KTM Announces 2011 X-BOW R Model with 300HP

Austrian motorcycle specialist KTM is hard at work on the 2011 model year version of its X-BOW track-focused sports car, which will gain a higher performance R model. The original 790 kg (1,742 lb) X-BOW is powered by an Audi-sourced 240HP 2.0-liter TFSI. Around 500 have been sold worldwide since it was launched into the market in 2008.

The R model will have an additional 60 hp (45kw) over the standard model thanks to the adoption of the more powerful 2.0 TFSI from the Audi S3, which features changes to the engine electronics and peripherals to bump output to 300-horsepower.

It will be available in two equipment packages: a road legal / homologated "Sport" package and a more track orientated "Race" pack.

Many of the parts that go into the R will be available through X-BOW's PowerParts, so owners can tune their existing X-BOW to Sport and Race specifications.

Pictured in our gallery is a prototype version of the 2011 X-BOW R with the new parts installed undergoing testing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

More detailed information, including pricing, will be released early next year.

By Tristan Hankins

Argentinean Donto wants to battle Ariel and KTM with its P1

Donto Motor Company of Argentina has been working on a competitor to take on some world-class track day stars, the Ariel Atom and the KTM X-Bow. The South American two-seater has apparently been in development for the past 18 months and is called the P1.

Exterior designer Lucas Lopez says, "The P1 has a split body and the exoskeleton of an invertebrate, almost floating." Under the removable roof and that "floating" body of unspecified material (maybe some form of carbon fiber / FRP mix) will be an FIA-approved chassis built by Hector Perez, a chassis builder in Argentina known for a variety of racing chassis.

Donto wants to export the adult go-kart to Europe using a German engine with a price of $55,000 / ~ €43,400, but hopes to also have it street-legal (or at least available for track days) in all markets. With a target weight of under 700 kg / 1,543 lbs and using VW's 1.8T in the prototypes, this could be another crazy little track monster that's also emissions-friendly.

By Phil Alex

Via: Autoblog.com.ar & Worldcarfans