KTM X-Bow

The KTM X-Bow is a two-seater car without a roof or doors wearing a supercharged 2.0-liter 241 hp. Since it has no windscreen, and that instead there is a baffle, KTM recommends wearing a helmet, but not required.

It's a vehicle you enjoy driving at a rapid pace, especially in a circuit, although the limit is demanding on the driver because he does not have any help (or antilock brakes or traction control or stability). However, there is a car difficult to drive slowly.

It is not comfortable or practical as everyday car, although it is possible be registered and used the street. (In addition to the impressions of the interior and driving that can be read in these pages, more comments on this test in the Blog Teleport)

KTM X-Bow. Model 2009Desde end of November 2008 and may be registered in Spain according to European standards of small series. The first five units were enrolled between December 2008 and January 2009.

The X-Bow is on sale from € 64,485 (all prices) in orange, white or black lacquered. Once manufactured the unit purchased, the buyer can pick it up at the factory in Austria, in an authorized national distributor, or even to your home address. KTM also markets a non-enrolling (X-Bow GT4 Racing), for example for use in circuit, which is priced at € 97,672.

The first hundred units of the X-Bow KTM produced by part of an edition called "Dallas". It is different because you have certain details of the carbon bodywork, chassis, race-specific suspension, limited slip differential, tires with a single anchor point and a removable steering wheel.

All these elements are also available optionally independently. The cost of locking is of 3,144 €. The removable drive, like tires with a single anchor point, has a premium of 1.245 €.

The X-Bow can be purchased with the body panels with carbon fiber, with a kit that improves aerodynamics and another that improves engine cooling.

The engine is a variant of that of the SEAT Leon Cupra and is centrally placed rear. It is a 2.0 TFSI four-cylinder direct injection (which runs between 30 and 110 bars), turbocharger and intercooler. It has a maximum power of 241 hp at 6,000 rpm, 21 bhp more than the prototype from which the X-Bow (gallery of images of the prototype). The manual gearbox is six relations, as the original Volkswagen engine.

The KTM X-Bow takes 3.9 s to reach 100 km / h from standstill and leaving 3 s to move from 80 to 120 km / h (the weight of the entire vehicle is 892 kg). It is therefore a very fast car. Need the same time to accelerate to 100 km / h than a Lotus 2-Eleven, although this is a relationship between weight and better power (256 hp and 670 kg). The X-Bow is only 0.5 s slower than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP-640 (641 hp and 1805 kg). The average consumption approved the KTM is 7.9 l/100 km, slightly less than the Leon Cupra, which weighs almost double (1,450 kg).

KTM X-Bow. 2009El Model X-Bow has a top speed of 220 km / h. The underbody is a rear diffuser which exerts a vertical force of 193 kg at a speed 200 km / h. According to the manufacturer, the maximum lateral acceleration is 1.23 g, a very high value. The fuel tank has a capacity of 40 l.

Regarding the prototype, and except the engine, the production model has small changes: taking the engine cooling is larger and the exhaust is twofold. The leaflet has reduced the number of buttons and has placed a screen with driver information in a location closer to the view (image). The seating material has also been changed.

The X-Bow has no doors or roof. Nor has windshield, only a small transparent deflector (image) to the air, as KTM, frees up heating (although there is one) or wipers. Recaro seats are fixed, have no such regulations, but you can choose from three different sizes to best suit the size of the driver. The pedals and adjustable steering wheel itself (the latter both in height and depth). Safety belts are four points, optionally may be six anchor points.

He wears a pair of roll-bar to protect occupants in a rollover. In the front area is a deformable structure to absorb energy upon impact, rear silencer box is responsible for developing this feature.

The X-Bow has no trunk. To save the documents is a transportable box. The elements that is compulsory in the car, such as triangles or replacement lamps, are stored in a compartment beneath the passenger's feet. In this area you can also save a sheath to cover the passenger compartment when the car is not used and may hold a couple of helmets.

The KTM X-Bow measures 3,73 m long, 1.90 m wide and 1.20 m high. The battle is 2.43 m. The chassis is a carbon fiber monocoque, developed in collaboration with the Italian specialist Dallara, which weighs 75 kg. It has a flat bottom built in three-piece aluminum alloy. Optionally can be carbon and kevlar.

KTM X-Bow. 2009La model is double wishbone suspension on all wheels, with the spring and shock absorber (from "WP Suspension") placed nearly horizontally and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the car. The address is zippered and has no assistance.

The Brembo brakes are 305 mm diameter front and 262 mm rear. In each rear wheel there are two brake calipers, one for the parking brake. The tires are of varying degrees in each axis (205/40 R17 front and 235/40 R18 the hind).