KTM (Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen) is an Austrian motorcycle, bicycle, and track-orientated sports car manufacturer founded in 1934.
Initially setup by founder Johann Trunkenpolz as the "Kraftfahrzeuge Trunkenpolz Mattighofen" repair shop in 1934, it wasn't until after World War II that he began development of their first motorcycle in 1951: the R100.
In 1953, Ernst Kronreif became a major investor and shareholder in the company - to the extent of it being renamed "Kronreif Trunkenpolz Mattighofen" - allowing the company to expand to 20 employees and the R100 to enter production with many components built in-house.
Additional motorcycles were developed and sold following 1953 including their first sports bike in 1957, the Trophy 125cc; their first moped in 1960, the Comet; their first United States export in 1968, the Penton 125 Six Days; and began developing their own engines in 1970.
KTM became renown for its off-road motorcycles, although the company filed for bankruptcy in 1991, leading it to be split into four independent arms developing bicycles, radiators, tooling, and motorcycles.
In 1992, the motorcycle division is re-established with production of road and track focused sports motorcycles becoming prevalent by the late 90s.
In 2008, KTM revealed their first production car, the KTM X-Bow, at the Geneva Motor Show. It was developed in-part by Audi, Dallara, and KISKA, with an initial intent to build 500 units per year, although demand pushed for production of 1,000 units per year and a purpose-built production facility in Graz, Austria.
Vehicles[]
| Vehicle | Engine | Performance | Layout |
|---|---|---|---|
X-Bow GT-XR 2023 2.5L Turbocharged I5 |
493 bhp, 429 lb⋅ft (368 kW, 582 N·m) |
3.5 secs., 7-speed |
Mid-Engine, RWD 1,202 kg (2,650 lbs) |