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Thread: KTM X-Bow

  1. #1
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    KTM X-Bow

    2007 KTM X-Bow

    The first car from KTM
    KTM – Europe’s second biggest motorcycle manufacturer – will introduce the first ever car in the company’s 50-year history: the X-Bow. The background for this step can be found in the dynamic development of the company. An annual growth rate of 21 percent in sales and 25 percent in turnover has been achieved since the new start-up of the motorcycle production in the year 1992. The company’s output in 1992 was 6000 motorcycles with 160 employees while in the last financial year production was 84,421 motorcycles with 1697 employees.

    Since the beginning of the new century, KTM, as the world market leader in the offroad segment has successively expanded its range of business activities into the street segment. The first step into the automotive sector is therefore a logical extension of this strategy. With the X-Bow, KTM can offer all those who do not have a motorcycle license a driving experience that is typical for the brand.

    The Philosophy: Ready to Race
    As different as cars and motorcycles may be, KTM has managed to transfer its development principles from two wheels to a sports car in every way. In this way the unique driving experience and the spectacular merits of the drive are not just dependent on the performance of the engine. Just as they have managed to do with motorcycles, the KTM developers have kept the weight of the vehicle extremely light by using the latest materials, an intelligent construction and a purist styling. The car will weigh only about 700 kg.

    The interaction between the sophisticated aerodynamic concept and a motor sports-oriented chassis makes the X-Bow clearly superior to a far higher performance sports car. Thanks to its open form of construction, the just 70mm high windshield and the free standing wheels after the style of a Formula racing car, it is not only the appearance, but also the driving experience that is immediately evident as entirely unique.

    Speed from every perspective: the design
    Aggressive, edgy, dynamic, a personality from every angle: the design of the KTM X-Bow originates unmistakably from the house of Kiska. Austria’s biggest design studio has had close links to KTM for almost 15 years and is not only responsible for the design of the motorcycles, but also for the corporate image of the company. The design of a lightweight sports car is where passion and challenge meet, resulting in a product that fits seamlessly into the KTM brand family.

    The stylish hallmark of the X-Bow is its light-footed, optical presence evoked by the apparent floating panels of the bodywork, the rangy wheels and the transparent area that allows a perspective of the vehicle technology, which for example makes parts of the suspension and damping visible. The technical elegance of the carbon chassis has been used as a design element for the graphic concept. The two outer mirrors which are fixed to double guided stays are symbolic of the lightweight construction.

    The purist attitude of the X-Bow also finds its expression in the striking headlights and rear lights. The rear is dominated by a central silencer and a powerful diffuser which is an indication of the level of painstaking work on the aerodynamics of the vehicle.

    And as the first ever KTM sports car, the X-Bow naturally comes in the Mattighofen fashion colours: black and orange.


    Cooperation with Dallara: The carbon fibre monocoque
    The core of the KTM X-Bow is the sophisticated carbon fibre monocoque. This high-tech solution was until now reserved for use in top class motor sport and for elite street sports cars. Through a new construction- and production process developed together with the Italian development partner, the tradition-rich racing car specialist Dallara, this technology can now be offered in a significantly cheaper version. The KTM X-Bow therefore takes on the role of a forerunner that can use new insights and production processes to its benefit.

    These advantages are impressive everywhere: With an extremely light weight of around 70 kg, the chassis of the X-Bow offers a maximum amount of rigidity and safety. A crash box in the front nose of the monocoque absorbs collision energy, while the roll bars are integrated into the structure.

    An options kit is available on request which increases the recognized safety levels to that of the motor sports authorities FIA: this includes having additional struts mounted at already designated points.
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    Intelligent Turbo Power
    KTM was able to secure Audi AG as a partner for the engine, which when delivered from the company in Ingolstadt Germany, is a congenial extension for the slim concepts of the KTM X-Bow. The four cylinder engine completely made of aluminium is light, compact and includes the most modern engine technology: four valve technology, FSI direct fuel injection, high pressure injection valves, turbo charge, a smooth, adjustable intake camshaft and two balancer shafts.

    With this engine, the basic version of the KTM X-Bow will achieve 220 hp. An additional version will have a performance in the area of 300 hp at its disposal. First simulations for the KTM X-Bow in any case demonstrate its superior characteristics; the acceleration to 100kph should be comfortably under four seconds.

    The transmission versions also come from Audi AG. A manual six-gear transmission comes with the series production, while an optional DSG-transmission will also be offered.

