2017 KTM X-Bow R Review

2017 KTM X-Bow R

2017 KTM X-Bow R Review

2017 KTM X-Bow R on www.Totalmotorcycle.com

The Super Sports Car of the 21st Century…

Revolutionary. Puristic. Radical. In the form of the production version of the X-BOW, Austrian manufacturer KTM presented its interpretation of a super sports car for the 21st century in 2008. “We wanted to take Colin Chapman’s idea of a spartan, lightweight sports car reduced to the bare essentials and transfer it into the new millennium – with as many technological innovations as possible,” says KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. Together with the specialists at Italian sports car manufacturer Dallara, the composites experts Wethje, the think-tank KTM Technologies and engine partner Audi, what is probably the most exciting super sports car of our times was produced in only 18 months. The extraordinary styling came from Gerald Kiska and the team at Kiska Design, who created an iconic modern sports car. “Ready to Race” – this not only applies to KTM motorcycles, but also to the X-BOW. When developing the “R”, we focussed on improving both performance data and overall performance. Even more extreme, even faster and even more impressive. The result is quite outstanding. The KTM X-BOW R has been designed down to the very last detail as an uncompromising driving machine. Many of the conventional elements aimed purely at comfort have been omitted. Dispensing with a roof and the windscreen as well as the omission of air-conditioning and entertainment systems all takes a little getting used to. But it allows concentration on the most important aspect: the driving experience!

2017 KTM X-Bow R www.Totalmotorcycle.com Key Features

The idea behind KTM’s first 4-wheel model

KTM is a company built around racing.

For our first sports car, we applied the same approach we have always applied to our race focused motorcycles.

The design concept.

Focused on only including elements that directly add to the performance and function of the vehicle. Trim away and leave off everything else. Assemble the best suppliers of the necessary components and use the strongest, lightest and most advanced materials available.

Only the best.

The chassis was developed with Italian sports car specialists Dallara and composites experts Wethje. KTM Technologies and engine partner Audi refined the performance and WP created a suspension system that allows exceptional handling and cornering agility

X-Bow technology

Revolutionary. Puristic. Radical.

The production KTM X-BOW is KTM’s interpretation of a super sports car for the 21st century. “We took Colin Chapman’s idea of a spartan, lightweight sports car reduced to the bare essentials and transfered it into the new millennium – with as many technological innovations as possible”, says KTM CEO Stefan Pierer, of the first four-wheeled model in KTM’s history

Breaking boundaries
Iconic Design from Kiska
Pure race bred technology
Gran turismo with Racing-DNA

The world’s first production car with a full carbon composite monocoque. Produced by carbon-fibre specialists Wethje the monocoque weighs just 80 kg yet has exceptional safety levels. Aerodynamics derived from open-wheel racing, jointly developed by KTM Technologies and Dallara produces 100 kg of down force at 200 km/h, allowing up to 2 G of lateral acceleration – superior to any other street-legal car

A revolutionary production plant

The KTM X-BOW has been manufactured in a purpose-built plant in Graz since June 2008. It is one of the world’s most modern vehicle limited-production facilities and was built in a matter of months in accordance with the latest standards.

State-of-the-art logistics and technology

KTM has developed ingenious warehousing, special transport logistics (including specially designed transport containers for the valuable carbon-fibre parts) and special assembly technologies

From factory straight to race track

Naturally, customers and interested parties are welcome to visit us at any time in Graz – whether it be to buy new performance parts or to find out all there is to know about the KTM X-BOW. For all those who would like to collect their vehicle from the Graz factory, there is a special offer, which is supervised personally by site manager Michael WÃ¶lfling in person: “With the KTM X-BOW, we are not merely selling a car, but a unique experience. Every customer naturally receives a guided tour around our factory. Anyone who wants to can even watch their vehicle pass through the final stages of production – and then drive directly to their first driver training session on the Red Bull Ring

2017 KTM X-Bow R www.Totalmotorcycle.com Features and Benefits

Aerodynamics

Downforce
The KTM X-BOW R supplies technical solutions from the racing world. The design of the ingenious aerodynamics – developed by KTM Technologies in cooperation with Dallara – is particularly impressive. Almost 200 kg of downforce are generated at 200 km/h thanks to the front splitter, underbody and rear diffuser. Depending on the tyres, up to 2.0 G of lateral acceleration is possible – more than with any other street-legal production vehicle.

Diffuser
Air flows optimally into the rear diffuser, which ensures distribution of pressure in the underbody thanks to its asymmetric design. It generates a large part of the downforce.

Underbody
One look underneath the KTM X-BOW R reveals the three-piece, completely flat, racing underbody derived from formula racing vehicles.

Chassis

Pushrod Suspension
On the front axle, the pushrod chassis – derived directly from the world of formula racing – features compression damping with high and low-speed settings as well as adjustable rebound damping. Such a suspension system is only used very rarely on production vehicles, since it is expensive and complicated – although the ride is incomparable.

Brakes from Brembo
Extreme power demands an equivalent level of brake performance. The KTM X-BOW R employs a Brembo brake system, featuring a four-piston, fixed-calliper brake on the front axle, with an internally ventilated, slotted disc measuring 305 mm in diameter; the rear unit is a two-piston, fixed-calliper brake with a diameter of 262 mm.

