Ciprian Florea wrote:Established in 1934, KTM is one of the world’s most renown motorcycle manufacturers, with products ranging from street bikes to off-road and racing two-wheelers. Recent years, however, saw KTM enter sports car manufacturing, giving the auto industry a solid competitors for the likes of the Caterham Seven. Thus the X-Bow was born, an ultra-light vehicle with a turbocharged Audi engine mounted behind its seats. Weighing less than 1,800 pounds, the X-Bow spawned many iterations and even a couple of race cars, including an FIA-homologated GT4 track car. In 2015, seven years since its inception, the X-Bow enters a new era as KTM, together with Reiter Engineering, is developing a new racer that will become available to customers in the U.S., Europe and Asia.
Unlike its GT4-spec predecessor, the still-unnamed race car features a closed cockpit and a conventional hood atop its mid-mounted engine. The track-exclusive machine remains recognizable as an X-Bow when viewed from the front, but the concept is entirely different from what we’ve seen from this company in the past. Details are rather scarce as of this writing, with no specs and just one teaser photo depicting the vehicle from above. However, KTM did announce the race car is being developed in conjunction with Reiter Engineering, and that’s pretty big news.
If you’re not familiar with the racing scene, Reiter Engineering is responsible for the Lamborghini Gallardo GT3 and the Murcielago GT1 race car among other vehicles. The German team even went so far as to create a GT3 version of the Chevrolet Camaro. Reiter is also one of the very few racing crews to develop a track version of the Lamborghini Diablo. Need I say more?
I do actually, because Reiter Engineering is also the company responsible for the KTM X-Bow GT4, which won the Supersport category for lighter cars against competition from Donkervoort and Lotus. There’s no word on the purpose of this new race car outside the desire to deliver a "racing car that can compete in international races," but there is a possibility this X-Bow is being built to GT4 specs.
We’ll be right back with more info as soon as we get our hands on it so make sure you stay tuned to TopSpeed.
A KTM with closed cockpit and mid-mounted engine... Let's see how this will turn out.
Lol, is the driver really from Rwanda?
Last edited by Miao on Wed May 13, 2015 9:03 pm, edited 3 times in total.
Nogai211 wrote:The only reason PC is better than Console is because it has Civilization V!
KTM officially changed the name of the car from X-Bow GT4 to X-Bow GTR.
Also, new press release and pictures added to the OP.
KTM wrote:The joint racing project of Reiter Engineering GmbH & Co KG and the KTM Sportcar GmbH is taking on ever more concrete forms. The first roll-out of the new vehicle is set for February, in March will see the SRO "Balance of Performance" test, and in spring the GT4 racing car will be available for the numerous customer teams that have expressed an interest. As of now, both the name and the price have been fixed: The KTM X-BOW GTR will be available from April at EUR 139,000.
Reiter Engineering owner Hans Reiter is convinced that after many weeks of intensive work that the KTM X-BOW GTR will be ready in time for the "BOP" of the SRO, and indeed "READY TO RACE": "First of all I have to compliment all those who have been involved at KISKA, at KTM Technologies and the KTM Sportcar GmbH who have all worked without a break, just as my own people have really done a perfect job in the shortest possible time. We are now in the end phase and if we can keep almost exactly to our self imposed, extremely tight schedule, it is looking good. In keeping with this program, the first tests are planned in mid to late February."
Now that the various development processes are completed and most of the production processes have begun for the many special parts, Hans Reiter is now able to communicate the price of the KTM X-BOW GTR: "At EUR 139,000 we have managed to offer an attractive price for the most modern and safe GT4 racing car on the market. The GTR features the most advanced racing technology, which is normally only the case in higher categories. And in matters of safety, the monocoque technology offers the most unique protection ever in this class up to this point in time. In addition, thanks to the special construction of our latest racing car, the 'running costs' are kept within encouraging limits."
As with all KTM vehicles, Austrian design studio KISKA was responsible for the design development of the KTM X-BOW GTR. The studio also played a key role in designating the new KTM X-BOW as a "GTR"; a class of vehicle with a rich motorsports heritage that possesses much cachet amongst automotive enthusiasts. By creating the X-BOW GTR, KTM is also taking an important next step in the ongoing evolution of the KTM X-BOW. The brand launched the X-BOW in 2008 and the KTM X-BOW GT, which features a wraparound windshield, in 2013. The addition of a third iteration of the KTM X-BOW, one that is fully covered and "READY TO RACE" is the next logical step in the vehicle's development.
Nogai211 wrote:The only reason PC is better than Console is because it has Civilization V!
