The XB8E is based on the XB8 platform. 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 XB8E a reality.

Martin Bayer
XRAY XB8E Designer

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

“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

The XB8E is typical XRAY: premium, professional, high-competition for the most demanding racers, developed with attention to the smallest details, and backed by premium service & support…a luxury masterpiece.

Designed, developed, and fully manufactured in-house at the XRAY factory in Slovakia, Europe, using the most high-tech German & Swiss machines and premium European materials, crafted with XRAY's legendary attention to detail by our artistic production specialists. The XB8E is truly a masterpiece.

• 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 shaft
• 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

The XB8E chassis is an all-new design with completely redesigned weight balance to improve the car’s handling. The rear of the chassis is wider to increase stability, and the front is narrower to improve steering. The chassis is also 4mm shorter with weight balance moved forward (including motor, electronics, batteries, and center diff).

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.

The all-new design of the side guards incorporates a larger bottom radius to make the car more stable on rough tracks. The radius on the side guards increases the car’s longitudinal flex. The side guards are moulded from all-new composite mixture for increased flex that helps generate more traction.

The tough composite side guards protect the car from side impacts. The side guards perfectly fit the chassis and seal against dirt.

Front and rear chassis braces have significant influence on chassis stiffness and flex, and as such have great impact on handling under different grip conditions. The chassis braces are all-new and completely redesigned.

The front chassis brace is shorter for increased flex, thus generating more traction.
The rear brace has a completely new design with a direct mounting to the rear bulkhead instead to the rear shock tower. The mounting to the bulkhead eliminates transfer of vibrations and energy from the suspension via shock towers. This helps to improve the landing and generates more off-power traction.

The rear brace is moulded from a medium-stiff composite mixture for proper flex & rigidity, and allows the mounting of optional graphite inserts to reinforce the chassis brace to make it even stiffer (suitable for high-traction conditions).

The all-new battery plate design allows to install the plate either frontwards or rearwards thus to position the batteries either frontwards or rearwards with a significant influence on the weight balance adjustment.

The battery plate itself has sufficient space to move slightly the battery pack more rearwards or frontwards.

The rear of the plate has a dedicated area for a speed controller placement. The Velcro strips are included for comfortable battery mounting.

An all-new, improved weight balance was created by moving forward all the electronics, center diff, and engine, shortening the chassis, repositioning the steering, and redesigning the Ackermann.
This new weight balance makes the car easier to drive, increases predictability, makes the car extremely resistant in rough parts of the tracks, and gives great handling in jumps and fast parts of the tracks.

Suspension geometry is one of the most important features of any RC model car, yet at the same time is also one of the most difficult and challenging features for a designer to create and perfect.
Suspension is always a mixture of the following:

• Design & shape of individual suspension parts

• Flex & hardness

• Material characteristics

• Mounting method

• Ability to retain freedom of movement

• Geometry & position of connecting point mounting points

From arms & suspension blocks to light-yet-robust steering blocks, every suspension part has been specially designed for 1/8 off-road racing to provide responsive handling and performance characteristics under all racing conditions.
Over the years, XRAY has successfully gained and applied extensive knowledge of suspension geometry & stiffness, all of which has been carefully considered while designing suspension parts. The ultra-lightweight suspension parts are molded from special composite materials that make the parts very light, yet very durable to withstand the rigors of high-performance racing.

The front steering block is a vital part of the pivot ball suspension, and the new design changes from 1 pivot ball to a conventional steering system with 2 pivot balls that ensures no binding in dusty conditions while ensuring a stable ride height in all different track conditions.

The smart design of the steering block allows one steering block to be used either on left or right side for easy servicing.

The steering blocks feature the following integrated geometry adjustments:

• camber

• caster

• bump steer

• track-width

The all-new 1-piece rear upright has a new geometry, generating more traction and helping the car to absorb bumps on rough parts of the track. The smart design allows the same upright to be used on both left & right sides.

The upright allows adjustment of the upper roll center by 3 different positions, and lower roll center by 2 different positions. The lower suspension pin on which the rear upright sits features 2 shims for wheelbase adjustment.

The uprights feature integrated geometry adjustments including:

• camber

• upper roll center

• lower roll center

• wheelbase

The rear lower arm design was updated with extra inner shock positions suitable for very smooth track surfaces to generate more traction, as well as an updated design to accommodate the new universal driveshafts.

Suspension arms are some of the most important parts of any RC model car, as they directly influence handling & responsiveness. XB8E suspension arms are the result of long-term testing of different designs and layouts. Length, thickness, flexibility, geometry, and materials … all these aspects & details have been thoroughly reviewed to create optimal suspension arms. The suspension arm is rigid enough to provide a responsive feel, yet soft enough to survive extra-long race events.

The front upper suspension arm has a new design to accommodate the new pivot ball suspension. Moulded from a softer composite mixture, the arm has increased flex in all directions to generate more traction. This also improves handling on rough, destroyed tracks.

Caster is easily adjusted using caster clips that are inserted either in front or behind the front upper arms.

To reduce weight and lower the CG, all-new front upper pivot balls are combined with steel threaded part for maximum strength. The aluminum ball is machined from premium Swiss 7075 T6 and additionally hardcoated for extended lifespan.

The rear suspension arms feature pre-drilled holes where included mud guards can easily be installed. The lightweight mud guards protect the rear drivetrain in wet & dirty track conditions.

The all-new diff bulkheads were reinforced, updated, and redesigned to accommodate the repositioned Ackermann and to fit the rear brace mounting holder.

