KTM Reveals X-Bow ROC & X-Bow Superlight in Geneva

KTM X-Bow ROC in Geneva

Limited Edition 'Race of Champions' Tribute Introduced

By Sam Stockley
March 5, 2009 12:30 AM
Filed Under: European, Geneva Motor Show, KTM, Specialty Marques

KTM, the makers that transformed radical prototype to radical production vehicle in just two and a half years, are back at Geneva to celebrate one year since their production X-Bow premiered. Launched in the Spring of last year at Geneva, the X-Bow is on the stands in five variants, two that make their world debut: the KTM X-BOW Superlight and X-BOW ROC.

The Austrian motorbike manufacturer's revised strategy for 2009 was announced with revised projected production figures down to 600 units from 1,000 alongside an alterered X-BOW line-up.

X-BOW Street, utilising like all X-BOW models Audi's 2.0 TFSI engine, remains the range's base model and is priced at 49.980 euros (exc. national taxes and import duties). The X-BOW Clubsport, 'perfect' entry-level for the track, is priced at €59.980 and the GT4, with its FIA seal of approval, is priced at €82.900.

Building on the lightweight credential's of the X-BOW's carbon fibre chassis architecture, the material of which until now reserved for aerospace and Formula 1, the X-BOW Superlight will flaunt its motorsport-derived technology for all to see. And that means the application of black body panels and wheel covers of visible carbon fibre giving the Superlight a distinctive 'technoid' look. A carbon crash box and inboard pushrod suspension are additionally mounted to the monocoque.

At 79,980 euros (plus national taxes and import duties), the Superlight is the range-topping KTM X-BOW and comes complete with limited-slip differential, lightweight lacquered alloys with a single central wheel nut and all-important lap timer.

The X-BOW ROC gives a nod to the legendary 'Race of Champions' event, last year held at London's Wembley Stadium, where thousands of motorsports fans cheered on drivers at the wheel of different vehicles and names including Michael Schumacher, Sebastien Loeb, Tom Kristensen and Matthias Ekström. This was the KTM X-BOW's first appearance.

With praise from world-renowned drivers, it was obvious to the team that a limited edition model was necessary. And so enters the X-BOW 'Race of Champions', or ROC for short. Set for a run of just 30, the ROC features an exclusive body panel design, paintwork, specially painted lightweight alloy wheels, sports exhaust and removable multi-function steering wheel. And this for 69,980 euros.

As well as stepping down production to 600 units in the current economic climate, KTM will be focusing customer attention to their range of special PowerParts and PowerWear products as well as participating in the X-BOW Trophy and the RaceOrange program.

Source: KTM

Press Release (Click to expand)

KTM X-BOW for 2009

New model line-up, the X-BOW-Trophy, PowerParts & PowerWear

The production version of the KTM X-BOW is celebrating its first birthday. Exactly one year ago, the production version of the KTM X-BOW made its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. To the rapturous applause of media and innumerable prospective buyers, who had given an enthusiastic welcome to the prototype unveiled one year earlier, it was confirmed that practically no changes had been made to the original design. The X-BOW had lost nothing of its radical nature, purist ethos or innovative technology on the way to series production.

Less than two and a half years had passed between the conception of the initial visionary idea by KTM CEO Stefan Pierer and KISKA CEO Gerald Kiska in the autumn of 2005 and the launch of the production model in the spring of 2008 in Geneva. Just six months later, the first customer KTM X-BOW was handed over to a very proud owner in the newly-built manufacturing plant in Graz. Such was the speed of KTM’s timescale for the creation of a radical new automobile that even the most optimistic would have found it hard to believe. It was a schedule only made possible by close collaboration with partners such as Dallara and Audi and, more than anything else, by the wholehearted commitment of KTM’s employees.

Almost 250 KTM X-BOWs were delivered to customers in the first six months of production and the order book stands at around 400 units. Meanwhile, KTM has moved away from the original plan to sell about 1,000 units per year. “Naturally, the general economic situation not only affects the large car manufacturers”, explains KTM CEO Stefan Pierer. “We are also sensing the hesitance to buy that is currently demonstrated by many prospective buyers, both in the motorcycle market as well as with the X-BOW. We have an extremely lean manufacturing structure and can react very quickly to changes in circumstances. Adjusting our sales target from 1,000 units per year to around 600 is an acknowledgement of the current situation. However, at the same time we are intensifying our efforts in the X-BOW field, extending the model cycle and making significant improvements to our service partner network. Furthermore, we are providing an extremely attractive model line-up for 2009 that offers the appropriate vehicle for every prospective buyer’s needs at very attractive prices. Moreover, we want customers and potential customers to form an even closer bond with the KTM brand by participating in the X-BOW Trophy and the RaceOrange program as well as by buying our special PowerParts and PowerWear products,” concludes Pierer.

KTM is starting the 2009 model year by exhibiting five different X-BOW models at the 79th Geneva Motor Show together with many more new products; from the attractively priced entry-level model, the X-BOW Street (€49.980*), and the X-BOW Clubsport, at €59.980* the perfect entry-level model for the racetrack, to the FIA-homologated race vehicle for professionals, the X-BOW GT4 (€82.900 plus national taxes and import duties). The 2009 range now also includes a further two attractive models: the X-BOW Superlight features all available technologies and radical lightweight construction, and the limited-edition X-BOW ROC, produced in homage to KTM’s participation in the most prestigious motorsport event of the year, the ‘Race of Champions’. The ROC model is celebrating its world premiere at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, together with the new X-BOW Street.

