KTM X-Bow GT4 2009

Auto Car | KTM X-Bow GT4 2009 | In 2009 the KTM X-BOW GT4 has been deployed by numerous customers in the most diverse race series Europe-wide. The possibility of being an absolute contender was proven once again last weekend in a very impressive manner: While the KTM-plant drivers Christopher Haase, Catharina Felser and Dennis Retera saw to the triple triumph at the end of last season, it is a private gentleman, who in 2009 can take the credit for the title in the Supersport Class of the GT4 European Cup: The Austrian Augustin Eder with his X-BOW GT4 was victorious in the face of strong international competition.



„The score is always settled at the end“, the Upper Austrian tried to curb the expectations at the season’s half time. However, with a combination of his motto “driving with brain, contrary some other competitors“ and a constantly upwards pointing learning- and performance curve he was more than successful in the end. Last weekend at this season’s end he collected the title prematurely during the first of two runs held on the Algarve’s stunning rollercoaster race track in Portimao/Portugal. Too big was his lead on points over his toughest pursuer, the Dutchman Denis Donkervoort, who in his Donkervoort D8GT battled Eder for victory in the overall rankings during the entire season. The overall fifth place went to Eder’s X-BOW team-mate Athanasios Ladas – The Greek entered the GT4 European Cup late, but managed to step onto the pedestal a few times as well as achieving an impressive position in the overall rankings.



„Defending the title after the triple victory in the highest European GT4 league last year is the perfect proof for our X-BOW race version’s competitiveness.“, so Georg Silbermayr, Manager of Sales & Motorsport KTM X-BOW. „We thank Augustin Eder for his trust in the KTM X-BOW GT4 and congratulate him and his entire team on this great performance. Customer sport has and always will be taken very seriously at KTM, on two as well as on four wheels – this success shows once more that KTM is absolutely right in advertising their products with the slogan ‚Ready to Race’!“



Overall Ranking – Final Score after 12 Races:
1. Augustin Eder, KTM X-BOW GT4 - 85 points
2. Denis Donkervoort, Donkervoort D8GT - 76 pts.
3. Stephane Wintenberger, Donkervoort D8GT - 54 pts.
4. Nico Pronk, Donkervoort D8GT - 45 pts.
5. Athanasios Ladas, KTM X-BOW GT4 - 40 pts.

Source : www.ktm-x-bow.com

Geneva 2009: KTM X-Bow ROC unveiled for those who like to race champions

Auto Car | Geneva 2009: KTM X-Bow ROC unveiled for those who like to race champions | Late last month we learned that KTM was planning to bring two new versions of its X-Bow roadster to the Geneva Motor Show. One of those machines is the new X-Bow ROC edition, and our men on the scene managed to assemble a gallery of live shots of the new model that you can view in the gallery below. This new ROC edition was built to commemorate the Austrian firm's inclusion in last year's 2008 Race of Champions, so it fittingly features a lightweight carbon fiber monocoque shell and adds a sports exhaust to Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder mill that's shared with other models in the range. Unique paint and badges also help set it apart from lesser X-Bows.

Despite the fact this new model shares plenty of special bits with the top-level Superlight X-Bow, KTM was able to price the limited edition ROC model rather aggressively with a base MSRP of 69,980 euros – a full 10,000 less than its pricier sibling. Also new is the X-Bow Street, which retails for an even more wallet-friendly 49,980 euros. Read the full press release from KTM after the break.

New model line-up, the X-BOW-Trophy, PowerParts & PowerWear

The production version of the KTM X-BOW is celebrating its first birthday. Exactly one year ago, the production version of the KTM X-BOW made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. To the rapturous applause of media and innumerable prospective buyers, who had given an enthusiastic welcome to the prototype unveiled one year earlier, it was confirmed that practically no changes had been made to the original design. The X-BOW had lost nothing of its radical nature, purist ethos or innovative technology on the way to series production.

