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2023 ktm x bow gt xr on the road

2023 KTM X-Bow GT-XR is a Mad Road-Racer With a Fighter Jet Canopy


KTM’s previous attempts at making a road car have been quite extreme but the X-Bow GT-XR turns the volume right up to eleven with its inherent madness. It’s basically a road-going GT2-inspired racer with copious amounts of power weighing next to nothing.

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2023 ktm x bow gt xr in orange

Image: KTM

Overall weight is an astonishingly low 1130kg and its carbon-fibre monocoque is actually below 90kg. Combine that with a sprightly 493 bhp 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo petrol knicked from an Audi and you have a recipe for some serious fun.

Yes, it’s the same engine as you find in the RS3, but in this lightweight rocket you’ll be heading from 0-100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. That’s proper supercar performance right there. However, that is slightly less power than the X-Bow GT2 racing version, but we doubt anyone will complain about that!

KTM quotes a top speed of 280km/h for the X-Bow GT-XR and while there’s no manual gearbox on offer, a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox is better suited to this kind of car, we say. We also think that the streamlined styling reminds us of a shrunken hypercar and the proportions scream the proper ‘road-racer’ stance. It’s all carbon fibre and the giant wing at the back also lends it a menacing look as well.

The interior isn’t as barebones as you might expect, although driver distraction has been kept at a minimum with rearview mirrors being left off the drawing board entirely as they add weight, replacing them with cameras. An adjustable pedal box, 160-litre luggage compartment, and smartphone connectivity results in what can only be described as a thinly disguised racing car for everyday use.

KTM says that you can use the car for long-distance road trips with a large 96-litre fuel tank and you can even spec a hydraulic nose lift for speed bumps. However, we saved the best for the last as the X-Bow GT-XR gets a fighter jet canopy for dramatic egress and ingress – it really cannot get cooler than this.

The car is currently available for order in Europe though it remains to be seen whether RHD versions would be made for markets like Australia. We certainly would want it to be on sale here since it applies superbike ethos in a car and shows why modern-day performance cars are either too complicated or overweight.

Check it out

2023 ktm x bow gt xr cockpit

Image: KTM

2023 ktm x bow gt xr close up

Image: KTM

2023 ktm x bow gt xr mirrors

Image: KTM

2023 ktm x bow gt xr engine bay

Image: KTM

2023 ktm x bow gt xr brakes

Image: KTM

2023 ktm x bow gt xr interior

Image: KTM

2023 ktm x bow gt xr dashboard

Image: KTM

2023 ktm x bow gt xr factory

Image: KTM

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