The TYCO 440-X2 Magnum Chassis (1983)

Original 440-X2 (narrow) Chassis version 1

In 1983 TYCO updated the 2 year old 440 magnum chassis ( maybe at AFX's pushing. they released had their Super G-Plus chassis in 1982). What they did was scrap the bar traction magnet used in the 440, and replaced it with two smaller but more powerful magnets on each side of the chassis similar to the configuration that the CHHP2 used. The result was fantastic. This chassis was simply the best ever at it's time of release in 1983 & remained on the top of the heap until about 1990 when the TOMY Super G+ chassis was unveiled. The 440-X2 is still the current top of the line TYCO chassis 13 years after it's release. A new 440-X3 chassis was planned for release in 1996, but it was cancelled or at least postponed indefinitely due to increased power requirements & safety concerns.

The TYCO 440-X2 Magnum Chassis (1990)

440-X2 (Wide) Chassis version 2

In 1990, due the immense increase in popularity of the NASCAR stockcar type bodies, TYCO released the 440-X2 pan chassis. This was essentially the same as the 440-X2 introduced in 1983 but with modification to the chassis outline to allow it to fit the wider TYCO bodies (Some after 1981 and all prior to 1981 ). The "Days of Thunder" promotional stockcars were the very first TYCO slot cars to use this now popular chassis.

"Mattel renamed the Tyco product line Mattel Electric Hot Wheels and renamed the Tyco 440x2 chassis the 440x3. The new 440x3 chassis is essentially the same as the original 440x2 chassis with the addition of a small capacitor to reduce radio frequency interference to better meet European RFI regulations."

There were plenty of X2 cars released after the X3 branded cars hit the market with the caps to meet European RFI requirements. The X3 was not a replacement for the X2, just an alternate product line and labeling scheme. One thing you can almost always count on with Tyco/Mattel, if they put "HP" in the name it usually means its a cost reduced lower performance variation or product. The HP440 for example is a pan version of the 440 (non X2) chassis, lower cost and lower performance than the X2. Tyco/Mattel has a slew of variations on the original 440 design.

There was a prototype X3 that Tyco produced that's unrelated to the X3 branded line that actually got released for a few cars. It was an X2 with polymer magnets. The wicked downforce caused the current requirement to go way up and Tyco would have had to ship a beefier power supply to handle it sufficiently. That would have opened the door for all sorts of new safety requirements.

have you ever seen/owned any 440 X2 Slim chassis with a Copper Colored Armature? These were made Right before the Mattel Acquisition of Tyco.