professional level RC racers - Ty Tessmann set overall TQ at the 1/8 World Championship 2018 and finished in a superb Vice Champions position with the latest development XRAY XB8 platform. XRAY R&D team with direct input from Ty & Gord Tessmann, Martin Bayer and the full factory team again pushed the performance of the XRAY XB8 towards the very pinnacle of the sport.
XB8 Platform.
Based on the ultra-successful XB8 platform, XRAY proudly presents the new 2019-spec XB8 which incorporates the latest improvements and refinements gathered by the team, race-proven in the highest competition races around the world.
European Champions.
The XRAY XB8 platform displayed its incredible performance advantage by winning the European Championships in the hands of Bruno Coelho. With fantastic pit-support and technical knowledge from XRAY Factory team Gord & Ty Tessmann the EFRA European Championship title dream was achieved in stunning style for XRAY XB8.
Team Development.
All the work and refinements on the XB8 were incorporated based on our own experiences and also from the vast majority of feedback from drivers all around the world. New ideas and prototypes were long-term tested by the factory team worldwide to ensure the improvements would work well in all track conditions and tracks in Europe, America, and Asia.
Martin Bayer
XRAY XB8 Designer
USA Champion.
At one of the world’s most competitive off-road races – the ROAR National Championship, it was XRAY’s Ty Tessmann who brought the first ROAR National Champion title to the XB8 platform. Tested and successfully run in the highest competition races so now you can enjoy the same winning platform.
2-in-1 Concept.
The all-new XB8 2-in-1 concept offers endless setup choices for any track condition. The XB8 includes both a complete C-hub and Pivot Ball suspension in the kit.
Adjustable to any track condition, the XB8 is the most versatile car in its class. Racers can configure the XB8 to match their driving style and the current track conditions.
C-hub Suspension.
The 2-in-1 concept kit includes a brand new XRAY XB8 front C-hub suspension.
The C-hub is perfectly suited for smooth and short technical tracks & smooth surface conditions. At these track conditions the C-hub suspension generates increased frontward traction as well increased overall traction with enhanced steering.
The new C-hub suspension includes an all-new lower suspension arm, steering block with Ackermann plate, C-hub, camber link & Ackermann steering plate.
Pivot Ball Suspension.
The 2-in-1 concept includes a complete Pivot Ball (PB) suspension in the XB8. The well proven and highly efficient PB suspension was improved with larger outside 8x16x5mm ball-bearings for increased reliability and life-span. New front lower and upper arms are molded from a harder material for improved response and redesigned for freer operation in dusty conditions.
The PB suspension is perfectly suited for high traction conditions as well as rough tracks. At these track conditions, the PB suspension increases vehicle stability for a much easier driving experience.
Adjustable Caster.
The C-hub suspension features XRAY’s unique, in-house developed Integrated Adjustable Caster™ which enables adjusting the stock C-hub through the entire caster angle range. No optional caster blocks needed.
Chassis.
The new XB8 chassis was redesigned to fit both SOFT and HARD composite radio boxes without chassis modification. The included SOFT radio box generates increased traction as it allows the chassis more flex and is suggested for most standard track conditions. The optional HARD radio box increases vehicle stability and is suggested for very high temperature and high traction conditions.
The front and rear downstop screw areas were redesigned and repositioned for improved suspension down travel and increased reliability. The engine was moved more rearwards.
The chassis is CNC-machined from 3mm high-quality Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum; strategically machined in low-stress areas and then anodized to make it as light as possible without affecting strength or rigidity.
Shocks.
The XB8 shocks were redesigned with new shock caps and cell shock membranes. The all-new shock caps feature 4 bleeding for more equal oil bleeding and a more precise shock rebound setting. The cell shock membranes have less air gap that helps to generate more grip of the car. The all-new longer shock shafts allow longer downtravel of the shocks and suspension.
Oversized big-bore shocks featuring 16.2mm I.D. shock bodies are externally threaded with an adjustable collar for quick & easy spring preload adjustment. The shock bodies are hardcoated in a titanium color and feature a 1-piece alu shock cap.
Rear Uprights.
The rear uprights were redesigned and feature new larger outside 8x16x5mm ball-bearings for increased reliability and life-span. To extend the set-up alternatives, an additional lower roll-center adjustment position was added.
The smart design allows the same upright to be used on both left & right sides. The lower suspension pin on which the rear upright sits features 2 shims for wheelbase adjustment.
The rear uprights feature integrated geometry adjustments including: camber, upper and lower roll center and wheelbase.
Suspension Arms.
