|
Price |
|
-- |
Production |
|
-- |
|
Engine |
2
liter Audi inline-4 |
Weight |
1543
lbs |
|
Aspiration |
natural/direct injection |
Torque |
221
lb-ft @ 2200 - 4000 rpm |
|
HP |
162
hp @ 5900 rpm |
HP/Weight |
-- |
|
HP/Liter |
81
hp per liter |
1/4 mile |
-- |
|
0-62 mph |
3.9
seconds |
Top Speed |
135
mph |
(from KTM Press
Release) KTM X-BOW
» KTM’s first automobile
» Racing technology for the road
» Light and safe carbon fibre monocoque
» Spectacular design
» Four-cylinder TFSI from Audi
» Puristic, unfiltered driving experience
» Supersport performance
» Outstanding power-output values
» Production of a 100-unit pilot series begins at the end of 2007
» A decision about producing a small series will be made until April
2007
Premiere at the Geneva Motor Show
An aggressive design and sporty potential: the X-Bow is not merely a
milestone in the KTM brand’s more than 50-year history, it’s also a
new citation in the small, but elite segment of radical, lightweight
sports cars. This exceptional position is the result of the concept:
for their first car, KTM employs the finest materials, high-tech and
the know-how of respected development partners such as Audi and
Dallara. The result is a street-homologated sports car with racing
technology, like an avantgarde, carbon fibre monocoque. Thanks to
the basic version’s light weight and the 162 kW (220 hp) Audi TFSI
engine, the performance values of the KTM X-Bow outstrip those of
super-sport cars with more than twice the power: with a deadweight
of approx. 700 kilos, the KTM X-Bow accelerates to 100 kph in just
3.9 seconds.
But the X-Bow isn’t just a racing machine, even if it is going to
accomplish spectacular performance feats on racing circuits. With
its modern technologies and exceptional solutions, it’s much more
oriented towards sporty drivers who seek a purist’s driving
experience. By foregoing electronic assistants and today’s standard
comfort features, the X-Bow offers an unfiltered adventure – aided
by its standalone wheels in the style of monoposto racing cars,
transparent technology and the car’s reduced concept, i.e. no roof,
doors or windscreen. The sports car has only a 70-millimeter,
transparent wind deflector. With all these unique features, driving
the KTM X-Bow becomes an experience with an immediacy that otherwise
can only be felt when riding a motorcycle.
The Next Step into the Future
For the Upper Austrian motorcycle manufacturer – Europe’s second
largest – the decision to expand its line of business into the
automobile market was of great strategic significance. It was made
possible by the company’s extraordinarily dynamic growth over the
past 15 years. Since 1992, KTM vehicle sales have risen an average
of 21% each year, while the volume of sales even climbed to 25% each
year. Today, KTM is the world’s leading brand in the offroad segment
and in recent years has successively expanded its model portfolio
into the street sector. “Moving into the automotive sector is the
logical continuation of this strategy. With the X-Bow, KTM can now
offer the classic KTM driving experience to all those who don’t have
a motorcycle licence,” says Stefan Pierer, CEO of the listed KTM
Power Sports AG, explaining this investment in the company’s future.
Carbon Fibre Monocoque: Racing Know-How from Dallara
Carbon fibre monocoques have been the Formula 1’s safety net for
years. On the road, this technology was formerly reserved for the
elitist, supersports cars in the highest price classes. KTM would
now like to be the first to offer this solution in a much more
affordable environment.
KTM has thereby been able to call upon the expertise of its
development partner, Dallara. These specialists from Varano (near
Parma) in Northern Italy have long been acclaimed as carbon
technology experts, from the conception to the production of
components made of this light, yet rigid material. The monocoque
developed for the KTM X-Bow is not only extremely robust it is also
safe, thanks to an integrated crashbox. And yet it weighs only about
70 kilos and is therefore a crucial factor in the vehicle’s
spectacular performance.
The Engine: TFSI Technology from Audi
KTM was able to gain Audi AG as its partner in developing the drive
unit. The four-cylinder TFSI engine represents the X-Bow’s
construction principles in an ingenious way: by featuring
lightweight, high-performance and intelligent technologies.
