Autoblog

Click above for a high-res gallery of the KTM X-Bow.

As previously reported, KTM plans to expand its offerings beyond the X-Bow, with the introduction of a duo of new city cars and a lightweight off-roader. But KTM isn't content with leaving the X-Bow alone. When the Geneva Motor Show rolls around next March, the newest entrant into the four-wheeled world will get a healthy boost in output courtesy of the Audi S3's 261 hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged FSI engine. According to Autocar, the more powerful model could be joined later by a new variant sporting a full windshield and a removable roof, making the case for the X-Bow more compelling and allowing KTM to take aim at traditional track toys.


[Source: Autocar via NextAutos]

As suspected, the KTM X-Bow is just the beginning of the bike-cum-automaker's assault on the four-wheeled world. According to CAR, KTM is in the process of creating a "slew" budget oriented vehicles, including a city car and "the world's first frugal and eco-friendly off-roader."

The SUV, codenamed the New Haflinger, will split the difference between KTM's world-renowned bikes and a traditional utility vehicle, with a small footprint, an open- or closed-top body and the ability to handle the rigors of the Paris-Dakar rally (which it plans to compete in with four wheels) while still holding its own on the road.

Three separate city vehicles are also part of the product onslaught, which is being co-developed with Bajaj Auto, India's third largest automaker. One will be a four-seat, four-wheel runabout, while a scooter and three-wheeled modern take on the tuk-tuk is under development. KTM's aim is to produce a wide variety of bodystyles and drivetrains, and its plans to include gasoline- and diesel-powered models, along with an EV in the future.

[Source: CAR]

Shortly after the revelation that Volkswagen wished it hadn't passed up on the opportunity to purchase famed Italian bike maker Ducati, comes a word that the German automaker has plans for its own line of motorcycles. What we can say for sure is that the rumored bike isn't likely to look anything like the picture above, which nonetheless is an interesting mash-up of an Aprilia trellis frame along with bodywork from MV Agusta. At least the artist chose good stock from which to pilfer. KTM, more and more a serious manufacturer itself, is the likely source of bike-specific components and is rumored to be providing technical know-how to VW as a sort-of repayment for the help it received in designing the awesome X-Bow, which uses an Audi engine. KTM is known in the bike realm for producing excellent engines, so basing a possible VeeDub VeeTwin on existing Katoom architecture strikes us as a good idea. What also strikes us as a good idea is the reconsideration of the ill-fated GX3 three-wheeler, which was axed over fears of possible litigation. If VW were to sponsor a range of two-wheelers already, though, the GX3 would be a much safer bet for future production. Let us cross our collective fingers on this one.

[Source: Auto Express]

Click on the image for more high-res shots of the Schuberth Race helmet

Seven-time Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher doesn't seem to have any desire to take it easy after retiring from the pinnacle of motorsports. It turns out that his four-wheeled racing excellence has translated rather nicely to two, and it sounds as if the ex-champ's perfectionist attitude continues on unabated as he now begins designing helmets for Schuberth. The German producer of brain buckets had previously supplied the headgear for Schumacher as he raced in F1 and currently provides the units for Ralf Schumacher, Nick Heidfeld, Felipe Massa, Kimi Räikkönen and Mark Webber. Though no details regarding pricing or availability have been released as of yet, Schuberth assures that its new 'Schuberth Race' helmet is "an extremely lightweight and aerodynamic helmet, filled with numerous technical and safety innovations." From the looks of things, the helmet, with its orange and grey highlights, would be perfect mounted atop a KTM rider's head.


[Source: Schuberth]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the GT4 KTM X-Bow.

The crew at KTM is basking in the warm glow of victory after debuting its race-ready X-Bow in the European GT4 Sports Light series and taking home two class victories. The team campaigned a pair of X-Bows at the Silverstone circuit in the UK and aside from getting a one-two podium finish in its class, the team mixed it up with the rest of the 16 GT4 contenders, including Aston Martin N24s, Chevrolet Corvettes and Ford Mustangs. Among the 400+ hp racers, the X-Bow placing seventh and eleventh overall in Saturday's race, and fifth and sixth on Sunday. KTM is gearing up for the next race in Monza, Italy on May 17 and 18, and is looking to take another couple of wins before sales of the production X-Bow begins later this summer.


