Filed under: Motorsports
KTM X-Bow captures GT4 Sports Light championship
Click above for a high-res image
KTM has performed well during the X-Bow's campaign in the European GT4 Sports Light series, winning the championship in its inaugural season. In fact, the KTM X-Bow claimed the top three spots at the end of the 18-round series, and in the process, KTM's first four-wheeled street racer managed to beat out a slew of Donkervoorts and Lotuses. German X-Bow driver Christopher Haase piloted the KaTooM to a number of victories and won the driver's championship in the process. Somewhat amazingly, the angular little orange and black roadster was even able to pick on much larger and more powerful competition, like Aston Martins, Ford Mustangs and Corvettes.
We think it's fair to call the X-Bow a success for KTM, which now looks forward to bigger and better things. Up next is an even faster version of its racer as well as a range of city cars and off-roaders. Lest we should forget where the company's roots are, there are plenty of new sporting two-wheelers in the pipeline as well.
[Source: KTM]
PRESS RELEASE:
KTM X-Bow races to inaugural Sports Light championship
The KTM X-Bow secured a sensational one-two-three championship finish in the debut season of the Sports Light category of the GT4 European Cup.
German X-Bow driver Christopher Haase was crowned Sports Light champion after claiming first place in class in the final race of the season at Nogaro earlier this month. Team mates Denis Retera and Catharina Felser finished second and third for the season respectively, ahead of Sports Light entrants driving Donkervoorts and Lotuses.
The Reiter Engineering-run KTM X-Bows dominated proceedings throughout the 18-round championship, often claiming finishes ahead of more powerful 'senior' GT4 Aston Martins, Ford Mustangs and BMW Z4Ms. True to KTM's 'Ready to Race' philosophy, the X-Bows competed in near-standard road specification, with minor revisions made only to meet FIA safety regulations.
_opt_thumbnail.jpg)
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
zamafir 6:48PM (10/15/2008)
It's refreshing to see this car doing so well, esp with such a modest powerplant (even in hyper light car terms).
Reply
Chase 6:55PM (10/15/2008)
Carbon fiber chassis plus wide tires equals corner dominance. 1,800 lbs doesn't make 240 hp look so bad afterall. Ariels are faster, but the KTM is way more refined. Plus, you just can't argue with Mr. angry triangles.
I hope KTM doesn't go bonkers with too many projects. The X-Bow is a big success, so I'd hate for them to put its future iterations on the back burner.
Reply
arturo 7:35PM (10/15/2008)
This car is a lot bigger then I thought it was. It looks nice to be in the front.
Reply
The Man 8:15PM (10/15/2008)
Ugh honestly im NOT a fan of the KTM. I thing the Atom is a way better value for your money and its of course faster. But if there was one thing I do like about both cars. Its that they use less weight and less power to win instead of the latest trend from automakers.
I still wonder why manufactures dont pay more attention to weight. It affects EVERYTHING that relates to performance and they still keep adding on the pounds while increasing the HP.
It should be interesting to see how this whole Fuel Economy war plays out and it manufactures will start dropping the weight of there cars to get more performance instead of just HP.
Reply
Quan 8:51PM (10/15/2008)
What evidence is there that the Ariel is actually faster than this? I'm not trying to start anything, I'm just really interested in comparing the two. I haven't seen any comparisons of them anywhere.
Reply
Chase 11:06PM (10/15/2008)
Around silverstone...
http://www.drivers-republic.com/dr_tv/index.cfm?videoid=ec3490c19e8e4c018c380e75f39d4b50&area=features
http://www.drivers-republic.com/dr_tv/index.cfm?videoid=95711530093d4639a50cfe8944855340&area=features
http://www.drivers-republic.com/dr_tv/index.cfm?videoid=1ca1572ce359478aa3b453f12e0c30c0&area=features
Quan 12:25AM (10/16/2008)
Thanks, those were great videos, but I was more hoping for some type of stuff where the X-Bow and the Atom were directly compared.