To improve the performance and reliability, the Pivot Ball suspension arms and C-hub suspension are molded from a new composite mixture. The rear suspension arms are molded from an all-new, extra-hard composite mixture that makes the car easier to drive. The front lower and upper arms feature a composite mixture change from soft to medium. The front lower C-hub suspension arm is molded from a hard composite mixture.
Anti-Roll Bars.
To increase overall traction in all track conditions, the front anti-roll bars were changed to 2.2mm and the rears to 2.4mm.
Anti-roll bars, manufactured from spring steel material, are easily mounted to front & rear diff cases with easy adjustment using the adjustable linkages.
Anti-roll bar wires of different thicknesses are optionally available for fine-tuning.
Making of.
Read my exclusive story about the making of the all-new XRAY XB8 here for an insider’s view of our daily work as RC car designers and what we have all done to make the new XB8 a reality.
Martin Bayer
XRAY XB8 Designer
Perfection.
Designed in virtual reality using the world's most sophisticated CAD tools, and manufactured using the world's best machining and molding machinery, the XB8 achieves a level of perfection in all details that is second to none.
Heritage.
“I designed and hand-made my first off-road cars back in 1986, and they were dominating the races thanks to unbeatable reliability and best performance. Years later in 2004 we have started our first mass production XRAY XB8 platform based on our long-term experiences, knowledge, and R&D expertise gained over decades, taking over the heritage I brought with me
Since the release of the XB8 platform, we have continued our dedicated work to refine the platform annually to bring the latest improvements & innovations to make the XB8 stand out in crowd and take you to the Winners Circle.”
Dipl. Eng. Juraj Hudy
XRAY Chief Designer
Some information shown below may include details from previous kits, and it may vary slightly from current kit specifications.
Compatibility.
With attention to the smallest details and a mandate to simplify servicing of the car, the all-new chassis features cross-platform compatibility to ensure you can use the same chassis either on the XB8 or XB8E.
Chassis.
The rear brace mounting position on the chassis was moved rearwards to improve chassis flex and give increased traction.
The chassis features chamfered front edges which prevents dirt pick-up when the chassis contacts the track. The chamfered edges will not “cut” the dirt, but rather the dirt will slide along the chamfered edges and not get stuck at the front of the chassis.
The side guards were moved 4mm rearwards to ensure that under full throttle and full steering lock the inflated tires will not contact the side guards and can operate freely.
Rear Wing Holder.
The rear wing holder has a super-slim, 1-piece design that has reduced weight and increased strength.
The complete wing mount is 40% lighter than the older version, considerably reducing the weight behind the rear suspension as well significantly reducing the CG. The wing holder has maximum stability while still allowing flex during impacts.
Wing Holder Brace.
To help prevent rear gear box breakage during crash impacts, the rear wing construction features wing holder brace that transfers crash impact energy from the wing and shock tower to the chassis where it is centrally resolved.
The wing holder brace includes an integrated body post as well.
Chassis Braces.
The mounting of the chassis brace to the bulkhead eliminates transfer of energy from the suspension via shock towers to ensure more precise landings and more off-power traction.
The included rear brace is moulded from a medium-stiff composite mixture for improved flex & rigidity, and allows the mounting of optional graphite inserts to reinforce the chassis brace to make it even stiffer for particular track conditions.
Shock Towers.
To increase the set-up possibilities of shock mounting adjustment, the rear shock tower features two rows of shock positions to choose from.
HIGHER shock mounting holes:
Increased traction, recommended for low-traction tracks
LOWER shock mounting holes:
Increased stability, recommended for high-traction tracks
The stiffer alu shock towers give better performance at high-traction tracks. Optional front graphite shock tower offers more flex to generate more traction, and is recommended for low-traction tracks.
Ackermann.
The specially-designed ball studs eliminate steering lock and allow greater steering radius. The integrated backstops ensure that the pivot balls do not disconnect in crashes.
Ackermann is easily adjusted on the machined Swiss 7075 T6 steering plate to ensure highest reliability and strength.
Pivot Balls.
To increase the reliability and free movement of suspension even in the extremely dusty conditions, the pivot ball cups are moulded from a new graphite material that ensures more free movement even when dust builds up.
To reduce weight and lower the CG, the front upper pivot balls are combined with a steel threaded part for maximum strength. The aluminum ball is machined from premium Swiss 7075 T6 and additionally hard coated for extended lifespan.
Gear Differential.
The high-volume differentials ensure proper reliability and performance. They feature higher oil volume capacity cases, stronger diff pins, and large internal gears with more teeth for improved differential moment. The larger volume of the differential and the shape of the gear teeth reduce oil overheating.
Drive Shafts.
