Best known for its motorcycles, Austrian manufacturer KTM also has a history of building some wild sports cars. Its X-BOW division has spent nearly two decades developing lightweight, racing-inspired machines. The lastest machine to roll out the doors, the GT-XA, is preparing to make the drive from the circuit to American roads.
Developed specifically for the U.S. market, the GT-XA is expected to begin deliveries in 2027. Only 30 examples are planned for the first year, each individually commissioned and built in Graz, Austria. Buyers will also have the opportunity to select their preferred production number and personalize their cars.
Pricing is expected to come in around US$490,000, with prospective owners able to reserve an allocation through the brand’s exclusive U.S. partner, Carbon Yard, for a fully refundable US$50,000 deposit.
Introduced in 2008, the original X-BOW was a super minimal, open-cockpit whip built around a lightweight carbon-fibre chassis. Over the years, the product line grew to include the GTX and GT2 racing models, the latter of which has already competed in the U.S., including at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
At the heart of the GT-XA is a carbon-fibre monocoque chassis, paired with aggressive aero and a mid-mounted, Audi-sourced 2.5-litre turbocharged five-cylinder engine. Power heads through a dual-clutch transmission, while a mechanical limited-slip differential helps put it to pavement.
Like the recently unveiled Hennessey Blackbird, the GT-XA is part of a small but fascinating group of low-volume sports cars that put the driving experience first.
Perhaps the car’s most unique feature is its Jetfighter Canopy. Rather than conventional doors, an electrically operated canopy opens forward to allow access to the cockpit, making the car look like it should maybe be on a runway rather than a driveway.
There’s a bit of a catch, though. Street-use approval in the U.S. is still pending.
And for now, the launch appears to be limited to the U.S., with no mention of Canada.
Those who end up in one of the initial 30 vehicles can expect some perks, too, including a planned series of experiences that include visits to its Austrian production facility and driving opportunities at the Red Bull Ring.
For nearly two decades, KTM has been building cars that blur the line between road and racetrack. With the GT-XA, that line is getting thinner still.