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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Originally Posted by Ferrer