To generate more rear traction in all track conditions, CVD drive shafts are used in the rear while universal drive shafts are used in the front to ensure stability and reduce vibration at maximum steering angle.
All drive shafts are manufactured from world-renowned HUDY Spring Steel™, resulting in some of the world‘s thinnest yet most durable drive shafts used in off-road cars. All drive shafts and outdrives are hardened with a proprietary hardening process to provide unsurpassed lifespan & reliability.
The central larger & stronger outdrives feature protective rubber boots, thick 3mm pins, and protective locking rings.
Socket Head Cup Screws.
To increase lifespan and improve ease of servicing, socket-head cup screws are used instead of regular hex screws. The socket-head cup screws are stronger and more reliable, making it easier to work on the car.
Body.
Long-term tested by Team XRAY, the high-speed XB8 body is now included in the kit. The body gives improved high-speed steering & stability while providing improved rotation in tight corners.
The high-speed body is available optionally also in lightweight version and the Front Cab version of the XB8 is available too with different characteristics.
Side Guards.
Side guards feature a larger bottom radius to give better stability on rough tracks. The radius of the side guards increases the car’s longitudinal flex. The side guards are moulded from a special composite mixture for increased flex that helps generate more traction.
The tough composite side guards protect the car, muffler, and fuel tank from side impacts. The side guards perfectly fit the chassis and seal against dirt.
Optional side guard braces allow for very efficient and easy chassis flex adjustment to adjust the handling of the car to different track conditions. By adding the graphite braces, the entire chassis is reinforced and stiffer flex will improve handling in high-traction conditions.
I.S.S.™ Suspension Holders.
The aluminum suspension holders feature Integrated Suspension Settings™ (I.S.S.) which allows for quick & easy suspension geometry setting. To accommodate the longer rear suspension arms, narrower aluminum suspension holders are used.
Using eccentric suspension bushings inserted into aluminum suspension holders – as well as additional suspension shims – the XB8 suspension geometry can be completely adjusted in mere seconds.
Servo Saver.
To ensure servo saver reliability (especially in dusty conditions), the servo saver is moulded from graphite material which 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 Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum steering plate.
Ackermann is easily adjusted by quickly & easily changing steering link mounting positions on the steering plate.
Bump steer is easily adjusted by inserting shims between the steering plate and steering linkage.
Bulkheads.
Diff bulkheads are an important chassis component, housing both the front and rear differentials and providing mounting points for the suspension mounts and shock towers.
The super-strong front & rear bulkheads withstand rigorous impacts and other abuse during racing conditions. The bulkheads have minimized ball-bearing play, resulting in increased gear teeth lifespan and minimized gear stripping.
Upper Deck.
The front upper deck is made of molded composite material to ensure proper flex, resulting in increased traction and improved steering characteristics.
Drivetrain.
The XB8 is a conventional shaft-driven 4WD off-road car featuring:
• Front & rear gear differentials with adjustable oil viscosity, featuring 46T crown gears and 14T pinion gears
• Central differential with adjustable oil viscosity, featuring 46T spur gear with standard 13T engine clutchbell
• Front & rear universal drive shafts, and central CVD drive shafts
Diff Gears & Drivetrain Ratio.
Differential main gears are manufactured from HUDY Gear Steel on a precision manual gear machine. This material was specially formulated and developed for use in gears. All gears are hardened to provide the longest possible lifespan.
A wide range of different gears — spur gear, clutchbell, crown gear — is available for perfect set-up and tailoring to particular racing conditions.
• Clutchbells are available in sizes of 12T, 13T, 14T, and 15T.
• Spur gears are available in a range of 46T, 47T, and 48T.
Central Diff Gear.
The central differential is an extra-large size for increased reliability and performance. The differential is over 5mm larger, with an increased oil capacity to reduce oil overheating in long runs, helping to keep differential performance as consistent as possible.
Internal Diff Gears.
The 20T and 10T internal diff gears are larger to ensure reliability and reduce diff oil overheating. The greater number of teeth ensures more precise fitment and engagement.
Pressed-steel differential bevel and satellite gears are heat-treated and machined for superior precision and smooth operation.
Diff Outdrives.
Updated diff outdrives accommodate the stronger diff pins. The front longer diff outdrive adapters ensure that the drive shafts will not fall out in extreme crashes at full steering lock.
To reduce rotating weight, the super-lightweight diff outdrives are machined from HUDY Spring Steel™ which allows unnecessary material to be removed to further reduce weight without affecting durability. The inner portions of the outdrives are additionally hand-ground for maximum precision and fitment into the diff case.
All outdrives are hardened using HUDY’s own special hardening process for extended lifespan and reliability.
Turnbuckles.
