XMODS were 1:28 scale electric radio-controlled cars. Originally invented by Nobuaki Ogihara in Japan, XMODS were released with several body styles over multiple generations. Due to the popularity of tuner culture in the early to mid 2000's, the cars' primary marketing focus was on customization. This was reflected by the various first party body kits and upgrades released with XMODS. The cars were distributed by

RadioShack RadioShack, formerly RadioShack Corporation, is an American retailer founded in 1921. At its peak in 1999, RadioShack operated over 8,000 worldwide stores named RadioShack or Tandy Electronics in the United States, Mexico, United Kingdom, Austra ...

in the United States, by Hobby Products International (HPI Racing) in Japan, Mirage RC in the U.K. (Distributor of HPI Products in the U.K.), and by Carson Modellsport (Subdivision of Tamiya Germany) in Europe.

Models

XMODS Generation 1

The original, first-generation XMODS were released in the Fall of 2003, featuring semi-proportional steering and modular construction enabling parts to be swapped. Eleven body styles were released with several colors and a body exclusive to Europe and Asia. For XMODS released through RadioShack and HPI, each car came with a mini-magazine (

Super Street Super may refer to: Computing * SUPER (computer program), or Simplified Universal Player Encoder & Renderer, a video converter / player * Super (computer science), a keyword in object-oriented programming languages * Super key (keyboard but ...

for the Japanese models and

Hot Rod Hot rods are typically American cars that might be old, classic, or modern and that have been rebuilt or modified with large engines optimised for speed and acceleration. One definition is: "a car that's been stripped down, souped up and made ...

for the American models), featuring write-ups on selected models and upgrade accessories. 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V.spec * Yellow * Black * Blue (Available only in Europe and Asia through Carson and HPI respectively.) 1997 Toyota Supra * Red * White 2000

Honda Civic Si The Honda Civic Si is a sport compact trim of Honda's Civic. The Si (Sport Injected) trim was introduced for the third generation of Honda Civics in both Japan and North America. In Canada and elsewhere, the trim became known as the SiR for the s ...

Coupe * Blue * Black 2003

Acura RSX RSX may refer to: Computing *RSX, a RISC CPU from Encore Computer *RSX-11, an operating system family developed by Digital Equipment Corporation * RSX 'Reality Synthesizer', a graphics chip for the PS3 * Resident System Extension, part of the CP/M ...

''Released as the Honda Integra in non-U.S. Markets'' * Silver 2004

Acura NSX NSX may refer to: Stock exchanges * Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX) * National Stock Exchange (Jersey City, New Jersey), US (NSX) * National Stock Exchange of Australia (NSX) Other uses * Neon Swing X-perience (NSX), a US musical group * Honda NSX ( ...

''Released as the Honda NSX in non-U.S. Markets'' * Yellow * White (Available only in Europe and Asia through Carson and HPI respectively.) 2004

Nissan 350Z : The Nissan 350Z (known as Nissan Fairlady Z (Z33) in Japan) is a two-door, two-seater sports car that was manufactured by Nissan Motor Corporation from 2002 until 2009 and marks the fifth generation of Nissan's Z-car line. The 350Z entered prod ...

* Copper * Silver (Available only in Europe and Asia through Carson and HPI respectively) 2003 Chevrolet Corvette C5 * Silver 1967 Chevrolet Camaro * Red 1965

Ford Mustang The Ford Mustang is a series of American automobiles manufactured by Ford. In continuous production since 1964, the Mustang is currently the longest-produced Ford car nameplate. Currently in its sixth generation, it is the fifth-best selli ...

Fastback * Light Blue 2004 Subaru Impreza WRX STI * Blue * White (Available only in Asia through HPI) * Orange Super Taikyu HPI Racing (Available only in the UK and Asia through Mirage and HPI respectively) * Yellow Super Taikyu Fujitsubo Racing (Available only in the U.K. and Asia through Mirage RC and HPI respectively) 2004

Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren The Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren (C199 / R199 / Z199) is a grand tourer jointly developed by German automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz and British automobile manufacturer McLaren Automotive and sold from 2003 to 2009. When the car was develope ...

* Silver (Available only in Europe and Asia through Carson and HPI respectively) In addition to body kits for the models above, other body shells were available separately. These came with matching body kits, controller steering wheels, and compatible drive shafts. 1997 Toyota Supra * Silver 2003

''Released as the Honda Integra in non-U.S. Markets'' * Black 2004 Ford Mustang Cobra * Red

XMODS Evolution

The XMODS Evolution models were released in the Autumn of 2005 with substantial construction differences when compared to the previous XMODS Generation 1 generation: * The electronics were vastly improved, with one main board compared versus two for the Generation 1 chassis. * The motor was mounted transversely in contrast to Generation 1's longitudinal layout. * The battery housing was moved to the bottom for better weight distribution. * Suspension design was revamped. * The servo housing was integrated into the chassis. * New body clip system that no longer required a locking mechanism on the chassis. * A new truck chassis was released that provided more ground clearance and an articulating chassis. Despite these differences, it was still possible to swap bodies wheels between the Evolution and Generation 1 cars. Some models sold outside the U.S. by Carson and HPI featured repainted Generation 1 bodies. Like the previous generation models, each XMODS Evolution car came with a

(Japanese models) or

(American models) mini-magazine. Truck models had a Truckin' mini-magazine. The XMODS Evolution generation was eventually discontinued in mid-2007. 1967

Pontiac Firebird The Pontiac Firebird is an American automobile that was built and produced by Pontiac from the 1967 to 2002 model years. Designed as a pony car to compete with the Ford Mustang, it was introduced on February 23, 1967, five months after GM's Che ...

