KTM Announces 2011 X-BOW R Model with 300HP

Austrian motorcycle specialist KTM is hard at work on the 2011 model year version of its X-BOW track-focused sports car, which will gain a higher performance R model. The original 790 kg (1,742 lb) X-BOW is powered by an Audi-sourced 240HP 2.0-liter TFSI. Around 500 have been sold worldwide since it was launched into the market in 2008.

The R model will have an additional 60 hp (45kw) over the standard model thanks to the adoption of the more powerful 2.0 TFSI from the Audi S3, which features changes to the engine electronics and peripherals to bump output to 300-horsepower.

It will be available in two equipment packages: a road legal / homologated "Sport" package and a more track orientated "Race" pack.

Many of the parts that go into the R will be available through X-BOW's PowerParts, so owners can tune their existing X-BOW to Sport and Race specifications.

Pictured in our gallery is a prototype version of the 2011 X-BOW R with the new parts installed undergoing testing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

More detailed information, including pricing, will be released early next year.

By Tristan Hankins

Argentinean Donto wants to battle Ariel and KTM with its P1

Donto Motor Company of Argentina has been working on a competitor to take on some world-class track day stars, the Ariel Atom and the KTM X-Bow. The South American two-seater has apparently been in development for the past 18 months and is called the P1.

Exterior designer Lucas Lopez says, "The P1 has a split body and the exoskeleton of an invertebrate, almost floating." Under the removable roof and that "floating" body of unspecified material (maybe some form of carbon fiber / FRP mix) will be an FIA-approved chassis built by Hector Perez, a chassis builder in Argentina known for a variety of racing chassis.

Donto wants to export the adult go-kart to Europe using a German engine with a price of $55,000 / ~ €43,400, but hopes to also have it street-legal (or at least available for track days) in all markets. With a target weight of under 700 kg / 1,543 lbs and using VW's 1.8T in the prototypes, this could be another crazy little track monster that's also emissions-friendly.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoblog.com.ar & Worldcarfans

KTM Backs ABT Sportsline 300HP Power Upgrade for X-BOW

As well as backing up ABT Sportline's aftermarket performance kit for the X-BOW, KTM also released UK pricing for the upgrade that raises the 2.0-liter TFSI engine's output from 240HP to 300HP and maximum torque from 310Nm to 400Nm. The upgrade that is sold as an aftermarket package and can be retrofitted to all X-BOW models costs £5,300 (about €8,700) including VAT and fitting, and comes with a two year warranty.

Lifting the vehicle's power-to-weight ratio to 380HP per tonne, the ABT-prepped X-BOW launches from standstill to 100km/h (62mph) in just 3.5 seconds or 0.4 seconds faster than the 240HP factory model.

"X-BOW's racecar-inspired chassis and sophisticated aerodynamic package have always given owners the ability to go head-to-head with some of the world's most exotic machinery," said Jeff Lau, KTM's X-BOW Manager for the UK.

"This power upgrade will ensure that X-BOW owners seeking an even more extreme experience can do so in total confidence, building upon the quality assurance of the expert engineering and exquisite finish for which X-BOW is recognised."

ABT Sportsline Readying Modified KTM X-BOW with 300HP

As well as announcing the availability of KTM's unashamedly sportsbike-inspired X-BOW from its dealerships, VW Group tuning specialist ABT Sportsline, also revealed its plans to develop a more powerful version of the open-top road-racer. In standard form, the X-BOW is powered by a VW-sourced 2.0-liter TFSI engine with 240HP that launches the 790 kg / 1,742 lbs ultra lightweight sportscar from zero to (62 mph) 100 km/h in just 3.9 seconds.

With the performance improvements that ABT Sportsline is working on, the 2.0 TFSI will deliver a hefty 300 HP. The German tuner said that it will provide more detailed information about the technical key data of X-BOW ABT version once the standard tests have been carried out.

In what concerns the availability of the X-BOW from its dealerships, as a large outlet partner, ABT Sportsline said that it will not only take on the sale of the car itself, but also all the service work on the vehicle.

KTM to Debut X-BOW Race Cars for the FIA GT4 Championship

In collaboration the German-based motor racing specialist, Reiter Engineering which has operated Lamborghini racing teams in the FIA GT1, GT2 and GT3, KTM has prepared two racing versions of the X-BOW sportscar to compete in this year’s FIA GT4 European Cup in the newly-created ‘Sport Lights’ class. The opening race at Silverstone on April 20, 2008 will mark the X-BOW’s competition debut prior to the start of series production of the sportscar this summer.

According to KTM, the decision to place the racing premiere of X-Bow in the hands of Reiter, rather than enter the championship under a factory-run operation, was taken to allow KTM to use the GT4 entry as a pilot project to ‘drive’ development of future customer motor sport applications as well as the production model. –Continued

Italian Loris Bicocchi, who will be one of two drivers competing in the Reiter team has been heavily involved in the development of the KTM X-Bow as test driver. Bicocchi will be joined by German driver Catharina Felser whose racing experience includes Formula Ford and Formula 3 series.

Compared with the series production model, the changes made to the GT4 racing X-Bow are primarily related to additional safety equipment demanded by the FIA regulations. These include the rollover bars that are made of steel instead of aluminium; additional layers of zylon fibre are fastened to the flanks of the monocoque to prevent the penetration of sharp objects; the exhaust system has a racing silencer; the wheel covers are extended; there is added protection between the front and rear wheels; and the chassis is tuned to the specific requirements of racing.

Geneva Preview: KTM X-BOW Production Version

At next month’s Geneva Motor Show KTM will unwrap the production version of the X-Bow sports car that will feature a number of modifications compared to last year’s concept pictured above. The car will be a completely black, fully carbon-equipped X-Bow Dallara edition – one of just 100 being made – and features a series of extras, including carbon-fibre body panels, a limited slip differential, a removable steering wheel and a racing chassis tuned by Italian sports car specialists Dallara. A plaque with a unique serial number and special graphics mark out the limited-run Dallara X-Bow cars.

KTM X-BOW Makes Autosport Show Debut In UK

The Autosport Show which takes place at Birmingham’s NEC from 10-13 January will mark the KTM X-Bow’s (details & pics here) fourth major show outing following its world premiere at the Geneva International Motor Show last year, the 2007 Middle East International Motor Show in Dubai and its more recent showing at the end-of-year Bologna Motor Show, in Italy.

The lightweight, high-performance X-Bow which is powered by Audi’s 220 HP 2.0-liter Turbo engine, marks motorcycle manufacturer KTM’s move into the car market, and will be presented to UK driving enthusiasts for the first time finished in the new optional ‘Gleaming White’ bodywork. -Continued after the jump

The series production of the X-Bow is scheduled to commence with a run of 100 limited-edition ‘Dallara Series’ models. The special ‘Dallara Series’ will feature extra equipment to boost the track-day sporty potential of X-bow. Subsequently, KTM will produce up to 1000 X-Bow sportscars per year at its new dedicated car manufacturing facility in Graz, Austria.