The engine’s outstanding attribute is its gasoline direct injection
technology, FSI. In this case, it’s combined with an exhaust
turbocharger plus an intercooler. Thanks to FSI, the engine can
utilize fuel better than one with ordinary intake manifold injection
and it even gets by on less fuel in the frequently used partial load
range.
The injection takes place at a pressure level between 30 and 110
bar, valves in the intake system direct the inflowing air into a
cylindrical movement. A continuously variable intake camshaft
ensures optimal cylinder charging at any speed. Two balancer shafts
compensate the second order inertia forces and so guarantee
superior, low-vibration operation.
The KTM X-Bow’s long-stroking, four-valve engine delivers a powerful
performance: 300 newton-metres of torque peaks at a level between
2200 and 4000 rpm. The peak performance of 162 kW (220 hp) is
achieved at 5900 rpm. Even more powerful engine variations in the
300-horsepower range are planned at a later date.
The drive unit package is complemented by a manual 6-gear
transmission, which is also made by VW and can be equipped with a
limited-slip differential if so desired. An optional S tronic
transmission will also be offered. The drive comes from the rear
wheels.
The Chassis: Direct and Competent
The X-Bow’s driving dynamics profit not only from the car’s low
centre of gravity but also from its superior chassis, which also
draws on racing technology for its basic principles. Suspended on
double triangular wishbone axles, the wheels feature suspension and
damping elements by WP Suspension, with a pushrod arrangement up
front.
The Italian brake manufacturer Brembo can also be proud of its
reputation for excellence. KTM is also expanding this partnership
(which began in the motorcycle sector) into the automobile realm.
The X-Bow’s powerful braking system consists of 305 mm discs at the
front and 262 mm discs at the rear. The interaction of the vehicle’s
light weight, ideal balance, low centre of gravity and a 17-/18-inch
tyre mix results in spectacular braking performance: when the brakes
are warm, the KTM X-Bow needs only 33.1 metres to decelerate from
100 kph to a standstill.
The Aerodynamics: Exceptional Contact Pressure
The primary development goal for the KTM X-Bow was not attaining
extreme final velocities, but in optimising the driving dynamics.
The sports car is thereby aided by an ingenious aerodynamics
arrangement, the result of many hours in Dallara’s wind tunnel. The
most vital element in this area is the underbody, which is equipped
with a prominent diffusor at the rear. To make this diffusor work
even more effectively, the linking points for the rear suspension
were set as high as possible. This enables the KTM X-Bow to achieve
a phenomenal downforce of about 200 kilograms at a speed of 200 km/h
– about three times more than most other supersport cars.
In combination with the high-performance chassis, this fantastic
downforce makes extreme curve speeds possible. The transversal
acceleration of 1.23 g that can thus be attained noticeably
surpasses the usual values achieved by street homologated sports
cars.
The aerodynamic concept was a great challenge for the designer as
well. It meant that sufficient air had to be channelled into the
inlets located in the sides, behind the passengers. The radiator is
also located at the rear of the vehicle, to avoid having to install
longer, heavier cooling hoses. This mission was accomplished by
using special air baffles, which are installed horizontally on the
sides of the car so the passengers can also use them as boarding
aids.
Safety: Racing Technology
The crucial component protecting the driver and the passenger is the
solid, carbon fibre monocoque – safety technology straight from
Formula 1. This structure is supplemented by a crashbox in the nose
of the vehicle. The silencer, which is built into the rear of the
car, was also designed to act as a crashbox; it absorbs the force of
an impact to the rear of the vehicle.
The driver and passenger are also protected by four-point safety
belts, which were inspired by the racing world. If so desired, this
unit can be equipped with a fifth securing point. The two roll bars
are clearly visible. They not only appear to be solid, they are
skilfully integrated into the monocoque’s structure.
Design: Floating Elements
Gerald Kiska’s design studio can take credit for the shape of the
vehicle. Coming from Salzburg, he has worked closely with KTM for
the past 15 years and is entrusted not only with the design of the
motorcycles, but also with the appearance of the company itself.
For the concept of the KTM brand’s first automobile, Kiska
incorporated many characteristics that are more closely associated
with motorcycles than cars. Every part fulfils a function, the
technology remains transparent, the form is noticeably simple. The
few, orange-coloured body panels are “floating elements”, like those
of motorcycles, and suggest lightness and simplicity.
