KTM is well known for its two-wheel creations. Many years of competition on the Dakar Rally cemented its position in the adventure bike market. More recently we’ve become aware of its performance credentials thanks to SA’s very own Brad Binder claiming his maiden MotoGP victory on a KTM. Few people, however, know that the Austrian firm produces road cars, such as the X-Bow (pr: crossbow) and soon it will be joined by a more extreme KTM X-Bow GT2-based road car

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Race-based

The upcoming model will be based on the KTM X-Bow GTX (pictured above), which is strictly for track days and for use in racing. Thanks to lightweight monocoque, carbon-fibre construction the track car tips the scales at incredible 1 048 kg, just a bit more than a Mazda MX-5. Expect the road car to be slightly heavier once all its homologation requirements are fulfilled.

Read our two-part series on track only specials: Part One and Part two.

According to a recent report in leading UK title Autocar, the KTM X-Bow GT2-based road car will use a version of Audi’s famous inline 2,5 litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine as found in the RS3. Max power in the racecar is rated at 441 kW with 720 N.m of torque. No word on whether the road-going version will have the same outputs. Power is transferred to the rear axle through a sequential six-speed Hollinger gearbox and through a limited-slip differential before reaching the ground.

Check out the Dallara EXP, at this link, which will probably be the new KTM’s closest rival.

The GT2 car rides on double wishbone suspension that will be carried over for road use. The X-Bow GTX has six-piston brake calipers clamping 378 mm discs on the front wheels and four-piston calipers on 355 mm discs at the rear.

Wish list

The component sheet of the racecar reads like the Christmas wish list of any racer. The seat is sourced from Recaro and drivers are held in place by a six-point racing harness from Schroth. The suede racing steering has an integrated display. Important control functions are located on the steering wheel centre, which is made out of carbon fibre. Traction control and racing-spec ABS can be adjusted manually on the steering wheel. The TC is eight-way adjustable while the racing ABS from Continental can be adjusted in ten steps. Some of these niceties will, most likely, be ditched for road use both to reduce complexity and to reduce cost.