    Motor sports for the highway
    Apart from the optimal distribution of weight with the engine mounted between the axles, a guarantee of high speeds in the corners comes from the chassis’ high quality suspension and damping elements. In this area KTM can call upon competence in its own company: the KTM Netherlands subsidiary White Power has at its disposal chassis experts for both on road vehicles and motor sports.

    The brakes also come from the best possible source: KTM has had a long-term and fruitful partnership with the Italian specialists Brembo.

    And for further improvements in the traction, KTM will offer a limited slip differential for the rear axle. This component part is particularly targeted at drivers who want to engage in certain activities on racing circuits.

    Purism without compromise
    The lightweight concept also demands some limitations. This is why the X-Bow deliberately does away with many comfort features which, because with their weight and the space need for construction have a negative effect on the performance of the vehicle. These include such features as a sound system and an air conditioner.

    On the other hand, because of the X-Bow’s concept, it is not dependent on many weighty elements. Its lightweight makes power steering redundant; the narrow windscreen requires neither windscreen washers nor blowers; the sloping lines of the side of the vehicle and the seat height make it possible to get into the car without having a door; and lastly the carbon chassis together with the four-point safety belt create a safety package that makes airbags unnecessary.

    It was also a conscious decision to reject any electronic driving aids. The KTM X-Bow is designed as a piece of high-tech sports equipment for experienced customers who prefer a filter less driving pleasure.

    Innovative accessories
    By doing away with the roof, both the driver and passenger of the KTM X-Bow are exposed to the elements in a similar way to that of a motorcycle. For this reason a decision was taken concerning an accessories program that has parallels with the world of motorcycles.

    Special overalls for use with the KTM X-Bow have been developed together with the northern Italian clothing experts Dainese. These garments will take over some of the comfort functions that are usually available with a vehicle with a roof – for example entertainment and communication systems. These functions are directly integrated into the clothing, which will also naturally serve as protection against cold and windy weather.

    An important part of the custom-made driver equipment will be a helmet specially designed for this project. Wearing of the helmet is not required by law but is recommended by KTM. In this way the X-Bow also represents a bridge to a motorcycle. Special storage space is also provided for these two helmets.

    A light, easy to install tarpaulin to cover the interior of the car will also be available.

    Premiere in Geneva
    This lightweight sports car with innovative technology will make its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2007. In the same year, 100 units of the comprehensive pre-series will be manufactured in-house by Italian racing car specialists Dallara and sold by KTM. The price for the basic version will be around EURO 40,000.

    Dependent on the reaction to the presentation of the car and the success of the pre-series, KTM plans further small series productions of this car. This production will take place in Austria and begin in the year 2008. KTM is working on the basis of a projected 500 units per year for this small series production.

    The decision concerning this small series production will be taken at the end of April 2007. If it is positive, KTM will establish a small but efficient sales structure up to the time of the commencement of production at the end of 2008. It is planned to have a dealer network of up to two qualified sales establishments per country. Where these will be located depends, not the least on the planned European-wide conformity for the norms of small series homologation. According to the present situation, sales offices for the X-Bow could be considered for the following countries: Germany, Finland, Greece, Britain, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal and Switzerland.
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  3. #3
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    Cool little vehicle but it looks like it has a zillion parts, one impact and the invoice would be hefty.

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    Germans want to British...?
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer
    Germans want to British...?
    They are actually Swiss I believe...
    "The best thing about this is that you know that it has to come from a country where drugs is legal"

    Top Gear on the Vandenbrink Carver One

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    Quote Originally Posted by jorismo
    They are actually Swiss I believe...
    Well then swiss' want to be british...
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

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    Its like a nicer looking Ariel Atom with carbon tub......I like it...
    University of Toronto Formula SAE Alumni 2003-2007
    Formula Student Championship 2003, 2005, 2006
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    It's certainly a good looker!

    But with all this attention to making it look good, they must have added lots of weight. All these body panels floating around look too much for an uncompromising sports car.

    But, I guess that they had to make the car a bit heavy, in order to optimise weight distribution. After all the Audi engine is a bit heavy. It's no 'Busa 1300...

    I would prefer the Roadrazer anytime. (300 kg, 175 hp) > (700 kg+, 300 hp)

    Edit: Looking at the pics, I realise that this is just a concept. Will it be a fake like the VW 3-wheeler? How will they distribute it? Through KTM Dealerships?

