1) The X - 5 Squared has been discontinued because of problems with the chassis mold. We can repair it and make great chassies, but the cost will be too high compared to expected sales. They haven't made xx-4s for a long time. As with so many other things, it's a matter of money.
2) We will continue to stock all X - 5 parts except the chassis. We actually just ordered some bodies. We will run out of chassies first. We discovered the problem when we hung the mold and began to shoot more. That is, our stock hit the re-order point, and we found out the hard way. We have excellent stock of all other parts, and will continue to stock the Losi parts too.
3) The X - 5 is my baby. I cried. Literally.
4) At this time, we do not plan to make another Conversion Kit.
5) We are racers and engineers. Ideas for new cars and improvements to existing ones dance in our heads constantly. A new 4WD car has been designed in our heads and discarded twice in the last four years. The inside of Elvo's head is an amazing place...
No complete assemblies have been in SolidWorks. Bits, parts, and sub-assemblies here and there all the time -- for us it's like drawing on napkins -- but nothing even approaching reality yet. SolidWorks is on my laptop in the pits...
6) We are at the very beginning of a new 4WD car now. As has been reported elsewhere, some testing has been going on since January, and several major mechanical principles have been tested and decided upon. That is significant progress. Over the next months we will be testing various specific drivelines to determine which iteration works best. If you look carefully, you’ll see new suspension ideas on those cars too. We will see what works.
7) X Factory has an absolutely dialed design team. Team drivers are selected as much for their help in design/development as for on-track wins. You just don't get more experience than Brian Kinwald, Ellis Stafford, and Elvo. You won't find more education than Tom Cockerill and Paul. Cyril, Phil, Alexander, Dan, Dan, and Mike all make salient points constantly. (We have two Dans.) E-mails flow daily, often two or three time a day, with copies and drawings everywhere. I can't keep up with it all.
X Factory began with a car that made everybody say, "Why didn't Losi think of that?" and proceeded to a revolutionary concept.
The new car will be fast. That's a promise.
8) But it all takes time and money. For a new 4WD where we make everything, on the market for Christmas 2010 is the very EARLIEST we can talk about.
9) We will release over the next few months a series of new parts designed to fit our cars and others too. If you've looked with care you've seen them in testing. These parts will be great new things that will make you faster -- our primary goal -- and will help move X Factory forward.
That's the Family concept. We make good stuph, the Family buys it, and that moves us to the next thing that the Family loves. We are in this thing together, having an absolute blast with our toy cars.
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