KTM reveals quickest ever X-BOW

Austrian motorcycle and sports car maker KTM has released a new image and details of its eye-catching GT4 X-BOW race car.

Built in conjunction with Reiter Engineering GmbH, the new model is a rear-drive sports car designed for racing in GT4 categories, and can be fielded internationally as it adheres to universal FIA homologations.

The mid-engined racer is powered by a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine from the Volkswagen Group. Similar to engines used in the Volkswagen Golf and Audi S3, in this application it has been specially tuned for race requirements and pumps out around 235kW, or 320hp.

KTM's first X-BOW weighed less than 800kg and with a 177kW version of the 2.0-litre turbo engine it could dash to 100km/h in 3.9 seconds.

Designed to compete in the SRO GT4 European Championship and Pirelli World Challenge GT-S, the new model is expected to feature double-wishbone suspension at both ends. It has been previously reported that the "downsized McLaren MP4-12C" will be based around a carbon-fibre monocoque to keep weight down and rigidity up.

It gets race-spec anti-lock braking and a six-speed Holinger sequential race gearbox with steering wheel-mounted shifters.

Unlike the road-registerable X-BOWs that have been built in small numbers for the past seven years, this one features a fully-enclosed roof.

The latest rendering of the vehicle shows the front suspension has been fully enclosed to improve airflow across its canopy and the KTM's sinuous shape furthers this end. An aggressive front spoiler is matched with a large rear wing to improve downforce at speed.

Reiter Engineering and KTM will also have to work on several safety features to ensure the X-BOW adheres to road and FIA regulations. That means a special front carbon-fibre crash structure and integrated rollover cage will be incorporated, along with a removable rescue seat.

Hans Reiter, the owner of Reiter Engineering, said his team's partnership with KTM will result in a vehicle that sets new benchmarks in its class thanks to "state-of-the-art" safety and technology.

"The new KTM racing car will generate approximately 320hp with the well-known 2.0-litre TFSI engine, which is coupled with a sequential six-speed gearbox from Holinger, naturally with paddle shift," he said.

"When it comes to the weight we are orienting ourselves on the current SRO GT4 practice. Ultimately, however, we have to wait to see how much balance weight and horsepower the SRO and the Pirelli World Challenge assigns us as part of the 'Balance of Performance'."

The cost of the bespoke GT4 racer is yet to be revealed, but it is understood it will be significantly lower than a Porsche 911 Cup car.

"When you reflect on what the customer is being offered here in terms of the most modern racing technology, together with a very impressive safety concept, then you can really speak about it being exceptionally good value for money," said Reiter.

"Our next major milestone will be the SRO BOP test in the coming spring," he added.

Delivers of the new model are expected to begin after that, most likely from mid-2015.

Whether the Reiter-KTM alliance will spawn a road-going version of the striking X-BOW racer remains to be seen.

There had been plans to sell the road-legal X-BOW in Australia for around $80,000 in the past, but the business case failed to stick.