* Purple 2006

* Dark Blue 2005

Infiniti G35 The Infiniti G Line is a series of compact executive cars produced by Infiniti, a luxury division of Nissan, for the 1991–1996 and 1999–2016 model years. The first two generations of the Infiniti G (P10 and P11) were sedans based on the Niss ...

* Red 2006

Scion tC The Scion tC is a compact car manufactured by Toyota under its Scion brand from 2004 to 2016 over two generations: ANT10 (2004–2010) and AGT20 (2010–2016). Both generations were built in Japan. The tC was introduced first in the United States ...

* Silver 2004 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII * Gray 2005 Ford F-150 * Orange 2006

Nissan Titan The Nissan Titan is a full-size pickup truck manufactured in the United States for the North American market by Nissan. It was named for the Titans of Greek mythology. __TOC__ First generation (A60; 2003) Development of the Titan began in ...

* Red 2004

Hummer H2 The Hummer H2 is a large SUV that was marketed by Hummer and built in the AM General facility under contract from General Motors from 2002 to 2009. It is based on a modified GMT820 GM three-quarter-ton pickup truck in the front and a half-ton 15 ...

* Black * Yellow (Available only in Europe through Carson) * Red (Available only in Europe through Carson) 2003

Porsche Cayenne Turbo The Porsche Cayenne is a series of mid-size luxury crossover sport utility vehicles manufactured by the German automaker Porsche since 2002 (Type 9PA or E1), with North American sales beginning in 2003. It is the first V8-engined vehicle built b ...

* Black (Available only in Europe through Carson) * White (Available only in Europe through Carson) * Silver (Available only in Europe through Carson) 1999 Nissan Skyline GT-R R34 V.spec * Silver (Available only in Europe through Carson) 1967 Chevrolet Camaro * Orange (Available only in Europe through Carson) 1965

Coupe * Dark Blue (Available only in Europe through Carson) 2004

* Blue version (Available only in Europe through Carson) In addition to body kits for the models above, the following body shells were available separately. With the exception of the lexan bodies, they came with a body kit, controller steering wheel, and compatible chassis extension piece. 2005 Ford F-150 * Blue 2006

BMW 320si The fifth generation of the BMW 3 Series range of compact executive cars is designated under the model codes E90 (saloon), E91 (estate, marketed as 'Touring'), E92 (coupé) and E93 (convertible). The model was introduced in December 2004, and pr ...

* Black (Lexan body available only in Europe through Carson) * White (Lexan body available only in Europe through Carson)

XMODS Evolution Transformers

In June 2007, RadioShack released two XMODS Evolution models to coincide with the release of the film ''

Transformers ''Transformers'' is a media franchise produced by American toy company Hasbro and Japanese toy company Takara Tomy. It primarily follows the Autobots and the Decepticons, two alien robot factions at war that can transform into other forms, suc ...

''. Unlike other XMODS, which came in reusable plastic cases, these models came in cardboard boxes. Special body and light kits were available for these models.

Bumblebee A bumblebee (or bumble bee, bumble-bee, or humble-bee) is any of over 250 species in the genus ''Bombus'', part of Apidae, one of the bee families. This genus is the only extant group in the tribe Bombini, though a few extinct related gener ...

(2009 Chevrolet Camaro Concept) * Yellow with Black Stripes * Optional accessory kit included a light kit, hood-mounted cannon, and door-mounted missile launchers.

Barricade Barricade (from the French ''barrique'' - 'barrel') is any object or structure that creates a barrier or obstacle to control, block passage or force the flow of traffic in the desired direction. Adopted as a military term, a barricade denot ...

(2007 Saleen S281 Police Car) * Black with White Doors * Optional accessory kit included flashing lights for the light bar, headlight claws, and a hood-mounted missile launcher.

