KTM X-BOW – the street fighter

The KTM is an absolute newbie of the automotive industry. But that doesn’t mean it’s something second-rate, because this company is prestigious in the club of motorbikes. It’s true that bikes and cars are different, but they have a lot of common – to create a machine that looks good, but it’s also powerful, reliable and safety for reasonable price. KTM is No.1 in all of these ways. But it looks like that they want to produce not only bikes. So with some help from an experienced company Dallara, they want to try luck in the demanding automotive business. Their first try is called X-Bow (cross-bow). After its pictures of 3D model and dummies, today we can see photos from tests of the prototype. It weighs less than 700kgs thanks to usage of carbon fibers and aluminum parts. But we don’t now if it’s its net weight or gross with all liquids. The basic model has installed a well-known 2.0 TFSI engine by VW producing 220hp at 5900rpm.
Peak torque is 300Nm at 2200-4000 revs. More powerful version has a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder with two turbochargers and 300hp. This sci-fi machine creates 200kgs of aerodynamic pressure. The open roadster without doors and any unnecessary comfort is a real sporting tool. The core of the vehicle is a carbon monocock with a part with push-rod axles on the front. Its aggregate and the rear axle is attached on the rear part. This everything is painted with a fancy orange color typical for the KTM brand. An ordinary 6-speed manual or optional dual-clutch DSG transmission transfers the engine power to the wheels. So the 3.6m long X-Bow needs only 4 seconds to reach 100kmph. The top speed of the more powerful engine isn’t known yet, but the basic model’s is about 217kmph. The Continental tires has dimensions 205/40 ZR17 in front and 235/50 ZR18 at the back. Thanks to the installation of wheels using central screws, we can see nice four-piston brakes with ventilated Brembo discs (305mm in front and 262mm in the rear).

KTM’s braking distance is only 33.1 meters from 100kmph speed. SO if you don’t won to be ejected from your seat, you should fasten your four point safety belts and make yourself comfortable on anatomical shaped seats. Its interior is extremely simple. There’s nothing comfortable, only things you should use on the track – a multifunctional steering-wheel including simple display. So if the company KTM is successful, we will see maybe 100 X-Bow vehicles coming from the Dallara’s factory. Maybe the most important untold feature of this vehicle is its price. So it’s 40 000 €. If you will enjoy the drive, it’s up to you. But I think we will be delighted.