Autoblog

Magna MILA Coupic Concept is a shape-shifting convertible crossover pickup

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Coupe, Truck, Geneva Motor Show, Crossover, Specialty, Design/Style, MISC

Please excuse us while we banish thoughts of David Letterman's hosting of Oscar night - Magna; MILA... Uma; Oprah - and instead focus on what this concept car brings to the table. This is the sixth MILA Concept from Magna-Steyr, the Austrian arm of Canadian auto parts giant Magna International, and it's meant to showcase the capabilities of the supplier.

First and foremost, the MILA Coupic's two-door crossover shape can convert into a convertible or a pickup truck, depending on the configuration of the rear seat. There's seating for as many as five occupants in full CUV mode, and the two glass roof elements can be opened or closed independently.

The MILA Coupic is an impressive engineering exercise, and, since Magna builds such production machines as the Mecedes-Benz SLK, Fiat 500C and Opel Astra TwinTop, it's one that could potentially see a roadway near you at some point in the not-too-distant future. See for yourself in our image gallery above, and read more in the official press release below.

Continue reading Magna MILA Coupic Concept is a shape-shifting convertible crossover pickup

Magna MILA Coupic Concept is a shape-shifting convertible crossover pickup originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Mar 2012 09:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magna Steyr previews shape-shifting MILA Coupic concept for Geneva

Noah Joseph — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Convertible, Geneva Motor Show, Technology, Crossover, Design/Style

Magna Steyr may not be a name most consumers would recognize, but it is one of the biggest players in the auto industry. As a contract manufacturer, it has produced some 2.5 million vehicles across 21 different models, including the Mercedes-Benz G-Class, Aston Martin Rapide and Mini Countryman, to name just a few.

The Austrian unit of Canadian mega-supplier Magna International, Steyr has also helped countless automakers develop new vehicles and technologies, and though it doesn't market any vehicles under its own name, it often showcases its abilities with a series of concept cars labeled MILA. And this is the sixth and latest.

Called the MILA Coupic, the show car demonstrates an adaptable bodystyle. What looks at first blush like a crossover coupe (similar in form to, say, the Range Rover Evoque) can turn into a pickup truck or convertible. The front and rear glass roof panels can also be opened independently of each other, giving the MILA Coupic an even more adaptable form and showcasing the type of innovative roof approaches that Magna Steyr has applied in making the mechanisms for the Mecedes-Benz SLK, Fiat 500C and Opel Astra TwinTop.

The folding seat module also allows for easy loading, and when folded forward, is said to seal off the passenger compartment in pickup mode. Although all we've got to go on visually at the moment is the solitary rendering which you can click above to enlarge, but there's a full press release after the jump as we prepare to depart for Geneva where this show car, among countless others, will be unveiled next week.

Continue reading Magna Steyr previews shape-shifting MILA Coupic concept for Geneva

Magna Steyr previews shape-shifting MILA Coupic concept for Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 28 Feb 2012 17:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin cutting Rapide production amidst slow sales

Noah Joseph — Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

2010 Aston Martin Rapide - Click above for high-res image gallery

If you read the reports of Aston Martin shifting production of its Rapide from its Magna Steyr contract facility in Austria to its own plant in England, and wondered how the company could absorb another assembly line, we could have our answer right here.

According to reports, Aston is preparing to significantly cut production of the Rapide in response to lagging sales. The four-door Aston was planned in 2007 for 2000 units per year, but shortly after that, the global luxury market collapsed, and sales prospects for the four-door coupe began to dwindle.

As a result, production of the Rapide could be reduced to just 1,250 units per year, or even further. And if one model's sales are dwindling, we might assume that some of the others - such as the Vantage or DB9/DBS lines - could be cutting back production as well, leaving excess capacity at the company's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.

Whether demand is there or not, sources estimate that the premature termination of the Magna Steyr deal could end up costing Aston as much as £10 million - that's over $16 million at current exchange rates.

Aston Martin cutting Rapide production amidst slow sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Jun 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Aston Martin shifting Rapide production from Magna Steyr to Gaydon

Noah Joseph — Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:57:00 EST

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Aston Martin, UK, Luxury

Aston Martin Rapide production at Magna Steyr

Aston Martin may make more than sports cars these days, but sports cars are all that are built at its own facility. The Cygnet city car is built by Toyota (though trimmed out by Aston's own) and the Rapide is built by Magna Steyr on a dedicated assembly line. But that last bit is about to change as the four-door coupe shifts its production to the company's own assembly plant at Gaydon in Warwickshire, England.

