XRAY XB8E 2021 Spec 1/8 Electric Off-Road Buggy Kit

Read Reviews
Write a Review
XRAY XB8E 2021 Spec 1/8 Electric Off-Road Buggy Kit
Price: $709.99
Discontinued Online
This item is discontinued and no longer available for purchase. You may want to search our site for a similar item.

The XRAY XB8E 2021 Spec 1/8 Electric Off-Road Buggy Kit builds on the ultra-successful XB8E family of buggies to create the most advanced XB8E thus-far. The 2021 Spec kit shares a majority of its parts with the XB8 platform with the addition of several details that have been fine-tuned for the electric buggy class. Wherever possible, the XB8 and XB8E share suspension and driveline components to streamline spares and tuning parts between the two cars without making any compromises to on-track performance. This minimizes the number of extra parts needed to support both nitro and electric editions even smaller for the recent generation XRAY 1/8 off-road platform.

XB8E 2021 Updates:

  • E concept with two different layout alternatives:
  • Rear motor position with a single battery position on the left
  • Front motor position using saddle pack batteries in the rear
  • “Eazy” body makes the car significantly easier to drive
  • Redesigned chassis layout to accommodate the E platform with improved flex characteristics and balance weight mounting positions
  • 2 piece battery holder for saddle pack layout improves balance and lowers vehicle CG
  • Standard battery holder molded from harder material for reduced flex
  • Includes two graphite servo holders, one for each motor/battery configuration  
  • Compact electronics mount for speedo and receiver when using the saddle pack battery configuration
  • Servo saver stands with chassis lock to ensure secure installation and a shorter servo linkage for the servo position
  • Stronger and longer servo saver spring has a greater working range
  • Servo saver top deck with two chassis brace positions eliminates servo saver bind
  • Shorter 93mm rear drive shafts improve outdrive clearance during extreme suspension travel 

Specifications:  
Length: 
500mm  
Chassis length: 
399.5mm  
Wheelbase: 
322~328mm  
Width: 
310mm  
Weight: 
2014g  
Approximate running weight: 
3450g


Needed To Complete:
  • 2-Channel Radio System
  • (1) Steering Servo  
  • 1/8 Scale Electronic Speed Control
  • 1/8 Scale Brushless Motor
  • Mod1 Pitch Pinion Gear  
  • 4S LiPo Battery Pack (or two 2S LiPos - shorty or stick packs)  
  • Compatible Battery Charger
  • Tires, Inserts & CA Tire Glue
  • Polycarbonate Paint (for body)

This product was added to our catalog on April 13, 2021

Christopher Hamilton
Sunday, May 30 2021 (about 2 years ago)
XRAY XB8E 2021 Spec 1/8 Electric Off-Road Buggy Kit
For point of reference I have numerous 1/8 buggies including: B3.2e, B3.2, MP10e, TLR 8XE, A319ep and many more 1/10 buggies. This was my first foray into an X-ray. I race a MP10e and wanted to try the X-ray as the front mount saddle pack setup closely mimics the MP10e driving dynamic.

Build notes:
1) manual is extremely detailed with 1:1 scale bearings, screws and turnbuckle assemblies. Manual is 3D and in color.
2) Not sure if this is placebo from building other cars but it went together in 6 hours without any hiccups or head-scratchers.
3) found nothing in the build that was not called out in the manual.

Build observations:
1) turnbuckle and rod ends are extremely beefy. They are 4mm and longer to provide full engagement into the rod ends. This results in making tuning changes much more difficult as you’ll need a lot more force to move them but I suspect this greatly adds to durability as well.
2) diff access simple.
3) I built my car with the front engine and saddle config.
4) shock bodies are threaded almost the entire length which allows for more preload adjustment than other cars I’ve built and raced. The kit provides kit spec pistons but also four alternate piston choices for front and rear.
5) droop uses simple M3 set screws. Domed screws are optional and I would certainly get them.
6) lots of M4 used in the car and majority M3. No small hardware like TLR uses which I find is harder to use in the field for repair and adjustment
7) much less free play on suspension joints compared to other cars I’ve built. Slightly less free play than my MP10e and thus the car is extremely precise.

Driving / Setup:
My car scaled at 3403g and was 50/50 front rear and 50/50 corner to corner. I’ve never had a car before now that was dead on balance all four corners. Only hop up I used was Lunsford Ti turnbuckles. Ti hardware, carbon towers and side guards I bet I could shave another 50g off this car. It’s insanely light and you can really feel it on track. I set up my diffs 7,7,3 per kit and it performs. I opted for the C hub setup and I love it. The car is extremely precise on track. It rotates really well and is very stable on-power. Flight is low like my MP10e and just as controllable. It turns as well as a dialed in TLR 8XE elite but flies like a MP10e. I typically race a TLR on bumpy offroad big tracks and MP10e on my tighter jump-heavy tracks. The X-ray incorporates both into one package.

Final Thoughts:
To say I am impressed is an understatement. My interest in the car was how versatile it can be with dual configs on drivetrain And suspension. The build is very durable and parts availability is good. I think this could be the car that can do it all for me and I am super impressed. I am also in process of building the ‘21 spec nitro version of this car. It’s not flashy like other cars I’ve built but it flat performs. If you buy it, I would make sure to buy the optional 1) C-hub front end (so you’ll have both) and 2) domed droop screws. I do feel these should have been included in the kit at this price point but it’s fine. There isn’t a moment that I don’t regret the kit. It is durable fast and very responsive to tuning. It is also the envy of my racing buddies which doesn’t suck either!
WeekndRcr
Tuesday, Dec 28 2021 (about 2 years ago)
XRAY XB8E 2021 Spec 1/8 Electric Off-Road Buggy Kit
The XRAY build quality is top-notch, and I would even compare their parts to a fine Swiss timepiece. I have built a few kits and every part is always perfect. The materials used in these kits are of very high quality, when compared to other brands, and will hold up to more abuse based on what I have put them through and have seen at my local track. I run an XB8E, XB8, and XT8 all pretty hard and so far have a very small amount of parts that I had to replace vs when I ran other brands.