Autoblog

KTM X-Bow gets a roof, thinks it's a Stratos [w/videos]

Noah Joseph — Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Coupe, Performance

If you miss the classic wedge shape of the Lancia Stratos, there are a few things you can do about it. You could buy yourself a vintage example, which will set you back a pretty penny. Or you could have Pininfarina build you one based on a Ferrari F430, and run the risk of legal action from Maranello. Or you could buy a KTM X-Bow and bring it to the creative folks at Montenergy.

The Italian carrozzeria has developed a body kit for the Dallara-built carbon-fiber chassis called the Stratosferica that gives it the look of the Stratos with the handling of the Austrian motorbike company's four-wheeled track monster. The conversion will set you back 12,000 euros (around $17,300 USD), but a simpler canopy addition called the Monte Carlo is also available and will take you most of the way there for less cash.

An engine upgrade is also available to boost the Audi-sourced TFSI four from 237 horsepower up to 310, which just sweetens the deal to a downright mouthwatering degree. Check it out in our galleries, or watch the pair of rudimentary video clips after the jump.

Gallery: KTM X-Bow Stratosferica

Gallery: KTM X-Bow Monte Carlo by Montenergy

Continue reading KTM X-Bow gets a roof, thinks it's a Stratos [w/videos]

KTM X-Bow gets a roof, thinks it's a Stratos [w/videos] originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 23 Aug 2011 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KTM X-Bow will start at $88,500 in the U.S.

Aaron Richardson — Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:32:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Specialty

KTM X-Bow R - Click above for high-res image gallery

The KTM X-Bow is nearing its stateside launch as a ~~special-interest vehicle~~ kit car, and pricing for the track-ready toy has just been announced. For the basic "Street" model, expect to lay down a whopping $88,500 greenbacks.

If the lowest-end X-Bow is too soft for you, be prepared to shell out quite a bit of cash for the upgrades. The Clubsport version will command $103,500, the Superlight will set you back $134,500 and the top-of-the-line GT4 will carry a very hefty $139,000 sticker. In case you were wondering, that's Porsche 911 GT3 RS money. That price does not include the Audi engine and transaxle, which will cost buyers an extra $7,900 since the X-Bow can't be sold as a complete car in the United States.

By contrast, the Ariel Atom starts at $49,980 here in the U.S., again without any associated go-bits. Of course, that's for the most-basic 200-horsepower model, so it may be a little unfair to compare the X-Bow directly with the Atom. If you go for the Ariel Atom V8 when that makes its Stateside debut, look at plopping down around $160,000. Follow the jump for the full details in KTM's press release.

Gallery: 2011 KTM X-Bow R

[Source: KTM]

Continue reading KTM X-Bow will start at $88,500 in the U.S.

KTM X-Bow will start at $88,500 in the U.S. originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 04 Mar 2011 10:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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300-hp KTM X-Bow R revealed

Chris Shunk — Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:40:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance

2011 KTM X-Bow R - Click above for high-res image gallery

The KTM X-Bow may not be the prettiest ride on the track, but looks don't help you win races. With 240 horsepower motivating a mere 1,742 pounds, the X-Bow has plenty of punch to dice through a track with relative ease. And if 240 ponies can help you win at the track or the next stop light, then 300 horsepower ought to be even better. We caught wind of rumors back in July that KTM was prepping just such a beast, with the ability to hit 60 miles per hour in a scant three seconds, and it looks like those rumors were based in fact.

KTM has officially announced that the new X-Bow R is, in fact, the real deal, with a 300 horsepower version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter Audi engine sourced from the S3. The X-Bow R will also sit lower with a lower engine mounting to increase cornering speeds and impress your friends at the same time. The R model will reportedly come in two forms; a "Sport" variant for the street and a "Race" pack for the track.

If you're already one of the 500 existing X-Bow owners, don't worry about your sudden case of horsepower envy. KTM is said to be prepared to offer many of the parts that add up to an R designation through X-Bow PowerParts, giving owners the opportunity to tune their four-wheeled motorcycle to Sport or Race specifications. Additional details and pricing information will be available after the first of the year.

Gallery: 2011 KTM X-Bow R

[Source: CarScoop]

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300-hp KTM X-Bow R revealed originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Sep 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: KTM planning fresh X-Bow variants

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EST

Filed under: Convertible, Performance, Specialty

KTM X-Bow - Click above for high-res image gallery

According to reports streaming out of Italy, KTM is set to debut new versions of its X-Bow sportscar. Good news indeed, as the last we heard the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer was putting the brakes on its four-wheeled endeavors in the wake of losses due to the economic downturn.