The move will take effect in the second half of next year, and follows an expansion of the Gaydon facility, which itself followed the shift there from the historic compound at Newport Pagnell. Aston Martin went to lengths to stress that the shift comes about as a result of its own increasing capabilities, and not because of any failure on Steyr's part. But whatever the reasoning, the news can't be good for the Austrian supplier. Official announcement after the jump.

Continue reading Aston Martin shifting Rapide production from Magna Steyr to Gaydon

Aston Martin shifting Rapide production from Magna Steyr to Gaydon originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Jun 2011 09:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab Saga Update: Genii and Spyker pondering joint bid? Workers rally in Trollhätten, etc.

Chris Paukert — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST

Filed under: Europe, Government/Legal, Hirings/Firings/Layoffs, Plants/Manufacturing

Saab: A history in pictures - Click above for high-res gallery

Despite the fact that the Detroit Auto Show put the focus back on General Motors' new products and pulled the spotlight away from the will-they/won't-they saga that is the Saab sale/wind-down, there are no shortage of developments to report in the ongoing story.

Yesterday, Genii Capital and Bernie Ecclestone submitted a freshly revised bit for Saab, and Spyker Cars reportedly also did so, with CEO Victor Muller going so far as to say that, "We have shown Mr. Whitacre the money." For its part, Merbanco has also apparently been asked to tweak its bid by General Motors, and it has done so as well.

Swedish-language outlet Svenska Dagbladet has reported that Genii and Spyker may team up to present an even stronger bid, and Dagens Industri has gone so far as to speculate that Genii and Spyker might try to pull Renault into a three-way deal (as you may remember, Genii purchased Renault's Formula One team recently), but Saabs United indicates that there's not much to this rumor.

In what critics are suggesting as a less-than-good-faith move, GM may also schedule transportation of the 2010 Saab 9-5's tooling to China as early as tomorrow, January 15, where the model would likely be built wearing Buick badges. The General appointed Steven Taylor and Peter Torngren to oversee the liquidation of Saab on Monday, and as part of that move, they replaced both Saab's CEO and board effective immediately.

Despite all of this, GM's new president of North America, Mark Reuss, has been quoted suggesting that the protracted bidding struggle may continue until early February, all while GM continues to the process of shuttering the brand. It's enough to make us long for the simpler days of last November, when Saab was nearly sold to Koenigsegg for the symbolic sum of one krona (about .14 cents).

While all of this has been happening, Saab enthusiasts have apparently been gearing up for dozens of rallies around the globe to show support for the sale of the battered marque, with organizers in Yekatarinburg, Russia going so far as to create a commercial and running it on local television. On Tuesday, workers at Saab's Trollhätten plant rallied, calling for the newly-appointed liquidators at AlixPartners to "go home." This, as the very first Saab 9-3 convertible came off the line in Sweden - previous droptops had been assembled by Valmet in Findland and Magna Steyr in Austria.

Given how painfully drawn-out this process has become, we have to wonder... will there be anything left to save when all the chips fall? A final, they-really-mean-it-this-time decision on Saab's fate could happen as early as tomorrow, but sources close to the negotiations seem to think that the proceedings are likely to drag out into next week.

Gallery: Saab - A History in Pictures

[Sources: Saabs United, Saab History, Swedish Wire, Earth Times, Business Week; Contract Hire and Leasing]

Saab Saga Update: Genii and Spyker pondering joint bid? Workers rally in Trollhätten, etc. originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 14 Jan 2010 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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What Conflict? Mercedes awards SLS AMG body panel construction to Magna

Noah Joseph — Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:05:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Plants/Manufacturing, Mercedes-Benz

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

Magna International pulled a bold move when it declared its intention to buy Opel from General Motors, bridging the gap between component supplier and contract manufacturer on the one hand, to independent automaker on the other. In the process, Magna jeopardized its relationships with Germany's largest automakers, including Volkswagen and BMW, who had been keen to do business with a supplier; less so with a direct competitor.

