KTM and high-performance automotive tuner Reiter Engineering have a new plan for the eccentric KTM X-Bow. For its second rendition the X-Bow will look less like a cereal box Hot Wheels toy and more like, well, a little of everything else. Don't laugh, it might be your cheapest ticket to a purpose-built racer.
The next rendition of the X-Bow will be designed around KTM and partner Reiter Engineering's "return to international motor racing," which will trickle down to buyers as a turn-key competitive product. Price has been promised as "downsized significantly... well below of a Porsche 911 Cup car."
"From the SRO GT4 European Championship as well as the Pirelli World Challenge in the USA to national championships like the British GT Championship or the VLN in Germany. There are possibilities in almost every country to homologate a car like this and to go racing," says Hans Reiter.
Few specs have been released (most haven't been decided on) but output is being claimed at "320 horsepower with the well-known 2.0 liter TFSI engine" and a six-speed sequential paddle shift gearbox from Holinger.
As for the styling, I'm seeing something like an angry mashup of the new Corvette Stingray and a Bugatti EB110. But every time I look I see another line that looks familiar. What do you think?
For more details on the car's design and intended purpose, here's Hans Reiter going in-depth on the KTM blog:
"The car has a closed cockpit and the outer skin of a super sports car. The car will be similar in form to a Lamborghini Countach, which means a very flat and wide car. The design is, however, typical KTM: angular, chiseled, aggressive, and simply cool.
It's certain that the new GT car will set new benchmarks on its class regarding safety and technology. It will possess all the traits of a state-of-the-art GT3 racecar and fulfills all the safety standards of an LMP car. As you see, we have combined the best of both worlds. If you look at the car purely from the technical aspect, then you could almost believe it is a downsized McLaren MP4-12C.
Like the McLaren, the car is built around an extremely safe carbon monocoque. In our case, even with a front crash structure made of carbon fiber. This is unique to date in the road legal sports car segment. For the GT homologation, the monocoque will be fitted with a roll cage and ensure greater safety as a result.
The seat position with integrated FIA removable rescue seat also complies with the latest FIA standards. It goes without saying that the racecar is equipped with double wishbone suspension on the front and rear axles, whereby the front axle uses a pushrod system. Other GT3 standards such as a motorsport ABS system or a Holinger 6-speed sequential race gearbox with steering wheel mounted shift system is also part of the basic configuration.
As a result, the racing driver doesn't need to use the clutch or blip the throttle when shifting down and can concentrate entirely on steering and braking. The engine is a 2.0 litre, 4-cylinder turbo, you could say half a McLaren V8 Motor, as mentioned: downsizing is the motto."
Images via KTM and Reiter Engineering