A 500 PS full carbon racing car comes courtesy of the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer.
It is not often one hears automotive news from notable Austrian motorcycle manufacturers KTM. Though when news does emerge, it is always a treat to behold. Much like their recent unveiling of the new KTM X-Bow GTX for instance, a successor to the original KTM X-Bow launched way back in 2008.
Still embodying the track spirit of the original X-Bow, the new GTX now has just turned it up to 11 in all areas. A full carbon-bodied racing car, the GTX still retains the original’s menacing aesthetic. The gooseneck rear spoiler and fender-mounted cameras that replace traditional wing mirrors too add to its racy vibe, in addition to aiding aerodynamic performance.
The main difference though between the original and the current model would be the now standard ‘Jetfighter’ canopy’. A revised version of the one seen on the X-Bow GT4 racing cars, this is a departure from the original roofless examples.
Complete with an FIA homologated roll cage, it does add a hefty 258 kg to the original weight of the X-Bow, with the new GTX barely tipping the scales at 1048 kg. However, the 75% increase in power should compensate for that extra weight.
This staggering increase in power is courtesy of an Audi-derived 2.5 litre turbocharged five cylinder. Outputting a whopping 500 PS and 650 Nm of torque, this means that this featherweight track car has a hypercar rivalling power-to-weight ratio of just 2 PS/kg. Drive is sent to just the rear wheels through a six-speed Hollinger sequential transmission.
While a price tag of €230,000 (RM 1.2 million) may seem like a lot for a car with no indicators or a license plate, the X-Bow GTX does feature top-notch components from some of the world’s finest brands. All in the purpose of ensuring dominance on the track.
Fully adjustable Sachs dampers are featured on all four corners, as is an endurance braking system with six-pistons up front and four-pistons at the rear. A combination of SaReNi and MoTec components control the electrical side of the GTX. Meanwhile, the driver is seated within a bespoke carbon-kevlar Recaro racing seat, strapped in by Schroth six-point harnesses and would grip on to a suede racing wheel. For this price too, a 120 litre FT3 racing twin-nozzle fuel tank is standard, as is the standard Krontec air-jack system.
So while it may not be most people’s ideal way of spending RM 1.2 million, expect to see many of these new Austrian-made track-weapons all liveried up and pounding around the race tracks of the world by early next year.
PRESS RELEASE: The new KTM X-BOW GTX is officially unveiled. The full carbon fibre racing car from KTM Sportcar GmbH impresses with its unique, spectacular design, which – like the original model of the KTM X-BOW, which has been on the market since 2008 – it owes to the designers at KISKA. In close cooperation with the aerodynamic specialists and technicians of development partner Reiter Engineering, a breath taking, aerodynamically perfect and technologically revolutionary racing car with a ground-breaking safety concept was created, which is just as ideal for track days as it is for professional use in racing. There and there, the new KTM X-BOW GTX will definitely be the most spectacular, beautiful and technologically advanced vehicle, KTM board member Hubert Trunkenpolz is convinced: “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. 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.”
Above all, the safety concept of the KTM X-BOW GTX sets new standards: It combines the tried and tested carbon fibre monocoque of the KTM X-BOW, the basic concept of which is based on a Formula 3 monocoque, with the safety of a full-fledged roll cage, GT homologated according to FIA Appendix J. In addition, the driver sits in a Recaro competition seat, developed according to “Advanced Seat” criteria. KTM Sportcar GmbH Managing Director Michael Wölfling: “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.” For maximum performance, the KTM X-BOW GTX, which weighs only 1,048 kilograms, is powered by the ultra-modern 2.5 litre five-cylinder turbo engine from Audi, developing 530 hp. This reduces the power-to-weight ratio to less than 2.0 kilograms (1.98 to be exact) and offers the greatest possible efficiency thanks to the lowest possible fuel consumption. 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. You can find a detailed overview of the complete technical highlights of the KTM X-BOW GTX (available from 230,000 EUR net) below.
Carbon monocoque:
The survival cell of the KTM X-BOW which has been tried and tested a dozen times since 2008 and has been built more than 1,300 times is extremely stiff and safe but weighs just around 80 kilograms.
GT rollcage:
Newly designed and homologated according to FIA Appendix J, the GT roll cage withstands the multiple weight of the vehicle in the rollover pressure test and now also has side struts in the monocoque as well as a full cross behind the driver’s seat.
Competition seat:
Together with partner Recaro, KTM has developed a competition seat made out of carbon-kevlar, which, in combination with the GT rollcage and carbon monocoque, establishes the extremely high safety standard of the KTM X-BOW GTX. Thanks to individually adaptable paddings, the shell is adaptable to every driver, and a homologated six-point racing harness from Schroth is standard as well.
Canopy:
The spectacular “Jetfighter Canopy” of the KTM X-BOW GT4 will also cause a stir on the KTM X-BOW GTX. However, the design has been completely revised, the formerly one-piece ‘Plexiglass’ canopy is being replaced by a carbon frame with an inserted windshield and separately opening glass doors on both sides, whereby the complete canopy can of course still be opened for entry and exit. The front screen is made of Makrolon and can be replaced quickly and cheaply if it is worn.
Steering wheel:
The suede racing steering wheel of the KTM X-BOW GTX is completely new in terms of looks, feel and ergonomics and has an integrated display that always keeps the most important information in the driver’s field of vision. Every single important control element is located in the central part, made out of carbon fibre. Of course, the steering column and thus the position of the steering wheel can still be adjusted in height and depth.