Less than two and a half years had passed between the conception of the initial visionary idea by KTM CEO Stefan Pierer and KISKA CEO Gerald Kiska in the autumn of 2005 and the launch of the production model in the spring of 2008 in Geneva. Just six months later, the first customer KTM X-BOW was handed over to a very proud owner in the newly-built manufacturing plant in Graz. Such was the speed of KTM's timescale for the creation of a radical new automobile that even the most optimistic would have found it hard to believe. It was a schedule only made possible by close collaboration with partners such as Dallara and Audi and, more than anything else, by the wholehearted commitment of KTM's employees.

Almost 250 KTM X-BOWs were delivered to customers in the first six months of production and the order book stands at around 400 units. Meanwhile, KTM has moved away from the original plan to sell about 1,000 units per year. “Naturally, the general economic situation not only affects the large car manufacturers”, explains KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. “We are also sensing the hesitance to buy that is currently demonstrated by many prospective buyers, both in the motorcycle market as well as with the X-BOW. We have an extremely lean manufacturing structure and can react very quickly to changes in circumstances. Adjusting our sales target from 1,000 units per year to around 600 is an acknowledgement of the current situation. However, at the same time we are intensifying our efforts in the X-BOW field, extending the model cycle and making significant improvements to our service partner network. Furthermore, we are providing an extremely attractive model line-up for 2009 that offers the appropriate vehicle for every prospective buyer's needs at very attractive prices. Moreover, we want customers and potential customers to form an even closer bond with the KTM brand by participating in the X-BOW Trophy and the RaceOrange program as well as by buying our special PowerParts and PowerWear products,” concludes Pierer.

KTM is starting the 2009 model year by exhibiting five different X-BOW models at the 79th Geneva Motor Show together with many more new products; from the attractively priced entry-level model, the X-BOW Street (€49.980*), and the X-BOW Clubsport, at €59.980* the perfect entry-level model for the racetrack, to the FIA-homologated race vehicle for professionals, the X-BOW GT4 (€82.900 plus national taxes and import duties). The 2009 range now also includes a further two attractive models: the X-BOW Superlight features all available technologies and radical lightweight construction, and the limited-edition X-BOW ROC, produced in homage to KTM's participation in the most prestigious motorsport event of the year, the 'Race of Champions'. The ROC model is celebrating its world premiere at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, together with the new X-BOW Street.

In addition, KTM will be providing information on the X-BOW Trophy 2009, the extensive, spectacular RaceOrange program and the PowerParts and PowerWear collections created especially for the X-BOW

Source : www.allaboutauto.us

2009 KTM X-Bow Street

Auto Car | 2009 KTM X-Bow Street | With its aggressive design and immense sporting potential, the X-BOW is a milestone in 50-year history of the KTM brand. At the same time it represents a new benchmark in the small but elite segment of radical lightweight sportscars. This exceptional achievement is the result of its highly original design concept and the fact that for its first car, KTM employed the finest materials, advanced technology and the know-how of respected development partners. The result is a street-homologated sportscar with pedigree motorsport technologies – including a cutting edge monocoque made from carbon fibre, identical to those that have become standard in modern Formula 1, for example, because of its weight and safety advantages.

Thanks to the car’s light weight and the 177 kW (240 hp) Audi 2.0 TFSI engine, the KTM X-BOW sets new performance standards and outstrips even far more powerful sportscars. Weighing in at around 790 kilograms, it accelerates from a standing start to 100 km/h in only 3.9 seconds. At the same time, low fuel consumption (7.9 litres/100 km) and exhaust emissions (187.23 g/km) rival those of powerful compact cars.

