The KTM story 1934 to today
In 1934 Hans Trunkenpolz opened a car repair shop in Mattighofen, Austria. Today the company he started builds the X-BOW, and Simply Sports Cars brings it to Australia.
01The story
What began as a car repair shop in 1934 was building motorcycles by 1953, and KTM riders went on to win the Dakar Rally 18 times in a row.
In 2008 KTM unveiled its first car, the X-BOW, and took it GT racing. In 2017 the X-BOW was approved for Australia, and Simply Sports Cars launched it here.
10 moments · 1934 to today
The KTM story1934 to today
01of10
Mattighofen
In 1934 Hans Trunkenpolz opens a car repair shop in Mattighofen, a small town in Upper Austria. The business is Kraftfahrzeug Trunkenpolz Mattighofen, and its initials become the three letters on every KTM. Mattighofen is still KTM’s home today.
Two wheels
In 1951 the company builds its first prototype motorcycle, the R100. Two years later the R100 goes into series production, and the repair shop becomes a motorcycle maker.
Dakar
KTM riders win the Dakar Rally every year from 2001 to 2019. There was no rally in 2008, so the run is eighteen wins in a row.
Geneva
At the 2008 Geneva Motor Show KTM unveils the X-BOW, its first production car. It is developed with three partners: KISKA for the design, Audi for the engine and Dallara for the carbon-fibre monocoque. It is built in Graz, Austria.
GT racing
KTM unveils the X-BOW GT4 in 2015, a factory race car built to GT4 rules, and the X-BOW goes GT racing in the GT4 European Series.
Sydney
After nearly three years of work, the X-BOW is approved for Australia under the Low Volume Import Scheme, and Simply Sports Cars holds its Australian launch night. “With limited volumes available it will remain exclusive, rare and you can even road register one,” said Lee, Director.
Winton
At the Harrop Ultimate Street Car Invitational at Winton, an X-BOW R takes trophies in its disciplines and first place overall, against cars from Porsche, BMW, Audi, Ford and Toyota. It laps Winton in the 1:27s.
Graz
In October 2020 KTM reveals two race cars: the GTX, a longer car for the track, and the GT2, built to SRO GT2 rules. From 2021 the GT2 races in the Fanatec GT2 European Series.
The GT-XR
On 6 September 2022 KTM unveils the GT-XR, a street-legal X-BOW based on the GTX and GT2. It has a highly resistant jet fighter canopy in place of doors, and Audi’s 2.5-litre five-cylinder, making 368 kW, behind the seats.
Sydney and Melbourne
Simply Sports Cars is Australia’s exclusive KTM X-BOW dealership, with showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne. Come and see the GT-XR up close, and talk to the people who drive them.
Book a viewing02Race to road
KTM’s own words for the GT-XR: a street-legal X-BOW based on its GTX and GT2 race cars.
03The canopy
There are no doors on the GT-XR. The roof, the windscreen and the side windows are one piece, and it tilts forward to let you in. KTM calls it a highly resistant jet fighter canopy.
04The engine
Audi’s turbocharged 2.5-litre five-cylinder sits just behind the seats, through a seven-speed DSG with a motorsport differential. It has been named Engine of the Year nine times.
A unique, throaty sound that is guaranteed to turn heads.
05Made to live with
KTM is keeping the GT-XR uncompromising, and making it easier to live with. From car number 101, every one comes with:
06In Australia
Simply Sports Cars brought the X-BOW to Australia in 2017. Since then it has raced it, taken it to Austria and put owners on track.
“It is such a unique vehicle and truly suited to driving enthusiasts that want the ultimate track day sports car in Australia.”
After nearly three years of work, the X-BOW is approved under the Low Volume Import Scheme and launched at Simply Sports Cars.
An X-BOW R wins the Harrop Ultimate Street Car Invitational outright, lapping Winton in the 1:27s.
A frameless windscreen that wraps around the cockpit like a helmet visor.
Michael and Dean race in the KTM X-Bow Rookies Challenge in Austria. The advice from KTM’s drivers: “don’t use the brakes.”
Racing driver Barton Mawer laps Wakefield Park in about a minute in an X-BOW R, driving at about seven tenths.
Track days, personal driver coaching and owner nights, with showrooms in Sydney and Melbourne.
07The range
Three X-BOWs, one idea: the GT-XR for the road, and the GTX and GT2 for the track.
The road car, built from the GT2 race car.
Explore the GT-XRBuilt for track days and endurance racing.
Explore the GTXThe GT2 race car the GT-XR comes from.
Explore the GT2
