Austrian motorcycle maker KTM stakes its reputation on the ability of its off-road motorcycles to tackle the toughest terrain on earth, and it's made a habit of proving these capabilities with both a factory team and a far-reaching privateer support program in the Dakar Rally each year. Up through 2009, that is – KTM has just announced that it's pulling out of next year's event.

The reason cited for the shocking decision is the French ASO's ruling that all motorcycles taking part in the Dakar race in 2010 must use engines displacing 450cc or smaller. KTM's entries all use engines displacing a little over 650cc and will therefore not qualify. Instead of waiting for next year to react, KTM "has decided to immediately accept the consequences and announces its withdrawal from the Dakar."

Whether this is nothing more than a case of sour grapes or an intentional move to limit KTM's chances of winning a ninth-consecutive victory at the Dakar Rally, it's disappointing to a whole bunch of fans with orange-colored blood running through their veins. For what it's worth, KTM says it will continue racing, just not in the Dakar. Make the jump to read KTM's official press release. Thanks for the tip, Mike!

[Source: KTM via Bikes in the Fast Lane | Photo: AlexCamPro]

MTM tunes all things Audi, so it didn't take long for the firm to tweak the KTM X-Bow (with its VAG-sourced inline-four) and the all-new Audi TTS. Of the two, the X-Bow gets the milder tuning (if that's possible), with the 2.0-liter TFSI four-pot getting a boost in output from 240 to 318 horsepower. Torque rises accordingly, with 310 lb-ft on tap, sent through a modified six-speed manual transmission to the rear wheels. Four-piston Brembos with 305 mm discs are nestled within 18-inch wheels coated in Nokain Hakkapeliita-4 rubber sized 245/40. Although MTM doesn't cite a revised 0-60 mph time, it claims a top speed of 156 mph (one mph more than stock).

For those who are looking for a more friendly daily driver but aren't willing to wait around for the TTRS, the MTM-tuned TTS boasts 380 hp and 364 lb-ft of torque from an upgraded turbocharger that huffs 22.5 psi of boost into the 2.0-liter's four cylinders. A new intake and exhaust manifold is fitted, along with eight-piston Brembos clamping onto 380mm discs, with 20-inch wheels wrapped in Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 (245/30) tires. A 330 hp version is also available, starting at €63,103 ($85k USD), while the full-bore 380 hp package will set you back €73,715 (a cool $99k USD).

Late last month we learned that KTM was planning to bring two new versions of its X-Bow roadster to the Geneva Motor Show. One of those machines is the new X-Bow ROC edition, and our men on the scene managed to assemble a gallery of live shots of the new model that you can view in the gallery below. This new ROC edition was built to commemorate the Austrian firm's inclusion in last year's 2008 Race of Champions, so it fittingly features a lightweight carbon fiber monocoque shell and adds a sports exhaust to Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder mill that's shared with other models in the range. Unique paint and badges also help set it apart from lesser X-Bows.

Despite the fact this new model shares plenty of special bits with the top-level Superlight X-Bow, KTM was able to price the limited edition ROC model rather aggressively with a base MSRP of 69,980 euros - a full 10,000 less than its pricier sibling. Also new is the X-Bow Street, which retails for an even more wallet-friendly 49,980 euros. Read the full press release from KTM after the break.


[Source: KTM]

Earlier this week, we received an email (posted after the jump) from KTM announcing plans to bring two new vehicles, along with two more variations of the X-Bow, to the Geneva Motor Show. Unfortunately, the motorcycle-manufacturer-turned-track-toy-purveyor hasn't released any details about what's on the way, but a quick look into the Autoblog archives gives us a glimpse of what to expect.

Back in July, reports surfaced that KTM was working on a harder, faster X-Bow that will use the Audi S3's 261-hp, turbocharged 2.0-liter, and will be offered in both open-top and fixed-roof variants. KTM is also rumored to be hooking up with Baja Auto, India's third-largest automaker, on a eco-friendly runabout that sports seating for four in a package that's about the size of a Tuk-Tuk. We'll go out on a limb and say that KTM will unveil an off-road version of the X-Bow that's ready to tackled Dakar, but we'll know for sure the first week of March.

Think of the most extreme vehicles on the road, and if you're brushed up on your adventurous automobiles, the KTM X-Bow should come to mind. Made by the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer and looking something like a Transformer caught between car and robot modes, the X-Bow is about as extreme as they come. So ABT has decided to tinker with it a bit.

The result of the German tuning firm's poking and prying is a boost to the 2.0-liter TFSI mill from the standard 240 horsepower, which was good enough to propel the lightweight track-day special to 60 in 3.9 seconds, up to 300 horsepower, which should be enough to tear your face right off. Now if you're thinking that the X-Bow is already in such high demand that ABT isn't likely to get its hands on one, think again: the tuning house will act as the X-Bow's official sales and service agent. Hilarity, in the form of wicked tail-slides and curb assaults, should ensue.


