Car Spider

In English, the word and spyder spider - homonyms, ie sound the same, but different value: spider - a spider, a spyder - body type vehicle. KTM might well call his uncompromising spider is not X-Bow, and Spider, so a lot of his spider traits in appearance.
Neither give nor take - a spider! In stock and body with a characteristic thickening (body), and legs (wheel design), and jaw (front air intake), and the notorious prickly eyes ("point" lights).
Aggressive "car Spiderman" shown at the Geneva Motor Austrian company KTM. Thank you for his Arachnids we have to say Gerald Kiska, which the Austrian company commissioned to work on the appearance of his first car (Salzburg design studio Gerald Kiska closely with KTM for 15 years). It turned out pretty simple and at the same time technologically. And removable colored panels (like motorcycles) are very out of place.
Meanwhile, KTM is best known for motorcycles, which account for the victory in the most prestigious rally-marathon Paris-Dakar and numerous motocross. But despite the fact that major advances KTM models associated with off-road, in the distant 1950s she began with motorcycles for road-racing circuit. In this side of the looking and the first car KTM.
And he looks toward a very narrow segment of the Spider-lightweights. The closest analogues - modification of the legendary Lotus Super Seven and created a sensation Ariel Atom. Although Atom little easier - 500 kg against 700 in X-Bow. But 700 kg - this is not enough!
Cars, for which the roof is not available, can be considered radical. Once there is no roof, so the car next to the "sport", and then needed a helmet and racing overalls belts. For X-Bow special line of clothing and helmets developed jointly with the Italian company Dainese, specializing in motoamunitsii. Four-point belts, and to order and five-point.
About such things as air conditioning, heating and ventilation, the developers did not even think. Windows too to anything. Moreover, the X-Bow does not even have doors! And the windshield itself - also have a windproof transparent visor 70 mm, almost like a motorcycle. No luggage. And why on track luggage? Adjusting the seat? Do not even think! Buckets fastened tightly regulated only pedals. Dashboard completely replaced multifunctional, a la F-1 steering wheel. Radical nowhere. But only 700 kg!
Despite the absence of all these "little things", the first car KTM high tech. No wonder it is built with the support of the pillars of the automotive industry - Audi and Dallara. The superstructure of the body - a carbon-fiber monocoque, which before had the privilege of supercars. Italians from Dallara did their best: the monocoque weight of 70 kg - largely from here hot temperament of the homologated for public roads the car. Audi also provided a 2-liter turbo TFSI, which develops 220 hp at 5900 rev / min and 300 Nm of torque at 2200-4000 rev / min. The Germans promised to bring the power of the KTM 300 forces for some versions of X-Bow. By the way, this engine weight-performance ratio is 2, 3 kg / hp. For comparison, the Porsche Carrera GT, the car completely different class (and price), the figure is 2, 2 kg / hp., While the spider Catherham CSR with close to X-Bow concept - 2, 8 kg / l. p.
To the rear wheels is transmitted through 6 step "mechanics" of VW, which can be supplemented to order differential lock. As an option - "automatic" dual-clutch S-Tronic. Cooled motor and transmission via radiators located on the "formulaic" manner: two in "pontoons" on the sides of the body and one in the back above the heads of riders.
Suspension X-Bow-monocoque body deserves. Double wishbones, horizontally placed shock from WP Suspension - everywhere felt racing approach. And the brakes to match - from Brembo. Ventilated discs with a diameter of 305 mm front and 262 mm rear stop KTM 100 km / h in the interval of 33 meters! Here, of course, we must also poblagodvarit light weight, low center of gravity and ideal weight.
Dallara participation in the project was not limited monocoque. X-Bow spent many hours at the Italians in the wind tunnel. Particular attention is paid to the organization of air flow under the bottom, that confirms the development of the rear diffuser. At a speed of 200 km / h on the car acts downforce of about 200 kg - a great figure! And as an option KTM promises even more advanced aerodynamic package.
Depending on the reaction of the audience at the latest KTM April 2007 decides whether venturing small-scale (500 to 1,000) Production of X Bow. If so assembly will begin in mid-2008. But regardless of this, the end of 2007 at the plant Dallara in Varano (near Parma) will be issued a pilot series KTM X Bow - 100 pieces. Price in Europe promise quite adequate for a car of this kind - about £ 42,000.