Road Strikers

The KTM X-Bow currently comes in three different varieties, ‘Street’, ‘Clubsport’ and ‘R’ versions. In the past they’ve also been offered in standard, superlight and GT4 guises. But none of them, perhaps aside from the aftermarket X-Bow Stratosferica, have ever offered any kind of protection from the elements. KTM are apparently aware of this, so at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show they will pull the covers off a more accommodating version of the X-Bow called the X-Bow GT. Now GT normally stands for either “Gran Turismo” or “Grand Tourer”  (btw they both mean the same thing but in different languages) and that usually signifies a car which is suitable for long distance driving. Clearly KTM are using the GT acronym in a relative sense. Because although the X-Bow GT might be slightly more comfortable than the windscreen-less X-Bow, it wouldn’t exactly be my first choice for a cross-continental road trip in January...

The extensive use of bare carbon fibre has kept the weight to a minimum The KTM X-Bow Superlight is one of the variants of the KTM X-Bow model range. As the name suggests the Superlight is the lightest model in the range - but not by much, the base model KTM X-Bow is just 5 kg (11 lbs) heavier. Although the Superlight is a full 40 kg (88 lbs) lighter than the GT4 version. The weight reductions to the KTM X-Bow Superlight have been made possible through the extensive use of carbon fibre. The monocoque structure with integrated crash protection is composed entirely of carbon fibre and left unpainted to show of the carbon fibre weave. The few body panels which are fitted to the X-Bow Superlight are also formed from carbon fibre. Additional weight savings were also achieved through the use of unique light-alloy wheels finished in a dark lacquer. Powering the KTM X-Bow Superlight is the same Audi-sourced 2.0 litre turbocharged engine found in all the X-Bow models. This engine puts out 24...

The X-Bow R is powered by the same engine as the Audi S3 The KTM X-BOW R is a new, higher performance variant of the X-BOW. It will sit alongside the standard X-BOW, the clubsport, superlight, GT4 and ROC (Race of Champions) models when it is introduced in 2011. Like all the other models, the X-Bow R features the same unique styling and hardcore, uncomprimising chassis. The primary upgrade for the X-BOW R is the engine. It's the same 2.0 litre unit found in the Audi S3. So that means 300 horsepower is on tap, and it's all sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed transmission. To lower the center of gravity and improve the car's handling, KTM's engineers have mounted the engine slightly lower in the chassis. This should allow for higher cornering speeds and increased stability. The KTM X-BOW R will be offered in two versions. One is road legal and called the 'Sport' package. The other, called 'Race', is clearly only eligible for use on the race tr...