“A SUPER SPORTSCAR LIKE NO OTHER.” Image Unavailable, Please Login “Ready to Race” isn’t simply a slogan at KTM, it’s the very DNA of the Austrian manufacturer. It defines the approach to new projects and the motivation behind them. It’s the vision for developing, testing and producing cars to win races around the world. Where second place is no option. All of these qualities apply just as much to the latest KTM Sportcar GmbH project, the KTM X-BOW GT-XR. We caught up with Hubert Trunkenpolz, Managing Director of KTM Sportcar GmbH and KTM AG Executive Board member, to find out more. KTM launched its first four-wheeled vehicle, the X-BOW, in 2008. The X-BOW quickly became one of the leading lightweight sportscars on the market. At the time KTM was mostly known as a motorcycle manufacturer, so this marked a major milestone for the whole company. What were the biggest challenges with the X-BOW back then? Right from day one we wanted to produce a car that reflected KTM values such as uncompromising lightweight construction, pure performance and outstanding design. We had to find a number of special technical solutions, such as the extraordinary carbon monocoque. We also had to build an entirely new production facility. Those were major challenges, but we were certainly up to the task. Ultimately we established a new KTM manufacturing facility in Graz, with the most high-tech small-series production in Europe. When the idea became a reality and the first X-BOW emerged out of the plant, petrolheads from around the world were blown away. There’s no question that it was all worth it. A lot has happened since then and new X-BOW models and evolutions have been released. How happy are you with the development of the X-BOW range? I don’t think it’s an exaggeration to say that we are very proud to see how everything has developed. Since we began production, we have delivered more than 1,400 X-BOWs to people who want to enjoy pure driving pleasure. We have become one of the world’s most successful small-series sportscar manufacturer. In addition, with the X-BOW BATTLE, we have created one of the most successful amateur racing series in Europe, which has also helped us to continue developing the X-BOW. We have recorded countless victories in many categories of racing. The KTM X-BOW GTX and GT2 were the next major step for us. They laid the groundwork for our dream of building the most uncompromising super sportscar for the road. KTM has now announced a new X-BOW called the KTM X-BOW GT-XR. What does the XR stand for? XR stands for Extreme Racer. The X-BOW GT-XR is by far the most extreme road-going car ever produced by KTM. Our main focus was on overall performance. We wanted to design a car that is capable of setting fastest lap times at any time at a track day. Achieving this aim is all about combining low weight with high performance and sophisticated aerodynamics. That’s why every aspect of development centred on the power to weight ratio. How did motorsport help in the development process? Motorsport is the best test bench for pure performance and endurance. Any deficiency costs time and any error can mean retirement. Perfection is the only way to win, which is why motorsport came first for us, followed by the development of the road-going car. We crystallised the strengths of the car and were able to identify and eliminate any vulnerabilities. What can fans expect from the new car? We are currently conducting our endurance testing in which I have already been able to drive some kilometres. I don’t want to say too much, but fans will be seeing something extraordinary and extreme. The impressive agility combined with raw power and a throaty engine sound give me goosebumps! That’s exactly the feeling we want to create with all our products. There are also a number of technical solutions that we have developed to get the racing car on the road. Racing fans will definitely recognise quite a bit of motorsport technology. We have also made sure that the car is suitable as a daily driver, for instance that you can drive long distances without taking a break and can take some luggage with you. What we are creating here will surprise quite a few people. And then there’s the aggressive and spectacular design. This car is definitely an eyecatcher, and to us simply “a car like no other”. Who is the target group for the new X-BOW GT-XR? It’s definitely not a car for everyone. People who drive an X-BOW GT-XR are a different breed and have individual lifestyles. If you are sitting here in the cockpit then you love the thrill of driving and like to push the boundaries of what you can achieve. You definitely know what you want and don’t do things by halves. When will the new KTM X-BOW GT-XR be officially unveiled and where can you get one? We can’t wait to lift the lid on the new car and are doing everything in our power to unveil the GT-XR in September. We have some digital renderings of the new model for those who can’t wait until then. The computer graphics are a very good likeness of the finished article. The car is available for pre-order now. Those who would like to get their hands on one should contact their KTM X-BOW dealer, as only a very small number will be produced each year. Image Unavailable, Please Login Image Unavailable, Please Login
Prototype shot by @larscarspotter. Image Unavailable, Please Login Source: https://www.instagram.com/p/ChS6jL1KRIV/
