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John Mahoney14 Oct 2020
NEWS

Wild 390kW KTM X-BOW GTX launched

Featherweight full carbon-fibre creation made for hardcore track day fans and pro racers could one day spin-off road-legal supercar

A KTM X-BOW GTX racer has been unleashed that costs €230,000 ($A380,000), weighs just 1048kg and is quicker around a track than almost any million-dollar hypercar you care to name.

Thanks to that miniscule kerb weight and motorsport-derived aerodynamics, KTM doesn't need big power to offer epic performance, with the car-maker using Audi's latest turbocharged 2.5-litre inline five-cylinder that pumps out a respectable 390kW and 650Nm of torque.

Instead of a slow-shifting manual, the KTM gets a sequential six-speed Hollinger gearbox that channels all that might to the road via a mechanical limited-slip differential.

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Based on the Austrian brand's skeletal X-BOW roadster, the new KTM X-BOW GTX shares its ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre structure and body panels but gets a single-piece jet-fighter-style canopy that features individual glass escape doors to aid exit if you find the nose buried in a tyre wall.

Speaking of which, since the X-BOW GTX has been made for amateur track day enthusiasts and semi- and professional racers, safety has taken a priority in the two-seater racer's construction.

Not only is the carbon-fibre monocoque extremely rigid, there's a full FIA-approved roll cage that features extra protective side struts and a full cross bracing behind the two seats.

KTM has also subjected the GTX to rollover crash tests.

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Tailoring the GTX handling to differing driving styles and skillsets, the KTM gets fully adjustable pushrod suspension that includes adjustable anti-roll bars. There's also an eight-way adjustable traction control system and 10-way adjustable ABS brakes.

Homologated to compete in GT racing, the GTX also comes with a massive 120-litre fuel tank to ensure the little KTM is competitive in endurance races.

Other pure-racer touches include an on-board air jacking system, data logger and Le Mans racer electric shifter, instead of the heavier slower hydraulic shifting mechanism.

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Instead of traditional rear-view mirrors, the GTX relies on a pair of rear-view cameras that project the view behind on two screens to the right and left of the cabin.

Stump up the cash for the KTM X-BOW GTX and you get a free factory seat-fitting and custom six-point harness thrown in.

It's thought that both the KTM X-BOW GTX and the closely-related GT4 racer recently released could spin off road-going versions for those who love the pace and handling of the regular X-BOW but find it a little too draughty.

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