[Source: KTM]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the KTM GT4 X-Bow

In just under a month, KTM will be campaigning two race-prepped versions of the X-Bow in the FIA GT4 European Cup Sports Light class, and the purveyor of our newest track tool obsession has finally released images of its race-ready X-Bow. As detailed before, the GT4 version only receives a few modifications for track duty, including a steel rollover bar that replaces the production model's aluminum units, some added zylon fibers to cope with road debris, modified wheel covers and a Sparco integrated impact-absorbing head restraint system. Aside from those few safety-regulated changes, it's the same X-Bow you'll be able to pick up when sales begin this summer -- right after the GT4 version debuts at Silverstone on April 20th with Loris Bicocchi and Catharina Felser behind the wheel.



[Source: KTM]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the KTM X-Bow.

KTM confirmed today what it announced during the reveal of the production X-Bow in Geneva: it will be campaigning a race-spec version of its four-wheeled track tool in this year's FIA GT4 European Cup in the new "Sports Light" class. The team will be operated by Reiter Engineering, the same outfit that worked with Lamborghini on the GT1, GT2 and GT3 races in previous years, as a way to remain focused on more consumer-oriented versions of the X-Bow.

Loris Bicocchi, who helped develop the X-Bow and has tested numerous vehicles including the Koenigsegg CCR, and Catharina Felser, a former Formula Ford and Formula 3 participant, will campaign the race-spec X-Bow during the series. The competition version of the car has been modified to meet FIA regulations with steel rollover bars (versus the production model's aluminum units), a revised exhaust system that uses a racing silencer, extended wheel covers, added layers of zylon fiber that aim to prevent penetration by track debris and a slightly retuned suspension that can hold up to the rigors of wheel-to-wheel action. All told, the modifications are minimal, which speaks volumes about how well engineered the X-Bow is right out of the box.

For those of you who've placed your orders for the production version, deliveries are still set for this summer.

KTM's full press release is posted after the jump.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the production KTM X-Bow.

A year ago, we had our first formal introduction to the KTM X-Bow concept. After a scant 12 months, the famed motorcycle manufacturer has officially unveiled the production version of the X-Bow, and over 2,000 people have lined up to get their hands on one of the most driver-focused vehicles to be released since the introduction of the Ariel Atom.

Not much has changed from the original concept. The same Audi-sourced, 220 hp TFSI four-cylinder engine is mounted out back and with only 1,500 pounds holding the carbon fiber track tool back, the sprint to 60 comes up in 3.9 seconds. KTM has smoothed out some of the rough edges, including the exhaust/intake systems, added a fully adjustable suspension and tweaked the bodywork and cockpit, but it's still minimalist motoring at its finest. Back in 2007 we called it better than the best rollercoaster around, and one year later, we're sticking with that assessment.

Our previous post on the production X-Bow and the 1,000 limited edition Dallara series models is available here and we've posted two galleries of the X-Bow below, including the concept from the 2007 Geneva Motor Show and the production version shown this year.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the KTM X-Bow

The unveiling of the production KTM X-Bow is just a week away, but the biker builder has bigger plans to expand its foray into four-wheeled conveyances. KTM's head honcho, Stefan Pierer, has revealed to CAR that the future of the X-Bow will include five different versions of the lightweight roadster, and that KTM is looking to take on Lotus as a manufacturer of specialty performance vehicles.

With over 2,000 orders for the X-Bow already placed, KTM has a hit on its hands. So aside from the base model and a race-spec version that will be campaigned in the FIA GT4 lightweight class, KTM also plans to offer another road-going variant that will be sporting a set of doors and a roof. From there, it's looking to upgrade the stock mill with a 330-hp V6 pulled from the Audi S3, and since the architecture of the X-Bow has been designed from the onset to handle the rigors away from the tarmac, an off-road version is underway that may compete in the Dakar Rally.


[Source: CAR]

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.