KTM Roadster

[Canadian Turbo]

This interesting-looking roadster is purported to be an early look at Austrian motorbike-maker KTM’s first crack at a production car. Looking a bit like a Smart Roadster fused with a set of front cycle fenders, this lightweight two-door appears to have the makings of a great driver.

KTM reportedly hopes to sell around 1,000 copies of the Volkswagen-engined convertible each year. The car is expected to be powered by a 250 brake horsepower four-cylinder, and could be produced at KTM’s headquarters in Mattighofen, or in Graz, which likely portends a tie-up with Magna Steyr.

Earmarked for an intro at Geneva in 2007, the KTM is expected to sport a pricetag in the range of $45,000 USD, but there’s no word on if it will come to the U.S.

[Kor]

Re: KTM Roadster

I assume they are going to use the 2.0T in it? The 1.8T is smaller and can push 250hp, I wonder...

I would be pretty enthusiastic about this kind of car if it ever came to Canada

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: KTM Roadster

Update

Back in January, rumors broke about a possible collaboration between German automaker Audi and Austrian motorcycle builder KTM on a "puristic roadster" project. Following the initial report by Germany's Kleine magazine, AutoExpress reported KTM would supply a low-cost carbon fibre chassis, among other components.

Now, a new report by Germany's Auto Motor und Sport indicates the car will be named "Crossbow" and will be unveiled next spring at the Geneva auto show. It is expected to be powered by a 220 horsepower inline-four for the base model, and a 320 horsepower motor for the top-of-the-line variant. It will weigh just 1,550 pounds and cost around 40,000 euros, according to the report.

Production is rumored to be limited to 500 vehicles per year. It is believed to have many similarities to the Volkswagen EcoRacer Concept, but may have a semi-open-wheel design (with front fenders for street legality). Some reports have indicated the vehicle will have a windscreen, while others have suggested it will require the use of a helmet. If branded as an Audi, we suspect a windscreen will be there.

[Canadian Turbo]

Re: KTM Roadster

Official design









We’ve been following the story of KTM new mini-racecar for some time now, with initial reports that it would be built by Audi, and then revised reports that Audi would only be supplying the engine. Yesterday, KTM revealed the X-Bow to the press before its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show. The lightweight sports car will weigh less than 700kg and come with an Audi-sourced engine, though no horsepower figures were revealed.

CEO of KTM, Stefan Pierer has high hopes for the X-Bow because he feels that it offers something new in the market, though Caterham and Ariel would beg to differ about that. He sees the X-Bow as the perfect blend of motorcycle and car, and a vehicle that harks back to the cars Lotus built twenty or more years ago.

KTM plans to have the X-Bow on the roads by the end of 2007 with a price tag of more than €40,000.