Review: Axial EXO Terra Kit

Axial Racing. Odd name since they are best known for their crawler line-up of vehicles. Strange because, while they do produce some racing parts (like nitro engines), they have a reputation for scale realism, river-fording trucks and roll cages. However, their new vehicle, the EXO Terra, might just change the way you look at Axial. This buggy, while looking like something you see some rich guy blasting around the dunes in, could very well be their first step into the actual racing scene.

AT A GLANCE
WHO MAKES IT: Axial
WHO IT’S FOR: Everyone
HOW MUCH: $345
BUILD TYPE: Kit

FACTS
– The design of the EXO was based around those 1000hp, 4-seater dune buggies you see out in the desert. A full, chassis-integrated cage, individual body panels, massive off road tires, an interior and a few other custom details certainly hit that mark.

– To compliment the EXO’s outside appeal, Axial had to do some work on the chassis. Keeping everything low and below was quite an accomplishment. The aluminum chassis is the backbone for this project and provides an extremely stiff platform to mount the drivetrain.

– To help reduce flex, add durability and help give the EXO its uber-cool look, a strong, multi-piece cage bolts to the chassis. It also acts as a mount for the body panels and rear shocks. The EXO looks pretty cool with just the cage (sans the body panels)!

– Axial includes 3 fluid filled differentials for the utmost in performance and reliability. The front and rear diffs are captured in a pair of low-profile housings to keep them low in the chassis.

– Speaking of the diffs, the entire drivetrain is based around Axial’s popular crawler vehicles. Axial has spent many long hours developing their crawler drivetrains to be extremely durable out on the rocks, so incorporating these parts was a no-brainer. You’re really going to have to do something wrong to put a dent in this drivetrain.

– One of the biggest questions I’ve had was how do you change the battery? That stumped me too, until I saw one of the Axial guys do it. To change the battery, simply remove two body clips, remove a body panel and access the pack. Axial has added a pair of sweet, stretchy battery straps that you easily pull and release and the battery slides right out. Slide the new battery in, pull and attach the stretchy straps and re-attach the body panel. Seriously, it takes about 20 seconds! I was amazed at how easy it is!

– Axial has licensed a few products for this vehicle, including the Hankook DynaPro MT tires. Licensed tires work great for full size vehicles but don’t always react the same way for RC applications. This is one case where that’s not true. While blasting around the single tracks in the dirt field, I was pleasantly surprised by the amount of traction these tires had. Their soft compound and aggressive tread worked great in the grass, loose dirt and gravel.

– Gear mesh can be a pain in the butt sometimes, but Axial has included a setup that is sheer genius. Attach your motor to the mount and slide it into place. A small screw is attached that, when you tighten or loosen it, moves the motor mount in or away from the spur gear. This is an extremely easy system that allows you to make VERY minor adjustments. A setup screw locks the motor mount in place.

ITEMS NEEDED
– Thunder Power Sport Race 5400 LiPo
– Tekin RX8 ESC
– Hitec HS7950TH servo
– Tekin SC4X 4.5T Brushless Motor
– Kustom RC Graphics paint work

ITEMS USED
+ Thunder Power Sport Race 5400 LiPo
+ Tekin RX8 ESC
+ Hitec HS7950TH servo
+ Tekin SC4X 4.5T Brushless Motor
+ Kustom RC Graphics paint work

PROS
• Fabulous suspension
• Drop dead gorgeous in the looks department
• Almost completely sealed underpinnings help keep the look right and the dirt out
• Believe it or not, easy access battery compartment
• Tires have pretty amazing grip
• 4WD system is flawless and can handle a ton of power
• For you track stars, the EXO has quite a few tuning adjustments.
• Lots of details that definitely let you know the EXO is from Axial

CONS
• While the design of the EXO is stellar, maintenance can be a bit tedious.

ON THE TRACK
STEERING – NEUTRAL
The steering on the EXO is anywhere from decent to extreme. When I took control of the test EXO, the steering was pretty good but not too aggressive. I commented on the fact that the steering seemed a little dead and was told that I could up the Dual Rate on the radio (which I didn’t even know had been reduced). After I did that, the EXO almost drilled itself into the ground! It was a little twitchy at high speeds but never lost its composure. The rear stayed nice and planted behind it.

ACCELERATION – EXCELLENT
The drivetrain on the EXO is as stout as they come. Knowing this, we added a little extra sumpin’-sumpin’ in the go department in the form of Tekin’s RX8 system (made for 1/8-scale buggies). The EXO had no problem handling the massive amounts of power we put through it. Acceleration is just brutal, so make sure the motor-to-spur gear mesh is P-E-R-F-E-C-T. A misaligned gear mesh and you’ll be finding yourself with a bit of downtime for maintenance.

BRAKING – EXCELLENT
The EXO uses 4-wheel braking which, in conjunction with the soft Hankook tires and monster Tekin RX8 ESC, is a bit overkill. During our test there has not been any fading, but I have seen a few black marks left in the street. Really. I’m not kidding.

SUSPENSION – EXCELLENT
The suspension is simply awesome. The EXO floats on a set of threaded shocks that come with multiple sets of pistons for tuning. The extra-long suspension arms help the EXO bound over any terrain and they have multiple tuning locations for the shocks. But it doesn’t stop there. There are plenty of adjustments if you feel the need to throw this buggy on a track!

JUMPING – VERY GOOD
The EXO is like a short course truck without the big ol’ kite-like body. Over small rollers and medium-sized jumps, the EXO feels right at home. It’s easy to control in the air and lands like it’s on a bed of pillows. Hit any of the bigger stuff and it’s a toss-up as to whether you’ll be able to land the EXO on its wheels or not. If I had one complaint, that would be it. I’m sure a little suspension tuning will fix that.

DURABILITY – EXCELLENT
I’m not one to go out and beat up my cars, but I am one to let ‘em fly when an opportunity presents itself. At the test location, I did send the EXO over a big jump a few times and it spent most of its air-travel with the rear end pointing to the ground. All that meant is that when it landed, I got to see how durable it was. I’m happy to report that there was not a single broken part. Even the light bar stayed perfectly intact!

THE LAST WORD
Axial has used their crawler background to help build something that is new, unique and hits home with everyone who is interested in anything with four wheels (or even two). Watching this buggy bounce and float over the rough terrain at full speed, you’d think you are watching a real buggy from a helicopter view on ESPN. The EXO is a brilliant piece of machinery that mesmerizes you while you drive it, and that’s what makes it so fun to own.

LINKS
Axial, www.axialracing.com, (949) 600-8642
Team Orion (distributed by Horizon Hobby), www.teamorion.com, (800) 338-4639
Thunder Power, www.thunderpowerrc.com, (702) 228-8883
Tekin, www.teamtekin.com, (208) 634-5559
Spektrum (distributed by Horizon Hobby), www.spectrumrc.com, (800) 338-4639
RC Paint Labs, www.rcpaintlabs.com