[Source: ABT Sportsline]

Earlier this month, we told you how the motorsports gurus over at Reynard are preparing to market a bike-engined trackday special called the Inverter. The tube-frame racer promises lightweight thrills and face-contorting lateral Gs to take on the Radicals and Caterhams world.

Reynard has now released an official video teaser that gives us the backstory on the car's development, including an interesting interview with Dr. Adrian Reynard himself. Check out the gallery below after you watch the HD video after the jump.


[Source: Reynard]
http://www.reynardracingcars.com/videos.html

KTM, the Austrian purveyor of both two- and four-wheeled motoring lust, has made it clear that it's a force to be reckoned with as it branches out into other enthusiast markets with such ridiculously awesome products as the X-Bow roadster and its RC8 superbike. Two things that remain a constant feature through all of the firm's recent products are the orange, black and white color pallette and its angular design language. These features, along with KTM's race-ready heritage, makes conceptual vehicle design for the company extremely interesting and proof comes in the form of six concepts designed by industrial design students at FH JOANNEUM University.

• KTM AX - A radical off-road four-wheel vehicle concept
• KTM sr 85 Deuce - An environmentally-friendly lightweight vehicle
• KTM CX - A racing vehicle that brings motocross to the water
• KTM 360° - A super-light, silent electric bike
• KTM Ascender Flight Vehicle - A gas turbine-propelled flying vehicle
• KTM Barracuda - A hydrofoil boat
  

This is an instance where pictures speak louder than words, but we've copied the designer's stated vision for each machine with captions in our gallery below. Each of these concepts was designed in conjunction with KTM, so they may offer an early glimpse into what's coming from the company. In a word: awesome. We'll take one of each. Thanks for the tip, Marc!


[Source: FH JOANNEUM University]

You've got to respect the capabilities of the orange and black machines currently rolling out of KTM's Austrian headquarters, but after watching some promotional footage of its latest bikes in action, we can only surmise that the European cycle manufacturer isn't quite familiar with the lawyer-bred nature of things here in the United States. After the break, you'll find a set of seriously awesome videos highlighting the kind of hooligan antics made possible by Supermoto-style machinery like the KTM 690SM and 950SM. You'll also witness the sheer performance and acceleration available to riders of any literbike, including KTM's new RC8.

These guys are hardcore, reminding us that it's not always the destination, but rather how you get there. This footage really speaks for itself, so we can only add a reminder to ride safe out there and to keep the really dangerous antics relegated to a proper track.

[Source: The Return of the Cafe Racers]

Given the chance to take the KTM X-Bow into any environment, a wintery wonderland wouldn't be one of them. But KTM wants to allow its mid-engine track tool to weather all the seasons – and peddle a few more of its PowerParts and PowerWear accessories to its drivers. X-Bow owners can choose from either central-locking or five-bolt wheels wrapped in Pirelli Sottozero snow tires, along with an optional set of chains. And even though a fixed roof is planned for future models, the current generation X-Bow's occupants will have to deal with the climes clothed in Schöffel jacket and pants, and matching Schuberth helmet. The full line of winter wear will set you back 950 euros, and when you arrive at your chilly destination, you can wrap the X-Bow in either an indoor cover (380 euro) or an outdoor cloak for 325 euro. We think we'll pass and wait for spring.

Click above to view the KTM X-Bow at Wembley in high resolution

One look at the KTM X-Bow should tell you it's about as close to a race car for the road as you're ever likely to see. Add to that the European GT4 Sports Light championship and it pretty much seals the deal. But if that still isn't enough, here comes the news that the 2008 Race of Champions has chosen the super-light Austrian track car to compete in this year's event.

For the uninitiated, the Race of Champions takes place every year, fielding a roster including some of the best racers from various motor sport disciplines on two wheels and four against each other on identical machinery. Each year the list of vehicles is changed, and has in the past included Ferrari, Aston Martins, Porsches, Renaults, Abarths, various rally cars and a specially-made sprint car. Last month, RoC officials took a look at the X-Bow, alongside a 4WD racer powered by a pair of Suzuki Hyabusa motorcycle engines, but the final decision just came down. You'll be able to watch the X-Bow, along with the rest of the motor-pool, being man-handled by some of the world's greatest, including F1's Sebastian Vettel, WRC's Sebastien Loeb, DTM's Mattias Ekstrom and WTCC's Andy Priaulx along with recently retired legends Michael Schumacher and David Coulthard at Wembley in London on December 14. More info in the press release after the jump, and images in the gallery below.

[Source: Race of Champions]