Alpine bikemaker to take on Lotus

[totalmotorcycle]

Alpine bikemaker to take on Lotus
Wednesday, November 8, 2006 - 4 - channel4.com



Austrian motorcycle manufacturer is planning to take on the Lotus Elise with its own lightweight roadster.

There's no name as yet for the KTM sports car, but it will follow the same basic principles of the Lotus with a mid-mounted engine and pared down construction. Former Formula One company Dallara has been drafted in to help KTM develop the roadster. Dallara, which is based in Italy, has been responsible for building and testing the prototypes.

The engine for the KTM is supplied by Volkswagen and is a heavily revised version of VW's 2.0-litre turbocharged FSI unit. It's thought the engine has been tuned to produce 250bhp for the KTM and will drive through a six-speed manual gearbox. There is also the option of fitting VW's DSG twin clutch paddle-shift gearbox.

KTM believes there is a market for 1,000 of its roadsters every year in Europe. The cars would be sold through the firm's existing chain of motorcycle dealers, but servicing would be carried out at VW dealers. The car will make its debut at the Geneva motor show in March 2007.