To guarantee maximum reliability, all turnbuckles are manufactured from a special blend of HUDY Spring Steel™ which is specifically formulated for turnbuckles. The turnbuckles have a tougher core, making them very well suited for the steering system and rear upright linkages.
Alu Wheel Hubs.
Ultra-lightweight 17mm wheel hex drive hubs are CNC-machined from Swiss 7075 T6 black-coated aluminum.
The alu hex hubs are specially machined to reduce rotating weight while guaranteeing wobble-free wheel mounting.
Center Differential Access.
Access to the center differential is super easy by releasing the upper deck with only 4 screws. The low center diff housing is sized to accommodate optional spur gears, and the stands are lowered to keep the weight as low as possible and to allow smaller central diff gears to be used. The center diff housing stands hold the effective and race-proven brake system.
Brake System.
The XB8 features a well-proven, high-performance braking system that is strong, precise, and dependable to make slowing and stopping almost effortless. Coupled with the car’s balanced load distribution, the extraordinary control imparted by the braking system gives you complete confidence as you pitch the car into corners.
XRAY focused on the smallest details when designing the brake system. The laser-cut, precision flat-ground steel brake disk allows for fade-free braking in conjunction with the special high-grip brake pads installed on the laser-cut brake plates. The brake disk is small, slim, and very light. The precision hand-grinding allows true, wobble-free rotation. Brake inputs are transferred precisely to the brakes thanks to the rigid, high-precision machined brake cams. Both brake disk and brake pads are specially heat-treated for maximum lifespan.
Radio Box.
To improve chassis flex & handling characteristics –especially in low- to medium-traction conditions – the radio box is moulded from a softer composite mixture which makes it more flexible.
The 1-piece electronics assembly is very compact and can be quickly & easily removed for servicing and cleaning. You need only remove a few screws from the bottom of the chassis to remove the entire electronics assembly from the car.
The large, molded radio box features a very clean design and layout that places the weight in key areas for proper balance. The batteries are placed along the front centerline of the chassis, and the lightweight receiver is placed on its side at the rear. The easy-access radio box is mounted on the side of the car and is secured by the fewest possible screws.
Servo Brace.
A connecting brace between the throttle servo and the radio box compensates for the softer, more flexible radio box, as well as eliminating throttle servo vibrations to the chassis. This ensures more precise throttle and brake control.
Fuel Tank.
The extra-strong fuel tank features an integrated floating stone filter that ensures that the fuel pickup will always be in the correct orientation, even if your car isn’t. This fuel pickup system will allow fuel to continue to flow to your engine, even while waiting for a marshal to reach your inverted car and put it back on its wheels.
Internal baffles were added inside the fuel tank to ensure that the fuel will always be in the area around the fuel line intake so even in large jumps the fuel will be constantly supplied to the engine.
The fuel tank cap features a very strong spring which ensures the cap will always close after refueling, and the specially-designed rubber seal perfectly seals the fuel tank and ensures no fuel will leak outside.
The fuel tank is molded from a special composite mixture that ensures very high reliability and rigidity. The molded-in splashguard protects the brakes from fuel spillage. The tank is mounted with rubber grommets to absorb vibration, and small composite holders secure thick 5.5mm silicone fuel tubing. Gluing of the tank pieces is performed by a special self-developed robotic system that ensures maximum accuracy and precision in pre-heating and gluing.
Engine Mounts.
The engine mounts extend up to the engine front bearing for improved chassis reinforcement in the longitudinal direction, and in jumps this will minimize chassis bending between the clutchbell and spur gear.
The CNC-machined aluminum engine mounts are made from superior-grade, lightweight alloy which helps to dissipate engine heat. The engine mounts are easily adjustable to obtain proper gear mesh.
High-Torque Clutch.
The included hard alu clutch shoes allow for smoother engagement. The Swiss 7075 T6 clutch shoes are small, lightweight, and designed for engagement during the entire travel of the shoe. The shoes are less sensitive to wear and give improved lifespan.
The high-torque clutch provides smooth, continuous power transfer from the engine at high RPM. The clutch engages higher in the RPM range, resulting in more controllable power during acceleration, while still maintaining good handling and performance on jumps.
The Swiss 7075 T6 aluminum flywheel has a smaller diameter but heavier weight. The smaller diameter allows the flywheel to be more protected after landing large jumps, so there is a reduced chance of accidental engine stoppages.
The extra-tough flywheel nut is machined from Hudy Spring Steel™.
The clutch is equipped with soft clutch springs; optional medium and hard springs are also available.
Shock Springs.
XRAY shock springs are manually measured, selected and matched into pairs to guarantee precisely equal length and damping characteristics.
