DNC: Inside Darren Bloomfield's prototype electric Agama A215 buggy

The brushless 1/8-scale buggy class is picking up steam all over the world, prompting manufacturers like Agama Racing to join the brands already established in racing big electric buggies. Agama previously offered an electric conversion for the A8 Evo buggy, and now that they’ve churned out the new nitro-powered A215 last season they’re developing  a separate electric version designed specifically for brushless power. Agama’s top dog, Darren Bloomfield, is racing a converted nitro A215 that reflects the overall layout of the upcoming production vehicle.

 

 

 

 

Chassis: Agama A215 (converted)

ESC: LRP iX8

Motor: LRP Dynamic 8 2200Kv

Battery: LRP Big Mama 7500mAh x 2

Tires: Beta Vmax Super Soft

Radio: Sanwa Exzes X

Servo: Hitec HSB-9370TH

Body: Agama A215

Notes: The radio tray is straight from the nitro buggy, and was cut to make room for the motor mount while also moving the ESC behind the receiver, rather than behind the battery. The lid was from the nitro receiver box was cut behind the receiver to make the room for the ESC. Because the center differential had to be flipped in order to key up to the pinion gear, this car is using the A8 conversion center diff mount and the chassis was machined for clearance - the production vehicle will include a double-bearing diff mount like the A215. The battery tray on this prototype is from the old car as well, but the floor has been cut to lower the battery onto the chassis - and because the mounting screws use the holes machined into the old chassis, the options for moving the battery back and forth are limited. The production kit will likely have the battery box more centralized from front to rear. Like many other brushless buggies, the A215E (as it will likely be called - but that’s not official) will use the front and rear suspension clips from the nitro car, but it will use a specially cut and drilled chassis with similar dimensions that’s configured for the brushless equipment. And the wing is Agama's new Lexan version, which has a center section that can be removed to change its effect on cornering stability.