Daimler sees it another way, however. Not only will Magna continue building the legendary Gelandewagen for Mercedes-Benz at its facility in Graz, Austria, but Mercedes also announced that the contractor will make the aluminum body panels for the recently-unveiled SLS AMG supercar. For its part, Magna is satisfied to receive the business, naturally, while Mercedes and Daimler chief Dieter Zetsche says he sees no conflict of interest. Deliveries of the SLS are expected to begin next spring.

Gallery: 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

[Source: Automotive News - subs. req'd]

What Conflict? Mercedes awards SLS AMG body panel construction to Magna originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Oct 2009 16:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: Magna eyeing Saturn

Dan Roth — Thu, 21 May 2009 09:34:00 EST

Filed under: Etc., Europe, GM, Saturn, Opel, Rumormill

Magna tried and lost when Chrysler was for sale. Pulling a Marchionne, Magna's now trying to win GM Europe's Opel division for itself, and rumor is that Saturn is also on the shopping list. GM would get much-needed capital for the transactions, but it could also be facing its old properties as new competition. Of course, coughing up the money might be difficult, considering Magna's taken a shellacking so far this year.

Some think keeping Opel and Saturn together makes sense, because they're already joined at the hip through current parent GM, and they're both slated for spin-off or sudden death. That may be fine for now, on the platforms the brands currently use, giving Magna time to figure out where the underpinnings come from for the next vehicle cycle. If Magna wants to go from supplier to automaker, there's more properties on the market with lots of potential than any time in our collective memory. Funny thing, potential -- Magna could either be wildly successful in winning Saturn and Opel, connecting with consumers, and generally rocking it where there had once been much wailing and gnashing of teeth. Or, it could all go down in a pire of torched Dollars, Loonies, and Euros. Thanks for the tips, Richard.

[Source: WSJ]

REPORT: Magna eyeing Saturn originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 21 May 2009 09:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2009: Magna Steyr Mila EV concept

Sam Abuelsamid — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:39:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Green, Hatchback

Click above for high-res gallery of the Magna Steyr Mila EV

Like most other suppliers, Magna International and its contract manufacturing unit Magna Steyr are pushing hard to diversify into the area of hybrid and electric powertrain components and systems. In January at the Detroit Auto Show, Magna International and Ford announced a collaboration on a Focus-based electric car that will go on sale in 2011. Here in Geneva, Magna Steyr combined that electrification effort with a reminder that the company is capable of doing complete vehicle engineering and manufacturing for other automakers.

The Mila EV is a concept meant to illustrate a new vehicle platform that Magna has developed and optimized for electric drive applications. The modular system is able to be adapted to different body styles and even different powertrain configurations. It can be built as a pure EV or with a parallel or series hybrid setup. Magna is offering it to any manufacturer that would like a turn-key EV platform solution in order to get a car into production quickly.

In addition to the platform, Magna is getting into the battery game, as well. Currently, the company is focusing on pack integration and working with a number of different cell suppliers and chemistries. Long term, the company may look at getting into cell development itself.

Gallery: Geneva 2009: Magna Steyr Mila EV

Continue reading Geneva 2009: Magna Steyr Mila EV concept

Geneva 2009: Magna Steyr Mila EV concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 14:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva Preview: Magna Steyr unveils flexible Mila EV concept

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:29:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Green

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Magna Steyr mila ev concept

Amongst all of the various concept and production-ready vehicles that major automakers will unveil this week at the Geneva Motor Show is a new concept from auto supplier Magna Steyr called the mila ev. This electric machine was designed from the start to eschew the carbon-spewing, petroleum-chugging internal combustion engine, so no compromises stemming from the conversion of a previously-gas-powered vehicle were necessary. For this reason, Magna says its concept is immediately ready for series production at its own manufacturing plants and could be configured to accept a natural gas, hydrogen fuel cell or hybrid powertrain.

In its current form, the mile ev uses a five-door hatchback bodystyle and a set of lithium-ion batteries allowing for a range of up to 150 kilometers (nearly 100 miles) after a 2.5-hour charge. That unit sends electrons to a 67-horsepower electric motor that we presume drives the front wheels. Solar cells embedded on the glass rooftop should provide just a bit more juice for the electric vehicle, possibly enough to keep up climate control without draining the battery pack.

Magna already has a bit of experience with EVs, having designed and built a prototype for Ford based on the current Focus platform for this year's Detroit Auto Show. That work should pay off in 2011 when the Blue Oval launches a production version of the machine, also with a range of around 100 miles. Our intrepid team is currently roaming the halls in Geneva with their eyes peeled for interesting things like the mila ev to point their camera lenses at, so click here to keep an eye on our live coverage of the show.

