KTM X-Bow race car unveiled

By Chris Clarke

First Official Pictures

29 October 2008 13:30

Less than year after the release of the X-Bow onto the scene, KTM has launched its €83,000 (£66,000) fully homologated GT4 race car.

It's aptly called the KTM Race, and the official pictures show this exciting model in all its madcap glory. The inspiration of this new model comes from KTM's experiences drawn from a first season in motorsport.

Racing driver Loris Bicocchi contributed to the tuning of the Race chassis and dynamics. He has form; he was also involved in setting up supercars such as the Koenigsegg CCR and the Bugatti Veryron.

The same mid-engined VW Group 2.0 TFSI engine is used, producing 236bhp. With the whole car weighing 825kg, it’s enough grunt for the race-spec KTM to hit 62mph in around 3.9 seconds.

More than 30 changes are made to the standard X-Bow, mainly to comply with FIA regulations. So it gains improved crash protection, including stronger rollover bars and additional kevlar side intrusion panels.

The KTM Race is about to roll off the production line, with first deliveries to customers in January 2009. KTM has had a successful first year, winning the GT4 Sports Light European Cup. 

Off the back of this experience, KTM will provide a Customer Racing Service (CRS) - technical assistance to you and me - for keen racers to compete in professional
motorsport.

KTM claims that the typical cost of running a Race KTM in GT4 with CRS support will be around £3000 per race.

By Chris Clarke