Pedal box:
Together with the – in this vehicle segment rather unusually – variable adjustment of the steering wheel, the KTM X-BOW GTX also has the tried-and-tested pedal box, which can be adjusted by around 30 centimetres, and which, especially in long-distance races, allows adaptation to drivers of different sizes in the matter of seconds.
Electric power steering:
The electric power steering replaces the hydraulic power steering previously used in the KTM X-BOW GT4 and offers several advantages. It is completely programmable in the development phase, in the end the customers can look forward to at least three different set-up variants, which can be selected accordingly to the preferences and needs of the driver. The electric power steering also saves weight.
Electric gear shifter:
LMP technology in the KTM X-BOW GTX: Le Mans prototypes have been using electrically operated gear shifters for quite a time now, but the technology has been too expensive for widespread use so far. SaReNi, a technology service provider from the Reiter-Engineering environment, has now developed such a gear shift for the new lightweight super sports car from KTM. The shifting operations are even more precise (the gears are always switched at the right connection speed), the material (especially gears and shafts) is preserved, and around seven kilograms of weight are saved by eliminating the hydraulic compressor, pressure accumulator and lines. In addition, the design is highly integrated, with oil pump, oil filter and oil-water heat exchanger located directly in the gearbox housing.
Camera rear view mirror system:
Instead of classic side mirrors, the new KTM X-BOW GTX relies on a high-tech system with two cameras and two screens on the right and left of the vehicle and in the cockpit. This absolute latest technology should even be approved for road traffic.
120 litre tank:
Thanks to its 120 litre capacity, the FT3 safety tank is prepared for all requirements. Equipped with a VLN (NLS) valve as standard, the tank can also be converted with a quick refuelling option on the left, the right, or on both sides of the car.
Interior ventilation:
Air routing and ventilation have been revised, the air outlets are also new and repositioned. Thanks to the higher air output and a stronger fan, the cockpit is significantly more effectively ventilated, and the ventilation of the windshield has also been improved.
Traction control and racing ABS:
Both traction control and racing ABS can be set manually. The eight-way adjustable traction control ensures optimal acceleration out of corners and more safety on wet tracks. The type 3 racing ABS from Continental can be adjusted in ten steps to the track conditions as well as to influence the vehicle balance towards understeer or oversteer depending on the driver’s wishes when turning into corners. Both selector levers are located directly on the steering wheel and can be operated intuitively there.
Aero profile suspensions, aluminium wheel carriers with quick camber adjustment:
The wishbones made of high-strength steel are designed in an aero-profile form, which is particularly important on the front axle, since there the air is led to the rear, laterally arranged radiators past the wishbones. They are combined with aluminium wheel carriers milled from solid, which, thanks to ingenious mechanics, have integrated a quick camber adjustment, which eliminates the need for time-consuming modifications when changing the camber and, above all, does not affect the track set-up of the car.
MoTec motor control and MoTec data logger:
The standard MoTec engine control includes a MoTec data logger and thus allows full data analysis in racing.
Power Distribution Unit:
The KTM X-BOW GTX has an electronic fuse box from SaReNi. The fuses are no longer physically available but programmed individually. This reduces the susceptibility to errors and ultimately the probability of failure during racing, since short voltage peaks do not “drop” any physical fuse (and paralyze the car or a system). Rather, the electronic fuse “engages” itself again, and the car continues to drive without any problems. And that – individually adjustable – even several thousand times in a row.
Audi 2.5 liter five-cylinder TFSI:
The engine with the abbreviation DNW is the latest variant of the legendary five-cylinder unit from Audi, which has caused a sensation in motorsport since the 1980s, whether in the Audi S1 in the World Rally Championship or in the Audi 80 IMSA GTO on closed circuit racing. The great-grandson of this legendary drivetrain is a technologically incredible high-quality engine with countless ingenious detailed solutions that make the heart of every engine specialist beat faster. For the 500 PS power level, that develops a maximum torque of 650 Nm, the “innards” of the engine with air-cooled intercooler could remain untouched, only the injection valves, the wastegate, the intake system, the exhaust system and the software were adapted.
Sequential gearbox:
The sequential six-speed gearbox is the tried and tested MF model from Holinger that has a continuous load capacity of 750 Newton meters and a peak load capacity of 1,000 Newton meters. It is therefore ideally suited to converting the powerful thrust of the 500 hp Audi engine into effective propulsion. A sintered metal racing clutch, an easier drive and a limited-slip differential are helpful.
Airjack system:
Nowadays, an airjack system is used as standard in racing, and the KTM X-BOW GTX is already equipped with the system from Krontec, which speeds up tire changes on track days and makes minor service or repair work easier.
Sachs racing dampers:
The dampers from Sachs can be adjusted in rebound and compression as well as in height on the front and the rear axles. On the front axle it is installed in a push-rod arrangement including an adjustable stabilizer.
Endurance braking system:
The brake calipers on the KTM X-BOW GTX are already designed for long-distance use. A 6-piston endurance brake system with a 378 mm disc diameter grips at the front, a 4-piston brake system with a 355 mm disc diameter at the rear.
Rear frame made of high-strength tubular steel frame:
The rear frame is made of high-strength steel tubes. On the one hand, it houses the 2.5 litre five-cylinder engine from Audi, on the other hand the sequential six-speed gearbox from Holinger, represents the mounting points for the rear suspension and provides the attachment for the high-performance radiators. Numerous crash elements at the rear of the car ensure that the valuable technology remains as undamaged as possible in the event of rear-end collisions.