If you thought 0-60 in under four seconds was plenty quick... well, it is, but KTM will still be upping power from the standard car's 237 horses to something over 300 for the new R model, which should put the X-Bow into the 3.0-second-flat range. With acceleration like that, the only things likely to beat you from stoplight to stoplight are on two wheels, and then only maybe.

If you don't need such mind-bending forces on your body and would rather pamper your posterior a wee bit, KTM is also said to be working on a T model. We'd guess that moniker would stand for Touring, as the machine is said to be equipped with such niceties as an actual windshield. Time for a cross-country road-trip, no?

Gallery: KTM X-Bow

[Source: Autoblog.it via Motor Authority]

Report: KTM planning fresh X-Bow variants originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jul 2010 13:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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REPORT: KTM halts X-Bow production

Noah Joseph — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST

Filed under: Performance, Europe, Plants/Manufacturing, MISC

KTM X-Bow - Click above for high-res image gallery

Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM had high hopes for its first foray into the world of four-wheeled motoring, but that was before the economy took a dive. Now reports suggest that the company has had to rethink how many of its X-Bow track cars it can sell, but further than that, they've had to stop production as supply outstrips demand.

KTM originally figured on building 500 units of the X-Bow each year, but soon thereafter increased their targets to 1000 per year. So far the factory in Graz, Austria, has built 500. Unfortunately, only 80 of those have reportedly been sold. According to reports coming from across the Atlantic, the extra stock has forced KTM to stop production altogether while it tries to sell the units it has on hand, with production not expected to resume again until January 2010.

Gallery: KTM X-Bow

[Source: PistonHeads]

REPORT: KTM halts X-Bow production originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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MTM tunes up the KTM X-Bow and Audi TTS

Damon Lavrinc — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:56:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners, Convertible, Coupe, Europe, Audi, Specialty

Click either image for a high-res gallery of MTM's creations

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).

Gallery: KTM XBow by MTM

Gallery: Audi TT-S by MTM

MTM tunes up the KTM X-Bow and Audi TTS originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 03 Apr 2009 19:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ABT gets its hands all over the KTM X-Bow

Noah Joseph — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Tuners

Click above to view the ABT X-Bow in high resolution

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.

Gallery: ABT KTM X-Bow

[Source: ABT Sportsline]

ABT gets its hands all over the KTM X-Bow originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Feb 2009 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KTM X-Bow confirmed for Race of Champions

Noah Joseph — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

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.

Gallery: KTM X-Bow for 2008 Race of Champions

[Source: Race of Champions]

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KTM X-Bow confirmed for Race of Champions originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Nov 2008 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KTM taking orders on X-Bow 'Race' for ?82,900

Damon Lavrinc — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:29:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

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

KTM and its four-wheeled racer, the X-Bow, had an incredibly successful season, dominating the GT4 Sports Light class in its inaugural year. With a serious campaign under its belt, KTM is finally making its "Race" version of the X-Bow available to consumers, and the bike-manufacturer-turned-automaker has big plans for the future.

Over 30 modifications were made to the standard X-Bow - ranging from semi-slick tires to an adjustable brake balance controller - to bring it up to GT4-spec, and if the €82,900 cost of entry isn't enough, KTM is offering a variety of optional "PowerParts" to take the X-Bow to the next level. Adjustable front and rear anti-roll bars, central-locking wheels, an airjack system, Kevlar front panels, a carbon fiber tonneau cover and a revised rear bumper are available for track addicts abroad. But that's not all.

KTM is launching a new program billed the "Customer Racing Concept" which allows owners of the X-Bow "Race" to campaign in a number of events throughout Europe with full support provided by the KTM crew. For around €3,000 per race, CRS will take care of all the logistics on race day, including transport, race service, spare parts, hospitality, tires, fuel, driver and team equipment, making it easy - if not cheap - to campaign an X-Bow in a number of European series.

In 2009, KTM will launch the X-Bow Super Sport Cup, with two separate competitions. The SSC North will cover Germany, the UK, Belgium and the Netherlands, while SSC South covers France, Spain and Italy. A number of races are planned throughout the year, and there's talk of extending the program to the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Dubai, Bahrain and Qatar, and even the possibility of bringing it to the States.

Hit the jump for all the details in KTM's lengthy release.

Gallery: KTM X-Bow Race

Continue reading KTM taking orders on X-Bow 'Race' for ?82,900

KTM taking orders on X-Bow 'Race' for ?82,900 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 27 Oct 2008 19:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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KTM GT4 X-Bow ready for race day

Damon Lavrinc — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:18:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

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.

Gallery: KTM X-Bow GT4

Gallery: KTM X-Bow

[Source: KTM]

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KTM GT4 X-Bow ready for race day originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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