KTM X-Bow crashed at the Nurburgring

Posted Mon Sep 29 2008 2:08 PM by Ralph Hanson

KTM X-Bow mounts the guardrail at the Nurburgring

Sir Jackie Stewart didn't nickname the Nurburgring's Nordschleife 'The Green Hell' for its friendly, low-risk atmosphere. Over the decades, the numerous curves, variable conditions and constant traffic have claimed more than a few vehicles. The latest victim of the German uber-circuit is a brand-new KTM X-Bow on its maiden voyage.

Built by legendary Austrian motorcycle manufacturer KTM, the X-Bow is a street-legal (in some countries, at least) track-day warrior intended for the truly brave, the truly mad, or both. Its carbon-fiber-heavy construction appears to have held together well for the occupants of the doomed orange streak, which left the track and skidded on two wheels for some distance before striking and going astride the armco barrier.

Both driver and passenger are apparently none the worse for the wear, and though the roughly $80,000 vehicle is almost certainly damaged beyond repair, as The Sun notes, with the car's intense performance capabilities, the injury-free outcome is impressive.

The X-Bow is powered by a 240hp (179kW) 2.0L TFSI engine and is capable of 0-62mph (0-100km/h) sprints of 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 150mph (240km/h).

Via: The Sun