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KTM to debut Frills-Free Flyweight Sportscar

Austrian motorcycle maker KTM is getting ready to take on the road in a completely different way: it’s justannounced its first car, the X-Bow. This lightweight roadster, said to weigh less than 1,540 lbs, will target every member of the featherweight sports car business from Caterham and Westfield to the awesome Ariel Atom for sheer thrills and excitement on the road or track. Outrageous is one of the few words appropriate for describing the way that the X-Bow looks, but it’s out of pure functionality for aerodynamics, light weight and strength. The styling of the

Aggressive looking, isn't it? (Photo: KTM)

bodywork was done by Kiska, the firm in charge of giving KTM’s motorcycles their edgy, wedgy look. Its wild appearance is finished off with a coat of paint in the brand’s easily identifiable orange and black livery.

By motorcycle standards the X-Bow is pretty slow, but for a car it’slightning quick. Power comes from Volkswagen’s

KTM wanted its first car to look like its bikes, so it used the same styling firm. (Photo: KTM)

impressive 2.0T engine with FSI direct injection technology making, in base form, 220 horsepower, which should give it the ability to hit 60 mph from standstill in less than four seconds. But for those who want their KTM car to be closer to its two-wheeled stable mates in terms of outright acceleration, there is rumor that KTM will be offering a higher powered version of the 2.0T motor, derived from the upgraded unit found in the Audi S3 making 300 horsepower. That should

Carbon fiber chassis doesn't weigh much. It's easy for the 2.0T motor to push around. (Photo: KTM)

be good for shaving a few extra tenths off of that sprint time. Standard to the X-Bow is a six-speed manual gearbox; although VAG’s excellent DSG twin-clutch gearbox will be an option.

Without any experience in building production cars, KTM turned toindustry leaders for help. Development on the chassis was done by racing specialists Dallara. It consists of a carbon fiber monocoque chassis, with an integrated rollover bar and an attached front box for frontal impact protection. The chassis itself tips the scales at an incredibly light 154 lbs, and will be built on the company’s premises. As for the rest of the running

Not much by the way of equipment, but it's all worth it for the drive... (Photo: KTM)

gear, the suspension system was designed by WP Suspensions, the same company that supplies KTM’s bikes with their forks and shocks, while the brakes are provided by none other than master stoppers, Brembo. It won’t have any driver aids such as stability control, nor any airbags.

It’s been reported that if the X-Bow is a success, with demand outstripping supply (which will most likely occur), production of the vehicle could switch to Austrian auto-builder Magna, which produces everything from BMW’s plucky X3 to the brunt of Chrysler’s European products. In the meantime, Dallara will build a pilot run of 100 units that will be ready for sale during fall of next year. The car is said to start at around 40,000 euro ($52,500 USD). Not bad for a supercar killer.

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