2023 KTM X-Bow GT-XR scouting at Nurburgring
KTM is preparing to reveal a road-legal version of the X-Bow GT2 high-performance racer.
Dubbed X-Bow GT-XRThe Austrian motorsport and sports car maker tracked down a prototype version of their fighter-inspired, road-going sports car.
It is expected that this version of the X-Bow will be revealed soon as KTM recently posted two official images of the GT-XR on its social media with the caption saying “there will be more more” and “keep an eye out”.
KTM previously confirmed the X-Bow GT-XR has motorsport roots and is based on the X-Bow GT2, but has added extra “features” to make it legit.
Strength will come from a 2.5 liter turbocharged 5-cylinder engine Originated from Audi. This tool is shared with Audi RS3 and TT RS.
In the race-specific version of the X-Bow GT2, this five-cylinder engine is tuned to produce 441kW of power and 720Nm of torque, 147kW and 220Nm more than the current-generation RS3.
It’s unclear whether the road-going X-Bow GT-XR will produce the same power and torque as the X-Bow GT2, or if it will be closer to the master, but still only for the track. X-Bow GTX.
The X-Bow GT2’s engine is mated to a six-speed sequential transmission provided by transmission specialist Holinger. There is also a limited-slip differential.
There’s fully adjustable Sachs durability suspension at all four corners in the X-Bow GT2, and the front brake is a six-piston type with a 378mm disc supported by a four-piston, 355mm disc at the rear.
Although it retains the all-carbon monocoque chassis, it is expected that the road X-Bow GT-XR will be slightly heavier than the GT2 model, which has a dry weight of 1048kg.
The only obvious exterior difference from the track-only X-Bow GT2 to the trailblazing X-Bow GT-XR prototype is the rear spoiler.
The spoiler is still quite prominent on the X-Bow GT-XR prototype but loses the swan neck style synonymous with racing cars, as well as Porsche 911 GT3.
On the inside, it is expected that the KTM X-Bow GT-XR will retain much of the racing-oriented hardware that the GT2 has, but it will all have to be similar.
At this stage, it remains unclear whether the road-going X-Bow GT-XR will be offered Down Under.
KTM first debuted the convertible X-Bow in 2008 at the Geneva motor show as part of a collaboration between Kiska Design, Audi and Italian racing car manufacturer Dallara.
The GT4 version of the X-Bow began racing in various series in 2015 and was updated in late 2017.
The X-Bow GT4 is the first X-Bow variant in the lineup to feature an enclosed cockpit design to comply with the stringent GT4 regulations.
One of the most important updates to the X-Bow came in late 2020 when KTM announced the race-only X-Bow GTX and GT2.
Click on an image to see the entire gallery.