Seemingly straight out of the streets of Gotham City, the new X-Bow GTX from Austrian car manufacturer KTM is sex on wheels and, three-quarters of a year after its stunning debut, further details have been released on the ultimate bragging right’s eye-candy.
It is ultra-light, ultra-fast, and ultra-cool. Available for a reported $270k (£207k), KTM's new racer is based on a 176-pound carbon fibre Formula 3 monocoque, which is brought into the design by Dallara, enhanced by a full-fledged roll cage and a long range 31.7-gallon safety fuel cell in the 1,048 kilogram / 2,310 pound two-seater. Continuing its long and fruitful relationship with Audi, the jet-type includes the Audi's five-cylinder turbo tuned to 530 horsepower. The power-to-weight ratio is less than 2.0 kilograms (1.98 to be exact) and ‘offers the greatest possible efficiency thanks to the lowest possible fuel consumption’.
As described by KTM itself, in conjunction with the 120 litre FT3 safety tank, the KTM X-Bow GTX drives further respectively longer than the competition on every track day, but also on every long-distance race, and the low weight naturally also reduces wear and tear and thus the running costs significantly.
Within the central driving cell - proclaimed by KTM to be adaptable to any driver - are Makrolon windows and a Recaro kevlar racing seat with Schroth harness and a custom steering wheel with integrated digital display and controls. There’s a fully adjustable carbon fiber steering wheel and the now purely electric power steering, a pedal box that can move nearly 12 inches back and forth, a camera-based rearview mirror system, and a MoTec data logger. There are separately opening glass doors on both sides, with the front screen made of Makrolon.
Furthermore, the vehicle is installed with an electronic fuse box from SaReNi with fuses that can be programmed individually, an eight-way adjustable traction control and Continental's type 3 racing ABS, aero profile suspension pieces milled from steel and aluminium with quick camber adjustment.
“Together with Hans Reiter and his development team, our engineers have set a new standard for full carbon racing cars with the KTM X-Bow GTX,” said KTM representative Hubert Trunkenpolz, “Our new car is not only beautiful, it is trendsetting in all areas.
“Especially in terms of safety, efficiency and detailed technological solutions, we see a real revolution, apart from the design and the incredible manufacturing quality of the carbon fibre chassis."
KTM Sportcar GmbH Managing Director Michael Wölfling concurred of its status as a standard-setter, “With the new KTM X-Bow GTX, we are targeting ambitious track day pilots as well as semi-professional and professional racing drivers. In addition to the desire for the fastest lap time, the desire for the greatest possible safety is always at the top of the priority list for all pilots. With the KTM X-Bow GTX we can combine these two wishes in the best possible way.”
By the end of 2020, twenty vehicles are expected to have been produced, with a racing series expected to help KTM exhibit them in the new year.
