XTM Racing has already made a name for itself in RTR truck circles with the nitro X-Cellerator, which we first reviewed in the November 2003 issue. The low-priced truck impressed us with its high-end features, and it made the cut for our "Hot RTRs Under $350" feature in the same issue (as well as in our last issue's "Fast $400"). And why not? With high-end stuff like threaded-aluminum shocks, full bearings, universal-joint axles and racing-style chassis and suspension, there was a lot to like. Unless, of course, you wanted an electric version. There wasn't one. Fast-forward to now, and the battery-carrying X-Cellerator is here. It matches the features of the nitro version but adds an Mtroniks speed control to its Hitec gear package. And, of course, it arrives fully ready to fun including glued tires and a finished and mounted body. Time to drive.

Kit Features
Chassis. The X-Cellerator features a plastic semi-tub chassis with generous cross-ribs to stiffen the platform. A central battery tray accommodates a stick or side-by-side battery pack, although the fit is snug for side-by-side battery packs. The bottom of the chassis is angled up on each side for cornering clearance, and the front and rear suspension assemblies can be removed intact for maintenance. There's plenty of space for the included radio gear, and the Associated-style steering-servo placement allows you to access the servo and steering system without removing an upper brace.

Drivetrain. The X-Cellerator's transmission is a classic racing-style 3-gear unit with a ball differential, steel outdrives and metal-shielded ball bearings. A dual-disc slipper clutch is standard, and it features dark-anodized pressure plates with wide slipper pads that are keyed to the spur gear. The clutch can be adjusted through an opening in the gear cover. Steel universal-joint axles transfer power to wheels that also spin on ball bearigns.

Suspension and steering. XTM went for a traditional suspension and steering setup with a lower H-arm/steel turnbuckle upper-link configuration in the front and rear. The front suspension uses combined kingpin/ball studs, and a steel hinge pin bracket prevents a hinge pin tear-out in a crash. The suspension arms are made of a resilient, crash-resistant plastic, but they're thickly molded and well braced to maintain stiffness. Molded-in ball studs hint at the possibility of swaybar option, but the suspension is fully independent in stock form. Aluminum threaded-body shocks with knurled, plastic preload adjusters handle the bumps, and they are mounted on plastic shock towers that have a variety of holes for shock-position adjustments.
     The steering system is a compact dual-bellcrank setup with an adjustable cam-type servo-saver built in. Steel turnbuckle tie rods join the bellcranks to the steering knuckles.

The front suspension arms are thick, and the threaded shocks are stock equipment.

Note the T4-style shock tower and CV-style drive axles. The 3/16-inch stub axle accepts Losi wheels.

When compared with the rear shocks, the front shocks are laid down dramatically. Note the steel hingepin brace that's just behind the front mini-bumper.

A plastic guard and Lexan cover keep the motor and gears safe from damage, and the truck's race-ready stance is easy to spot.

Body, Wheels and Tires. The X-Cellerator's factory-finished body looks great (just look at the pics), but it can be difficult to remove and install because the rear body posts are very close together and the clips are small. The white window decals aren't production; they'll be replaced by blacked-out windows, like those found on the Nitro X-Cellerator.
     The electric X-Cellerator lifts its wheels and tires directly from the nitro truck. The fronts are a classic ribbed design, and the rears have an aggressive ladder-bar tread that will work well on all sorts of bash-around terrain, if not hard-packed tracks. White dish wheels are standard, and they're interchangeable with Team Losi wheels.