Motorsport is very important for KTM, as indicated by the company slogan 'Ready to Race'. It was therefore entirely logical that at the same time as the plans for the series production were developing, KTM was planning to run the X-Bow competitively on the racetrack.


KTM X-Bow is officially ready to go racing for real. KTM has introduced an FIA-homologated “Race” version of the ultralight roadster that’s upgraded based on KTM’s experiences this past racing season. Pricing starts at €82.900; customer deliveries start in January ’09. The X-Bow trounced the competition in the GT4 European Cup series, taking the top three places in the Sports Light class as well as helping Christopher Haase to claim the GT4 Sports Light title.

The X-Bow took on other lightweights in GT4, including Lotus and Donkervoort, and the experience resulted in about thirty modifications to the road car that are incorporated into the Race version. Most of the changes are safety-related: steel rollbars replace the aluminum ones, the mudflaps are extended, and there’s additional side-impact protection both for the exposed wheels and the driver’s compartment. A six-point harness, quick-fill fuel nozzle, dry battery and fire-suppression system are also installed. The X-Bow Race is built to the same safety standards as open-wheel and ALMS racers.

Working changes to the X-Bow Race include racing semi-slicks, track brakes and pads, a racing catalytic convertor, the removal of some extraneous body parts like the license plate holder and front fins, and a low-profile windscreen. KTM will also offer upgraded parts, including track brake discs, adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, air jacks, a 2D data logging system with display and racing mirrors. The turbocharged 240ps Audi four-cylinder engine and six-speed manual transmission are unchanged.

KTM also plans to offer a Customer Racing Service (CRS), which will provide a support crew, spares (excluding crash damage) and engineering support for any driver at the wheel of an X-Bow. KTM hopes to help make racing more accessible to owners, as well as increasing the popularity of and competition in the Sports Light category. KTM’s single-make X-Bow Super Sport Cup series is scheduled to start in Europe in 2009.

Technical Data

• Bodystyle: Mid-engined two-seater open extreme sports car
  
• Chassis: Carbon composite monocoque with transverse mid-mounted engine, rear-wheel drive and fully independent suspension
  
• Structure
  
• o Monocoque: Carbon composite construction
  o Torsional rigidity: 35000Nm per degree
  o Nosebox: Carbon construction
  o Rear subframe: Ultralight reinforced aluminium
  o Exterior panels: Carbon fibre
  o Underfloor: Ultra light carbon composite construction with rear diffuser
  
• Engine
  
• o Make: Audi TFSI
  o Type: Turbo-charged, 4-cylinder petrol with direct fuel injection
  o Capacity: 1984 cc / 2.0-litres
  o Bore & Stroke: 82.5 x 92.8 mm
  o Max power: 240 ps (177 kW) at 5500 rpm
  o Max torque: 310 Nm (229 lb ft) from 2000 to 5500 rpm
  o Valves: 16 (4 per cylinder)
  o Materials: Cast iron block, aluminium alloy cylinder head
  o Emissions class: Euro 4 compliant
  
• Transmission: 6-speed manual
  
• Suspension
  
• o Front: Fully independent double wishbones with twin push-rod operated concentric coil spring/damper units (adjustable) mounted on top of the monocoque, Anti-roll bar
  o Rear: Fully independent double wishbones with concentric coil spring/damper units (adjustable), Anti-roll bar
  
• Brakes
  
• o System: Hydraulic (unassisted)
  o Front: Brembo 305 mm ventilated discs with 4-piston fixed calipers
  o Rear: Brembo 262 mm ventilated solid discs with 2-piston fixed calipers
  
• Wheels & Tyres
  
• o Front: 17 x 7.5 inch alloys with 205/50 tyres
  o Rear: 18 x 9.5 inch alloys with 235/40 tyres
  
• Performance
  
• o 0-80 km/h (0-50 mph): 2.86 sec
  o 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph): 3.90 sec
  o 0-120 km/h (0-75 mph): 5.27 sec
  o 0-140 km/h (0-87 mph): 6.61 sec
  o 0-160 km/h (0-99 mph): 8.51 sec
  
• Lateral Acceleration / Speed
  
• o Racing: 1.8 g max
  
• Top speed: 220 km/h (137 mph)
  
• Braking to standstill (warm brakes)
  
• o 100-0 km/h (62-0 mph): 32.9 metres
  o 160-0 km/h (99-0 mph): 77.9 metres
  
• Aerodynamic Performance - Downforce
  
• o at 100 km/h (62 mph): 48 kg
  o at 200 km/h (124 mph): 193 kg
  
• Dimensions
  
• o Length: 3738 mm
  o Wheel base: 2430 mm
  o Width : 1900 mm
  o Height: 1205 mm
  o Dry weight: 825 kg
  

Images : KTM X-BOW Race Model





[Source : KTM]