The KTM X-Bow (pronounced crossbow) is an ultra-light sports car for road and race use, produced by Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM. It is the first car in their product range. It was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 2008.
Specifications
KTM developed the X-Bow in collaboration with Kiska Design, Audi, and Dallara. The X-Bow uses a turbocharged four-cylinder 2.0 litre Audi engine. The 2008 model produces 237Â hp (177Â kW; 240Â PS) at 5500Â rpm and 310 newton metres (230Â lbâ‹…ft) of torque between 2000 and 5500Â rpm. and can accelerate from 0-62Â mph (100Â km/h) in 3.9 seconds. Its top speed is 217Â km/h (134.9Â mph).
In the 2011 X-Bow R model the Audi engine is further tuned to produce 300Â hp (224Â kW; 304Â PS) and 400 newton metres (300Â lbâ‹…ft) of torque at 3300Â rpm.
Originally, KTM planned a production of 500 units per year; however, the company increased production to 1,000 cars a year and built a new plant near Graz due to high demand.
Other features
- Tires front: 205/45 ZR17
- Tires rear: 235/40 ZR18
- Brakes front: Brembo 305Â mm (12.0Â in) diameter discs
- Brakes rear: Brembo 262Â mm (10.3Â in) diameter discs
Racing
The car has been raced at the Race of Champions all-star event since 2008.
The KTM X-Bow was raced in the Supersport category of the 2008 FIA GT4 Championship (#100 Catharina Felser, #101 Christopher Haase and Dennis Retera, by Reiter Engineering), taking a podium finish at Monza and pole position in the wet qualifying session at Nogaro.
The FIA-homologated KTM X-BOW GT4 is available for racing purposes.
Marcus Clutton and Phil Keen won the supersports call of the 2009 British GT season, and Peter Belshaw and Clutton were the GT4 champions in the 2011 season.
The KTM X-BOW Battle race series started in 2010 and was a support event for the DTM German Touring Car series at Adria Raceway in 2010 and Lausitzring in 2011.
The GT4 X-Bow powered Brett Sandberg to the 2016 Pirelli World Challenge GTS Championship with multiple wins along the way.
Reviews
In a March 2012 episode of Top Gear, presenter Jeremy Clarkson drove a X-Bow around Donington Park circuit in England. He applauded the tyres' grip, saying during a James May-inspired session of doughnuts, "It's like driving on superglue."
Appearances in other media
The X-Bow R model recently appeared in the free DriveClub Ignition Expansion Pack, Real Racing 3, Forza Horizon 3, Assetto Corsa, while the standard model has appeared in other racing games too, such as the iOS game GT Racing and PS3 game Gran Turismo 6.
Awards and recognition
- 2008 Sports Car of the Year, Top Gear
References
See also
- Polaris Slingshot
External links
- KTM X-Bow official website
- KTM X-Bow R Exterior and Interior in 3D 4K UHD