Gallery: Geneva Preview: Magna Steyr mila ev

[Source: Magna Steyrg]

Continue reading Geneva Preview: Magna Steyr unveils flexible Mila EV concept

Geneva Preview: Magna Steyr unveils flexible Mila EV concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche to move Cayman & Boxster production from Finland to Austria

Noah Joseph — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:56:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, Porsche

Click for a hi-res gallery of Porsche production in Finland

Porsche has announced that production of its Boxster and Cayman models is to shift to component supplier Magna Steyr's facility in Austria beginning in 2012. Last year the contract with Finland's Valmet to assemble the two associated mid-engined models was extended through 2012, after which the terms will expire and Magna will take over.

Porsche CFO and deputy chairman Holger P. Harter stressed that the decision was not a vote against Valmet - which has to date built over 200,000 vehicles for Porsche - but rather the result of several elements that Magna brought to the table: firstly, Magna's production is scalable so that it will only manufacture what Porsche's own factory in Zuffenhausen (where the rear-engined 911 series is made) cannot handle. Secondly, Magna is able to assume some development responsibilities along with the final assembly. Thirdly, Magna's proposal was more financially attractive (read: cheaper) than Valmet's. And finally, Magna already supplies various components to Porsche - including convertible roofs and body panels - creating the opportunity for future synergies between Porsche and various Magna subsidiaries.

Click on the thumbnails below to view the Porsche Boxster and Cayman production facility at Valmet in Finland.

Gallery: Porsche production at Valmet

[Source: Porsche]

Porsche to move Cayman & Boxster production from Finland to Austria originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 30 Jun 2008 07:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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BMW and Mercedes talk to Magna about Mila

Jonathon Ramsey — Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:51:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Hybrid, Geneva Motor Show, Green, BMW, Mercedes-Benz

The Magna MILA Alpin concept car shown in Geneva has gotten the attention of both Mercedes and BMW. The button-cute 4-wheeler rode on a flexible platform, could utilize a variety of fuel sources, climb 45-degree angles, and get up to 120 mph. Those capabilities, and the ability to be easily rebodied and cost-effectively manufactured, have the two premium brands looking at ways to bolster their lineups and enviro-credentials.

Mercedes is known to be working on developing a 4-wheel-drive A-Class sedan. While the sandwich floors in the A-Class and B-Class cars were specifically created to allow flexible drivetrains, it is open to exploring options with BMW. Those other Bavarians in blue and white appear to be even more serious, having engaged Magna to discuss strategy and market demand. The MILA could provide a sound platform for BMW's electric car rumblings, as well as cost-effective, outsourced manufacturing.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport via TTAC]

BMW and Mercedes talk to Magna about Mila originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 12 Apr 2008 18:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva '08 Preview: Magna Steyr MILA Alpin concept

Jonathon Ramsey — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:27:00 EST

Filed under: Concept Cars, Geneva Motor Show

Click above for more pics of the Magna Mila Alpin concept

Three years ago, Magna Steyr debut what it called the Mila concept car -- Magna Innovation Lightweight Auto. Conceived as a pure driver's car, it was an environmentally-conscious single-seater that ran on natural gas up to 120 mph. Last year around this team, Magna followed up the Mila CNG with the Mila Future, a further evolution of the concept that bore two seats, completely covered wheels and an impossibly complicated folding hard top. For the next evolution of the MILA, Magna apparently thought that no one was serving the mountain climbing concept car market and stepped up to the challenge. The Mila Alpin is a chunky little off-road number that can climb 45-degree angles, runs on CNG, has 3+1 seating and what looks to be a seriously small turning radius. We hope the Magna stand in Geneva has a model Matterhorn so we can try it out. For now, you can check out images of the Mila Alpin concept below.

