09/06/2007 16:17 - Author: šubi - Readers: 2379 - Showed: 5987x

Have you ever thought how it will be if bikers, or rather people constructing motorcycles, build a car? No?

So look at this thing, from which is dripping testosteron. You might have an image now.

Austrian motorcycle producer KTM has decided to create a car with spirit of bike. X-Bow should be built in a hundred-unit set first, but the fate wanted something different. Well, fate – rather clients. They were so interested in X-Bow, that KTM decided to fabricate it with up to 1000 units per year! It appears to be obvious in case they have more than 600 binding orders even not a single stock car has left the factory. Not bad, I think.

And why is such interest in X-Bow? First, which draw attention of customer is probably a design of this overengined beast. Design is done by Gerald Kiska's design studio, which is responsible for designing KTM bikes for the last 15 years. Belong to KTM are declaring both shapes (sharp edges and outstanding lineaments) and war colors in combination orange – black – "how noteless" :o). Extremely light body (sizes - 3670 x 1870 x 1160 mm, wheel base 2430 mm) without any uselessness is made almost only from carbon fibre and that's why it weights around 700 kg.

Spring suspesion on the front axletree is by special system pushrod and on the rear by classic spiral springs. You could find 17" rims tired to tyres 205/40 R17 on the front and on the rear 18" with 235/40 R18. Behind the front wheels are hidden break wheels with 305 mm diameter, to which would bite four-piston stirrups if needed. Behind the rear wheels are break wheels with 262 diameter and two-piston stirrups. Thanks to it's featherweight and this nobly designed break system X-Bow stops from the speed of 100 kph on the dry road in respectable 33 metres.

Attend to the drive of X-Bow is engine knoown from Audi S3. Two-litres four-cylinder gives power almost 300 HP, which don't have to be the final number. Power is transmitted to rear wheels through six-speed manual gearbox and self-locking differential. The engine should give to X-Bow acceleration 0-100 kph of 4 seconds, by which straightly strikes at Ariel Atom 300 with 3,4 sec.

I must admit those bikers don't have bad ideas about cars. It is surely very interesting toy, but will it be still so interesting toy after you read the price tag? With the estimated cost is 55 000 USD it's surely interesting offer. We'll see how it become successful in the future and if it overpower the unearthly Ariel Atom 300.

Translated by Medvezh

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