Springs and Dampers from WP
Together with chassis and test-drive guru Loris Bicocchi, WP Suspension was involved in developing the springs and dampers for the KTM X-BOW from the very beginning. This expertise and the accumulated experience with the set-up of the X-BOW are perceptible in the “R” from the very first moment.

Micheling Pilot Supersport
A high-performance tire, developed especially for super sports cars and the ultra- high-performance segment, including the KTM X-BOW R: It offers safety even in the most extreme conditions and, above all, excellent handling in both the dry and the wet.

Drive train

Transmission
Tried and tested in series production, but tuned optimally to the KTM X-BOW R: The manual 6-speed gearbox from Audi always has the right gear available – furthermore, it is equipped with an additional short-shifting movement. The Drexler limited slip differential that comes as standard guarantees optimum propulsion in every curve.

Torque Curve
The engine achieves its maximum torque of 400 Nm at a speed of only 3,300 rpm – thereby making, in the truest sense of the phrase, “very light work” of the KTM X-BOW R, which tips the scales at a mere 790 kg. The maximum power output of 300 hp is attained at 6,300 rpm.

Audi Engine Technology
The rear end of the KTM X-BOW R accommodates a 300 hp, 2.0-litre TFSI engine from premium manufacturer Audi. The state-of-the-art power unit works with gasoline direct injection and combines the dynamics of turbocharging with highly effective charge air cooling. Alongside outstanding power and torque characteristics, the four-cylinder engine surprises above all with its minimal fuel consumption: only 8.3 litres per 100 km in the MVEG cycle!

Frame
The aluminum spaceframe is the central supporting element for the engine/gearbox assembly. It has been possible to lower the whole unit by 19 millimetres, thereby lowering the KTM X-BOW R’s already impressively low centre of gravity by another 15 millimetres. As a direct consequence, even greater lateral acceleration forces and even higher cornering speeds are possible.

Torque Support
The extreme forces of the engine are cushioned in the KTM X-BOW R by a torque support, which is mounted directly on the carbon monocoque.

Monocoque

Belts
Driver and passenger are protected by a four-point (also six-point upon request) safety belt from Schroth, which is also used in racing.

Crash box
The crash box at the nose of the vehicle provides additional safety. Thanks to its carbon-aluminum sandwich construction, it even complies with the strict safety regulations of the FIA-GT and Formula 3.

TechnologicaLeadership
The KTM X-BOW is the first production vehicle to boast a monocoque made completely from composite carbon fibre material – a trailblazing and pioneering technology, previously reserved exclusively for racing vehicles.

Extremly light, extremely stable
Four layers of carbon fibre, epoxy resin, elaborate handiwork, autoclave technology: they all come together to produce the twin-wall, two-part, extremely lightweight, carbon monocoque, which is manufactured by composite-fibre specialist Wethje in Germany. The result is a carbon-fibre construction that provides the highest levels of safety, but only weighs 80 kilogrammes – with an unbelievably high torsional stiffness of 35,000 Nm/o.

Roll bars
In the event of a rollover, optimum protection is guaranteed by the aluminum roll bars integrated in the monocoque. They withstand loads of up to 2.5 times the weight of the vehicle. .

2017 KTM X-Bow R – www.Totalmotorcycle.com USA Specifications/Technical Details
US MSRP Price: $ See Dealer for Pricing in USD

Engine
” Design
4-cylinder, 4-stroke engine
” Displacement
1984 cm³
” Power
220 kW (300 hp) @ 6300 rpm
” Max. torque
400 Nm @ 3300 rpm
” Valves
4/cylinder, DOHC
” Fuel consumption
8.3 l/100 km
” CO2 emissions
189 g/km
Chassis
” Dimensions
3738 x 1915 x 1202 mm
” Wheelbase
2430 mm
” Turning circle
10.8 m
” Track front/rear
1672 / 1626 mm
” Power transmission
Rear-wheel drive with mechanical slip differential
” Transmission
6-speed transmission, manual
” Tyres front/rear
205/40 R17 / 255/35 R18
” Height of centre of gravity
380 mm
” Tank capacity (approx.)
40 l
” Weight READY TO RACE (without fuel)
790 kg
” Maximum speed
231 km/h
” Acceleration 0-100 km/h
3.9 s
” Deceleration 100-0 km/h
32.9 m
” Aerodynamic downforce 100 km/h
48 kg
” Aerodynamic downforce 200 km/h
193 kg
” Lateral acceleration
>1.5 g (road tyres)
” Static weight distribution (front/rear)
37:63

2017 KTM X-Bow R – www.Totalmotorcycle.com Canadian Specifications/Technical Details
Canada MSRP Price: $ See Dealer for Pricing in CDN

2017 KTM X-Bow R – www.Totalmotorcycle.com European Specifications/Technical Details
Europe/UK MSRP Price: £ See Dealer for pricing in GBP (On The Road inc 20% Vat)

The illustrated vehicles may vary in selected details from the production models and some illustrations feature optional equipment available at additional cost.
All information concerning the scope of supply, appearance, services, dimensions and weights is non-binding and specified with the proviso that mistakes, printing, setting and typing errors may occur; such information is subject to change without notice.

Manufacturer Specifications and appearance are subject to change without prior notice on Total Motorcycle (TMW).

2017 KTM X-Bow R Review

2017 KTM X-Bow R Review

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2017 KTM X-Bow R Review

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