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 rear turnbuckles were shortened and the composite ball joints were extended to improve the side landing after jumps.

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, and are well suited for the steering system and rear upright linkages.

The 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 from the outer part of the outdrives 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.

The outdrives are hardened using HUDY’s own special hardening process to provide extended life time and reliability.

The Ackermann was completely redesigned and updated for improved steering characteristics, making the car more predictable both in & out of corners.

The front upper deck was redesigned to accommodate the all-new 2016 design updates, including new front upper brace and connecting to the new bulkheads and front suspension. The upper deck is machined from premium-grade graphite material.

All-new front & rear universal drive shafts are used on the XB8E to generate more traction and have less resistance in the front when maximum steering angle is applied.

Both front & rear central drive shafts have new sizing to accommodate the new weight balance distribution.

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 & 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.

The dual-arm steering system was updated and redesigned to fit the new weight balance position that moved the Ackermann forward as well. The dual-arm steering system is simple yet effective, and features 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.

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 22 high-speed, blue-sealed ball-bearings are used throughout the drivetrain to ensure maximum efficiency.

The all-new XB8'16 body was completely redesigned & improved in all aspects. Improved aerodynamics, increased downforce, increased side stability, improved landing of the car, and significantly increased rear downforce make the XB8’16 racing body unbeatable in performance design. Produced from high-quality, premium Lexan™ material.

Aluminum towers are CNC-machined from premium Swiss 7075 T6 and then additionally coated. The stiffer alu shock towers along with improved shock positions give better performance at high-traction tracks.

Optional graphite shock towers offer more flex and generate more traction, and are recommended for low-traction tracks.

The 2016 rear shock body is 2mm longer to improve efficiency in rough, bumpy conditions.

The oversized big-bore shocks feature 18.5mm O.D. shock bodies, 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.

The specially-formulated rubber material of the shock membrane ensures equal damping characteristics from the beginning of the race to the end, even after extreme operation.

The lower shock assembly ensures that the shock rod will move very freely inside the shock body, while at the same time minimizing oil leakage and keeping dirt out. Two shock O-rings – manufactured from a superior silicone compound to allow ultra-free movement of the shock rod while still maintaining a tight seal – are installed in the lower part of the shock body and are secured with composite shims. The entire lower shock assembly is secured with the lower aluminum shock cap which makes assembly/disassembly very quick & easy.

Thick, robust shock shafts will handle all abusive racing conditions and big jumps. The 3.5mm thick shock shafts are precisely machined from special high-tensile steel, and afterwards are ground to a super-smooth finish to ensure smooth movement.

The all-new front & rear springs have new characteristics: a mix of progressive & linear. The new springs are slightly progressive, but under larger compression they change characteristics to become more linear. This gives an excellent feeling & feedback of the car in all different track conditions.

These XRAY shock springs, like all other XRAY springs, are manually measured, selected and matched into pairs to guarantee precisely equal length and damping characteristics.

There are two types of springs offered optionally:

• Linear: Spring rate is constant during the entire spring compression. Springs with different spring rates are available as optional tuning parts.
• Progressive: Spring rate is not constant, but rather the spring rate get progressively heavier the more the spring is compressed. As the car initially enters the corner, the spring works like a softer spring to provide maximum traction. As the chassis begins to roll in the middle of the corner, the spring rate progressively increases until it works like a stiffer spring which allows the car to maintain maximum cornering speed.

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

The aluminum suspension holders feature Integrated Suspension Settings™ (I.S.S.) which allows for quick & easy suspension geometry setting.

Using eccentric suspension bushings inserted into aluminum suspension holders – as well as additional suspension shims – the XB8E suspension geometry can be completely adjusted in mere seconds.

The XB8E 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

• Front & rear universal drive shafts, and central CVD drive shafts

Rubber-sealed composite differential housings feature steel inserts that are manually precision ground after the molding process to guarantee a perfect fit with no vibration. Differential internal gears are made from pressed steel, heat treated, and machined for ultra‑high precision and smooth operation.

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 gears and pinion gears — are available for perfect set-up and tailoring to particular racing conditions.

• Pinions are available in sizes of 12T, 13T, 14T, 15T, 16T and 17T

• Spur gears are available in a range of 44T, 45T, 46T, 47T and 48T

Access to the center differential is quickly and easily accomplished by removing eight screws. The lower center diff mount is sized appropriately to allow the use of the optional spur gears, while keeping the mass as low as possible.

The receiver box is mounted on the same graphite plate as the servo. The graphite plate is connected the chassis by an aluminum holder and stand that can be easily removed from chassis for cleaning and maintenance. You need only to remove 3 screws from the bottom of the chassis to remove servo and receiver box.

The motor is connected to a mounting plate, with the assembly then inserted into an integrated motor holder/drivetrain support. The design of this system allows quick and easy motor rotation to adjust gear mesh, and yet clamp.
The motor mount machined from Swiss 7075 T6 and is 2mm wider compared to older version for improved durability.

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.

Anti-roll bars used to stabilize the car are manufactured from spring steel material. The front & rear roll bars are easily mounted to the diff cases, and can be adjusted through adjustable linkages.

Anti-roll bar wires of different thickness are optionally available for fine-tuning your set-up.

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.

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. Check out HUDY Chem Series.

The XB8E 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.

HUDY offers a complete range of chem series featuring of various greases, oils and lubricants increasing the life time of your car. Check out HUDY Chem Series.

The XB8E 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.