Click the image above for a gallery of high-res pics of the KTM X-Bow.
KTM, the bike manufacturer turned track toy purveyor, will be showing off the X-Bow in "Gleaming White" next week at the Autosport International Racing Car Show, and has announced that production will begin in Graz, Austria later this year. Preorders have reportedly gone through the roof, but KTM only intends to build 1,000 X-Bows per year for the time being. Those that got on the waiting list early will be in the running for a limited edition model, dubbed the "Dallara Series," that will come equipped with extra kit to boost the X-Bow's prowess on the track. Unfortunately, KTM's press release (after the jump) didn't divulge what additional features the Dallara will be fitted with, but if we were to wager a guess, we'd put our money on some upgraded brake components and a few tweaks to the ECU to boost the Audi-sourced 2.0-liter TFSI mill.
PRESS RELEASE
KTM X-BOW TO MAKE AUTOSPORT SHOW DEBUT
* High-performance KTM X-Bow two-seater extreme sportscar to be shown at NEC for first time
* Unique show car to appear in sparkling 'Gleaming White' bodywork
* Series production scheduled to begin in Graz, Austria during 2008
* Customer order bank for road-legal track car is growing strongly
KTM Powersports AG has confirmed that its stunning new X-Bow sportscar will be exhibited at the Autosport International Racing Car Show starting on 10 January.
The lightweight, high-performance X-Bow marks motorcycle manufacturer KTM's groundbreaking move into the four-wheeled market, and will be presented to UK driving enthusiasts for the first time finished in the new optional 'Gleaming White' bodywork.
The Autosport Show appearance will mark the KTM X-Bow's fourth major show outing following its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show last year, its starring role at the 2007 Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai – where it was voted one of the event's 'Top Attractions' by visitors – and its more recent showing at the end-of-year Bologna Motor Show, in Italy.
The Autosport Show takes place at Birmingham's NEC from 10-13 January, and visitors will be able to see the new KTM X-Bow on Stand 9450 in Hall 9.
Production scheduled to begin with limited-edition 'Dallara Series'
With customer orders for X-Bow exceeding all expectations, series production of KTM's newcomer is scheduled to commence with a run of 100 limited-edition 'Dallara Series' models. The special 'Dallara Series' will feature extra equipment to boost the track-day sporty potential of X-bow. Subsequently, KTM will produce up to 1000 X-Bow sportscars per year at its new dedicated four-wheeled Centre of Excellence manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
stealth @ Jan 5th 2008 1:09PM
buy me one!
Franz @ Jan 5th 2008 1:20PM
This should be a blast to drive. Would make a helluva weekend toy.
graviton @ Jan 5th 2008 1:46PM
how will this compare to the Ariel Atom?
lovice @ Jan 5th 2008 2:06PM
Well, from Ariel's claim the Atom weights at 450kg with up to 300bhp.
And KTM claims their X-Bow weights at 750kg with around 230bhp.
But we all know Ariel Atom doesn't handle very well at normal people's hands. Whereas, the X-Bow has one of the highest aerodynamic down force in its class (track day cars). So it should be easier to handle for people like you and me.
My guess is that Ariel Atom should be faster at pro's hands. But for normal people these two shouldn't have any difference.
The important question is that why the X-Bow sooooo heavy? I mean it's about 200kg (50%) heavier than the Atom. Both of them have turbo/super charged 4-cylinder engine. I know VW/Audi's 2.0L TFSI is heavier than Honda's 2.0L i-VTEC. But it can't be 200kg heavier, can it?! What's more, this X-Bow has full carbon fibre chassis and bodywork (Ariel Atom only has a traditional steel chassis and cheap plastic body panels).
So what's the extra weight? And what's point of all the expensive carbon fibre? Who wants a car that's slower and heavier than it's nearest competitor, but still nearly 50% more expensive?...
graviton @ Jan 5th 2008 3:05PM
I suspect it is heavier because it can hold 2 passengers.
lovice @ Jan 5th 2008 5:20PM
So does Ariel Atom! The Atom has always been a two-seater. I've never heard a single seat Atom.
Conor @ Jan 5th 2008 6:17PM
Well, I think it's because the X-Bow is a "full bodied" car. It actually has the structure and basic shape (Sans windscreen) of normal cars. If the Atom was a skleton, this would have the muscles in place.
On another note, man this thing looks better in white!!
lovice @ Jan 6th 2008 7:12AM
Well, Ariel Atom has the same among of body panels as the X-Bow.
Only because the X-Bow has a carbon fibre chassis which looks like side body panels, it doesn't mean it has more body panels than the Atom.
In fact, the big side carbon fibre chassis you see in the pic should be much lighter than the steel tubes at the sides of Ariel Atom.
Brent @ Jan 5th 2008 3:22PM
That thing is beautiful. Forget the Atom, which has a 2 passenger version BTW.
Eric Biran @ Jan 5th 2008 3:45PM
On a completely different note, I know it's supposed to be pronounced "Cross-Bow," but does anyone else here pronounce it similar to "Expo" (more like "Exbo" really)?
Conor @ Jan 5th 2008 6:18PM
Seriously? Cross-Bow? Exbo for me.
Andrew @ Jan 6th 2008 12:53AM
I like Les-bow.
Eric Biran @ Jan 6th 2008 1:06AM
Yes Andrew, but unfortunately for you, she doesn't like men ;)
I think I'm sticking with Exbo.
MixiM @ Jan 6th 2008 1:31PM
Has anybody driven it? It seems to be the most hyped vehicle of 2007/08....
barrywarner1 @ Jan 7th 2008 1:31PM
i have not been able to find out where I stand in the production que since they started taking deposits. Does anyone know who to contact.
also, on google imaging x-bow, I discovered that this rebus(??) for crossbow is not common, but neither is it unique. Does anyone know of its first use?
Rob @ Mar 5th 2008 12:26PM
Amazing, and I'd love one, but I think the Ariel Atom is aesthetically still the definitive design for this concept.