PERFECTION MOULDED INTO FORM: THE PURIST DESIGN OF THE KTM X-BOW GT-XR Image Unavailable, Please Login Low-slung, broad-shouldered and aggressive: the KTM X-BOW GT-XR is a statement of intent in automotive form. Its design, masterminded by the KISKA agency, is as unique as it is breathtaking. The jet-inspired looks are not the only special feature of the soon-to-be-launched KTM super sportscar. For most people, sportscars and super sportscars are more than simply a means of getting from A to B. They stand for unbridled freedom, the thrill of the road and the joy of driving – and stunning design too, of course. “The car has to give you an impression of adventure, both when you look at it and when you’re behind the wheel,” says Wojtek Bachleda, senior designer at design and brand agency KISKA. Bachleda and his team worked together closely with KTM to come up with the pure design of the KTM GT-XR. The design process was a challenge that the 42-year-old rose to immediately. “What makes the KTM X-BOW GT-XR so fascinating to me is the underlying philosophy,” he continues. “It’s a racing car first, on the basis of which a road-going version has been developed and not the other way round. This isn’t a car to head into town now and again, it’s something that was born on the racetrack and likes to be driven accordingly. It’s just an incredible machine where performance supersedes everything else. This approach was a key part of the design.” The design team had almost complete freedom to implement this philosophy, with the sole focus on performance and efficiency. “We started with a blank sheet of paper and took our inspiration from the F35 Lighting fighter jet, among other things,” Bachleda explains. “The sharp edges and dynamic form falls almost perfectly in line with KTM’s design language. The panoramic view from the cockpit with all of the unusual details were fascinating to us.” Image Unavailable, Please Login But how to go about adapting the design of a fighter jet to fit a super sports car that is fit for the road? “Right from the start it was in the back of our mind that our design had to work for both a racing car and a road car. The KTM X-BOW GT-XR shares many qualities with the racing car – the carbon monocoque, for instance, is identical. The outer shell is different, as it requires more design elements to create an exciting overall appearance.” These elements are reflected in the sharp, triangular shapes. “The KTM’s design is very angular and is reflected throughout the machine, for instance in the side profile too,” says Bachleda. “There is one main line from the front to the rear and a second line emanating from the middle of the car and moving towards the rear. That gives the whole car a very dynamic look. The “jet fighter canopy” only adds to this overall impression. It is a single-piece element and has a really clever opening mechanism, another reflection of the jet’s design.” Bachleda’s team kept things simple and dynamic at the rear, too. The rear end is open to transport heat out of the engine and to prevent any turbulent air at the back of the car. The result is a spectacular rear profile. When asked what kind of effect the super sportscar has on him, the eyes of the designer who hails from Zakopane, Poland, light up: “The finish is stunning. The car looks like it was cast out of a single piece of material. Everything has this metallic but at the same time soft carbon-fibre appearance. The same materials have been used in the road car, creating an extremely attractive and minimalistic appearance. Alongside the inspiration and challenges, it was also our aim to make the car look like a GT car at the front and an LMP car from the rear. I think we did a fantastic job.” Image Unavailable, Please Login
Time is ticking. Something very fast is coming your way next week. The brand new KTM X-BOW GT-XR: BORN ON THE RACETRACK, RAISED FOR THE STREET. Image Unavailable, Please Login https://www.instagram.com/p/Ch7Ur06NL63/?hl=fr
Can‘t wait to hit the streets with the brand new KTM X-BOW GT-XR. Tomorrow will be the day it sees finally daylight. Are you as excited as we are? Image Unavailable, Please Login https://www.instagram.com/p/CiIgt71N2c3/?hl=fr
UNCOMPROMISING SUPER SPORTSCAR: KTM PRESENTS NEW KTM X-BOW GT-XR! Image Unavailable, Please Login The KTM X-BOW GT-XR is probably the closest you can get to a purebred race car in a road-legal vehicle. The super sportscar is the ideal lightweight and high-performance car for true individualists who want to experience untamed dynamics, radical design and pure enthusiasm in their everyday lives as well. The basis for the KTM GT-XR, which is manufactured in Graz, Austria, is the KTM X-BOW GT2. The strengths of the race car are clear to see, with victories and title wins on international racetracks. All of the ideas, concepts and innovations for the KTM X-BOW GT-XR first had to be proven in a motorsport environment. Built on this successful foundation, every technical detail of the KTM X-BOW GT-XR has been developed to deliver absolute performance. A super sportscar like no other The result is a lightweight and aerodynamically efficient machine. Components tried and tested on the race track, such as the jet fighter canopy, the ultra-light carbon monocoque, the powerful five-cylinder engine and the removable steering wheel with integrated LED display are not available in this combination in any other road-legal super sportscar. At the heart of the machine is the legendary turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder engine manufactured by Audi AG. It is more compact, lighter, more efficient and at the same time more powerful than comparable engines. With enormous amounts of torque available at low revs and its characteristic tone, the engine is a perfect match with the KTM X-BOW GT-XR’s radical philosophy. The electronically controlled seven-speed direct-shift gearbox (DSG) and a mechanical motorsport differential guarantees ultra-rapid shifting without dropping torque and limitless performance delivery to both rear wheels equally. In the development of the KTM X-BOW GT-XR, the focus was on the essentials – without