Shock Pistons.
Ultra-precise shock pistons feature 6-, 8- and 10-hole options. The big-bore pistons are molded from tough, well-proven Delrin® material to provide smooth action and durability. The precision molding production process ensures perfect piston roundness after production, so that the pistons move super-smoothly inside the shock bodies for identical perfect action in all four shocks.
Silicone Oils.
HUDY Exclusive Silicone Oils are manufactured in Europe and each batch is laboratory tested and calibrated to ensure the highest possible consistency and quality from batch to batch. Based on the industry-standard cSt rating, the new line of oils will be easy to identify, adjust, and feel.
When following any set-up sheets by XRAY or XRAY team drivers, you can be sure that the oils you will get for your car are exactly same as those used by the factory racing team, thus ensuring very exacting set-ups and handling.
Graphite Grease.
The XB8 includes premium HUDY Graphite Grease - a high-performance, advanced-technology semi-fluid lubricant which incorporates both extreme pressure additives and finely-dispersed graphite for load carrying. HUDY Graphite Grease is intended primarily for the lubrication of rotating parts and loaded gears. In addition to providing outstanding load carrying, it is formulated to have excellent adhesion and resistance from "flinging off" under extreme conditions. HUDY Graphite Grease reduces wear and increases parts life.
Click here for more information of the full HUDY Grease range
Air Filter.
To minimize the dust getting into the air filter, the air filter cover mounting positions were modified and improved.
The smooth-flowing, efficient air filter is made from two parts. Air filter oil is included as standard. The universal rubber elbow allows fitment to most standard 1/8 buggy engines.
Ball-Bearings.
The drivetrain ball-bearings now include grease instead of light oil to maximize the lifespan of the ball-bearings, especially in dusty conditions. A full set of 24 high-speed, blue-sealed ball-bearings are used throughout the drivetrain to ensure maximum efficiency.
Wing.
The stylish and effective rear wing was designed to provide the appropriate amount of downforce and generate required stability for the car. Made from a strong special composite mixture, the wing was designed to survive severe abusive and extreme crashes while keeping its shape.
Rear wing holders are made from a special composite mixture to withstand abuse and crashes, and feature several different wing mounting positions.
Optional Lexan wing has an adjustable position and consists from two pieces, the main wing and the center fin that adds more stability and increases strength of the wing around the mounting area. The rear part of the wing is pre-bent to reinforce the wing and eliminates the use of additional heavy composite wickers. This makes the back of the wing strong while still allowing for wing flex in the crash. The pre-bent rear part for the wing is used also by purpose as an important downforce area feature. Used by the factory team and suggested for all track conditions.
Adjustment Possibilities.
The XB8 features fully-adjustable front and rear suspension geometry. For quick & easy adjustment, we recommend using set-up tools and accessories from HUDY, the world leader of RC tools.
Chassis Balance.
The chassis design focuses on balanced weight distribution and weight transfer. Centerline holes are pre-drilled for easy balancing with the HUDY Chassis Balancing Tool #107880.
HUDY Set-Up Book.
The XB8 is one of the most adjustable off-road cars in the world. Whether you are a hardcore racing enthusiast or a club-level sportsman, you can very easily adjust the XB8 to suit your driving style, track type, and track conditions.
To fully comprehend the set-up possibilities of the XB8, we highly recommend the HUDY Set-up Book which is loaded with over 50 pages of high-quality pictures and easy-to-understand RC car set-up explanations. The HUDY Set-up book will teach you many set-up tips & tricks to help improve your set-up skills, ultimately translating into improved racing performance with your XB8. The HUDY Set-up Book is available for download exclusively at www.hudy.net
Instruction Manual.
XRAY Instruction Manuals have become the industry standard, and are simply the best manuals you will ever get with an RC model car. Whether you are a first-time builder or an experienced racer, all instructions are straight-forward and easy to understand. The full-color Instruction Manual contains large 3D illustrations that show all assembly details in the easiest and most comprehensive manner.
VIP Customer Treatment.
Owning an XRAY model racing car is an experience unto itself. Not only will you own the most premium luxury model racing car in the world, but you will also become a member of the prestigious family of XRAY owners with direct support and service from the XRAY factory. XRAY brings you the most up-to-date RC website on the Internet, with daily racing news, and the latest product developments.
If you have any questions, problems or comments, you can ask the XRAY Support Team or any XRAY Factory Team Driver on the XRAY Support Forum. You can even upload your own set-up sheets or download from the thousands of different set-up sheets available from around the world at the exclusive XRAY Virtual Set-up Sheet Database. And that is only the start of the VIP treatment you get by joining Team XRAY.
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