The deliberate reduction in all things even includes the lights:
simple headlamps, embedded indicators flush with the car’s contours
and round lights at the rear forego superficial, showy effects.
Instead, the carbon structure also takes on design duties, meaning
that components which are frequently hidden in cars, such as the
silencer, suddenly serve an aesthetic purpose in addition to their
usual functions.
The Equipment: Puristic and Functional
As a result of its clear concept, the KTM X-Bow can do without a lot
of elements that ordinarily add complexity and extra weight. So the
narrow wind deflector makes an elaborate heating system and
windscreen wipers unnecessary; doors are also not included in the
design, due to the vehicle’s low profile and the extra-low side
profile.
You’ll also look for a standard instrument panel in vain. The driver
can find all the information needed for driving on the hub of the
steering wheel.
The seats are further examples of the X-Bow’s intelligent and simple
construction: the shells for the driver’s and passenger’s seats are
already integrated into the carbon fibre construction of the
monocoque. An overlay provides solid comfort. In order to provide
the best ergonomics for drivers of various heights, the X-Bow has
manually adjustable pedals.
The KTM X-Bow doesn’t have a luggage compartment. But it does
feature an innovative, mobile storage box for the car documents. The
equipment required by law, such as the warning triangle, first aid
kit and a tyre-fit system, are kept in storage compartments beside
the passenger’s foot well. A cover is stowed in this same location;
it protects the interior of the car when it’s parked. Two helmets
can be fixed in the passenger’s legroom.
Extras: for the Automobile and the Driver
Supplementary equipment – like kits to increase the engine’s
performance or an aerodynamics package – give the sporty potential
of the KTM X-Bow an even greater boost.
Another segment of the accessories programme aims in the opposite
direction: together with Dainese, the renowned Italian specialist
for motorcycle apparel, a new line of clothing and helmets is being
developed especially for the KTM X-Bow. These intelligent components
are designed to assume functions that are normally performed by the
car: weather protection, climate control and – thanks to integrated
technology – even infotainment functions such as sound and mobile
telephony.
The Next Steps: Premiere in Geneva,
Building a Pilot Series of 100 Units
A prototype of the KTM X-Bow will make its first public appearance
at the Geneva Motor Show. This prototype is also the basis for a
pilot series of 100 units, which will be produced in Dallara’s
factory beginning at the end of 2007. The limited series is a result
of the Italian company’s manufacturing capacity: four to five
vehicles can be built per week, with a large share of the work being
done by hand.
Due to the special status of this pilot series, KTM has decided to
equip all the vehicles of this initial production with a number of
first-rate accoutrements, which will later be offered as extras.
Included in the standard equipment for the first series are the
limited-slip differential, lightweight metal rims with a central nut
mounting, and a Formula One racing steering wheel that can be
removed via a quick-release mechanism to simplify getting in and out
of the car. The four body panels – lacquered orange on the
prototypes – are made of carbon fibre in the pilot series (later
they’ll be made of synthetic material), and the chassis’s damping
elements are adjustable. And of course other individual equipment
requests can also be fulfilled.
Because of the greater extent of the equipment range, the projected
basic price of 40,000 Euros (incl. VAT) is naturally higher for an
exemplar of this pilot series. A definitive price will be announced
after the Geneva Motor Show. After the publication of the first
drawings, the interest in the pilot series prototypes was
overwhelming. Every spot on the list of prospective buyers was
already filled in January, while the waiting list has got
considerably longer.
The KTM X-Bow will be street homologated in accordance with European
small series homologation regulations. But since the respective
guidelines are defined differently throughout the EU, KTM currently
anticipates standardising the X-Bow in the following countries:
Germany, Finland, Greece, Great Britain, the Netherlands, Austria,
Portugal and Switzerland.
The Vision: Producing a Small Series Beginning in 2008
Depending upon the reactions to the vehicle presentation in Geneva,
KTM is considering extending the pilot series of the X-Bow into
small-series production. This small-series production would take
place in Austria beginning in 2008 and entail an annual production
of between 500 and 1000 vehicles. Parallel to this small-series
production, an efficient distribution structure would also be
established. The plan includes a network of around 15 to 20 partners
throughout Europe, who not only have experience in motorsports, but
also a connection to the Volkswagen enterprise.
A decision will be made concerning the small-series production of
the KTM X-Bow by the end of April 2007.