In addition, KTM will be providing information on the X-BOW Trophy 2009, the extensive, spectacular RaceOrange program and the PowerParts and PowerWear collections created especially for the X-BOW.

KTM X-BOW Superlight

Weight reduces performance and detracts from the pleasure of driving. That’s why you won’t find many of the conventional ‘comfort features’ in the KTM-X-BOW. The radical construction, without a roof or windscreen, and the omission of air-conditioning and an entertainment system, are all intended to focus the user’s concentration on a driving experience that is so pure as to be similar to that of a motorbike. But that’s not all: for the first time ever in the history of series-production cars, a chassis made completely of carbon fibre – or to be more precise, a carbon fibre monocoque – has been employed.

For many years this chassis technology has formed the ‘safety net’ in Formula 1 and other single-seater racing formulae, but on the road there have been only a very small number of supersports cars in the very highest price category that have used a carbon fibre monocoque. KTM is proud to be the first company to offer this chassis technology in an affordable form. Together with racing and sportscar manufacturer, Dallara, and carbon fibre specialist, Wethje, the Austrian company has made the lightweight X-BOW a reality.

Carbon fibre, the high-tech material from aerospace and Formula 1, opens up completely new possibilities for sportscar construction that have been extensively exploited in the X-BOW’s construction. It combines an incomparably strong structure – 35,000 Nm/o despite the open cockpit – with extremely low weight (the complete carbon composite monocoque weighs only 90 kilograms) and unrivalled safety. The X-BOW’s high-strength survival cell satisfied the stringent demands of the FIA crash tests right from the start.

As the X-BOW Superlight model, this unique sportscar from KTM displays its motorsport-derived technology for all to see. Added to the advanced monocoque, to which is mounted a carbon crash box and inboard pushrod suspension, are the black body panels of visible carbon fibre that give the Superlight its unique, technoid appearance. The flagship model in the X-BOW line-up is comprehensively equipped. For 79,980 Euros (plus national taxes and import duties) this model comes complete with limited-slip differential, lightweight alloy wheels with a single central wheel nut, lap timer and much, much more.

The Superlight series features in detail:

Carbon fibre monocoque with crash box in clear coat finish
Audi 2.0 TFSI engine with direct fuel injection and 177 kW (240 hp)
Smooth racing underbody, front splitter and rear diffuser in carbon composite
Body panels and wheel covers in carbon fibre
Individually adjustable pedals
Adjustable and removable multi-function steering wheel
‘Keyless Go’ system
Performance suspension, with adjustable compression and rebound rates, and with preload-adjuster
Limited-slip differential
Lacquered light-alloy wheels with single central wheel nut

The KTM X-BOW ROC

The ‘Race of Champions’ is the crowning highlight of every motorsports year, with the world’s best racing and rally drivers at the wheel of different vehicles in exciting head-to-head races infront of thousands of thrilled motorsports fans. Legendary drivers such as Michael Schumacher, Sebastien Loeb, Tom Kristensen and Matthias Ekström were among those participating in the December 2008 event at London’s Wembley Stadium, which also marked the first appearance of the KTM X-BOW.

The organisers, in particular rally legend Michelle Mouton, were fascinated by the revolutionary, lightweight supersports car from Austria. “The X-BOW is an exciting new sportscar – it generates an incredible furore with its spectacular design alone,” said Mouton, the most successful and best-known female rally driver of all time. And the participating racing drivers were all unanimous in their enthusiasm for the X-BOW. Formula 1 legend David Coulthard commented, “It’s an ingenious car concept that also looks quite simply unique.” Sebastian Vettel enthused that “Driving the KTM X-BOW is incredible fun,” while multiple world rally champion Sebastien Loeb called it simply “a great car!”

Everyone at the young car manufacturer is extremely proud of the X-BOW’s performance at the Race of Champions; so much so, it was logical that a special limited-edition series, named ‘Race of Champions’, or ROC for short, should be produced. Unique details featuring on the series of 30 units include: exclusive ROC design on the body panels and the weight-saving all-carbon body; the sports exhaust which attracts special attention with its deep sound; specially painted light-weight alloy wheels with a central wheel nut; adjustable sports suspension; and a removable multi-function steering wheel. The price for the ultimate supersports car of champions is 69,980 Euros (plus national taxes and import duties).

The ROC series features in detail

Carbon fibre monocoque with crash box in clear coat finish
Audi 2.0 TFSI engine with direct fuel injection
Smooth racing underbody, front splitter and rear diffuser in carbon composite
Body panels and wheel covers in carbon fibre
Exclusive paintwork in ROC design
Individually adjustable pedals
Adjustable and removable multi-function steering wheel
‘Keyless Go’ system
Performance suspension, with adjustable compression and rebound rates, and with preload-adjuster
Limited-slip differential
Lacquered light-alloy wheels with central wheel nut in ROC design
Plus: Schuberth helmet and X-BOW indoor cover