But the X-BOW isn’t just a racing machine, even if it does achieve spectacular performance on the race track. With its modern technologies and exceptional dynamics, it’s also oriented towards sporty drivers who seek a purist driving experience on the road. By foregoing electronic assistance and extraneous, heavy comfort features, the X-BOW offers an unfiltered driving adventure. This is made possible by the double wishbone suspension front and rear, the exposed mechanical components and the unadulterated concept that leaves the X-BOW without a roof, doors or a windscreen. The sportscar’s only concession is a 70 mm high, transparent wind deflector. So driving the KTM X-BOW becomes an experience with an immediacy that otherwise can only be felt when riding a motorbike or driving a single-seater racing car.

For the 2009 model year, there is a new X-BOW product line-up – with ownership of the new sportscar phenomenon from KTM starting at only 49,980 Euros (plus national taxes and import duties) for the X-BOW Street that, even with its basic configuration, offers the absolute maximum in driving pleasure.

The Street series features in detail

    - Carbon fibre monocoque with crash box, both in clear coat finish
    - Audi 2.0 TFSI engine with direct fuel injection and 177 kW (240 hp)
    - Smooth racing underbody, front splitter and rear diffuser in aluminium composite
    - Individually adjustable pedals and adjustable multi-function steering wheel
    - ‘Keyless Go’ system
    - Lacquered alloy wheel rims
    - Four-point safety harness

Factory-fitted special options are also available: a removable steering wheel, limited-slip differential or street-homologated semi-slick tyres – and of course a wide selection of KTM PowerParts.

 

Source : www.seriouswheels.com

2009 KTM X-Bow Superlight

Auto Car | 2009 KTM X-Bow Superlight | KTM has revealed the second special edition X-BOW Superlight (next to the ROC) at the Geneva Motor Show. The car’s objective is described as the name to reduce the cars weight. KTM used extensive carbon fiber for the monoque body. KTM X-BOW Superlight is powered by an Audi 2.0 TFSI direct fuel injection engine delivering power of 177 kW (240 hp). Unfortunately KTM has not released the weight figure and performance figure. The X-Bow Superlight comes with a radical construction, without a roof or windscreen, and the omission of air-conditioning and an entertainment system. All features come for one purpose: weight reduction. The X-Bow Superlight will be priced at 79,980 Euro or over $100.000 at the current rates.

Weight reduces performance and detracts from the pleasure of driving. Thats why you wont find many of the conventional comfort features in the KTM-X-BOW. The radical construction, without a roof or windscreen, and the omission of air-conditioning and an entertainment system, are all intended to focus the users concentration on a driving experience that is so pure as to be similar to that of a motorbike. But thats not all: for the first time ever in the history of series-production cars, a chassis made completely of carbon fibre  or to be more precise, a carbon fibre monocoque  has been employed.

For many years this chassis technology has formed the safety net in Formula 1 and other single-seater racing formulae, but on the road there have been only a very small number of supersports cars in the very highest price category that have used a carbon fibre monocoque. KTM is proud to be the first company to offer this chassis technology in an affordable form. Together with racing and sportscar manufacturer, Dallara, and carbon fibre specialist, Wethje, the Austrian company has made the lightweight X-BOW a reality.

Carbon fibre, the high-tech material from aerospace and Formula 1, opens up completely new possibilities for sportscar construction that have been extensively exploited in the X-BOWs construction. It combines an incomparably strong structure  35,000 Nm/o despite the open cockpit  with extremely low weight (the complete carbon composite monocoque weighs only 90 kilograms) and unrivalled safety. The X-BOWs high-strength survival cell satisfied the stringent demands of the FIA crash tests right from the start.

Carbon fibre, the high-tech material from Formula 1, opens up completely new possibilities for sports car manufacturers and was extensively used in the construction of the X-BOW. The result is a unique, radical supersports car that shows racing technology for all to see. It is understood that the clear coat finished bodypanels of the X-BOW “Superlight” are made from carbonfibre.

