News 8 Dec 2016

KTM planning production version of RC16 MotoGP machine

Track-day special in the works from Austrian powerhouse.

Source: Supplied.

Source: Supplied.

KTM has plans in the works to create a production version of its incredible new RC16 MotoGP entry, German publication Speedweek has revealed. And the bike could be on the market as soon as 2018.

The Austrian manufacturer intends to release a track-day V4 replica variant of the RC16, which will be piloted in the MotoGP World Championship by Pol Espargaro and Bradley Smith fulltime next season.

“Next year we will be racing with the RC16, but a year later we will tackle it [the race replica],” KTM CEO Stefan Pierer reportedly told Speedweek.com. “We want to build at least 100 pieces and also offer this product at a very affordable price.

“This motorcycle will not receive any road approval – it is only intended for closed race tracks. We want it to be as close to the MotoGP bikes as possible. 270hp it won’t be, more likely 240hp. I definitely want to get a much lower price for this production racer than Honda offers. I would like to see that we are heading towards €100,000 or €120,000 ($140,000-$170,000). Affordable riding is our philosophy.”

KTM has made a major impact in grand prix racing this year, capturing the Moto3 World Championship title with South African Brad Binder while also developing the RC16 premier class contender ahead of its wildcard debut at Valencia. It will also enter an official Moto2 team in 2017.

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