sacrificing unique features. Thanks to its puristic lightweight construction philosophy and the extensive use of carbon-fibre composite material, for example with the carbon monocoque, the super sportscar weighs only 1,130 kilograms (kerb weight), making every detail of this super sportscar is READY TO RACE. Highest safety standards from motorsport The exceptionally strong carbon monocoque is also a guarantee for the extraordinary safety standard of the KTM X-BOW GT-XR as well as the lightweight, extremely resistant roof construction – the jet fighter canopy. It consists of a carbon frame with a windscreen and separate glass doors that can also be opened to the left- and right-hand side. It can withstand roughly six times its own weight and can be opened and closed with ease using the remote control on the car key. The immense power of the super sportscar is braked by its lightweight monoblock fixed calliper brake system made from aluminium. Another safety feature is the carbon bucket seat, made entirely of carbon fibre composite material. It is extremely lightweight, offers strong support and provides reliable feedback to the driver in any situation. Thanks to the highly resilient four-point safety harness driver and passenger remain rooted to their seats even in extreme situations. Perfection moulded into form Even at first glance there is no doubt: the KTM X-BOW GT-XR is one of the most uncompromising super sportscars for the street. Its exciting design from KISKA combines outstanding performance with purist and provocative aesthetics. According to the motto "less is more", every unnecessary element has been avoided. Instead, the focus is on an unmistakable design language that relies on clear lines, sharp edges and smooth surfaces – wrapped in a silky-looking carbon outer skin. From the cutting vehicle front to the low-slung, wide chassis with its streamlined jet fighter canopy to the open rear, every component on the KTM X-BOW GT-XR radiates pure dynamism. Aerodynamically efficient down to the smallest detail The aerodynamics are also clearly derived from the race car, the highly successful KTM X-BOW GT2. Every detail has been designed for maximum aerodynamic efficiency. From the wedge-like body shape and the sleek and streamlined front surface of the car to the aerodynamically optimised wheel suspension, a floor section designed to maximise ground effect and the rear diffusor and streamlined wing, every effort has gone into to achieving the maximum amount of downforce at the lowest possible air resistance. The new AirCurtain system is a world-first in a road-legal car and has been developed to create an aerodynamic ground effect that helps the car stick to the road. Vortices generated by the front spoiler and routed around the floor create a seal of air underneath the car and enhance the aerodynamic effect even further. The car’s low centre of gravity, coupled with the kind of aerodynamics and agile handling usually only seen on the race track, make the KTM X-BOW GT-XR a super sportscar that genuinely is READY TO RACE. Comfort features for everyday use Despite its outstanding driving performance, clever comfort features make the KTM X-BOW GT-XR fit for everyday use. Thanks to its low weight, economical engine and large fuel capacity, it is possible to go on long tours with distances up to 1,000 kilometres. Meanwhile, luggage can be stowed safely in the 160-litre boot. The individually designed, custom-fitted luggage items, developed in cooperation with the traditional brand Meindl, are available as an option. The electrically assisted progressive power steering allows the driver to effortlessly drive the KTM X-BOW GT-XR over winding streets. At the same time, views can be enjoyed from the air-conditioned interior, while the camera rear-view mirror system – comprising a digital rear view mirror wide-angle parking camera and integrated LED interior light – provides the perfect all-round view. The digital rear view mirror can display the video from the rear view mirror camera system as well as the feed from the wide-angle parking camera, which is positioned lower down. The smartphone as control centre also finds its appropriate place in the KTM X-BOW GT-XR. The centre console features a Quadlock® bracket that holds the device firmly in place, keeps it within reach and provides inductive charging. Two additional USB-C connections are also available for charging purposes. The smartphone can be connected to the vehicle and the sound system via Bluetooth pairing. Strikingly high quality standards to redefine driving pleasure Outstanding precision and build quality are the product of perfectly designed and coordinated production systems and processes. That's why the KTM X-BOW GT-XR is manufactured at the Graz plant – one of the most high-tech small-series automotive factories in the world – with its sophisticated vehicle logistics. Around 100 KTM X-BOW units are produced in the variants R, RR, GT4, GT, GTX and GT2 – and now also GT-XR – by a small team of specialists in accordance with outstanding standards of precision. Due to the limited edition, only a few KTM X-BOW GT-XR are still available in the 2023 model year. The most spectacular super sportscar on the market may be at the cutting edge of development, but it continues to be assembled by hand. Each and every KTM X-BOW is made with the greatest of care and a wealth of expertise, in accordance with the strictest quality standards. The new KTM X-BOW GT-XR can be ordered now and starts at €284,900 (plus country-specific taxes and import duties). By means of European small series approval, the vehicle is available and approved for street-legal use throughout Europe. Image Unavailable, Please Login Link: https://ktm.com/en-int/models/x-bow/x-bow-gt-xr-2023.html
