On The Edge Pack: A crossbow bolt out of the blue!

The second car in our On The Edge pack is definitely an outlier in terms of what’s seen as a ‘normal’ GT car, but it shows what can happen if you free your mind. And the KTM X-Bow GTX/GT2 is definitely the product of a mind that’s been allowed to run wild! We’re including both variants of the car, one to fit into Raceroom’s SRO-aligned GT2 category and a second that will sit in a dedicated X-Bow GTX class.



KTM (that’s Kronreif & Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, in case you didn’t know) were historically best known for their off-road motorbikes. Founded 89 years ago, it’s another company with a proud legacy that flew under the radar for a long time before bursting into the international consciousness. First up was moto-cross success in the ‘70s followed by a slew of incredible results at the epic Dakar rally in the ‘90s (KTM went on to win the motorcycle category every year from 2001-2019!); then small-cap sports bikes before moving into top-flight MotoGP. But in 2008, amongst all this two-wheel focus came something unexpected: the X-Bow. Four wheels not two. Steering wheel not handlebars. Driver not rider.



The original X-Bow was clearly designed by engineers who usually work with two wheels and some choices show that, like the transverse engine mounting, the way the gear ratios are spaced and that the car is very softly sprung from the factory. Although it obviously came from a different place to most GTs, there was still a precedent: models like the BAC Mono and Ariel Atom had showed their was still a hunger for lightweight racers in the classic Lotus mould, taking cues more from single-seaters and sports bikes than classic GTs. With the appearance of an insectoid, steroidal go-kart, the X-Bow quickly became a popular and cheap entry point into wind-in-your-face racing, and with some modifications was allowed to race within the FIA GT4 category.



The next step was for a radical new bodywork and aero package. Race specialists Reiter Engineering helped build a closed-cockpit version of the X-Bow GT4 for the 2015 GT4 season, which introduced the front-pivoting canopy clam-shell. But the cars still retained the buzzbomb DNA of the original, despite its mini prototype looks, and it certainly retained the principle of _really_ annoying people driving more expensive, ‘real’ GTs.



In 2020 came the X-Bow thunder in the form of the GTX and GT2 Concept twin-sisters. Continuing its development partnership with Reiter, KTM’s GTX/GT2 is an even more aggressive-looking machine. The impetus for the new design was partially provided by the SRO’s new GT2 category, but, as with their success in bikes, it was also a natural evolutionary step for KTM: this is a company who prove themselves at each rung of the ladder before launching their next assault. Despite going up against the might of supercar manufactures (again), the X-Bow GTX/GT2 proved it could win against its more mainstream opposition (again).



Although there’s the stark visual difference to previous models, it is based around the same Dallara-designed carbon monocoque as the original X-Bow and the GT4. Aesthetically this is an unapologetically modern design: low-slung with sharp lines and a big rear wing hung on swan-neck mounts. It’s a car that looks epic from all angles: from the heavily raked nose with its modernist LED lighting pack to the rear with minimalist, red monster-eye brake lights mounted above fighter-style slatted vertical ducts.



Thanks to the massive, almost panoramic windshield, driver visibility is particularly impressive, roll-cage intrusion aside. And even then, because the roll-cage sits inboard and isn’t physically connected to the canopy, it just accentuates the star-fighter feel.



Both models feature the same engine, which is a tuned version of Audi’s 2.5-litre TFSI turbocharged inline-five unit. It’s got an unmistakable rasping exhaust note with little turbo chirrups thrown in, familiar to anyone who’s driven the R8 GT3,. However, the GTX features a more GT3-compliant 532bhp, whereas the GT2 engine has been tuned up by Lehmann Motorentechnik to hit the 600hp limit of the GT2 series. Weighing a fraction over a metric ton, it technically has more power than a Veyron! Which is then where the hand that gives is balanced by the one that takes away: to balance this outrageous performance against its GT2 opposition, the SRO added a mighty 295kg of ballast – which unfortunately we have also added virtually for accuracy.



The two have a very similar resultant power to weight ratio, but the GT2 will keep going and hit higher top speeds where the GTX runs out of steam. But it still means the GTX is quicker over any lap by a few seconds at least: it's just more capable in braking zones and is stronger in corners. The transmission in both cars is a Holinger MF six-speed sequential, while adjustable dampers manage the challenging job of keeping this rocket ship on the (perhaps not so) straight and (hopefully not too often) narrow.



The addition of the GT2 and GTX X-Bows to Raceroom means you can drive the complete KTM range, as we already feature the original and GT4 models. Look out for the final preview of our On The Edge pack content next Monday, ahead of its official release on April 5th!