| KTM Motorcycles came out with their first sports | | | | production model that was on exhibit in 2008. |
| car at the Geneva Motor Show in 2007 with the | | | | There it was seen that that, for the most part, |
| KTM X-Bow. There was a limited edition of the | | | | the biggest change was to enlarge the central air |
| X-Bow as well...The X-Bow Dallara (there are only | | | | intake located between the headrests. This is to |
| going to be 100 made.). This is in honor of Dallara, | | | | allow for greater engine cooling during demanding |
| the Italian specialist in racing and sport cars. This | | | | activities. |
| Italian company is also involved with developing | | | | Another obvious change is the new instrument |
| and tuning of the chassis. The chassis itself is a | | | | arrangement. Originally, all of the indicator and |
| double wishbone and has push rod suspension in | | | | controls along with a display on the steering |
| the front. An extra option is a racing chassis that | | | | wheel, which was proven not too be such a good |
| has an altered suspension and settings and has a | | | | place for them. So now the display, which is |
| pre-loaded adjuster so you can adjust the ground | | | | shower-proof, is now located on the center |
| clearance. | | | | console top. And the control buttons are still on |
| The X-Bow is a lightweight mid-engine vehicle that | | | | the steering wheel. |
| has a carbon fiber monocoque (Greek and French | | | | Another big change was the addition of small |
| word meaning single shell.) This is a construction | | | | polycarbonate side windows and a smaller |
| technique that supports the structural load by | | | | windshield. Also new is the seating upholstery. The |
| using the object's external skin instead of using an | | | | seat shells have to be rigid and are made from |
| internal frame or truss that then is covered with | | | | carbon so that the seats can be fixed right to the |
| a non-load-bearing skin. Another term for this | | | | monocoque, so the cushioning is necessary and |
| technique is called Uni-body construction. | | | | comes in different sizes to fit the drivers. Also |
| This is a highly developed technique for Formula 1 | | | | available is a pedal box that is mechanically |
| racing, racing cars and those expensive and exotic | | | | adjustable so the driver can set up a driving |
| sports cars. This particular shell is manufactured | | | | position that is comfortable. And if you like the |
| by specialists in Wethje, South Germany. It has a | | | | "sporty sound" the KTM X-Bow has a silencer |
| crash box located in the front and a "solid | | | | with twin exhaust pipes for fine-tuning. Many of |
| sandwich structured floor pan." Because of the | | | | the options that are also extra in the Dallara |
| carbon fiber shell, the vehicle is only 2,370 pounds. | | | | edition you can order for the standard KTM |
| Because it has such a low weight, it can | | | | X-Bow except for the Dallara plaque and the |
| outperform many of the other super cars that | | | | special graphics. |
| are more powerful. | | | | Currently, it is certified for being road legal in most |
| This sports car was designed for wintertime fun, | | | | of the European countries. The "European Small |
| so it is equipped with four-wheeled drive. It is also | | | | Series Homologation Regulations" that is set for |
| equipped with two liter Audi TFSI Inline-four. The | | | | the first part of 2009 will make it road legal in all |
| engine weighs 1742 pounds. Torque is 229 pounds | | | | of Europe. |
| per foot. Horsepower is 240 or 7.3 pounds per | | | | Speaking of Europe, even though authorities do |
| horsepower. Top speed is 0-62 in 3.9 seconds. | | | | not require that the driver of the X-Bow to wear |
| This vehicle, with its radical and advanced | | | | a helmet, KTM stresses that they recommend |
| technological solutions, is designed for the ultimate | | | | that you do. At the Geneva Show, they had two |
| true open-air car driving experience. So this | | | | available (both had the X-Bow branding). The |
| means that there isn't a roof or windshield. At | | | | models were the Arai Closed Racing Helmet and |
| least, not in the conception phase, when it was | | | | one from Schuberth, a German company. The |
| first introduced in 2007 at the Geneva Motor | | | | Arai meets requirements from motor sports |
| Show. That was so the focus was to be on the | | | | authorities by providing comprehensive protection |
| deliverance of the driving experience that only can | | | | whereas the German one has better peripheral |
| be found riding a motorcycle. There have been | | | | vision. |
| very small alterations from the prototype and the | | | | |