The KTM X-BOW Superlight brings racing technology uniquely packaged to the road. The scope of supply includes, amongst other things:

* Audi 2.0 TFSI engine with 177 kW (240 Hp)
* 6-speed manual transmission
* Limited slip differential
* Carbon fibre monocoque and crashbox in clear coat finish
* Carbon composite underbody with front splitter and rear diffusor in clear coat finish
* Bodypanels and wheel covers made from carbon composite in clear coat finish
* Performance suspension with adjustable compression and rebound (high and low speed) and with pre-load adjuster
* Wheels with single central nut locking
* Removeable multifunctional steering wheel adjustable in rake and reach

Source : www.tuvei.com

2009 KTM X-Bow Winter Drift

Auto Car | 2009 KTM X-Bow Winter Drift | KTM Motorcycles came out with their first sports car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007 with the KTM X-Bow. There was a limited edition of the X-Bow as well...The X-Bow Dallara (there are only going to be 100 made.). This is in honor of Dallara, the Italian specialist in racing and sport cars. This Italian company is also involved with developing and tuning of the chassis. The chassis itself is a double wishbone and has push rod suspension in the front. An extra option is a racing chassis that has an altered suspension and settings and has a pre-loaded adjuster so you can adjust the ground clearance.

The X-Bow is a lightweight mid-engine vehicle that has a carbon fiber monocoque (Greek and French word meaning single shell.) This is a construction technique that supports the structural load by using the object's external skin instead of using an internal frame or truss that then is covered with a non-load-bearing skin. Another term for this technique is called Uni-body construction.

This is a highly developed technique for Formula 1 racing, racing cars and those expensive and exotic sports cars. This particular shell is manufactured by specialists in Wethje, South Germany. It has a crash box located in the front and a "solid sandwich structured floor pan." Because of the carbon fiber shell, the vehicle is only 2,370 pounds. Because it has such a low weight, it can outperform many of the other super cars that are more powerful.

This sports car was designed for wintertime fun, so it is equipped with four-wheeled drive. It is also equipped with two liter Audi TFSI Inline-four. The engine weighs 1742 pounds. Torque is 229 pounds per foot. Horsepower is 240 or 7.3 pounds per horsepower. Top speed is 0-62 in 3.9 seconds.

This vehicle, with its radical and advanced technological solutions, is designed for the ultimate true open-air car driving experience. So this means that there isn't a roof or windshield. At least, not in the conception phase, when it was first introduced in 2007 at the Geneva Motor Show. That was so the focus was to be on the deliverance of the driving experience that only can be found riding a motorcycle. There have been very small alterations from the prototype and the production model that was on exhibit in 2008.

There it was seen that that, for the most part, the biggest change was to enlarge the central air intake located between the headrests. This is to allow for greater engine cooling during demanding activities.

Another obvious change is the new instrument arrangement. Originally, all of the indicator and controls along with a display on the steering wheel, which was proven not too be such a good place for them. So now the display, which is shower-proof, is now located on the center console top. And the control buttons are still on the steering wheel.

Another big change was the addition of small polycarbonate side windows and a smaller windshield. Also new is the seating upholstery. The seat shells have to be rigid and are made from carbon so that the seats can be fixed right to the monocoque, so the cushioning is necessary and comes in different sizes to fit the drivers. Also available is a pedal box that is mechanically adjustable so the driver can set up a driving position that is comfortable. And if you like the "sporty sound" the KTM X-Bow has a silencer with twin exhaust pipes for fine-tuning. Many of the options that are also extra in the Dallara edition you can order for the standard KTM X-Bow except for the Dallara plaque and the special graphics.

Currently, it is certified for being road legal in most of the European countries. The "European Small Series Homologation Regulations" that is set for the first part of 2009 will make it road legal in all of Europe.

Speaking of Europe, even though authorities do not require that the driver of the X-Bow to wear a helmet, KTM stresses that they recommend that you do. At the Geneva Show, they had two available (both had the X-Bow branding). The models were the Arai Closed Racing Helmet and one from Schuberth, a German company. The Arai meets requirements from motor sports authorities by providing comprehensive protection whereas the German one has better peripheral vision.

Source : ezinearticles.com