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Powered by Audi’s 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine, the KTM X-Bow GT-XR is a proper track-oriented car but is also decently practical for urban use.

In this era when every car maker is focusing more on the electrification of their cars, KTM is one manufacturer which is upping its road car game with a new iteration of its fun-to-drive X-Bow series of race cars. Say hello to the KTM X-Bow GT-XR, an all-new street-legal race car focusing on the traditional virtues of a track car – it’s light-weight, has a mighty engine, and feels radical to drive.

The KTM X-Bow GT-XR is essentially a road-legal version of the X-Bow GT2 track-only race car and is the second road-legal from KTM. A competitor to road-legal race cars like Dallara Stradale and Radical Rapture, the KTM X-Bow GT-XR takes forward KTM’s prowess of retaining the excellence of madly enticing motorcycles in such kinds of race cars. The car has been priced at €284,900 (around $288,638) and is now available across Europe.

Related: KTM Unveils Full Carbon-Fiber X-Bow GTX Race Car With Jet Fighter Canopy

The 2.5-liter, five-cylinder, turbocharged gas engine from Audi, one of the most brilliant five-cylinder engines made to date, has served long as the prime powerhouse in KTM’s race cars. Here in the X-Bow GT-XR, this 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine plays the role of the powerhouse.

Known for its unique firing order and characteristic exhaust note, this five-cylinder engine from Audi develops 493 hp of maximum power and 429 lb-ft of maximum torque in the KTM X-Bow GT-XR. Even the 7-speed dual-clutch automatic (DSG) has come from Audi, which offers lightning-quick shifts. This engine is placed within a tubular steel rear frame, enabling the X-Bow GT-XR to attain a top speed of 174 mph.

The KTM X-Bow GT-XR tips the weighing scales at just 2491 lbs, which makes it one of the lightest road-legal 450 bhp+ (456 hp+) sports cars in the world. And needless to say, the extensive use of carbon fiber is the prime reason.

The overall design of the KTM X-Bow GT-XR, outsourced from KISKA design, features clean lines and sharp edges, with all the panels made of silky-looking carbon. The entire monocoque frame of the X-Bow GT-XR and the ‘jet-fighter’ canopy also has carbon fiber composite material in their composition. This carbon frame comes integrated with the windscreen and separate glass doors, which can be opened individually and could withstand around six times its weight.

To open this canopy, you need to use the remote control on the X-Bow GT-XR’s key. A minimalist but futuristic-looking cabin welcomes you, where the entire interior, including the wraparound dashboard and the bucket seats, is made of carbon fiber composite material. In addition to this extensive use of carbon fiber, KTM has also used aluminum for the mono-block fixed caliper brake system, which further keeps the weight in check.

Related: 10 Reasons Why Every Gearhead Should Drive The KTM X-Bow

For the X-Bow GT-XR, KTM has taken the popular X-Bow GT2 track car as the base. And we must agree that it’s a perfect base to take, as the GT2 has a proven aerodynamic prowess. The overall design of the KTM X-Bow GT-XR has a wedge-like design, with the front profile of the car having a streamlined design. While the X-Bow GT-XR gets optimized wheel suspension, its optimally-designed floor section increases the ground effect. At the back, the X-Bow GT-XR features a rear diffuser and a streamlined wing, which enhance the downforce with minimal air resistance.

The KTM X-Bow GT-XR also features an AirCurtain system, in which vortices get generated by the front spoiler and channeled around the floor of the car. It helps to create a chamber of air below the floor, which helps to keep the X-Bow GT-XR planted to the surface beneath. Adding to all these attributes is the low center of gravity of the X-Bow GT-XR, thanks to the lowered ground clearance and light-weighted frame.

While the X-Bow GT-XR is a proper track-oriented race car, KTM has ensured that it feels practical to live with and drive in the urban environment. With a claimed fuel efficiency of 25.87 MPG and a massive fuel tank capable of storing 25.4 gallons of fuel, the X-Bow GT-XR claims a full tank range of almost 625 miles. The car also comes with a 160-liter boot compartment, which offers a decent amount of space to store small luggage items.

In the cabin, the KTM X-Bow GT-XR comes with a removable multi-functional steering wheel. It has an integrated LED display serving as the instrument console. The interior might look outrageous for a road-legal car but feels decently practical with comfort essentials like an air conditioner, audio system with Bluetooth, and wide-angle camera rearview system with a digital rearview mirror. The center console also has a Quadlock bracket that can accommodate your smartphone and charge it. For charging your smartphones, there are two additional USB-C sockets.

Hailing from India, Jeo has grown up dreaming about a red-colored Porsche 911. This fascination led him to study more about cars and their functionality in his automotive engineering days from the past. His passion for writing about cars directed him towards blogging, which he has been doing for almost a decade.