Team Losi XX-4

[Dangeruss]

In 1997 Team Losi once again launched themselves onto the world racing stage when they unveiled their 1/10 electric 4wd buggy, the XX-4. Four-wheel drive electric buggy racing had its first IFMAR (and ROAR) championships in 1991 and while it was quickly overshadowed by the popularity of stadium (nee, monster truck) racing in the US, 4wd buggies were hugely popular across Europe and Asia. Losi looked to capitalize on that popularity and created a platform that would see numerous international wins including three back-to-back IFMAR World Championships. To achieve this the XX-4 used a graphite composite plastic chassis with a smoothly rounded mini-tub design and molded in saddle pack battery indentions as its foundation. The real advancement however, was in the drivetrain. First, Losi placed the motor in a cam adjustable mount on the leading edge of the tub, rather than the trailing edge, to increase forward weight distribution. Power was then sent through Losi's double pad slipper clutch which made its debut on the XX-4 to the triple belt drive system with front and rear mounted ball differentials and steel universal axles at all four corners. Lastly, and easily the XX-4's most distinctive feature, was the "Clicker". Essentially a spring-loaded ratcheting gear attached to the front drive cog the Clicker adjusted the amount of off-power free-wheel in the front drivetrain. Which, with an included spacer, could lock the Clicker in for full engagement. The remainder of the buggy was equally advanced with its Akerman adjustable steering, 4-wheel independent lower a-arm/adjustable camber link suspension, composite shock towers, and trademark Teflon coated oil-filled Hard Body coilover shocks with adjustable collars. Molded 5 spoke hex mount 2.2 wheels, Losi Silver IFMAR Pin tires, and Teflon sealed bearings completed the drivetrain of the XX-4 which was sold as an unassembled kit with a tight fitting clear lexan body, less radio and electronics, at a lower price than all of its competitors.

Team Losi also released the XX-4 in a Heavy Metal version sporting all the same features of the 4wd buggy but with a full fendered short course truck style body:

Team Losi 2 page ad combined into a single poster:

[RogueIV]

Easily one of the best 4wd buggies of all time. So good Losi revisted the design later as the TLR 22-4.

Granted working on them is a bit more of a challenge and the front arms were a bit of a weak point.

[TokyoProf]

Thank you for the post. Additional pictures of the IFMAR winning XX-4 would be nice to add here.

[RC10th]

I'm an AE guy but the XX-4 was a game changer of the time and an amazingly fast buggy.

[mikea96]

This is definitely one I would like losi to release again.