    Anyway, I really like the effort to rationalise the cost of carbon. A few years ago there were reports that the VW group along with some other manufacturers (Renault was one of them I think) were working on cutting down the costs of carbon fibre. Maybe this is the fruit of their effort. But it seems to me that the car would cost lots more $ if KTM were to pay for chassis technology and engine.
    Last edited by lightweight; 02-06-2007 at 08:32 AM.
    Minimising losses can maximise net gains

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    Quote Originally Posted by Ferrer
    Well then swiss' want to be british...
    Actually I think they are Austrian

  10. #10
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    I like it, doesnt look like it has much of a windshield so I would be suprised if it was U.S. legal. To bad.
    "Horsepower sells motor cars, but torque wins motor races."
    -Carrol Shelby

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by 90ft
    Actually I think they are Austrian
    Let's say that some non-british people seem to be wanting to be british...

    We'll leave it at that.
    Lack of charisma can be fatal.
    Visca Catalunya!

  12. #12
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    No. They're Austrian. Don't leave it at that.

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    Crossbow would be such a better name, I can imagine how many people will say EX bow....

  14. #14
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    Yeah...Crossbow would be better.

  15. #15
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    KTM X-BOW


    » KTM’s first automobile
    » Racing technology for the road
    » Light and safe carbon fibre monocoque
    » Spectacular design
    » Four-cylinder TFSI from Audi
    » Puristic, unfiltered driving experience
    » Supersport performance
    » Outstanding power-output values
    » Production of a 100-unit pilot series begins at the end of 2007
    » A decision about producing a small series will be made until April 2007



    Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show

    An aggressive design and sporty potential: the X-Bow is not merely a milestone in the KTM brand’s more than 50-year history, it’s also a new citation in the small, but elite segment of radical, lightweight sports cars. This exceptional position is the result of the concept: for their first car, KTM employs the finest materials, high-tech and the know-how of respected development partners such as Audi and Dallara. The result is a street-homologated sports car with racing technology, like an avantgarde, carbon fibre monocoque. Thanks to the basic version’s light weight and the 162 kW (220 hp) Audi TFSI engine, the performance values of the KTM X-Bow outstrip those of super-sport cars with more than twice the power: with a deadweight of approx. 700 kilos, the KTM X-Bow accelerates to 100 kph in just 3.9 seconds.
    But the X-Bow isn’t just a racing machine, even if it is going to accomplish spectacular performance feats on racing circuits. With its modern technologies and exceptional solutions, it’s much more oriented towards sporty drivers who seek a purist’s driving experience. By foregoing electronic assistants and today’s standard comfort features, the X-Bow offers an unfiltered adventure – aided by its standalone wheels in the style of monoposto racing cars, transparent technology and the car’s reduced concept, i.e. no roof, doors or windscreen. The sports car has only a 70-millimeter, transparent wind deflector. With all these unique features, driving the KTM X-Bow becomes an experience with an immediacy that otherwise can only be felt when riding a motorcycle.


    The Next Step into the Future


    For the Upper Austrian motorcycle manufacturer – Europe’s second largest – the decision to expand its line of business into the automobile market was of great strategic significance. It was made possible by the company’s extraordinarily dynamic growth over the past 15 years. Since 1992, KTM vehicle sales have risen an average of 21% each year, while the volume of sales even climbed to 25% each year. Today, KTM is the world’s leading brand in the offroad segment and in recent years has successively expanded its model portfolio into the street sector. “Moving into the automotive sector is the logical continuation of this strategy. With the X-Bow, KTM can now offer the classic KTM driving experience to all those who don’t have a motorcycle licence,” says Stefan Pierer, CEO of the listed KTM Power Sports AG, explaining this investment in the company’s future.


    Carbon Fibre Monocoque: Racing Know-How from Dallara

    Carbon fibre monocoques have been the Formula 1’s safety net for years. On the road, this technology was formerly reserved for the elitist, supersports cars in the highest price classes. KTM would now like to be the first to offer this solution in a much more affordable environment.
    KTM has thereby been able to call upon the expertise of its development partner, Dallara. These specialists from Varano (near Parma) in Northern Italy have long been acclaimed as carbon technology experts, from the conception to the production of components made of this light, yet rigid material. The monocoque developed for the KTM X-Bow is not only extremely robust it is also safe, thanks to an integrated crashbox. And yet it weighs only about 70 kilos and is therefore a crucial factor in the vehicle’s spectacular performance.
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