Gallery: Magna Mila Alpin Concept

[Source: World Car Fans]

Geneva '08 Preview: Magna Steyr MILA Alpin concept originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GAZ unveils the Siber sedan, son of Sebring

Frank Filipponio — Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:33:00 EST

Filed under: Chrysler

Click image for photo gallery of media pics and live shots from Auto.lenta.ru

Well, it looks like somebody is going to be buying the Chrysler Sebring. We just got a tip that GAZ has bought the rights to build a modified version of the last-gen car for sale in Europe. Along with manufacturing help from Magna Steyr and design and engineering work by UltraMotive, the new GAZ Siber will be a new-old Sebring for Siberia with a revised look and an upgraded suspension to better handle harsh winters. Additional info from our tipster tells us that the license and tooling for these cars were sold in April 2006 to Russian billionaire Oleg Deripaska for about $151 million (€ 124 million). He's the same guy who owns the GAZ company in Nizhny Novgorod, which builds the Volga automobile among other things. There's a translated press release after the jump and here's a link to the original Russian info for those who prefer it. Live shots in the gallery came from Auto.lenta.ru.

Thanks for the tip, Tverez!

[Source: GAZ via Auto.lenta.ru]

Gallery: GAZ Siber

Continue reading GAZ unveils the Siber sedan, son of Sebring

GAZ unveils the Siber sedan, son of Sebring originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Aug 2007 13:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magna might build maxi MINI Colorado SUV

Jonathon Ramsey — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:33:00 EST

Filed under: SUV, Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, BMW, Chrysler, Daimler, Mini

Magna is making news all over. The latest effort from the Canadian auto supplier is aimed at getting BMW to let it build a MINI SUV. The SUV will be called the "Colorado," and could be the next step in MINI's increasingly grand line. As it is, the MINI is so popular that BMW can't squeeze another car out of its MINI plant in Oxford, England, and it's still got the Clubman to deal with. Magna has excess capacity at its Steyr plant in Graz, Austria where the Chrysler 300 was built until Chrysler shifted more of its production to its Brampton, Ontario plant. The Austrian factory will also lose out on building the next generation BMW X3, whose production will shift to South Carolina, and both Chrysler and Mercedes are bringing more operations in-house. Magna Steyr built 26,400 Chryslers and 113,000 X3's last year, and is working replace those with 65,000 MINI Colorados, as well as 20,000 VW roadsters.

Thanks for the tip, Paul!

[Source: The Globe and Mail]

Magna might build maxi MINI Colorado SUV originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Jul 2007 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Two strikes for Magna this week, what next?

Sam Abuelsamid — Thu, 17 May 2007 08:01:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Crossover, BMW

Damon reported the other day that BMW has decided to shift production of the next generation X3 to their Spartanburg, SC plant. While that's good news for the employees in Spartanburg, it's the second big loss for Magna International this week. After losing out to Cerberus in the bidding for Chrysler, they are on the short end of the X3 production deal.

Magna-Steyr's plant in Graz, Austria has been assembling the X3 for BMW since 2003 in a deal that will end when the X3 starts coming off the South Carolina line. The X3 accounted for forty-five percent of the Graz plant's output and Magna is looking for a new customer to take up that capacity starting sometime in 2010.

[Source: TheAutoChannel]

Two strikes for Magna this week, what next? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 May 2007 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Magna Steyr tapped to build more KTM X-Bows than expected

Frank Filipponio — Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:32:00 EST

Filed under: Plants/Manufacturing, Supercars

click above image to view 113 images of the KTM X-Bow

We just got word that KTM has decided to switch builders for its grown-up go-kart, the X-Bow. This 1,500-pound, 300-hp track day special is set to launch next February with an initial, special-edition run of 100 units. It was originally anticipated that 100 would be the total number of units sold per year, so Dallara had been tabbed to produce them. But with 600 firm orders in hand, KTM has turned to Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik instead. KTM head Stefan Pierer explained that switching to Magna Steyr allows production to get up to speed more quickly because of their larger capacity available right off the bat. And if that 600-order figure doesn't seem impressive, KTM now has hopes to eventually reach 1,000 units annually.

No mention of a drop in price accompanied the announcement, but if KTM were asking $55,000 based on 100 units sold, we suspect 1,000 units might mean a lower pricetag in the future. Even at $55,000, however, the X-Bow remains something of a bargain, with a power-to-weight ratio of just 5.13 lbs/hp. Some supercars can't match that figure, and few come close at this price outside of the obvious rivals like the Ariel Atom, Caterham, etc. It would be interesting to see new racing classes over the next few years with all of these no-frills vehicles - the Lotus 340R, Deronda F and others going cycle-fendered wheel to wheel.

[Source: Gizmag]

Gallery: KTM X-Bow

Magna Steyr tapped to build more KTM X-Bows than expected originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Apr 2007 16:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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