The Backyard – Reefs RC Enters the Vehicle Game

Greetings all and Happy Friday!

The big Pro-Line By The Fire annual crawling event is happening this weekend in Apple Valley, CA, and as is tradition, it’s brought with it a wave of new product reveals from across the industry. One of the biggest announcements making waves on the rocks? The REEFS XP10 Plague Founder’s Edition.

REEFS RC built its name on precision-engineered servos and high-end accessories, but until now, everything they’ve made has been for other people’s vehicles. The XP10 changes that. It’s their first full-on, in-house-built rig — a clean-sheet design that carries the REEFS DNA from bumper to bumper.

REEFS is making a statement with this one. Only 250 units of the Founder’s Edition will be available, each a fully assembled slider kit housed in a custom case with your name laser-etched on it. The price? $1,399 — and you can see where every dollar goes. From the machined components throughout to the top-tier fit and finish, it’s a showcase of craftsmanship clearly aimed at the premium end of the market.

Under the skin, the XP10 packs some smart engineering. You get a massive 60 degrees of steering and serious ground clearance thanks to its portal axles and high center belly. REEFS claims it drives like a solid-axle truck — with that lower CG and tight steering radius — while keeping the benefits portals are known for, like superior clearance and torque at the wheels.

It’s exciting to see REEFS take the leap into vehicle manufacturing — and not with a safe, middle-of-the-road RTR, but with a fully tricked-out comp-grade machine designed to turn heads and dominate courses.

As of this writing, there’s no word on a “standard edition” XP10 for the rest of us mere mortals, but it seems safe to assume one is in the works — something more accessible for the average hobbyist. For now, though, it’s clear that REEFS is stepping into the same premium territory that brands like Vanquish have been operating in.

All told, it’s a great time to be into crawling.

That it’s for me this week. Until next time, keep it on all 4’s!