We had the chance to get first information and detail pictures of Ansmann Racing's (AR) new 1/10 scale X4 Team Edition 4WD competition buggy. The off-road racer is based on AR's Blizzard RTR electric entry-level kit (and also the X4 Pro) and offers a whole load of interesting option parts that make the buggy not only look but perform better making it THE über-off-road car.
When comparing the Blizzard with the X4 TE it is obvious that the basic layout remained the same. Both buggies offer a permanent 4WD drive train, front motor and rear battery layout as it is common to most of todays 4WD off-road cars. They also share the same body lines but than the similarities come to an end. Instead of a cheaper plastic tub chassis as found on the Blizzard the X4 sports a nice, shiny and expensive carbon fibre double-deck chassis with plastic side guards. These fit snuggly to the body shell and prevent dust and dirt from excessively entering the inner of the chassis. The carbon fibre chassis plates also lower the overall weight of the car.
Carbon fibre is also used on the front and rear shock towers. Again to drop weight a bit but also to make for a more rigid base to attach the big-bore oil-filled shock absorbers on. Big-bore means the items have a much larger diameter and oil capacity compared to usual 1/10 scale shocks.
Big-bore shocks are common on most 1/8 scale nitro buggies nowadays and slowly swing over to 1/10 electric too. The benefits are a much smoother ride over bumps, after landing jumps and they simply look cool! The drive train is equipped with a slipper clutch that takes stress from the drivetrain when landing jumps or using powerful modified motors. Also different from the 'budget' version is the large black anodized motorholder/heatsink that is of an excentrical design to allow for easy adjustment of the gear mesh between spur gear and pinion and also takes away excessive heat from the motor thanks to it ripped design.
Front and rear of the X4TE come with universal shafts. Very expensive but since this is a competition-level buggy they are really state-of-the-art and not only look better than standard dog bone design shafts but also reduce friction within the drive train and make for more acceleration, speed and duration.
As the Team Edition is based on the Pro we guess that the drivetrain also contains two adjustable ball-type differentials. These are common with most 4WD buggies and are, as the rest of the X4TE, a testament to AR's will to step out of their shadow of making make entry-level electric kits only. The body is of a nice an slim design and comes unpainted made from clear Lexan ready for your favorite paint job. The rims on the prototype car are white multispoke items and we guess that the kit comes without tyres leaving you to choose the correct rubber for your applications.
According to AR's blog the X4TE becomes released very soon and with the promise of getting one of the first kits for review we really look forward to thrash one of these babies on our test track. In the meantime feel free to browse www.area52.cc and blog.ansmann-racing.com for updates.
