KTM X-BOW R is celebrating its debut and extends the product range
The series version of the KTM X-BOW was presented at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2008. To the enthusiasm of journalists, and above all the interested parties, the first car of KTM, the Austrian motorcycle manufacturer, had lost none of the company’s radicalism, its purism and its technological innovations. So, it is not surprising that even today, more than three years after its debut, the X-BOW is a powerful inspiration to automotive and technology aficionados all over the world.
In the meantime, approximately 30 dealers and 10 importers worldwide distribute the extreme super sports car. From KTM’s own production facility in Graz (Styria, Austria) they find their way to customers who use their purist vehicles enthusiastically in all conditions, from the depths of winter to high summer. And more than a few also bring their KTM X-BOWs to the place from which its technology was derived: directly onto the track. Whether for free driving, track days or even in motor sport competition: The X-BOW barely recognizes any opposition and the reason for this is in its pure racing DNA and the KTM motto “Ready to Race”.
The X-BOW racing spirit for both car and driver is best found in the "KTM X-BOW BATTLE", the race series that is fully supported by KTM. This series was first founded in 2010 and in the current 2011 season has over 30 starters in three competition classes competing on the best-known and most popular European racetracks. Whether it is on a Formula 1 circuit like the Hockenheimring, a classic circuit such as the "Masaryk-Ring" in Brno or Red Bull’s own brand new circuit, the Red Bull Ring in Austria’s Spielberg, races are fought down to the last millimeter. Driving is always fair and with the necessary respect for colleagues, who in most cases are not only the drivers but also the owners of the vehicles.
The decision to continue consequently with the X-BOW project in spite of the severe economic crisis in 2008 was strategically right, as KTM CEO Stefan Pierer states. "Of course it was not easy to achieve it at the time of the financial crisis and it was also a steep learning curve. But the reputation of KTM in the car industry, in the environment, has thus achieved a whole new level. And with "KTM Technologies", we created a new, highly successful company that specializes in lightweight construction. We have also succeeded where only very few companies who enter the car industry do so, namely to enter this segment and to construct a super sports car, to produce it in series, to achieve the small series homologation and above all to sell it up to date more than 500 times!”
“In addition we have created a very special vehicle, one that has won many comparison tests, inspired journalists and customers alike, and which is the basis for a successful race series. If for example when you attend the KTM X-BOW Battle and there are 35 people with the X-BOW not only engaged in exciting, high-class racing but also having such enormous joy with this product, then you know that the step was the right one. The "Orange” spirit that runs through our entire community has also spread to the owners of the X-BOW. It is truly wonderful to see. I realize it myself, I drive my X-BOW regularly – and every time it is a pleasure to do it. Driving this type of car is something unique, really special, and just unbelievable good fun. And we will not only continue its production but also its development. The KTM X-BOW R is an important step in this process and there is already even more to follow in 2012. I am already happy about that!"
