Arturo Arino’s Reptile Brings the Lightweight Roadster into the 21st Century
April 7, 2011
If the KTM X-Bow and Ariel Atom have taught us anything, it is that simple, stripped-down cars with go-kart like handling and supercar performance are the shiz. With that in mind, Mexican industrial designer Arturo Arino presents us with the Reptile, an imaginary hybrid racer that can also be driven on the streets.
Equipped with a 2.7 L Wankel rotary producing a theoretical 700 hp (552 kW) at 9,000 rpm, a 4-pole electric induction motor and regenerative braking to recharge the batteries, this lightweight / topless roadster epitomizes the long held motoring philosophy that, “less is more”.
KTM Announces 2011 X-BOW R Model with 300HP
September 25, 2010
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.
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Argentinean Donto wants to battle Ariel and KTM with its P1
August 31, 2010
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.
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KTM Backs ABT Sportsline 300HP Power Upgrade for X-BOW
July 23, 2009
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
February 11, 2009
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 X-Bow Race Model: Could be yours for €82,900
October 27, 2008
Following the X-Bow's market launch this summer and its race debut at the European GT4 Sports Light series where it claimed the top three spots at the end of the 18-round championship, KTM announced the release of a the X-Bow Race, a fully FIA homologated GT4 Sports Light racing car. Drawing on experience from the X-Bow's first season of professional motorsport in Europe, the new Race model features more than 30 modified or new components compared with the standard, road-legal version of the mid-engined sports car. -Continued
The Austrian firm has priced the X-Bow Race at €82.900 ($105,000 with the current exchange rates) ex-works and excluding national taxes, with first customer deliveries scheduled to begin in January 2009.
Changes on the X-Bow Race model, which like its street-legal sibling is powered by Audi's 2.0-liter TFSI engine delivering an output of 240HP, include race-spec suspension and brake systems, Kevlar-reinforced side panels, carbon fiber windscreen extension for telemetry equipment installation, racing fuel system with quick-fill compatibility and an extended rear bumper that prevents tangling and minimizes spray in wet track conditions. Customers with a bigger allowance may also choose from a variety of optional "PowerParts" like such as the carbon-fiber tonneau cover and Kevlar-strengthened front panels.
The mid-engined sports car can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 3.9 seconds and to 160 km/h (100 mph) in 8.5 sec while its top speed is 220 km/h or 137 mph
The Austrian manufacturer says that the X-Bow 'Race' is extremely easy to maintain and offers significantly lower running costs than competitor cars. To put that in numbers, KTM claims that taking into account all 'wear and tear' parts, tires and fuel, the typical cost of running a X-Bow in GT4 come to about €3,000 (about $3,800) per race.
X-Bow 'Race' – changes at a glance:
1 Racing dampers
2 Racing brake pads
3 Racing catalytic converter
4 Semi-slick racing tyres (specified for GT4 EC racing)
5 Six-point racing harness
6 Extended side headrest: for greater driver head support
7 Kevlar-reinforced side panels
8 Carbon fibre windscreen extension: for telemetry equipment installation
9 Installation of front roll blocks (specified for GT4 EC racing)
10 Toughened rear roll hoops
11 Racing airbox design: lower than standard car design, for reduced drag
12 Extended rear bumper: to prevent tangling and minimise spray in wet track conditions
13 Side anti-tangle panel: to prevent inter-wheel tangling
14 Larger towing eye set
15 Fuel-spill seal: to prevent spilt fuel leaking onto engine with quick-fill system
16 Ballast installation plate (specified for GT4 EC racing)
17 Locked steering wheel (adjustable pre-race) in place of quick-adjustable system on standard car
18 Fire extinguisher system
19 Engine kill switch
20 Dry battery
21 Rain safety tail light
22 Revised rear bumper and rear crash box
23 Plastic headlight covers
24 Racing fuel system with quick-fill compatibility
25 Adjustable brake balance
26 Low profile racing windscreen
27 Handbrake removed
28 Front fins removed
29 Numberplate holder removed
30 Visible unpainted carbon body as standard
The KTM X-Bow 'Race' is also available with a variety of optional "PowerParts":
1 Central locking wheels
2 Racing brake discs
3 Adjustable front anti-roll bar
4 Adjustable rear anti-roll bar
5 Adjustable front push rods
6 Airjack system (1x front, 2x rear) – parts
7 Airjack system – fitted
8 Easy-rescue driver seat shell
9 Racing mirrors with indicators or position lights
10 Kevlar-strengthened front panels
11 Carbon-fibre tonneau cover
12 2D data logging system with software
13 Display holder for 2D data logging system
14 Carbon revised rear bumper and rear crash box
15 Wider throttle pedal plate
Safety FIA homologated Article 258A of Appendix J Crash box: FIA Formula 3 crash test approved Kevlar side intrusion protection panels Extended side headrest Fire extinguisher system Dry battery with master switch Front and rear towing eyes Extended rear bumper including rear crash structure
KTM to Debut X-BOW Race Cars for the FIA GT4 Championship
March 13, 2008
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
February 22, 2008
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
January 2, 2008
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
