XV chassis: do you think that it has been successful?

[kontemax]

Hi folks,

this is just a curiosity.

Actually do you know if the XV chassis has been successful?

We all know that every Tamiya chassis is sold several times during its production life with different bodies and in many variations.

What about the XV? I remember only a couple of rally models like the Lancia Delta (and I'm not sure if it's the chassis or the body that sales the item eheheh!) and the Asterion.

It seems that the reception for this chassis has been generally not warm and that the XV has not sold a lot because of its solution, partly dated (TA03: gears/belt + front engine) and partly strange.
I still do not digest the belt and the front engine for a car off road. Perhaps it would be fine for a drift car.
And how many options are available for this model, including third parts optionals?
Because the optional third parts are an excellent thermometer to measure the success of a model.
My opinion is that this frame has not been very successful.

Just my opinion or I'm wrong?

Max

[Wez-li]

Not sure really, everyone says it's one of the best rally cars, I've personally not driven one, my current rally steed is a DF03RA, which replaced my TA01, I've seen that a few people don't rate the DF03RA but I think it's great.

I almost bought an XV recently but gave it a miss in the end. Should I have "upgraded"?

[AndyForbes]

I'd say its a successful chassis.

XV has been sold in lots of versions; Subraru Impreza 2008, Lancia Delta Integrale, Toyota GT86, Subraru XV, Austerion, Pro, Pro-TC, and Long damper spec, That's 8 models within 2 - 2 1/2years of launching.

The front engine layout is great as it lets you throw the rear end out just like a real rally car.

3rd part options wise, Active Hobby make a front one way, and solid rear differential and motor mount, Eagle Racing make carbon damper mounts. GPM and Yeah Racing both make alloy steering, uprights, and suspension arms. Yeah racing also make alloy suspension mounts and damper mounts, so there's a variety of 3rd party parts out there.

The downside is the price and general availability. I couldn't get a Pro kit in the UK, nor could Fusion get any details from suppliers as to when they would be in stock, so I had to order from Hong Kong.

[XV Pilot]

The XV is indeed a fine rally chassis by all accounts. However rallying is not as popular around here as it is in other parts of the world, which perhaps explains why we don't see many of them around.

[taliesin]

I've given this chassis serious consideration, but I just don't have many places to run cars - touring, race, drift or rally. I've got a couple of cars, but they rarely see any use.

If the Asterion wasn't so butt ugly I might have been tempted, but ... it is and I'm not.

It was also my impression that the XV hasn't sold that well, but I don't know if that is really true. Will be interested to see what others say.

[Klausen]

Can't tell if it is a succes or not, but I do know that I would like one. Partly due to the body (Integrale), but I do also like the way the chassis is build up. The front motor leave the wait far front, which is excellent for a rally car. Haven't got many places to run it either, and rally is not big in RC, here in Denmark, but anyway it won't stop me for getting one sooner or later.

[ChrisRx718]

I would also like one, but lack the space and funds. As above, a rally car would suit well on grass (I'm building one from a TL01) but the problem with most crossover chassis (on road / off road) is usually ground clearance. I know they did a version with longer shocks, but what is the ground clearance like?

There's also not much choice in the bodyshell department. I like the Delta but I think they need to develop something new whenever there is a new chassis.

There's a picture on Tamiyablog of the 206 WRC bodyshell moulding (237mm wheelbase TA03F-S). Why tease us by showing us that now very difficult-to-obtain body?!!

[Nilsken]

It is a success IMO.

I have a XV-01 Subaru Arai version. After 2 years of running brushless 10T I only had 1 diff loosing itself...

Now I'm building a Long Damper version (They were sold for a good price in Germany). Ground clearance is around 18mm. Not that much extra, but it is enough. And it is still controllable :-)

I've been running FF01's, TA-01/02's and a DF-03Ra as a rally car. Until now I liked the FF-01 best. Although it is a FWD, but it corners nicely, taking advantage of front mounted motor.

Now with the XV-01 I do have the handling that I love of the FF-01, only far better traction.

Biggest advantage is when you loose the throttle, it bites into the corner. Then you can floor the throttle and it goes in to a perfect 4WD drift. It means you only need to brake for slowing down, not for placing the car. Even a Scandinavian flick is possible just be playing with the throttle. I do run HPI Pirelli rally tires (the hardest ones) off road and on dirt asfalt, as they are far superior to the tamiya Rally blocks. On asfalt I'm using Tamiya radials or the rally blocks. And it is just sliding where I want it :-)

I even use it for drifting from time to time at our local club. Only change tires, and it is controllable.

I recently tried a TT-02, build as rally spec with the same HPI tires. It promoted instantly to a shelf queen. I just don't like the handling. But as always, it as a personal feeling.

Conclusion: I really like the XV-01!

[njmlondon]

I love rally cars and have only ever heard good things about the XV-01. I also built one and was very very impressed with the new plastic that Tamiya uses and the way it went together. So on paper I would say it is a brilliant machine.