XMODS Evolution Street

The XMODS Evolution Street generation was confirmed in mid-2008 via RadioShack employee memos and were released on October of that year. Compared to the previous XMODS Evolution generation, the Evolution Street had several differences: * The RX/TX crystals were no longer removable and were soldered onto the electronics board and inside the controller. * Foam inserts in the XMODS carrying box were replaced with thermoformed plastic. * Mini-magazines were no longer included. Flame and XMODS decals were still included. * Rubber was used to protect parts of the motor. * Thicker plastic wheel bearings, reducing wheel wobble, a concern with older XMODS Evolution models. * Rear A-Arms and motor cradle were reinforced. * There were no body kit options for any of the cars. The bumpers and spoiler were molded onto the body of all of the cars. In late 2010, the Evolution Street generation was discontinued. 2008 Nissan GT-R * Silver 1965

* Black 2008 Chevrolet Corvette C6 Z06 * Atomic Orange 2008 Audi R8'

* Gunmetal 2010 Fifth-generation Ford Mustang#2010–present, Ford Mustang'

* Burgundy 2009 Nissan 370Z'

* Red 2009 Dodge Challenger#Third generation (2008–present), Dodge Challenger SRT-8'

* Orange

XMODS Micro RC

Along with the release of the XMODS Evolution Street models, RadioShack relaunched the

ZipZaps ZipZaps are miniature radio-controlled cars that were sold by RadioShack, later marketed under the brand name XMODS Micro RC. They were commonly compared to Tomy's Bit Char-G (sold in the U.S. as MicroSizers) and Takara's Digi-Q micro R/C li ...

Micro RC line under the XMODS Micro banner. Aside from the new labels that bear the XMODS Micro RC logo, the packaging was similar to the ZipZaps line. All parts (e.g. motors, wheel covers, bodies, etc.) on the XMODS Micro line were compatible between ZipZaps and vice versa, with the exception of the 2009 models, which have one-piece wheels that do not allow the swapping of wheel covers. The cars use the traditional box-type controller, as opposed to the gun-type controller used in the ZipZaps SE line. 1959 Chevrolet Corvette *Red 1967

Chevrolet Camaro SS The Chevrolet Camaro is a mid-size American automobile manufactured by Chevrolet, classified as a pony car. It first went on sale on September 29, 1966, for the 1967 model year and was designed to compete with the Ford Mustang. The Camaro share ...

*Blue 2009 Nissan GT-R *Silver 2009

Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X is the tenth and final generation of the Lancer Evolution, a sports sedan produced by Japanese manufacturer Mitsubishi Motors. By September 2005, Mitsubishi introduced a concept version of the next-gen Evoluti ...

*Red

XMODS Generation 3

In Fall 2013, RadioShack released a new XMODS with two brand new chassis designs, touring and buggy. The new models were 1:24 in scale as opposed to the previous generations' 1:28. This generation of XMODS did not have licensing from any automotive maker. In lieu of this, generic bodies were used along with bodies modeled after the Kamata SYNCi, Lucky & Wild Evolver, and Kamata RC410 from the

Ridge Racer is a racing game, racing video game series developed and published for arcade systems and home game consoles by Bandai Namco Entertainment, formerly Namco. The first game, ''Ridge Racer (1993 video game), Ridge Racer'' (1993), was originally rel ...

video game series. New features include a 2.4GHz radio, a lithium ion battery upgrade, and staggered tires. Two other bodies are also available separately, one in a set with lights, and the other in a set with a "nitrous boost" ultracapacitor that allows a 3-5 second speed boost when a button on the controller is pressed. Other upgrades that were available were extra tires, a high speed rear end, rear end with a faster motor, and an all wheel drive upgrade. In 2015, the Generation 3 XMODS were discontinued.

Modifications

XMODS can be extensively modified using parts supplied by RadioShack and other aftermarket vendors. The starter kits advertise the ability to change the motor, wheels, tires, trim kit, springs/shocks, and bearings (From nylon bushings to steel bearings), add lighting kits, and, in some generations, swap the

crystal A crystal or crystalline solid is a solid material whose constituents (such as atoms, molecules, or ions) are arranged in a highly ordered microscopic structure, forming a crystal lattice that extends in all directions. In addition, macros ...

to allow the cars to operate on multiple frequencies. Tutorials for modifications are also available on various XMODS forum sites. In

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

, HPI distributes XMODS, in

Europe Europe is a large peninsula conventionally considered a continent in its own right because of its great physical size and the weight of its history and traditions. Europe is also considered a Continent#Subcontinents, subcontinent of Eurasia ...

distributed by CARSON Modellsport, with the cars having the same colors as those offered in the

U.S. The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country Continental United States, primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 U.S. state, states, a Washington, D.C., ...

by RadioShack, but also some exclusive body colors and body tops not available to the US market. Even though each model has a different body, all models in a particular line share the same or similar chassis. The most notable difference in the chassis is its length relative to its body top. You can also add motor upgrades onto them for faster speeds. While using non-RadioShack upgrades, it is possible to achieve up to and over 40 MPH.XMODS Generation 1 Q&A
Some people have used servo motors in their XMODS trucks to achieve higher torque, resulting in easier crawling, but with a very limited top speed. People have replaced the stock electronics with hobby grade electronics to improve smoothness of the servo, improving the top speed, and range.

References

HPI Racing - XMODS

External links

Official XMODS website
{{webarchive, url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070306172114/http://www.xmodsrc.com/ , date=2007-03-06 Radio-controlled cars Toy cars and trucks Products introduced in 2003 Hobby Products International