2023 KTM X-Bow GT-XR sports car planned for Australia

Austrian motorcycle specialist KTM has revealed its latest high-power road-legal track car, the KTM X-Bow GT-XR – and it could be coming to Australia.

KTM – best known for its motorcycles – has revealed the X-Bow GT-XR, a road-going version of the track-only X-Bow GTX racer unveiled in 2020, itself a derivative of the open-air X-Bow roadster which dates back to 2008.

The Australian distributor of KTM – Simply Sports Cars – says it is in discussions with the Austrian company to import right-hand-drive versions of the X-Bow GT-XR to drive on local roads.

“We are keen to bring this car into the Australian market and are currently in active discussion with KTM about a RHD [right-hand-drive] variant and compliance requirements,” said Richard Gibbs, Simply Sports Cars Chief Operating Officer.

The KTM X-Bow GT-XR is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder petrol engine, also found in the Audi RS3 and TT RS.

However, while Audi’s latest RS3 hot hatch has 294kW and 500Nm, KTM claims outputs of 368kW and 581Nm for the X-Bow GT-XR – delivered to the rear wheels through a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

With a dry weight (without driver or oil, water or other fluids) of 1250kg, the KTM X-Bow GT-XR can accelerate from zero to 100km/h in 3.4 seconds, pushing on to a top speed of 280km/h.

Despite its track-focused roots, KTM claims the X-Bow’s 96-litre fuel tank capacity (10L short of a Toyota LandCruiser 300 Series) allows the sports car to drive for up to 1000km on a full tank, or Sydney to Melbourne with fuel to spare.

The KTM X-Bow GT-XR rides on a set of OZ Racing wheels, measuring 19 inches up front and 20 inches at the rear.

Motorsport-bred components such as adjustable suspension carry across from the X-Bow GT2 race car, as do the carbon-fibre composite body panels and monocoque chassis.

Rather than a pair of doors, the KTM X-Bow GT-XR is equipped with a powered canopy which extends and retracts to allow its occupants to climb in.

While it is based on a hardcore race car, KTM’s road-going X-Bow is fitted with creature comforts including air conditioning, Bluetooth connectivity, a glovebox and a 160-litre boot – 30 litres larger than a Mazda MX-5 sports car.

A Formula One-style steering wheel integrates the car’s instruments while a trio of cameras replace the traditional side and rear-view mirrors.

Optional equipment includes a hydraulic nose lift kit, carbon ceramic brakes plus a catalytic converter and silencer system for the X-Bow’s stainless steel exhaust.

Priced from €284,900 ($AU421,500) in Europe, the KTM X-Bow GT-XR could go on sale for more than triple the price of the original X-Bow – which started from $169,000 before on-road costs when it arrived in Australia five years ago.