KTM teases new X-Bow race car

Austrian motorcycle brand KTM has released a teaser image of a new race-track-only model that's part of a collaboration with motorsport outfit Reiter Engineering.

Though no name has been given to the new race car, it's likely the vehicle will be a more potent version of the company's street-legal X-Bow performance car, a sub 800kg roadster powered by an Audi 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine.

The images suggest the front-end design will be similar to the current X-Bow and the race car will likely be built around a modified version of the former's platform. However the big difference is that the cabin is completely enclosed.

The new race car concept can be seen sporting a large rear wing and new rear bodywork, including a vented engine cover and could spawn a road-going version in future.

Various KTM X-Bow models have been powered by 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engines outputting between 147 and 220kW over the years. The vehicle was introduced in 2008 but it's unclear if the race car will stick with the current recipe.

Current models accelerate from 0-100km/h in around 4.0 seconds, so the race car should at least if not better that time. The inclusion of an enclosed roof will also provide the vehicle improved aerodynamics and high-speed stability.

More powerful brakes and beefed-up suspension and wheels/tyres are likely for the competition car, as is a raucous motorsport exhaust system to liberate more engine power, and a racing gearbox.

Not unlike what Mazda and Toyota are planning with their one-make race series featuring the MX-5 and 86 coupe respectively, KTM has run one-make race series with the X-Bow, feedback from which resulted in this new race car concept, which will be offered across Asia, Europe and the USA.

Hubert Trunkenpolz, member of the Executive Board at KTM, explained: "With the X-Bow Battle we have established a highly successful one-make competition for our customers who are also motorsport enthusiasts. We are very aware that among them, and among many other like-minded enthusiasts, there is a demand for a racing car that can compete in international races," he said.

"With this in mind, Hans Reiter came to us with the challenging idea of developing a completely new X-Bow for use in motorsport. We enthusiastically support this development in the knowledge that Reiter Engineering is an internationally recognised team that develops, constructs and markets highly successful racing cars," said Trunkenpolz.

"We are 100 per cent convinced that the result will be a real ‘ready to race’ product in the best KTM tradition!"

The KTM X-Bow and other wild designs such as the Polaris Slingshot and Morgan 3-Wheeler are unlikely to be offered in Australia any time soon due to strict Australian Design Rules (ADRs). These require the vehicles to be crash tested and measured like regular cars, which severely impacts on the business cases for these low-volume models.