But I realised that I personally just do not like belt drive cars for anything that may go off-road and have actually settled back into restoring my TB-01 and shortening my TA02 for a Lancia 037 body. Just personal preferences but the XV-01 did not get me going as much as my older shaft-driven chassis.

[dualdigger]

I own one and I'm very happy with it. I have seen plenty of these cars out and about in my area and for sale locally, quite odd as Tamiya cars are definitely not common around here. I have nothing to compare it to but I can say its a tough little car/chassis that can handle a lot of abuse and still win club races and drift once the dirt is washed off.

[Grastens]

It is a success in attempting to coax extra money from my bank account, to be sure! Whether or not I pick one up remains to be seen - I wanted to convert a TRD Gazoo Racing AE86 into an all-weather touring car, with those TE37 wheels being key to the car...

Again, I have also heard great things about it, but it has probably been overshadowed by other purpose-built rally cars (mostly X-Games-style cars like the Ken Block Fiesta from HPI, Traxxas, and the like - at least here in North America) and other releases from Tamiya itself.

[Sayer]

It is a success in attempting to coax extra money from my bank account, to be sure! Whether or not I pick one up remains to be seen - I wanted to convert a TRD Gazoo Racing AE86 into an all-weather touring car, with those TE37 wheels being key to the car...

Again, I have also heard great things about it, but it has probably been overshadowed by other purpose-built rally cars (mostly X-Games-style cars like the Ken Block Fiesta from HPI, Traxxas, and the like - at least here in North America) and other releases from Tamiya itself.

I can vouch for HPI's WR8 platform being awesome. It's basically a factory electric conversion of a nitro car.

[danb1974]

Any change to fit in it a 2s hardcase lipo? Chassis looks interesting (I like to drift, front motor beggs for some sideways action) but I really would not want to have to buy a special battery.

wr8 I think it's another game, bigger car (closer to 1:8), more power

[bromvw]

i've seen one of these in action on lose dirt . Very realistic indeed . The guy doing the driving gave it a Scandinavian flick to get the rear end going side ways - just like the real thing . IMO its a great chassis and seems well balanced . He was using rally block tires and said they give a bit more ground clearance .

[berman]

Only heard good things about them. Mrs Santa has asked what I want for xmas and one of these is very likely on the cards... just which version is the trouble.

Can it beat my Kyosho DRX for fun factor? This remains to be seen...

[SteveU30]

I love my XV-01 Pro Rally, the handling is fantastic and the all enclosed chassis removes any worries of things getting into the belt. Plus you can fit pretty much any 2S LiPo in there too.

Oh and there is a massive range of body shells that will fit due to the body posts having multiple mounting options. Essentially, if it fits a TA chassis then it fits the XV chassis as the body post mount holes are in identical positions.

E.g. Pilot Cossie on my XV-01 with no mods to fit whatsoever:

[Raman36]

Here's a thread of a guy that has put the XV01 through the ringer. Lots of info

http://www.rccrawler.com/forum/showthread.php?t=400591

[redzone]

Judging by the thread on rctech, the xv01 has been a massive success on and off road

[kontemax]

Yes but is has problems with pulleys and belt as I supposed.

Max

[bromvw]

With its fully enclosed drivetrain and easily waterproofed electrics , good ground clearance , excellent handling and fairly low cost IMO is has to be a winner

[danb1974]

From reading the rccrawler thread, it seems the drivetrain is not fully enclosed. It only appears so from the photos.

Also if used offroad it has it's share of issues and broken parts, a bit more than I would expect from a rally car.

For me it's tempting because the front motor layout should help (re)use it as parking lot drifter and I like to drift.

I am not sure about the low cost part, it costs more than twice an entry level chassis.

[bromvw]

From reading the rccrawler thread, it seems the drivetrain is not fully enclosed. It only appears so from the photos.

Also if used offroad it has it's share of issues and broken parts, a bit more than I would expect from a rally car.

For me it's tempting because the front motor layout should help (re)use it as parking lot drifter and I like to drift.

I am not sure about the low cost part, it costs more than twice an entry level chassis.

I take your your point , ok yes its not 'fully enclosed ' but near as . .As for broken parts anything will break if driven too hard . lets be honest - its a Tamiya and have you ever known one to be without its faults ?

[Butler]

We had 2 of these and only ever broke the JJ parts suspension mounts on the front. The carbon reinforces parts resolved that along with using universals, so you don't loose the drive shaft at the same time.

[dualdigger]

The chassis is not fully enclosed, but the belt is. The steering system suffers the most from debris on this chassis, rocks/mud and snow get caught in the rack and limit/jam the steering. I fixed this problem by covering the spots that debris enters the chassis with bicycle inner tube. I have had no problems with the belt or pulley's yet and I run mine very hard with a 4300kv motor(although I can see the stock plastic pulleys wearing). I replaced my suspension mounts with the carbon reinforced parts and havent had a problem with them yet.

[kontemax]

Has the XV-01 common parts with FF03 or FF04 chassis?

Max